CS Alumni to Perform at Presidential Inauguration

01-06-2009

Computer Science alumni, Steve Tolopka (MS, 1976; PhD, 1981) and Janet Tolopka (MS, 1978), will perform at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Parade on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. The couple will perform as part of the Get a Life (GAL) adult marching band of Portland, Oregon. Steve will lead the band as well as perform on tenor sax, and Janet will play her alto sax for the event. The band, comprised of members who range in age from 20's to 60's, have three things in common. GAL Founder and Executive Director Bob Pulido notes, “We were all in high school or college marching bands; we still haven't gotten over it; and we'd rather miss a note than a meal!”

GAL was chosen by the Presidential Inaugural Committee from over 1300 applications as a substitute for a band that dropped out of the parade. Amid no vacancies and transportation shortages, the group enthusiastically plans their trip to the capital. They will be staying in Philadelphia and commuting by bus to DC on Inauguration Day.

Congratulations to the Tolopka's and the rest of the GAL Marching Band!