Clue #1: University of Michigan Grad Student (in 2006)

On his blog, the Ulterior Epicure offers a copy of a May 5, 2006, Detroit Free Press interview with himself conducted by Sylvia Rector, in which she describes him as a "University of Michigan graduate student." She also says that, "He finishes his degree this month [i.e., May] and will soon start a job out of state...."