"I'M A TYPE A PERSONALITY." says Ken Lankin '83," and I probably have a touch of ADHD." Though he may be joking about his self diagnosis, Lankin is definitely an overachiever. A practicing medical doctor with an M.D. and an MBA, he is also founder and president of Dr. Lankin's Awesome Almonds, a company that produces and markets flavored roasted almonds.

It was in his MBA classes at the University of New Haven that this family practitioner got the idea for his business. After reading an article in a medical journal about the health benefits of walnuts, Lankin began experimenting with roasting and flavoring nuts after class. He quickly substituted almonds for the walnuts, realizing that "almonds are way better!"

When he and a group of classmates were assigned to write a business plan as part of their MBA program, Lankin thought of starting an almond business. While he and his group devised business strategies, Lankin roasted almonds at home to share with his class. "I would test flavors on them. It was sort of a Pavlovian dog thing," he admits. "I would walk into the class, and everyone would be expecting almonds."

Lankin, with input from his classmates and professors, came up with three flavors: cocoa java, cinnamon vanilla and orange vanilla. And with the help of the business plan (and his brother), he launched Dr. Lankin's Awesome Almonds two years ago. The all-natural, certified Kosher treats are now sold in 40 stores in seven states and online (www.awesomealmonds.com).

"A marketing person from Sheaffer Pen was in my class and helped me write the business plan - and I'm still using it!" he says.

Though he knew he wanted to be a doctor, Lankin majored in modern European history at CC. "The interest was there, and I figured it was my last chance to study something other than medicine," he says. He was also editor of The College Voice as an undergraduate, and it was during his editorship that the student paper was first printed on newsprint and delivered to dorm rooms. "When I was editor of The Voice, we went from a staff of 17 to more than 100," says Lankin, who feels his work with the newspaper prepared him for running his own business. "Working on The Voice gave me experience in building an organization and dealing with lots of different people."

When he's not practicing medicine (Lankin is on staff at Lawrence & Memorial Hospitals in New London) or running his company, the "Almond Doctor" finds time to teach and travel. He is a clinical adjunct professor for the Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program and a clinical instructor at the Yale School of Nursing. "It doesn't bother me to work until 3 a.m. if it's something I enjoy"

- MVH

In an independent study conducted by the Office of College Relations staff Dr. Lankin's Awesome Almonds were found to be positively addictive. Though staffers gave all the flavors rave reviews, orange vanilla was the hands-down favorite.