The Beginning
Dolli (Quattrocchi) Gold, '95 and '99, initially began her studies at The University of Akron in 1971 intending to be an art education major. "I have to admit that back then I was an unmotivated student," said Dolli. "But I went to school because I loved playing euchre in the Chuckery with my friends."

After more than two years of lackluster grades, Dolli said she quit school in a rather unceremonious way. "I left The University of Akron in 1973 to work full time in an audio and video repair shop," she said. In 1974, Dolli returned to the university, not as a student, but as an employee in the office of Staff Personnel and later as a word processor in the School of Law.

Much has changed since Dolli's first venture at the university. Today, Dolli boasts 28 years of service to The University of Akron, an undergraduate degree in Communication and Rheto- ric, and a Master's degree in Education. In addition, she has three daughters who are all alumni of The University of Akron, two of whom are alumna of the School of Communication.

Dolli is very proud of her accomplishments and especially those of her daughters. "They grew up listening to stories about what I was learning at the university and tales about my professors. And while they were young... they knew I expected them to get their high school diplomas, get a Bachelor's degree, and begin their lives - in that order."

Dolli received her degrees while working for the university and raising her family. "Taking classes at night and during my lunch hours, I felt like a sponge," said Dolli. "I was soaking up everything I could learn. And I found that I was actually a good student!" In 1990, Dolli received a promotion to work in the Graduate School. She is now working for the vice president of research.

As the first generation in a family of Akron graduates, Dolli said, "I was the only one of the Quattrocchi daughters to attend college after high school. My parents were clearly very proud when I received my Bachelor's degree - almost 25 years after I started at UA."

Dolli is proud of her ties with The University of Akron and the School of Commu- nication. "I often say that I've grown up here," said Dolli. "Beginning as a single woman in my mid-20s and leaving here - whenever that might be - as a grandma. I'm so proud that all three of my daughters graduated with degrees."

Dolli and her husband Harvey Gold reside in Akron.

A Second Generation
Gayle (Markovich) Carter '99 is Dolli's oldest daughter and also an alumnae of the School of Communication. Gayle graduated with a BA in Interpersonal and Public Communication in the same year that her mother Dolli received a Master's degree.

"Being a second generation graduate of the university was interesting," said Gayle. "In a way, it pushed me to succeed, while giving me insight into the classes, professors and opportunities that were available."

Shortly after graduation, Gayle and her husband, Kristoffer Carter, moved to Los Angeles where Gayle worked for entertainment companies in public relations.

In 2007, the Carters decided to continue their support for Akron and the university by moving to Highland Square and enrolling their young daughter Elliot in The University of Akron's Center for Childhood Development. Dolli already seems to have bigger plans for her granddaughter. "I'm hoping that Gayle influences Ellie to attend The University of Akron, and maybe Elliot will be a third generation Communication student," said Dolli. "One thing is for sure, [I] have already seen to it that Ellie has UA and Zips paraphernalia!"

Growing Up on Campus
Dolli's second daughter Meghan (Markovich) Olmstead '02 said, "I grew up knowing I would eventually be a Zip! With my mother working at the university, I spent a lot of my formative years on campus. The university played a role in shaping who I was well before I ever stepped foot on campus as a student." With two baccalaureates in Communication and a tag in Theater and Modern Film, Meghan said she was naturally drawn to be a communicator. "I'm not quite sure if it's nature or nurture that helps to make that decision. I'm a lot like my mother."

During her years as a student in the School of Communication, Meghan was an orientation leader and student assistant in the Office of New Student Orientation for more than three years. She also served as a Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees from 2000-2002. "It wa san amazing time to be on the board as the Landscape for Learning program was being developed, discussed, approved, and began rolling out. Today it is a very different campus and I am so proud of the decisions that the current administration have made to invest in the campus and the students," Meghan said.

Meghan currently works as the Bridal & Social Events coordinator for Glenmoor Country Club in Canton.

She and her husband Kirk Olmstead '03 live in Akron with their two cats.

Then There Were Three
Dolli has a third daughter, Liz Markovich, who graduated from The University of Akron in 2007 with a degree in art history. While Liz decided to forge a different path, she also shares a love for communication. "All three of my daughters are good writers and we all love to talk... ah, I mean, communicate!" said Dolli. "When they were young, we used to sit around the kitchen table and talk about words and phrases. The love of communication is something we all share."

The Legacy Contiues
These four extraordinary women, members of one family and alumni of one university share a very special bond. "There's a magical synergy that occurs when the three daughters are together," Dolli said. "It's amazing to witness and even more wonderful to know that I had something to do with it all. I am so proud of my daughters for what they've done with their lives."

Dolli and her family are great supporters of the city of Akron as well as The University of Akron.

"My family is made of a bunch of die-hard Akron fans," said Meghan. "We truly believe that the community here is like no other place and we look forward to contributing to our town and our university."