Volunteer Spotlight: Tartan Trivia Champs Daniel Kerwin ’10 and Ryan Kerwin ’12

Each year, Macalester alumni across generations reconnect through Tartan Trivia, a competition that brings out the best of Mac’s signature curiosity, wit, and love for learning. At the helm of the reigning champion team are brothers Daniel Kerwin ’10 and Ryan Kerwin ’12—two proud Mac grads who’ve turned their love of trivia and sibling camaraderie into a fun and easy way to give back.

Based in Denver, the Kerwin brothers first brought their competitive streak to Tartan Trivia in 2024. They’ve now led their team to back-to-back wins. While Daniel, a history major-turned-high school social studies teacher, specializes in handling quandaries around pop culture and historic events, Ryan, who majored in math and computer science and now works as a software engineer, complements the team with STEM-focused knowledge. Both, though, revel in their love of all things Mac.

Why do you enjoy participating in Tartan Trivia?

Daniel: After growing up in six different countries (first Australia, where both Ryan and I were born, then New Zealand, Hong Kong, England, and Japan, then the US for the first time ever when I came to Macalester), I feel I’ve always had a knack for picking up a wide array of knowledge from all over the world.

What keeps you volunteering with Mac, including serving as co-captain of a trivia team?

Ryan: There was an alumni event at a local brewery earlier this year, and I met Mac grads from as far back as the 1960s. It struck me that there was a familiar spirit in everyone in the room, regardless of when they graduated: a blend of intellectual curiosity, social awareness, and a keen sense of humor. It’s very gratifying to meet people like that who you don’t have to try too hard to connect with since you’ve got this strong common touchstone right out of the gate.

What do you carry with you from your own college experience?

Daniel: As a high school social studies teacher currently, I’m heavily involved in just as many extracurriculars as I was at Macalester (I am the boys’ and girls’ golf coach and also am the faculty advisor for student government). Being able to have such a well-rounded college experience—where yes, my extracurriculars took up just as much time as my classwork did—has certainly carried over into my post-grad life.

Ryan: I particularly have benefited from Mac’s focus on students as well-rounded humans, not committed solely to what they are majoring in. After a decade of working as a software engineer, I recently branched out into improv comedy and filmmaking as hobbies, and I’ll be submitting my first short film to festivals soon. I’m grateful that Mac let me foster my creativity alongside my STEM majors.

Tartan Trivia is February 19, 2026. Join your region going head-to-head with other Mac alumni to win bragging rights (and an exclusive sweatshirt)! Sign up to be a team captain for your area by Dec. 1.