Pacecast with Marvin Krislov: Episode 4
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PaceCast with Marvin Krislov: Episode 4 Pace University President Marvin Krislov talks about One Pace, One Day, the University's #GivingTuesday campaign that, if successful, will unlock an additional $200,000 gift for student support. Pace student James Hickey '19 and double Pace alumnus David Weinstein '82, '91 talk about the importance of donor giving and what it means for the next generation of Pace students. Together, we hope to set a new Pace record for #GivingTuesday, and we'd like to keep those numbers climbing. Every gift—no matter how large or small—makes a difference. Available for listening at: https://soundcloud.com/user-479814349/pacecast-with-marvin-krislov- episode-5 Marvin Krislov: The people of Pace University are doing amazing things and I want more people to know about them. I'm Marvin Krislov, the president of Pace University, and this is the PaceCast. Marvin Krislov: More than 90% of our first year students receive financial aid each year. Much of that aid is funded by our generous donors. On #GivingTuesday this year— that's the Tuesday after Thanksgiving where we focus on charitable giving— Pace University is running a campaign we're calling One Pace, One Day. If enough people in enough different categories donate that day, they will unlock an additional $200,000 gift to the University. I hope you'll help us meet that goal. Today I want to talk about what donations like these can do for our students and what they can do for our donors, too. Marvin Krislov: Right now we're on the phone with James Hickey, a Lubin junior who overcame some remarkable challenges to get here. He wouldn't be at Pace without the generosity of our donors. We're talking to James from his internship at an investment bank office in midtown Manhattan. I can't say which one, so we don't get him in trouble. But, as he'll tell us, he's hoping to graduate this May and land a job where he's interning right now. James, thanks for joining me. So let's take it back a little bit. Can you talk a little bit about where you grew up? James Hickey: Sure. I grew up in Yorktown, in northern Westchester. It was a run of the mill family. I am my parents' only child. Both of my parents were in and out of the hospital frequently just due to hereditary illness. In about sixth grade, my father had actually passed away. A little fast forward to my senior year in high school, my mother was in and out of the hospital, and she had actually passed away in September of my senior year—and I found my life in shambles. I didn't know quite how my future would unfold or what I would do. Marvin Krislov: So how did you get through—did you graduate from high school, and how did you manage to do that? Page 1 of 5 James Hickey: My mother's funeral was on a Monday and I was back in school on Tuesday and I graduated that same year. Marvin Krislov: Wow. Where did you go after graduating from high school? James Hickey: Initially, I was in construction. My father worked construction, I knew a couple of people, I got a job, and I realized I was good at talking to people and understanding numbers. So I got into sales and into car sales. Eventually I was able to make enough money to put away, so then be able to fund myself going to school and working part-time. Marvin Krislov: So that's when you started at the community college. James Hickey: Exactly. Marvin Krislov: And at some point you decide you want to go to Pace University. James Hickey: So when I was at Westchester, obviously the goal wasn't just to graduate with an associates and go back into the world. It was to eventually get a bachelor's. I, of course, asked family, friends, and one person said, "Oh, I graduated from Pace. Not only did they have a great program, but they had a very caring and great faculty." James Hickey: What really sealed the deal is while in Westchester I worked at a restaurant and there was an economics professor from Pace that came in all the time. And he would always come in and just talk with me. And he was like, "Oh, so you're making a decision soon, right?" And he was like, "Have you made it?" And I was like, "Yeah, I think I'm going to go to Pace". And he was like, "Good decision". Marvin Krislov: And how's the experience been? James Hickey: Everything I expected and then some. And I've found that all the professors that I've had and that I work with, they really do care and they want you to learn and they want you to better yourself for your future. Marvin Krislov: And I understand you're still working at two jobs, or— James Hickey: Two jobs around 60 hours a week. Marvin Krislov: Wow. James Hickey: Yeah, you get used to it. Marvin Krislov: And what are your plans for the future? Page 2 of 5 James Hickey: My dream is to one day just enter the private equity field and thrive in that. But obviously you need to pay your dues first. So I'd love to join an investment bank or even a hedge fund and just get my feet wet and learn. Marvin Krislov: So, what are your thoughts about the role of scholarships and financial aid? James Hickey: You know, I work to survive so I can pay rent and car insurance and all these kinds of things and be able to live. Without these scholarships, I don't think I would have been able to, I don't think I would've been able to do it. Marvin Krislov: I mean your story is very inspiring and I'm just wondering what lessons you have learned and any advice you have for others. James Hickey: The one thing that I just try and tell everybody is life is really hard, but it's your choice what to do with it. And although life can really kick into your butt some days you got to get up and just keep on going, because eventually there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe far off, but it'll happen. And the harder you work, the more you'll be able to indulge in that light later in life. Marvin Krislov: Well, James, you've really inspired me and I'm sure our listeners today and we wish you the best of luck. Your example is very motivating to all of us to make the best of what life offers. Thank you very much for being here and I look forward to congratulating you when you walk across the stage this coming May. James Hickey: Thank you very much, sir. Marvin Krislov: Now, we'll talk to David Weinstein. He's a double Pace alumnus. He earned a bachelor's in history in 1982 and an MBA in 1991. He and his family support the Stanley and Gloria C Weinstein Scholarship, named for his father and his aunt. David Weinstein: The scholarship was started back in the late eighties when my aunt, my father's sister, had passed away, and we wanted to do something in particular—my father—to memorialize her contribution to business. And originally, she was a leading lady in the marketing field. Fashion marketing in New York City, she passed away very young. Marvin Krislov: So your father started it. But my understanding is that you've actually grown the scholarship since that time. David Weinstein: Yeah, we saw how important it became and we felt committed towards raising additional funds. And we did that through my father's corporate relationships. We did it through my employers and their matching grants. We directed anybody that asked, "What can I contribute to in your name?" And it's been very heartwarming to see it. David Weinstein: I one year went to the President Scholarship Dinner and it was the first time I went where I met the recipient. And I was so moved by the student. At the time Page 3 of 5 the student's parents were there. They gave me such a warm embrace and (let me know) how meaningful this was that I vowed (a., if all things possible, never to miss another scholarship dinner. But I also started to bring my then younger boys, who I guess they were either in middle school or just entering high school, so they could get an appreciation for how hard some students have it to try and raise the money to stay in school. So the legacy hopefully will continue long past me. Marvin Krislov: What drives you to stay involved? David Weinstein: It's a pay-it-back, it's a pay-it-forward. Recognizing that I had particular benefits and opportunities that other students may not have in terms of staying in school. It just seems like the most best spent money I can think of to help students get an education so that they can go forward in life and perhaps, you know, look back and do the same as I've done. Marvin Krislov: What would you tell other people who might be thinking about giving to Pace University? David Weinstein: Education is where you invest your money in the future, and student scholarships are critical.