Dads & Grads
By • June 11, 2025 0 728
If you’ve noticed more and more fathers in Georgetown with strollers, or simply walking with their young children, you’re right.
Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, author of “Father Time,” observes: “As mother-centered as the study of baby care has always been, it is increasingly clear that men as well harbor extraordinarily caring proclivities, even when it comes to tending babies right from birth. The growing involvement in infant care by late 20th– and early 21st-century men is no longer too rare to notice. Nor is it either unnatural or emasculating. Rather it represents a boosting of a note in the biological chord of masculinity that has all too often been overlooked or suppressed, even while present all along.”
With that, we present a few examples of fine fathers and fine men.
DADS
We asked the featured fathers the following: your career, age range, your children’s names and ages and how your wife and you met. How has your view of fatherhood changed from when your children were first born, or if you are a new dad, has your view of fatherhood changed from what you expected before you became a dad? How do you make time for your children between work, meetings, etc.?
Josh Randle
June cover star Josh Randle and his children.
President, Randle Strategies; Senior Advisor, Washington AI Network — 30s — Ann Louise, 3; Peter, 2; and George, 6 months. My wife, Alex, and I were introduced by our respective roommates while living in Georgetown.
With your first child, you’re very nervous and cautious and want everything to be perfect. With the second, you learn how to juggle, and with the third, you just try to keep your head above water, but that’s because you’re drowning in love. From the very first moment I held our first child at Sibley, I was completely over-the-moon smitten, and I still am! Now, I’m blessed beyond measure to know that feeling three times over. Fatherhood is far more rewarding than I ever imagined.
My kids know that breakfast and bath time are consistently times spent with me. Whether it’s helping me crack eggs, stirring pancake batter or simply strolling down the street to Call Your Mother to pick up bagels (they love the stickers!), I try my best to be fully present in the time we share together. The best thing about being a dad is that no matter what the day may bring, the moment I return home and walk through the front door, I’m embraced by the most beautiful faces welcoming me home. There’s no other feeling like it.
Geoff Tracy
Geoff Tracy, his daughter Grace, wife Norah O’Donnell, daughter Riley and son Henry.
I am Chef Geoff. I own a small local group of restaurants: Chef Geoff’s and Lia’s — 50s — Henry, 18; Grace, 18; and Riley, 16. Norah and I met in the Georgetown University cafeteria line during our first week in college.
My view hasn’t changed a bit. My motto has always been: “Good manners, good behavior — everything else is fun.” Being a dad has been the most fulfilling joy in my life.
With three kids so close in age it is simply impossible to do everything. It is perfectly healthy for a kid to go solo to a sporting event. As a parent I just do what I can and don’t sweat what I cannot. The ultimate goal is to help them become as independent and strong as possible.
Ashok Gowda
Ashok Gowda and his children Mila and Shay.
Orthopedic surgeon — 40s — Mila, 7; and Shay, 3. Puja and I met through mutual friends in New York City.
I expected fatherhood to be a mix of responsibility and joy, but once my children were born, everything changed in ways I couldn’t have fully imagined. My view of fatherhood has grown deeper, more emotional and more humbling. It’s about being present. Fatherhood changed me. It softened parts of me I didn’t know needed softening, and it gave my life a deeper purpose. I’m still learning every day, and I think that’s part of what makes it so powerful.
I’ve learned that it’s not about having more time, it’s about making the most of the time I do have — quality over quantity. I try to be intentional. When I’m with my kids, I really try to be with them. That might mean reading a book even if I’m exhausted or giving them 15 minutes of undivided attention before I jump back into emails. Making time isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
Tom Strike
Tom Strike, his wife Sarah and his sons Ryan and Jordan with their daughter Katelyn, who graduated from Georgetown Visitation Prep and will be attending the University of Notre Dame.
Founder of Mosquito Strikers, a D.C.-based pest control company — 50s — Katelyn, 18; Ryan, 16; and Jordan, 16. Sarah Ford Strike and I met on a blind date setup at a Spring Gold Cup in The Plains, Virginia. It was love at first cocktail!
The Strike children over the years have grown from needing help and nurturing to offering help to those in need as they get closer to adulthood. They have become comfortably independent young adults due mainly to a strong foundation that we as parents provided.
The window of childhood doesn’t (sadly) last for long. I aptly realized early on in fatherhood that making personal sacrifices at my expense was a huge benefit in the bonding process with my children. Saying that I “didn’t have time” was an excuse, and I quickly realized that I always needed “to make time” based on my priorities!
GRADS
In Georgetown, we’re surrounded by schools. It’s always wonderful to see gowned young people walking to or from their ceremonies, whether they are graduating from high school or from a college or a university. They’re full of life — and the future. Caps off to them!
With that, we present a few examples of graduates who are going places.
Grace Tracy, 18
Graduated from National Cathedral School and will attend Georgetown University in the fall to study finance and marketing.
Grace and Henry Tracy, who recently graduated from high school, and their father Geoff Tracy.
I’ve been so blessed to have had such a great high school experience, and I’m most looking forward to building upon the lessons I’ve learned, the opportunities I’ve chased and the relationships I’ve built. I’m excited to study among other Hoyas in the McDonough School of Business and expand on the STEM and econ classes I took in high school.
Henry Tracy, 18
Graduated from St. Albans School and will attend Georgetown University in the fall to study economics and psychology.
My parents have always reminded me that strong relationships are the key to both success and happiness, so I am excited to form new meaningful connections. One of the biggest things I’ve learned in high school is to attack each opportunity that comes your way. Whether it’s for joy, growth or connection, it’s incredibly helpful to seize every one of the endless opportunities that high school offers you.
Forbes Dudley, 22
Former Georgetowner intern, graduated from William & Mary with a B.A. in English.
Former Georgetowner intern Forbes Dudley after graduating from William & Mary in May.
I will be attending NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute to study books, media, and to learn from leading professionals in the publishing industry. This program will cover topics from acquisition and editing to marketing, promotion and sales. I plan to land a job in publishing in the next couple of months! On a different note, I just completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Georgetown’s very own Down Dog Yoga.
Thomas Dudley, 22
Graduated from Texas Christian University in May with a Business Degree in Supply Chain Management.
Thomas Dudley, who recently graduated from Texas Christian University, and his mother.
I’ve accepted a position with ITS Logistics in Fort Worth, Texas. I’m excited to launch my career in supply chain and see where it takes me.
Cate Tarr, 22
Graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a major in journalism and a minor in history.
2025 University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate Cate Tarr. Courtesy of Carrington Tarr.
I am moving to New York City in September and will be a fall intern at “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where I will be rotating throughout various departments within the show.
Laney Tarr, 22
Graduated from Tulane University with a major in communications and a minor in business.
2025 Tulane University graduate Laney Tarr. Courtesy of Carrington Tarr.
I will be doing a training program this summer with a digital marketing firm in New York.
Hailey Wharram, 22
Former Georgetowner intern and current staffer.
Recent Georgetown University grad and current Georgetowner staffer Hailey Wharram.
“From Georgetown, With Love” (excerpt)
In May, I graduated from Georgetown University with a major in English and minors in journalism and film. Ever since I first stepped foot on the Hilltop, I’ve wondered what this momentous occasion would feel like. Now, at long last, I have my answer: bittersweet.
Graduation day was both exhilarating and emotionally exhausting. On one hand, walking across the stage was a relieving exhale — after a slew of sleepless, concerningly caffeinated nights, I had finally done it! And yet, when I returned to my seat with my diploma in hand, I couldn’t help but cry: after four incredible years spent nurturing my creative passions surrounded by the people I love, this once-in-a-lifetime experience was over.
Though I’m not entirely sure what’s next for me, I do know I want to continue storytelling.
The night before graduation, I attended Georgetown’s President’s Dinner as my best friend Rachel’s plus-one. There, we had the chance to chat with Emmy Award-winning actor Henry Winkler ahead of his speech at our graduation ceremony. When Winkler (who’s an absolute sweetheart, might I add) asked me about my post-grad plans, I told him I wanted to be a writer, and he shared the following advice with me: countless people will tell you No, but you have to continue writing from the heart in spite of the noise. While the prospect of diving headfirst into an industry where rejection is commonplace might be fear-inducing for many, my sincere enthusiasm about facing this challenge head-on reassures me that I am pursuing the right path.
My time at The Georgetowner has also solidified my ambitions to become a professional writer. I started interning here during my junior fall, and now, nearly two years later, I am an associate editor with over 40 articles under my belt. Reflecting on my time working here, I could not be more grateful to have gotten my start in such an encouraging environment. To the entire Georgetowner team, I truly cannot thank you all enough.
While my future is still unwritten, I am thrilled to discover what the next chapter of my life has in store for me.
