Alumni Profiles

J. Hite '04, Andrew Norton '04, Rodger Willis '04J. Hite ’04, Andrew Norton ’04, Rodger Willis ’04

Fall 2006

They promised each other that they would take their motorcycles around the world before they “got serious jobs … or worse yet, got married.” Last winter, J. Hite, Andrew Norton and Rodger Willis prepared for the ride of a lifetime, spanning 20 countries in the space of a few months. For lodging they planned to camp or “couchsurf.” Their budget for food was equally frugal.

Willis, a chemical engineering graduate and former Clemson Rugby team member, quit his job as a mechanical engineer in Asheville to join the trip. Norton, an architecture graduate, finished his internship with a firm in Charleston. Hite, a mechanical engineering graduate, wrapped up his two years at Clemson researching cardiovascular disease.

They’ve chronicled their adventure through journal entries and videos, highlighting an incredible journey, which includes surviving a scary encounter with the Russian Border patrol, meeting friendly Romanians, losing Hite for a day and watching the sunset come up over Monaco.

See more of their journey at www.dualsportdiary.com.

Visit the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Visit the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Visit the School of Architecture.