Success Stories

David Toole

David Toole, lead singer for the rock band IdentityX, had already finished something of a college tour before enrolling at Robert Morris University.

But after transferring from two different schools, Toole knew instantly that RMU would be home. “I felt right away that this was a place where anything was possible. Big enough that I could meet different people and try new things, but small enough that I wouldn’t get lost.”

At RMU, Toole soon connected with student filmmaker Darin DiNapoli, and along with a third student, Brad Grimm, produced IdentityX’s debut music video for the song “Archetype.” When someone suggested entering the video in the Broadband Emmy Awards sponsored by MySpace, Toole says, “We figured, great, nothing to lose.” And the video proved to be a big winner, capturing the Emmy in its category and earning the three a whirlwind trip to Hollywood.

The opportunity has not been lost on Toole, a management major, who quickly leveraged the award to book shows at the Hard Rock Café and other venues. He credits RMU with providing a climate where students feel free to take creative chances: “This is a school where you can dream, and do anything you set your mind to.”

“Here, they really want to make sure you know what you’re doing when you get out there, so they keep teaching you even outside the classroom.”

“At Robert Morris, I really had a chance to get involved in leadership activities and find out what I can do when I put my mind to it. I was president of student government, vice president of my fraternity, member of a gazillion boards on campus...I made a music video with my buddies and we won an award for it and went to LA to accept it and mingle with entertainment execs.”

“Things have sure changed for me. I’m not afraid to take a leadership position anymore. It’s part of who I am now.”

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