President S. David Wu

FALL 2020/WINTER 2021

BARUCHALUMNI MAGAZINE

President S. David Wu OUR LEADER FOR EXTRAORDINARY TIMES MESSAGE FROM FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 THE PRESIDENT IN THIS ISSUE Dear Baruch Alumni, I feel incredibly honored and privileged to join the Baruch community at a pivotal moment in the College’s history. As the nation grapples with the pandemic, the resulting 6 CAMPUS WELCOME Baruch Alumni Magazine economic damage, and the reckoning to end systemic racism, the entire Baruch A Q&A with President S. David Wu: His Vision for Cheryl de Jong–Lambert community unified and overcame unimaginable challenges to continue core College Director of Communications operations and deliver distance learning while supporting our students to keep pace Baruch College and Public Higher Education in the U.S. EDITOR IN CHIEF: Diane Harrigan with their education. I have been impressed not only with Baruch’s remarkable, resilient Baruch’s new president, S. David Wu, PhD, talks personal history, first impressions, and bold initiatives, students, faculty, and staff but with the alumni community. Your welcome has been which include reimagining college education—Baruch style—in the new normal. Says President Wu, SENIOR EDITOR: Gregory M. Leporati genuine and heartfelt, your connection to your alma mater strong, and your appreciation “Baruch shows what is possible at a time when our country desperately needs a more robust and more GRAPHIC DESIGN: Vanguard for the value and impact of your Baruch education has been an inspiration for me. inclusive system of public higher education.” OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS AND VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT My first 100 days were illuminating and productive. I stood Succeeding at that last goal, in particular, will require Janet B. Rossbach, Director of Alumni Relations and Volunteer Engagement up the Task Force for the Future—a group of 23 thought marshalling our talented alumni base. I intend to engage leaders across the College to help me envision our immediate alumni with programs that range from career networking, 8 THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION David Shanton, Vice President of College and long-term future. Despite the pandemic, I was able to to student mentoring, to visibility enhancement, and more. An Up-Close Look at Distance Learning Advancement reach out and connect with key stakeholders of the College, We have an incredibly talented alumni base, and I plan to In the age of Covid-19, “distance learning” has become a including alumni, business/civic leaders, and student leaders. mobilize it to the fullest extent possible. familiar phrase at schools and universities around the world. Baruch Alumni Magazine I hosted or joined a wide range of virtual events, such as college How can you help right now? It’s been in place at Baruch since March, when the College © 2020 by Baruch College town halls, student and faculty convocations, and meetings The City University of New York quickly shifted to remote teaching. But what exactly is distance of the 17 Lex Society, the President’s Forum, corporate At a time when the pandemic has disrupted or eliminated learning, and how have faculty adjusted and innovated? alumni receptions, and various other alumni gatherings. many jobs and internships, please make sure that your Please address all editorial colleagues, organizations, and networks know about Baruch’s Three Baruch professors share experiences and insights. correspondence to: Given the fast-changing and uncertain nature of our current talented, diverse, hardworking students and alumni for any Baruch Alumni Magazine environment, human contact and community connections Office of Communications, Marketing professional opportunities. Also consider supporting our are more important than ever. I have therefore prioritized & Public Affairs urgent 2020–21 fundraising initiative, Stand Up for Baruch. One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1503 direct and frequent communications: steady essential updates 3 FACULTY HIGHLIGHT Alumni support and vision are the hallmarks of every New York, NY 10010-5585 to the Baruch community, balanced by my monthly blog, email: [email protected] where I share my personal perspectives. outstanding institution of higher learning. Baruch College Weissman Professor Goes Hollywood is no exception: the enthusiasm and participation of our Please send all inquiries about From an operational standpoint, my team and I have completed A Disney-owned arthouse studio and Brad Pitt’s production company have almost 160,000 alumni are integral to shaping and realizing the Baruch College Fund, as well as and started executing our Academic Year 2020–21 remote optioned Bridgett M. Davis’s 2019 memoir, The World According to Fannie our goals. Please read my monthly blog at presidentsblog. address changes, to: instruction plan and our Safe Campus Reopening Plan. The Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers, for a feature film. “Given baruch.cuny.edu and feel free to share your thoughts at The Baruch College Fund College’s top priority continues to be protecting the health the moment we’re in, given the country’s renewed interest in racial justice, [email protected]. Office of College Advancement and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while preserving my mother’s story is a timely one,” says Ms. Davis, a professor of journalism One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1603 academic and business continuity. Our focus is to ensure that I wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy holiday and creative writing at Baruch’s Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. New York, NY 10010-5585 students maintain academic momentum and continue to season and new year. phone: 646-660-6060 access needed financial resources as they work toward their email: [email protected] professional goals. Many of you helped to fund emergency Sincerely, For information about alumni programs relief for our students and for that I am immensely grateful. S. DAVID WU ALSO INSIDE and activities, please contact: From the stakeholder engagement and concrete recommen- President, Baruch College Baruch College Office of Alumni Relations 5 NEWS & NOTES 11 CLASS NOTES and Volunteer Engagement dations from the Task Force for the Future, I was able to One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1603 formulate a set of key priorities building on our Strategic During the pandemic, when Healthcare administrator New York, NY 10010-5585 Plan while taking into account the new realities of our world. many restaurants have JC Alejaldre (EMBA ’18) led phone: 646-660-6097 A few highlights that may be of interest: struggled, pizza the effort to fully operationalize email: [email protected] online: alumni.baruch.cuny.edu • Launch an institutional transformation to elevate equity, chains have thrived. Covid-19 tents at NewYork– diversity, and inclusion A Zicklin professor Presbyterian’s Columbia and • Create an Integrated Student Success Center for explains why. Allen Hospital campuses.

in-person and remote services Elena Olivo. and feature by inside front cover on the cover, Wu Photos of President He is also a DACA recipient. Baruch Alumni Magazine online • D evelop an efficient infrastructure to expand baruch.cuny.edu/bam high-quality online and hybrid instruction

• Enhance Baruch’s visibility and national standing President Wu with members of Baruch’s Public Safety staff. “The College’s top while strengthening external partnerships priority has been to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while preserving academic and business continuity,” says the president. FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 1 NEWS&NOTES NEWS&NOTES

Best in Class: Baruch Scores Top Rankings Weissman Professor’s Memoir The Fall 2020 semester among four-year public colleges nationwide) kicked off with top rankings and CNBC (#2 “Best Public Institution to Become Feature Film from Money magazine. In its for Return on Investment”). In U.S. News Searchlight Pictures, the Disney-owned arthouse studio, “Best Colleges in America, & World Report’s “2021 Best Regional and Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B Entertainment, Ranked by Value,” Baruch Universities–North” listing, Baruch secured have optioned Bridgett M. Davis’s 2019 memoir, The World earned the #1 spot for “Best #2 honors for social mobility, #3 for least According to Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Colleges for Business Majors” student loan debt at graduation, and the #4 Numbers, for a feature film. Ms. Davis, a professor of and was named the best school position overall among public institutions. journalism and creative writing at Baruch’s Weissman School overall in New York State. Princeton Review’s Best 386 Colleges of Arts and Sciences, will write the screenplay, expected to Washington Monthly named guidebook praised Baruch’s academics, High Marxe: City & State be completed by 2021, with assistance from Pulitzer Prize– Baruch #1 among “Best Bang career service programs, and campus life. winning playwright Lynn Nottage. for Your Buck Colleges” in New “As I begin my presidency, I am thrilled Honors School’s Rising Stars “My memoir chronicles one Black woman’s story as a way of York (and #2 in the Northeast), and inspired by the amazing recognition n impressive number of MPA professionals from the Austin illuminating what millions of Black Americans have endured while the Wall Street Journal/ Baruch continues to receive, which validates W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs earned and fought against and worked around just to survive—and, With its distinctive combination of strong Times Higher Education “College Rankings our commitment to our core mission of Aa place on City & State’s lists of New York’s rising stars and in my mom’s case, thrive,” explains Davis. “My mom made academics, affordability, low student debt, 2021” placed Baruch #1 among 340 public providing an inclusive, transformational policy leaders. ‘a way out of no way.’ But she should not have had to launch and student and alumni success, Baruch institutions nationwide for value. education to students,” says President S. Included on City & State’s “40 Under 40: The Rising Stars in an underground, illegal lottery business in order to give us a College continues to earn top national and Kudos were also forthcoming from Brookings David Wu, PhD. “I am excited to build on NYC Food Policy” list, which highlights leaders working to create middle class life.” regional rankings. Institution (#1 engine of economic mobility this momentum.” healthy, sustainable food environments, were two alumni of the Fannie Davis, which received widespread praise—including school’s MPA program as well as a current Marxe student. a New York Times Editors’ Choice and Best Book of the Year As deputy director of policy in the Office of the Manhattan recognition from Kirkus Reviews—was selected as this year’s Borough President, Hally Chu (MPA-NUF ’13) manages the Fresh First Year Text, the common summer reading assignment for The Zoom Where It Happened: Food Box program in partnership with GrowNYC and works on vital Baruch’s incoming Class of 2024. As its author, Davis gave Lawrence Zicklin (’57) Leads New Webinar Series zero-waste issues with the NYC Department of Sanitation and the keynote speech at the Fall 2020 Virtual Student Convocation. members of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board. André Davis sees her mother’s story as especially relevant for today’s n March, shortly after the College had transitioned to In June, Michael Roth (’67), chairman and CEO of Interpublic Thompson (MPA-NUF ’13), director of food programs at New York students. “Given the moment we’re in, given the country’s distance learning mode in response to the coronavirus Group, discussed the pandemic’s effect on advertising, and Lara renewed interest in racial justice, my mother’s story is a timely pandemic, H. Fenwick Huss, PhD, Willem Kooyker Dean Abrash (MBA ’94), chairman and CEO of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Common Pantry, works in service of reducing hunger and food I insecurity, in hopes of developing solutions to flawed policies that one,” says Davis, adding, “By adapting the memoir for film, the of the Zicklin School of Business, and school talked about how cloud technology and other benefactor and namesake Lawrence Zicklin tools are helping Deloitte adjust to what she cause inequities in vulnerable communities. MPA candidate Joshua story will reach a wide audience, showcasing the ingenuity of (shown) discussed the challenges confronting called the “next normal.” The most recent episode, Thomas-Serrano is a senior marketing and development manager Black folks like my mother, who always believed she, too, was not only the Zicklin School but the business “The Price of Being Unprepared: Covid-19 and at Teens for Food Justice, where his efforts include recruiting young entitled to the American Dream.” world as a whole. Out of these talks grew an Healthcare,” featured JC Alejaldre (EMBA ’18) changemakers to lead their communities in the fight against hunger idea for a Zicklin webinar series, The New (profiled on page 11), a frontline healthcare and food injustice. Normal in Business: 2020 & Beyond, which worker at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, Ron Kim (MPA ’06) and Yuh-Line Niou (MPA ’11) were cited launched on May 6. alongside associate professor Alex Mills, PhD, among City & State’s “Power of Diversity: Asian 100,” which celebrates The webinars feature discussions among who is academic director of the Zicklin School’s the most influential Asian Americans in New York politics and policy. various industry experts, drawn from both Executive MBA program in healthcare administration. The alumni, who are both New York State assembly members, were the school and the business community, with Each discussion is followed by a question-and- recognized for their community work and for adding to the diversity Mr. Zicklin serving as moderator. “Larry is a answer session, moderated by Gwendolyn Webb, of representation in Albany. Joining them on the list was Baruch natural for this format,” says Dean Huss. “The PhD, associate dean for Zicklin’s Executive Programs President S. David Wu, PhD, recognized as one of the city’s most conversations he leads with the guests are and professor in the Bert W. Wasserman Department influential Asian leaders in higher education. “This place, Baruch, where I always lively and engaging.” of Economics and Finance. “Lists such as these are a clear indication that our alumni— have spent my 30-year career The debut webinar, “Is This the New Economy?,” addressed What’s next for the webinars? “Among other things, we will and among the awardees we celebrate here, even our current as a teacher, embodies— topics including how best to stimulate economic recovery and certainly discuss the new normal in telemedicine, retailing, symbolizes really—all that students—make their mark well beyond the campus,” says Marxe my mother sacrificed and the outlook for fiscal policy. Since then, the series has included education, and a possible permanent reduction in business Dean David S. Birdsell, PhD. “They are leaders, innovators, and worked hard for so that I could sessions on crisis management, cybersecurity, vaccine distribution, commuting and travel,” says Mr. Zicklin. Stay tuned! —SARA J. WELCH achievers. They shape the fields in which they work and show the excel,” says Bridgett M. Davis, real estate, and more, with Mr. Zicklin moderating all but one. professor of journalism and virtue of energy, perseverance, and commitment. We’re very proud creative writing.

NVC photo by Mark Litwa; Zicklin photo by Elena Olivo Mark Litwa; Zicklin photo by NVC photo by Nina Subin photo by Davis of each and every one.” —JASON M. EPSTEIN

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Talent Pool: Bearcat Swimmer New Weissman Dean Committed to Student Success Named Scholar-Athlete of the Year “Ask any Weissman School of Arts and Wasserman Jewish Studies Center. Pandemic simina Hamakiotes (’20), a four-year Bearcat swimmer Sciences faculty or staff member what Lang is especially proud of the school’s and Macaulay Honors student, was named The City makes Weissman so special and you will faculty: “Many institutions establish their Pizza: University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) hear about our students—their authenticity, identities as either research based or teaching A An Even Bigger Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2019–20 season. The their determination, their engagement with based. Weissman faculty are teacher-scholars three-time CUNYAC Swimming All-Star graduated this spring their courses of study,” says Jessica Lang, who model the power, excitement, and Slice of the Pie with a 3.7 GPA, having earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics PhD. The former English department chair relevance of knowledge in connection with with double minors in philosophy and interdisciplinary studies. From small establishments to and professor was appointed to a two-year the broader world.” In her first two years on the team, Ms. Hamakiotes helped restaurant chains, the pandemic term as the school’s interim dean in July. In her new role, Lang has taken on a number Baruch win back-to-back CUNYAC Championships. In 2016 has badly hurt many food service industry businesses. But one Dr. Lang brings a wealth of academic, of critical initiatives, foremost among them she took gold in the 800 freestyle relay and silver in the 200 segment has notably bucked the trend: Americans are eating scholarly, and administrative experience ensuring the delivery of high-quality academic individual medley. In 2019 she continued to make waves, more pizza. to this position. Not only has she served programming and students’ progress toward collecting five medals: one gold and four silver. She finished When called upon by Forbes magazine to offer expert as chair of one of the College’s largest timely graduation. Longer-term projects her last season by qualifying for the Eastern College Athletic business insight into the current pizza boom, Shan Li, PhD, departments, she has taught undergraduates include working closely with the school’s “The Weissman School is a remarkable place,” Conference (ECAC) Open Championships and breaking a says she had to “do her homework.” An assistant professor at every stage of their Baruch careers. department chairs to identify and address says Jessica Lang, PhD, appointed the school’s school record. in the Zicklin School’s Narendra Paul Loomba Department of In 2017, the interim dean was recognized areas in need of support and reinvigoration. interim dean in July. The star swimmer also excelled on dry land. She interned at Management, Dr. Li studies operations management with an with a Presidential Excellence Award for “This is an extraordinary and extraordinarily the New York Stock Exchange, received research grants from emphasis on how human behavior, including that of managers Distinguished Teaching, among her many challenging time for institutions of higher been more relevant or more important—and the National Science Foundation, traveled to compete at trade and customers, impacts firms’ operational decisions. “So it was honors. She is also the founding William education,” says the interim dean. “It is also this is part of what excites me not only events, and studied abroad at one of the best mathematics my natural instinct to pursue the customer-behavioral angle Newman Director of Baruch’s Sandra Kahn enormously clarifying. Our mission has never about my role but about our collective role.” programs in the world, the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics. when I started to look at the pizza industry,” she explains. Hamakiotes says she owes a big part of her success as a Li, who earned a PhD in industrial engineering and operations student-athlete to head swimming coach Charles Lampasso. research at the University of California, Berkeley, and worked for “He’s always been there for me,” she says, adding that her Amazon, Philips Research, and American Express before joining Seeds of Change: Baruch’s Climate Scholars coach was “always supportive when it came to my academics.” Baruch in 2013, proved to be a quick pizza study. very first-year student at Baruch is now talking about climate change as part of their introduction Her future academic endeavors include pursuing a PhD in According to the professor, the rise in demand for food delivery to the College—all “because of five undergraduate Climate Scholars,” says Mindy Engle-Friedman, mathematics at the University of Connecticut. —JOHN NEVES in the lockdown should come as no surprise and neither should PhD, chair of the Baruch College Task Force on Sustainability and associate professor of psychology. pizza’s capitalizing on this moment. “The pizza industry has E been equipped to deliver and fulfill carryout service for Dr. Engle-Friedman and seven other members of the Baruch Climate Change Faculty Seminar (BCCS)—which represents all three of Baruch’s schools—were instrumental in getting a $40,000 CUNY decades,” she says. Add the pandemic’s impacts to the Interdisciplinary Climate Crisis Research Grant to fund the intensive nine-month Baruch Climate Scholars economy, employment, and customers’ constrained budgets: Program. Each Climate Scholar receives a $5,000 stipend and a $900 conference travel allowance. “It’s natural that customers sought out pizza. It’s a top choice The Climate Scholars participate in twice-weekly faculty- and guest-led seminars, three months of for feeding a family at low cost.” cross-disciplinary research in one of five climate research labs, and a two-month internship. They also But not all pizzerias and pizza chains have benefited equally. present their scholarship and engage students in conversation about local climate impacts and strategies According to Li, before the pandemic Pizza Hut and Papa for mitigation and resilience. So far the scholars have reached out to Baruch’s First Year Seminar classes John’s were struggling, with Domino’s the strongest of the big as well as middle and high school students in the Baruch STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) three. “With the growing opportunity provided by the lockdown, Academy. That outreach helps prepare the next generation of students to have conversations about climate Domino’s winner advantage, which was brought about by its change in their classrooms and begin to think about climate careers. long-term investment in advancing its delivery capabilities, For its first cohort, the BCCS chose students based on academics, diversity, and commitment to climate has been accelerated.” change education and careers. The undergraduates, who are majoring in economics, entrepreneurship, Will pizza’s gain—especially Domino’s—stick once the virus finance, journalism, and public policy, explore climate issues through the lens of the natural sciences, is under control? Yes, predicts Li. “Whenever the pandemic psychology, business, public policy, migration, and communication. NEW ATHLETICS ALUMNI NETWORK winds down, the focus on health, safety, and convenience is New alumna Hamakiotes, as well as generations Four of the five Climate Scholars are students of color. “We know that the climate change professions lack going to remain.” of other Baruch athletics alumni, have a new way of As for Li, she’ll likely be enjoying her own favorite: “The Thai diversity. That’s really a problem,” explains Engle-Friedman, “because we want to be sure all students have access keeping connected: the Baruch Athletics Alumni Network to the opportunities that climate change poses and because communities of color will be maximally disadvantaged chicken pizza from California Pizza Kitchen, because of its on LinkedIn. Former student-athletes from across all unique flavor and toppings. I like its pleasingly sweet and by climate change impacts.” sports can now network and keep up-to-date on spicy taste.” Engle-Friedman praises the “magnificent group” that comprises the Climate Scholars cohort, adding that the latest in the Bearcat sports alumni community.

she hopes to scale up the program. “It is a model for what can be done at Baruch, CUNY, and beyond.” Williams Hubert Lang photo by (’13) Denis Gostev Hamakiotes photo by

4 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 5 A Q&A with President S. David Wu

I have always wanted others to DOES THIS BACKGROUND HELP YOU WHAT ARE YOUR TOP INITIATIVES? passion for Baruch with their colleagues “ and employers, helping to showcase be offered the same opportunities CONNECT WITH BARUCH STUDENTS? In a nutshell, three things: Baruch as a powerhouse for new talent. Coming from a modest background helps I was given when I came to I want us to reimagine college education— Given the quality and reputation of this me to appreciate what’s important in life Baruch style—in the new normal. institution and the diversity of our student America almost 40 years ago, and to never take anything for granted. For ” Drawing on our unique heritage and body, this should be an increasingly easy says S. David Wu, PhD, Baruch’s me, it’s about being able to do something accomplishments, I want to raise these sell—if we launch a concerted effort to do that has impact. I see those same values in new president. Unfortunately, questions: How do we empower our it intentionally and persistently. “ many of our students and alumni. that American dream is slipping people to innovate in the post-pandemic environment? How do we systemize Read more about President Wu’s ideas, S. David Wu’s journey to the Baruch College away for far too many people. WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMING TO our student-centric culture with even philosophy, and plans for Baruch College at ” presidency began in Taipei, Taiwan. The youngest presidentsblog.baruch.cuny.edu. of four children, he is shown here with his family THE U.S. AS AN INTERNATIONAL better, more sophisticated structure circa 1960. GRADUATE STUDENT? and technology sensitive to students’ The education that I had in Taiwan, though diverse needs and help them advance About President Wu their career success? Meet President WELCOME! WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST excellent, did not always support independent IMPRESSION OF BARUCH COLLEGE? thinking. In the U.S., creativity and Second, to revitalize, build, and reshape Describes himself as “curious,” “passionate,” intellectual independence were encouraged, Baruch’s reputation with new energy, new “sincere,” “open and open-minded,” “active, S.u David W Dynamic and energetic. I first came to and I had a sense of total liberation. ideas, and a boldness to lead. We should be fun-loving” BY DIANE HARRIGAN Baruch last winter, before the pandemic, I also experienced firsthand the openness in the forefront of keeping our curriculum A Family Man: Married for 38 years; has and the campus was full of students, faculty, and generosity of everyday people. For me, at the cutting edge, while expanding our known his wife since first grade. Two children: and staff. I was instantly infatuated with that’s the true spirit of America. instructional modalities (in-person, hybrid, a grown daughter and son, both living and n July 1, S. David Wu became Baruch College’s eighth the place. and online classes) to reach more students. working in New York City. president and the first Asian American to lead a CUNY As a national brand, Baruch can have an YOU’RE A SYSTEMS ENGINEER. HOW Favorite Book: Consilience: The Unity of HOW DO YOU VIEW BARUCH AS even broader impact on higher education. college. With a career spanning more than 30 years AN EDUCATOR? DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR PERSPECTIVE Knowledge by E.O. Wilson Oat major private and public institutions, President Wu is an AND APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING? Third, to truly leverage our location as Baruch should stand as a model for public NYC Favs: Cultural attractions, restaurants/ Systems engineers try to solve problems one of our distinctive characteristics. accomplished scholar, a technology innovator, and a bold and higher education in the U.S. To be frank, we ethnic cuisines, farmer’s markets by understanding how actors relate and At Baruch, the world is right around us, visionary academic leader. would all hope that a place like Baruch— interconnect in large, complex environments. literally. So how do we integrate New York Unwinds by running, swimming, tennis, that delivers top-quality academic programs golf, Citi Bikes. Highlight: His daily morning His journey to the Baruch presidency began in Taipei, Taiwan, So being trained as a systems engineer City in the education of our students, so while serving as an engine for social run along the gives me a useful lens to approach data, that they can benefit from it and the city where his parents, having fled the Communist Revolution in mobility for a wide spectrum of students— East River. uncertainty, and complexity—all of can in turn benefit from us? We already mainland China, built a new life and a family. After earning his would not be so unique. That’s what public have plans to enhance our corporate, higher education is supposed to do. which helps in making thoughtful and undergraduate degree at Tunghai University and completing his informed decisions. alumni, and community relations. mandatory two years of military service in the Taiwanese Navy, Baruch shows what is possible at a time when our country desperately needs a more he came to the U.S. to pursue his master’s and PhD degrees in WHAT ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES HAS THE AT THIS POINT YOU’VE MET, ALBEIT robust and more inclusive system of public VIRTUALLY, MANY ALUMNI. WHAT’S systems engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. CURRENT STATE OF SOCIETY IMPOSED higher education. That’s critical not only ON YOUR FIRST MONTHS AS PRESIDENT? YOUR SENSE OF THIS GROUP AND THEIR Dr. Wu practiced as a systems engineer before embarking on for our economic prosperity but also for ROLE IN BUILDING BARUCH’S BRAND? social justice and the long-term health of The pandemic and its economic impacts— I enjoy meeting Baruch alumni. They an academic career that included the Iacocca Professorship and our democracy. combined with the national reckoning of deanship at Lehigh University’s Rossin College of Engineering social justice issues—has put our society are inspiring. I hear their stories, and at a crossroad. I believe these challenges each of them resonates with me on a and Applied Science and, most recently, the role of provost TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY YEARS. and opportunities highlight the role of very fundamental level. They are and executive vice president at George Mason University, the Following WWII and the Communist higher education as not only a private the essence of the Baruch story. Revolution, many intellectuals fled to largest public university in Virginia, which achieved Carnegie good but also a public good. We’re not As proud graduates of Baruch, Taiwan, including my parents. We lived in only helping our students to be successful; and owners of the Baruch tier-one research (R1) status under his leadership. His spirit of conditions that were not much better than innovation will help move Baruch forward as a national model we are also helping to solve much larger story, alumni can share their today’s refugee camps. But my parents had societal challenges. in higher education. everything they needed—an education, books, and ideals—and our home was Motorcycling is one of the ways President Wu unplugs. For that, he prefers the backcountry LEARN MORE ABOUT PRESIDENT WU IN OUR Q&A ➡ filled with love and support. roads of Pennsylvania.

6 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 7 BY GREGORY M. LEPORATI An Up-Close Look at Distance Learning

An Up-Close Look at Distance Learning REPORTING REMOTELY the Pandemic Scramble Life Along El repertoire, and increase accessibility Paso–Juarez Divide,” which can be read in for all students. In March 2020, Andrea Gabor, the Dollars & Sense, Baruch’s award-winning Innovation, Challenges, and the Future of Higher Education Bloomberg Professor of Business “The global pandemic opens a rare online student magazine. Journalism at Baruch’s Weissman School window of opportunity for us to take a s a result of Covid-19, “distance learning” of Arts and Sciences, was making final Despite the success of the project, Gabor fresh look at what we do and challenge has become a familiar phrase at schools and preparations for an eight-day trip to finds online education to be “far from ourselves to envision what is possible,” the Texas–New Mexico border with ideal.” As an education columnist for says President Wu. “Zoom and video universities across the globe. It’s been in her political reporting class, which she Bloomberg, she has studied the rise of conferencing are only a small part of A co-teaches with Associate Professor of distance learning over the years and has digital pedagogy. With help from the place at Baruch since March, when the College quickly Journalism Vera Haller. The students were long cautioned that it cannot be viewed task force, as well as input from the shifted to remote teaching, and the vast majority of eager to tackle the politically charged as a direct replacement for in-person Baruch community, we are working courses remain online-only. Southwest and “had been doing all sorts teaching. “There’s a certain spontaneity to build a comprehensive educational of research on state legislative elections, that you only get from a live classroom,” technology infrastructure so that But what exactly is distance learning, and how have voter suppression, environmental politics— she explains. “It lends itself to conversation we can serve our students’ diverse you name it,” Professor Gabor says. and interaction.” needs, both in-person and online, with top quality.” faculty adjusted to this new, fully online environment? So when Covid-19 locked down New York She continues, “There’s an enormous Three Baruch professors share their experiences with City only days before the trip, “it was amount of pressure throughout the Waisanen, who serves on the president’s the new paradigm and discuss what it could mean heartbreaking,” says Gabor, “but suddenly country toward online as a cost-saving task force, agrees. “What will make the light bulb went on.” The two professors move; that would be a mistake.” Baruch special will be the combination for the future of higher education. got in touch with their contacts and arranged of the in-person experience that we for the students to conduct, via Zoom, dozens THE FUTURE IS NOW had before plus the value added of the of group and individual interviews with Reimagining higher education in the complementary digital formats we’ve nearly all of their original sources. “Because post-pandemic world is a top priority for all been using these past several months.” the students were so well prepared, those ZOOM BOOM Baruch President S. David Wu, PhD. The Marxe professor is already looking empty rooms to send student groups to, Center for Teaching and Learning. Her interviews proved to be an incredibly rich Early in his tenure, he established the Task ahead to how virtual reality and other For Don Waisanen, PhD, professor since I don’t want them to be influenced website includes a homepage for her class give-and-take,” Gabor observes. Force for the Future, a group of Baruch emerging online tools will further transform of communication at Baruch’s Marxe by what they hear other groups say during that features course materials, blog posts, In the end, the students produced a thought leaders tasked with analyzing how the classroom experience. “This is not School of Public and International role plays,” he explains, adding, “I’ve been and a forum where students interact and fascinating collection of stories entitled best to incorporate technology to expand some far-off future anymore,” he says. Affairs, teaching this semester has blown away by how well this all translates respond to her prompts between classes. “The Border Interrupted: Politics and instructional modality, enrich pedagogical “It’s the present—and it’s really exciting.” occurred entirely on Zoom, the online to Zoom.” “Since I teach innovation and creativity—a video-conference platform that became social process—it is important to me that ubiquitous during the pandemic. Using SMALL WORLD, BIG IDEAS students still have a community,” she says. a tripod, laptop, and iPad, Dr. Waisanen The Fall 2020 semester truly put the “Students who wouldn’t raise their voices is able to view and speak with all of his “distance” in distance learning for Maria in a physical classroom now have more students as he shares his tablet’s screen, Halbinger, PhD, assistant professor time to think about these topics and make which faces a whiteboard. “Having two of innovation, entrepreneurship, and valuable, thoughtful contributions.” screens makes it feel a bit more like creativity in the Narendra Paul Loomba ’ you’re all together in a real classroom,” The website also serves as the home for Department of Management of the the class’s Innovation Competition, in notes Waisanen, who teaches political Zicklin School of Business. “On the first 3 Professors’ 3 Professors communication and public advocacy. which teams develop and pitch a creative day of class, I did a survey and found that small business idea, much like the popular Of paramount importance, Waisanen says, my students were joining me from four TV show PerspectivesShark Tank. This year, students Perspectives is keeping students engaged by using all of different continents!” she says. worked remotely to produce polished videos “Students who wouldn’t Andrea Gabor of the Don Waisanen of the Marxe Zoom’s interactive capabilities, including Like Waisanen, Dr. Halbinger uses Zoom and other multimedia promoting their raise their voices in a Weissman School champions School sees Baruch’s educational polls, quizzes, and the platform’s chat bar. to conduct her class’s “synchronous” businesses, which they posted to the website, physical classroom now a balance of online and future as “the combination of His favorite feature is the virtual “breakout meetings, in which everyone is logged in and graded each other’s pitches using Google have more time to think in-person experiences, the in-person experience that rooms,” where he can send students for at the same time. But she also incorporates Forms. The online format “actually saved … and make valuable, saying, “There’s a certain we had before plus the value small-group discussions that often involve “asynchronous” elements hosted on a valuable class time,” Halbinger explains. thoughtful contributions,” spontaneity that you only added of the complementary role-playing and listening exercises. website she created through Blogs@Baruch, “And the students were able to think more says Maria Halbinger of get from a live classroom.” digital formats we’ve all “When we were on campus, I’d be running a WordPress-based platform for the Baruch critically about their evaluations, so the the Zicklin School. been using.” around the halls before class looking for community maintained by the College’s entire experience was improved.”

8 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 9 WE WELCOME YOUR SUBMISSIONS! Contact: Office of Alumni Relations and Volunteer Engagement, Baruch College/CUNY, CLASSNOTES CLASSNOTES One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1603, New York, NY 10010-5585. Or email [email protected].

In August Impact News Service A Forbes article in August beaded purses and accessories. Prior to an illustrated children’s book about a 40s named Sidney Silvers (’49, 80s highlighted Sai Chow (’80) this, Chow had worked at Citigroup friendly shih tzu puppy. The alumna A Message from the Director MA ’54) its Veteran of the Day. A member and her daughter, Susanna, who teamed until her retirement in 2013. Donna previously worked on Wall Street of the Navy, he served as a radar specialist up to create a new fashion brand in 2018. Saccone-Pinamonti (’83) published before becoming a teacher. In July of Alumni Relations and on the USS Heyliger in the 1940s and later Called “Susanna Chow,” the mother- her first book,King Claude and the Dan Clivner (’85), a member of the worked as director of auxiliary services for daughter business sells handcrafted, Talking Dog (Page Publishing, 2020), continued on next page Volunteer Engagement NYC high schools. He currently lives in Dear Alumni: both New York City and Boca Raton, FL.

What a year it has been! In spite of 2020’s hardships and unique challenges, In August Harness Racing many of our alumni achieved professional success and personal milestones. 60s Update published an article We are delighted to celebrate them here, as well as profile a few fascinating about George Segal (’60), chronicling his alumni, some of whom went above and beyond at the height of the business career in Chicago commodities Covid-19 outbreak. as well as the growth of his Brittany As we look to 2021, I encourage you to ask yourself: What do I want Farms, one of the most storied breeders to achieve? How can the Baruch Alumni Network support me, my of harness champions. The farm has ambitions, and my dreams? produced numerous world championship horses and Breeders Crown winners, We are a community of nearly 160,000 alumni in 113 countries. and Segal says he plans “to keep racing In the coming year, please join your Baruch alumni family on social media, and keep breeding although on a far including the Baruch Alumni Network (Official Group) on LinkedIn smaller scale.” (alumni.baruch.cuny.edu/LinkedIn). Post jobs, share articles, and help (EMBA ’18) plan virtual alumni events within your company, city, or industry. Swain Greiner (’75) is DACA Dreamer and Healthcare Hero: JC Alejaldre 70s president/partner of Greiner n March 2020, Juan Carlos (JC) Alejaldre—an administrator in Born in Colombia, Alejaldre came to the U.S. with his mother Together we can transform the Baruch Alumni Maltz Investment Properties. The New the Division of Community and Population Health at NewYork– when he was six. “She wanted a better life for me,” he says, Network into an even better, more robust, York Real Estate Journal included him on IPresbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center— adding he had no idea his family circumstances differed from and more supportive community. its “2020 Ones to Watch” list, featuring received an urgent call from his supervisor. his peers’ until years later when trying to apply to—and afford— That is my goal for 2021. a Q&A in which he discusses his most With the medical center’s Emergency Department overwhelmed college. At that point they had overstayed their visa; his mom inspiring real estate deals. Matthew worked any job she could get, and they lived in a single room. Can you help? Email me your ideas by rising numbers of Covid-19 patients, Mr. Alejaldre was Blank (MBA ’76) joined the board informed that “on Monday we would help decamp the depart- In 2020, with help from his employer, Alejaldre was able to at [email protected]. of directors of CuriosityStream, ment, the Army Corps of Engineers would set up medical tents, renew his DACA status. He wrote about his experience in an a leading independent factual media and I would be responsible for running them.” op-ed for CNN in which he points out that there are more than Best wishes to all, company that has more than 13 million Alejaldre admits that, at the time, he did not fully understand the 200,000 DACA recipients who are considered “essential work- paying subscribers worldwide. Blank immensity of the task. Nonetheless he found himself heading up ers,” with 43,000—like himself—in healthcare. previously served as chairman and a massive team of doctors, staff, and hospital senior leadership “There are folks out there fighting for our country—fighting CEO of Showtime Networks Inc., and to fully operationalize Covid-19 tents at Presbyterian’s Columbia Covid-19 and for heath equity—who are also forced to fight to and Allen Hospital campuses. Within 24 hours, his team had remain in this country,” says the Dreamer, whose immigration Janet B. Rossbach worked on a variety of iconic television franchises, including Homeland, Dexter, re-created an entire inpatient floor. status prevented him from visiting his mother on her deathbed and Billions. Hanover Bancorp, Inc., “I tried to bring a sense of calm to the effort,” explains the in Colombia last year. promoted Brian K. Finneran (’79) to alumnus, who notes that in the beginning, they would receive As a DACA recipient, he remains without a direct path to president and CFO. He joined Hanover new guidelines from the CDC on a near-hourly basis: “It felt a bit citizenship. “It’s heartbreaking, but our hope is that we’ll in 2017 and has been responsible for like whiplash.” When New York City’s Covid-19 numbers finally continue to push until we effect permanent change.” became manageable in June, the tents came down. all facets of financial management, —GREGORY M. LEPORATI including budgeting, strategic planning, In addition to the pandemic, Alejaldre was simultaneously tax and investor relations, and liability fighting another, more personal, battle: renewing his Deferred management. Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

10 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 11 CLASSNOTES CLASSNOTES executive committee at Sidley Austin Board of Trustees. St. Joseph’s College on its “2020 Ones to Watch” list. He is a story of her battle with dissociative identity LLP, appeared on the podcast Drinks named Jerome Grossman (MBA ’86) managing member of H Equities, which disorder. Conan previously documented with the Deal. In a wide-ranging director of graduate management studies. deals with real estate in New York, New her mental health journey in a 2015 New Helping New Yorkers Breathe Easier conversation, Clivner talked about He has more than 35 years of experience Jersey, Florida, and Atlanta. Vivian Conan York Times article. David Rogal (’89) Anisha Rathod (MPA ’16) hiring laterally, building relationships, working in marketing and advertising for (MS ’88) published Losing the Atmosphere: married Ron Carlivati in August. Rogal and his advocacy for LGBTQ and clients including Procter & Gamble and A Memoir, A Baffling Disorder, A Search served as a longtime interior designer at hen Anisha Rathod chose to specialize in respiratory care, she knew there diversity issues. He is also the vice Schweppes. The New York Real Estate for Help, and the Therapist Who Understood Vicente Wolf in Manhattan, and Carlivati would be some difficult and hectic days. “That’s where the action is,” she president of the Baruch College Fund Journal featured Elliot Horowitz (’87) (Greenpoint Press, 2020), which tells the is the head writer of daytime drama Days Wsays. “You’re always needed in critical care situations.” She had no idea, of Our Lives. though, that she would one day be working on the front lines of a global pandemic— one that brought New York City, and much of the world, to a standstill. Marline Alexander (’90) “When I think about it now, it’s like a blurry memory,” recalls Ms. Rathod, who serves 90s joined the Board of Trustees as a respiratory care supervisor at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital in Flushing, Queens. The Offbeat Path of the Baruch College Fund. She serves When Covid-19 first hit the city, Rathod’s hospital—like nearly every other hospital in New York—experienced an overwhelming spike in patients. Investment Manager Turned Jazz Guitarist Robert Mwamba (’98) as senior vice president and head of C&I portfolio management at Bank Hapoalim “We normally have 80 emergency calls each month,” she says. “From March into May, Zambian-born Robert Mwamba moved to New York City as a teenager to study economics at Baruch College, but an unexpected International and has been a mentor that number jumped to 550 a month. We were running around nonstop. It was like a friendship with a jazz legend sent him down a very different path. in the Financial Women’s Association bad dream.” “Moving from Africa to New York was a big change, and it felt like something was missing,” recalls Mr. Mwamba. “To my surprise, since 2012. Professional poker player Rathod and her fellow respiratory care providers were desperately needed to operate music ended up filling that gap.” Micah Raskin (’91) was honored for his mechanical ventilators, which are an essential part of treatment for patients with He took up guitar under the direction of Milt Hinton, one of the most iconic jazz bassists of all time and the instructor of Baruch’s contributions to Shaare Zedek Medical serious cases of Covid-19. Operating a ventilator, Rathod explains, takes two years Jazz Workshop. The two struck up a close friendship, and Mwamba quickly developed into a formidable and technically precise Center, Jerusalem’s largest multidisciplinary of training and is an incredibly intricate and detail-oriented task. Specialists must guitarist. medical center. Raskin has earned close manage how many breaths are needed per minute, how much air volume is required, what percentage of oxygen to use, and more. After graduating from Baruch, Mwamba put his business degree to use, working as an investment manager for Bank of America. to $2 million competing in the World In addition to his traditional nine-to-five job, he continued to play jazz shows at night, developing a strong reputation within the Series of Poker and also serves as president “And no two ventilators can be programmed alike,” she says. “Every patient is different.” music community. of a direct marketing and software company. Normally, Rathod and her colleagues manage about 10 ventilators each. But that When Bank of America unexpectedly laid him off in 2005, it did not take long for his jazz friends to come calling. “Within two Warren County Schools in North Carolina number skyrocketed during the pandemic to anywhere between 20 and 30, requiring weeks, the Grammy Award–winning trumpet player Wallace Roney called me up and asked if I’d like to tour Europe with him,” named Michelle Dunbar (’92) Principal her to work shifts of 12 hours or more, five days a week. Her weekends were spent Mwamba says. “I jumped on that, hit the road with him for a year, and have been a full-time jazz musician ever since.” of the Year. She has served as principal of working from home trying to secure additional equipment and staffing for her hospital. Today, the alumnus is a regular performer at two of the most famous jazz clubs in the U.S.: The Blue Note in New York City and the Northside Warren Elementary School Rathod notes that NewYork–Presbyterian is well prepared and Blues Alley in Washington, DC. He has played private events for such celebrities as Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and English billionaire since 2019. Visiting Nurse Service of New ready for potential future spikes in virus patients. Doctors Richard Branson, and he also served as the musical director of the United Nations Jazz York added Karen Boykin-Towns (EMBA and nurses have been conservative with PPE in case there is Band—a particularly rewarding role since Mwamba’s father was a longtime diplomat. ’93) to its board of directors. She serves as another surge, and certain administrative processes have been streamlined to make the overall workflow more efficient. In 2016 Mwamba released a debut album, Coastin’, which features a number president/CEO of Encore Strategies, LLC, of jazz heavyweights playing alongside him. and vice chairman of the NAACP board She deeply appreciated all of the attention—and nightly of directors. Chicago-based brokerage firm applause—bestowed on healthcare workers during the height He currently mentors younger musicians. “I have great respect in the industry of the pandemic. But Rathod is most grateful to have learned because of my background in business,” he says. “Probably 90 percent of R.J. O’Brien named Emre Degirmenci so much about herself during this tumultuous period. jazz musicians have only played music their whole lives and have no idea (MBA ’95) managing director, EMEA how the business side of this works. They often seek me out for guidance (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). He “It probably sounds corny, but my career choices make sense and look up to me.” has 25 years of experience in treasury, now after experiencing this pandemic,” she says. “No one anticipated we’d ever face And although his mentor, Milt Hinton, passed away in 2000, risk management, and finance roles at something like this in our Mwamba is certain that the jazz legend would be proud of all major banks and commodities, including lifetime. But I know now that, he has accomplished. “He was just a beautiful man. If you Citigroup and Royal Bank of Scotland. during an emergency like this, Google him, you’ll be amazed to see how accomplished he there’s no other position I’d was,” says Mwamba, citing Hinton’s varied, decades-long In August PRWeek named rather be in.” career and his work with music icons from the 1930s onward. 00s Bettina Garibaldi (’04) to “These are the types of true masters we need to honor, now its “40 Under 40” list of PR professionals —GREGORY M. LEPORATI and forever.” steering the industry into the next —GREGORY M. LEPORATI generation. As senior vice president at Ketchum—a PR and marketing consulting continued on next page

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firm—she executes a number of In October, Illinois Governor recipients. Antonio Alfonso (’12) was campaigns focused primarily on travel 10s J.B. Pritzker appointed Charles named the political director of the Paying Dividends brands. Anthem Sports & Entertainment Archer (EMPA ’11) to the state’s Youth Democratic Organization of Queens Alan Chen’s Crusade for named Frank Tanki (EMBA ’04) general Budget Commission. Archer also serves County. In this role, he oversees the Financial Literacy manager of TV properties at AXS TV as the president and CEO of One development of the county’s political plan, and HDNET Movies. Prior to this Hope United, a private human service including managing communications, ike many Baruch students, Alan position, Tanki enjoyed numerous organization helping children and families evaluating voter engagement programs, Chen (’17) had a lucrative, full-time roles at Viacom, working for TV Land, through a variety of support programs. and collaborating with national, state, L job offer at graduation. But there was CMT, Spike TV, and Nickelodeon and The New Norwich Free Academy named and local officials. Tessa Jean (MPA one significant problem: He had no idea overseeing marketing for such global hits Richard Freeman (MPA ’11) director ’12), practice administrator, Employee how to properly invest his first paycheck. as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the of finance and human resources. He Health Services, at NewYork–Presbyterian Explorer. Mashhood Ahmed (’05) previously served as director of finance Hospital—recently named the #1 hospital “My starting salary was more money than and Brandon Procak (’06) became for the NYC Department of Education. in New York and #4 hospital in the nation my parents had made over years,” says Mr. Chen, who had found employment as fast friends as Baruch students and, The National Gallery of Art appointed by U.S. News & World Report—led this a software engineer at Rent the Runway, 20 years later, created their own business Sheila McDaniel (EMPA ’11) an year’s employee flu vaccination effort. a popular online designer clothing rental venture: RentCity, a tech platform that administrator. She oversees administrative Marketing consultant Basheer Alebdy service. Chen’s parents, who immigrated aims to disrupt the apartment renting support, capital improvements, facilities, (’14) founded the website DaBash Deals, BABY BEARCAT to the U.S. from China in their twenties process by providing comprehensive personnel, security, and more. Previously which compiles online coupons and In Bloom: Stephanie (’14) and and never graduated high school, “did a great job of shielding me from the fact that data and firsthand reviews from tenants. she served as deputy director of finance discounts for such major retailers as Mariusz “Mario” (’14) Gornicki we were part of the low-income bracket,” he explains. “If you needed food, it was there. Clayton & McKervey, a certified public and operations at The Studio Museum Walmart, Amazon, and eBay. This welcomed baby girl Maya Emilia in May. But we had no savings, which is not a healthy financial outlook.” accounting and business advisory firm, in Harlem. In August USA Today named October Jimmy Rivera (He, Him, His) promoted Nina Wang (’05) to senior Cristina Jiménez Moreta (MPA ’11) (’14), vice president of the Stonewall Chen set out to improve his financial literacy and spent months scouring the Internet manager in the firm’s tax department. one of its Women of the Century, in Democratic Club of New York City for every useful tip and tutorial he could find. Soon he had become something of With a specialty in international tax, celebration of the 100th anniversary and member of Bronx Community the Cannabis Cultural Association. an armchair expert on everything from high-yield savings accounts, to Roth IRAs, to Wang supports domestic businesses of the 19th Amendment. She is the Board No. 4, was selected as a “40 A longtime cannabis activist, he advocates mutual funds. To share his knowledge, he created a blog—TomoonFund.com—and and foreign-owned entities with parent co-founder of United We Dream, the Under 40” NYC Rising Star by City for increased accessibility, affordability, began hosting free seminars and webinars for Baruch students and recent graduates companies in Europe, North America, nation’s largest immigrant youth–led & State. Amoy Barnes (MPA ’16) and awareness of cannabis products. through the Starr Career Development Center and the Office of Alumni Relations and and Asia. Victor Catano (MBA ’06) network, which advocates for DACA serves as Staten Island Borough director Alan Broman (’18), who works in Volunteer Engagement. was named CFO at New Canaan Country (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) for the NYC Department of Education. asset management at Gatsby Enterprises, Chen hopes that his blog and workshops will help fill the financial-literacy knowledge School, a coed, independent day school Christian A. Velez (’16) is the founder recently married Michal Elkouby. The gap that he believes is far too prevalent in U.S. education, especially for individuals serving students in Westchester and Fairfield of Cano Coffee Company, which he Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based from low-income families. He cites recent data from the Council for Economic Education, counties. Gustavo Agosto-DaFonseca NCAA Probation Served began during his senior year at Baruch. education nonprofit, selected Ontay which indicate that only 21 states have financial literacy requirements in high school. (’07, MPA ’15), a major in the U.S. Army, The Venezuelan-born alumnus served Johnson (MPA ’18) as an Education “But even teaching it in high school is ineffective, since you don’t make serious money; completed a yearlong program at the Baruch College Athletics successfully in the U.S. Air Force for eight years Entrepreneur Fellow. As a fellow, this needs to be taught in a just-in-time manner, because that’s when people are most Command and General Staff College met all the requirements of its and spoke about his experiences at Johnson will work to launch EmpowerED receptive to it.” at Fort Leavenworth, KS, earning the four-year imposed sanction and “Primer Cafecito,” a virtual Baruch Families, an independent nonprofit In addition to working his day job at Rent the Runway and hosting Baruch webinars, designation “Distinguished Graduate.” was released from NCAA probation alumni event held in October in that will promote access to high-quality Chen is busy developing a financial-literacy software tool that can provide users with In April Myriam Simpierre (’08) effective June 30, 2020. During the celebration of Hispanic Heritage education. Jennifer Galliano (’19) immediate financial knowledge and answer tax questions. “It’s sort of like Clippy—the opened Buy Better Foods—a grocery probationary period, the College’s Month. When Covid-19 hit the U.S. was named to the Baruch College little paper clip character who used to offer editorial advice in Microsoft Word—except store—in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Division III Athletics program was in March and April, Owen Martinetti Fund board as a recent graduate trustee. better,” he says. She was featured in an MSN article rebuilt, with modifications focused (’17) and Christopher Abbenda (’18) She is a wealth management analyst at on compliance, policy implementation, Morgan Stanley. Genevieve Martin And what is Chen’s top financial tip for Baruch alumni? Communicating about finances about entrepreneurs who found a way made headlines for securing millions of and a departmental overhaul. Having (MA ’19) was just named managing is key, he says. “A lot of people think it’s taboo to discuss money, but you should be to succeed despite starting their business medical masks and donating thousands persevered through the final leg of director at the Center for Italian Modern talking to your coworkers about salary and talking to your friends about 401(k) plans. amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Public throughout New York. Martinetti is the the probationary period in conjunction Art. She previously worked at Christie’s Share research and tips—that’s very important.” accounting firm MBAF promoted co-founder of Naturae Oils, one of the Jimmy Vora (’08) to director in its with the Covid-19 pandemic, the first licensed hemp farms and cannabidiol and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Chen will be hosting more free webinars for Baruch alumni during the spring and audit department. He focuses on College is looking forward to new processing plants in New York, and TheArtGorgeous—a female-empowering summer of 2021—check alumni.baruch.cuny.edu for full event details. audits that integrate the organization’s opportunities for success with a Abbenda works for the company in organization for art professionals—called —GREGORY M. LEPORATI compliance and its basic financial renewed sense of pride in the program. business development. Jacob Plowden her one of NYC’s rising stars in the arts. statements. (’17) serves as the deputy director of continued on next page

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In September the Harlem 20s International Film Festival WEBINAR SERIES CONNECTS ALUMNI ACROSS THE GLOBE screened Hold Fast to Dreams: Good-bye When Covid-19 sent the world into lockdown alumni have mostly reported being quite Harlem, a short documentary by Kenneth in March, Baruch’s Office of Alumni Relations resilient, and many have found working from Sousie (’20) honoring the legacy of and Volunteer Engagement (OARVE) team home to be a boon for personal development, Langston Hughes. Sousie, who served as wanted to know: “How are our alumni health and wellness, and family connection,” editor-in-chief of Dollars & Sense (D&S), coping, not just across the United States, shared Janet B. Rossbach, OARVE director. At a time when the American Dream is facing daunting Baruch’s award-winning student magazine, but around the world?” Regional and international alumni networks created the film as part of aD&S reporting What followed was, among other from Atlanta to Shanghai have also hosted challenges, Baruch is standing up for our students. Our package celebrating the 100th anniversary initiatives, a series of conversations with alumni mixers, and a new Europe, Middle resolve to persevere as a beacon of America’s potential alumni living outside the U.S., who shared East, and Africa network was established. of the Harlem Renaissance. the impact of Covid-19 on their lives, “Despite all concerns, Baruch’s global is undiminished. careers, and industries. To date, the office Alumni Network has continued to Class Notes are provided to our readers on an “AS has hosted “A View from Abroad” connect and to thrive Yet Baruch’s capacity to continue to fulfill its critical IS” basis. Baruch College/The City University of with alumni in Brazil, via Zoom and will do mission is put at risk by the outsized effects of the New York does not make any warranties, express or Canada, China, India, so until it is safe for Covid-19 pandemic on our students and their families. implied, regarding the items included and disclaims Israel, Korea, and us all to convene in any and all liability or responsibility for the content the United Kingdom. person again,” says This crisis has stretched the College’s resources beyond thereof and any direct, indirect, or consequential “Fortunately, our Director Rossbach. damages related to, or arising from, the use of their limits. The calls for financial aid, emergency grants, the information. technology assistance, student health and counseling, food assistance, and career services are overwhelming.

IN MEMORIAM To meet these immense demands, we need Harry Povlotsky ’41 Howard Schlactus ’55 Guido D’Adamo ’66, MBA ’77 Ralph H. Susskind ’76 your help. Stand Up for Baruch and donate *Florence C. Golly ’42 Anthony Finocchiaro ’56 Joseph M. Keane MBA ’66 Marcelle (McMaster) Williams ’76 today. Our students depend on you now more Florence Winter Bennett ’48 Joel E. Becker ’57 Joseph T. Whalen ’66 Andrew F. Winning MBA ’76 *William W. Levine ’48 Philip Braverman ’57 John T. Gallagher MBA ’67 Steven Frumkin MBA ’77 than ever. Evelyn R. Ben-Ami ’49 Herman M. Schneider ’57 *Harry A. Mervish MBA ’67 Douglas J. Grady MBA ’77 Sylvia J. (Berman) Detkin ’49 Irving Stein ’57 Edward B. Wtulich ’67 Lucy T. Huffman PhD ’78 Eugene E. Grandis ’49 Joseph Marks ’58 Earle J. Walker ’68 Joseph Klein ’78 STAND UP NOW Gerald H. Gura ’49 William J. Turner ’60 Patricia (Bajor) Howe ’69 Peter B. Daniels MPA ’80 • D onate by Mail Murray Kane ’49 Salvatore J. Arcieri ’61 Michael Smith MBA ’69 Todd Wassmer ’80 Heinz Tamm ’49 Robert W. Baer ’61 Robert J. Adamski ’70 Sharon (McDonald) Beckett MBA ’81 Use the envelope in this magazine Charlotte (Bender) Eth ’50 Stephen H. Aidlin ’62 Robert E. Hawks MPA ’70 Faye S. (Klus) Feit MBA ’86 to send your gift. Joseph Klein ’50, MBA ’54 *Sherry (Kershnar) Jacobson ’62 William R. Ridky ’70 Mark J. Benson ’87 Lucretia G. Kratsios ’50 Jack Schweber ’62 Stephen Chaikind ’71 Judith M. Lewis MBA ’87 • Donate Online *Arlene (Kaye) Richards ’50 Arnold C. Goldstein ’63 Stewart H. Miller ’71 Edith W. Mackey ’87 Maxine (Laufer) Baden MBA ’52 Harvey Tabin ’63 Jeremiah M. Flaherty ’73 Robert C. Sampson ’90 baruch.cuny.edu/standupnow Margaret A. Condit ’52 Anthony J. Tosques ’63 William A. Ward ’73 Clara I. Roman ’00 Maurice Abrams ’53 Alvin M. Zubasky ’63 Noel J. Gorman MBA ’74 Rahul Shah MBA ’06 Rose Mary Staiano Infantino ’53 Felix Diez ’64 Joseph F. Dash PhD ’75 Sabina V. Singh ’17 Paula I. (Befeler) Vanovitch ’53 Jeffrey A. Manoff ’64 Barry R. Forman ’75 Sidney W. Azriliant ’54 Jack Spiegel ’65 Lillian Roberts ’75 *Benchmark Society member John Karabec ’54 Robert H. Ullman ’65 Ram Asra Khurana MBA ’76

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