Clark University alumna Ali Fedotowsky visited campus on Sept. 7, invited by students to talk about her experiences as the recent star of the ABC-TV “The Bachelorette” reality show. She also introduced her fiancé Roberto Martinez to a crowd of about 200 students in Tilton Hall. Fedotowsky talked about her experiences at Clark after transferring from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in her junior year. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2006.
* Bachelorette revisits ‘Clarkie’ life – Worcester Telegram (9/8) *
“Surprise, surprise, I studied relationships,” Fedotowsky said. She recalled her undergraduate research focusing on couples and intimacy and disclosed that her thesis delved into “the mating trends of high school versus college students.” She talked about the influence of her faculty mentor at Clark, associate professor of psychology James Córdova, who directs the Center for Couples and Family Research. Professor Córdova met briefly with the couple and gave them a copy of his book, “The Marriage Check-up,” as a gift. Fedotowsky spoke fondly of her alma mater. “It’s a small school; it’s a community. I felt at home here. I felt like I was able to build relationships that were more meaningful.” After graduating, Fedotowsky moved to California for a job with the IRS, and then worked for Facebook for about a year. She told the students that a colleague convinced her to complete an online application to be on ABC’s “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love.” She described her shock at being selected and that she silently wished for her involvement on the show to be brief. She explained: “I went back to my job at Facebook because I really loved it and I worked way too hard at Clark to give up a job like that. It took a lot of soul-searching to decide to do ‘The Bachelorette’ and I’m so glad I did because I have a lovely fiancé.” Fedotowsky said she was delighted to be back at Clark and answered several questions from students who were obvious fans of the show. Her fondest Clark memory? “I was here when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, and we all stormed the president’s home when they won,” she said. The couple spent time posing for pictures and signing autographs. Later that evening, they were at a Red Sox game Fenway Park in Boston, where Fedotowsky tossed out the ceremonial first pitch.