VenturesStevenson University Vol. 37 | No. 4 | Summer 2017 Welcome, President Elliot Hirshman, Ph.D. 17 Years in the Works Page 8 | Dell Family Pathway Page 10 | Advancing the Mission Page 14 Visit Ventures online for added content, including videos, photos, blog posts, and more! stevenson.edu/ventures Ventures is published four times each year by Stevenson University for its stu- dents, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and benefactors. No part of this publication may be reproduced in print or digital form without prior permission from the publisher. President Elliot Hirshman, Ph.D. Chair, Board of Trustees James B. Stradtner, CFA Vice President, University Advancement Stevenson W. Close, Jr. Vice President, Marketing and Digital Communications and Publisher John A. Buettner Editor Sherry E. Bithell The Stevenson University Concert Band playing under the Design direction of Mark Lortz, Interim Director of Music, Director of Atsuko O. Biars Bands, and Assistant Professor of Music. Contributors Daniel M. Birzak, Chip Burkey, Cierra B. Colón, Alison Cuomo, Samantha Brooke Murray, Ashley N. Reese, Tiffany Reese, Greg Royce Advancing the Mission Contributors Judith G. Jackson, Allison C. Humphries, Office of University Advancement Photography Maximilian Franz, Aaron S. Harris, Nora J. Long, Sabina Moran, Dan C. Siebenhaar, SU Photography Interns, Office of University Advancement Questions or comments about this issue? Please contact: Sherry E. Bithell, AVP, Marketing Communications Stevenson University Ventures 100 Campus Circle News for alumni and friends of Stevenson University Vol. 37 | No. 4 | Summer 2017 Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 443-352-4483 [email protected] Please visit stevenson.edu for the latest news about the University. FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE 2 Welcome, President Elliot Hirshman, Ph.D. 10 News Stevenson University formally welcomed its seventh president, Elliot 14 Advancing the Mission Hirshman, Ph.D., to campus on July 3. Learn more about our new president, from his vision for the University to his personal interests. 18 Alumni Awards 20 Class Notes 8 17 Years in the Works: University Acquires 21 Alumna Profile Rosewood Property After 17 years of persistence on the part of many, Stevenson has acquired the Rosewood property adjacent to its Owings Mills campus. Read about the work that went into making this deal with the State of Maryland—and those who made it happen. President Elliot Hirshman, Ph.D. Welcome,by Sherry Bithell 2 | VENTURES/SUMMER 2017 Welcome, STEVENSON.EDU | 3 WELCOME TO SU Stevenson is happy to welcome its seventh president, Elliot Hirshman, Ph.D., starting on July 3, 2017. Hirshman joins the University after serving as Ventures (V): You’re coming from serving as pres- president of San Diego State University (SDSU) since ident at a research institution with an enrollment 2011. Under President Hirshman’s leadership, SDSU of 33,000-plus students and previously, you were implemented an integrated budget and financial the provost at UMBC, a public university with just strategy; raised more than $800 million in private under 14,000 students. Stevenson is a more tradi- philanthropy for scholarships and new initiatives tional liberal arts institution with an enrollment of and programs; and established and endowed its 4,100 students. What perspectives do you antici- Honors College. pate bringing to your new role here? However, this will not be Hirshman’s first time in Baltimore. Prior to his tenure at SDSU, Hirshman Elliot Hirshman (EH): Let me share two. First is served as provost and senior vice president for that I focus on all aspects of student develop- Academic Affairs at the University of Maryland, ment, from personal to professional. If we focus Baltimore County (UMBC). Previously, Hirshman on what Stevenson has to offer each of our stu- was chief research officer at the George Washington dents, we can help them achieve their greatest University and chaired the Department of Psychology aspirations. Second, I embrace Stevenson’s spirit there and at the University of Colorado at Denver. of collaboration. Everyone at the University helps Hirshman and his wife, Jeri, have been married for students excel. All members of the community nearly 28 years. Jeri is a registered nurse who enjoys come together to support students’ holistic de- participating in local and national film festivals. velopment. Their daughter, Wendy, graduated from Muhlenberg College and is now married and living in Northern V: How do you define a liberal arts education? Virginia. Their son, Nathan, is a student at the Duke University School of Medicine. EH: I see a liberal arts education as a wonder- To help introduce Hirshman to the broader ful opportunity to help students prepare for their Stevenson community—alumni, students, faculty, lives. Not just their careers, although that is im- staff, and friends—Ventures magazine reached out portant, but it also helps them develop habits to learn more about him, his vision, and ways the of mind, in terms of written and oral communi- University will benefit from his extensive higher cations, as well as quantitative and qualitative education experience. reasoning. When we help our students develop 4 | VENTURES/SUMMER 2017 WELCOME TO SU these abilities, we are educating students who will not only EH: The first and most important thing is for me to listen contribute to the economy through successful careers but broadly and learn about the campus and the aspirations will also help their communities as thought and change and goals of the community. Of course, there are always leaders. issues that require immediate attention and I will work col- laboratively with members of the community to address V: What do you think makes Stevenson distinctive from these issues. similar liberal arts institutions? V: Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, President of UMBC, com- EH: There’s no question that Stevenson has taken the right mented that you care deeply about students. What are approach by integrating a classical liberal arts education some ways in which Stevenson students will see this first- with career preparation. The University prepares students hand? for today’s economy while supporting the best traditions of American higher education. This is what students and EH: Freeman is very gracious to say this and I appreciate their families look for when it comes to being prepared for it! Students will see a lot of me. I enjoy having lunch with the modern and emerging global workforce. students, hearing their perspectives, and attending ath- letic and cultural events on campus. Also, I have deep V: What do you anticipate your first steps will be as you respect for students and I always try to be direct with them begin your presidency? in addressing their questions and concerns about campus issues. STEVENSON.EDU | 5 WELCOME TO SU 6 | VENTURES/SUMMER 2017 WELCOME TO SU “ The first and most important thing is for me to listen broadly and learn about the campus and the aspirations and goals of the community.” V: How do you feel about returning to the Baltimore 200 products in a grocery store and sold them in bulk? area? These simple ideas had enormous implications, provid- ing opportunities for much broader distribution of high- EH: I’m excited. It is, of course, an opportunity to re- quality product. It’s a great example of how a simple set connect with colleagues and friends. There’s a saying, of ideas can change an organization and affect people’s “No person ever steps in the same river twice, for it's lives. not the same river and they are not the same person.” I fully believe this, so I’m excited about new opportunities V: Are there any final comments to the SU community as given changes since I’ve been here. you begin your tenure as president? V: What’s something that people would be surprised to EH: When I was interviewing, Stevenson’s heritage of know about you? community, its tradition as a caring community, was very attractive to me. There is so much great work happening EH: In some regards, the ubiquity offered by the inter- here—the integration of career preparation with liberal net makes it hard for there to be many surprises. One, arts, cultural and artistic events, athletics—that I want however, is that my wife and I are supporters of animals to nurture and support. I see Stevenson as a wonderful, in that we think of them as family members. People will diverse community, one where people are friendly, sup- see that I’m very interested in animal welfare. Another portive, and really care about each other. I look forward thing that people might not know is that I was a student- to joining the community. SU athlete in high school. I played defensive back for the football team and ran track, so I understand some of the challenges our student-athletes face. V: What’s the last book you’ve read? For more on President Hirshman’s pro- EH: Sol Price: Retail Revolutionary and Social Innovator. fessional, academic, and personal back- Price was the person who came up with the concept of ground, visit stevenson.edu/president. big box stores such as Sam’s Club and Costco. For ex- ample, back in the early ‘50s, he was looking at retail stores and thought, what would happen if we only sold STEVENSON.EDU | 7 17 Years in the Works: University Acquires Rosewood Property The sale of the former Rosewood Center property in concern of the surrounding community and the District Owings Mills to Stevenson University was approved 11 delegation for many years. Stevenson first expressed by Maryland’s Board of Public Works during its June 7 interest in acquiring the property in 2000 and conducted meeting in Annapolis. Stevenson, per the sales agreement, an environmental survey of the site in 2009-2010.