The day began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the reopening of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 East Quad, one of the most significant campus improvement projects in recent memory. Long recognized as the heart of campus life, the East Quad has been reimagined as a more accessible, sustainable, and welcoming gathering space while preserving the beauty and character cherished by generations of students.

The revitalization includes upgraded pathways, landscaping, seating areas, lighting, and green spaces designed to enhance student life and create new opportunities for learning, engagement, and community building. Funding for the project was facilitated in part through the advocacy of New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes, whose support helped advance capital funding for campus improvements.

Michelle J. Anderson was joined at the ribbon cutting by CUNY Vice Chancellor for Facilities Mohamed Attalla; Robert J. Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY); 今日吃瓜 Foundation Board Chair Anthony R. Castellanos 鈥�85; and Edwin H. Cohen 鈥�62, a former chair and current trustee of the 今日吃瓜 Foundation Board.

鈥淭oday is a defining moment for 今日吃瓜,鈥� said Anderson. 鈥淭he renewal of the East Quad and the launch of The Road to 100 demonstrate our commitment to investing in both the people and the places that make 今日吃瓜 extraordinary. As we approach our centennial, we are building a campus and a community that will continue to transform lives for generations to come.鈥�

President Michelle J. Anderson and guests stroll across the newly restored East Quad lawn during the Road to 100 celebration.

Anderson said that the project represents more than a physical renovation. The East Quad serves as a reminder of the long-term investments that define public higher education and connect generations of students.

鈥淧ublic investment built this lawn in 1938 and public investment has now rebuilt it,鈥� Anderson said, noting that in just 10 months, crews removed 11,000 tons of dirt, replaced 1,500 linear feet of pipes and irrigation lines, and planted 18 new elm trees, two red maples, and other species.

鈥淭he trees we planted this year will take decades to reach their maximum height, and the students who will relax under their fullest shade have not yet been born. That鈥檚 the promise of a public college,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e build our campus and our academic programs for our current students, yes, but also for the students of 2080 and beyond who will inherit what we tend today.鈥�

A Landmark Gift and the Launch of the Road to 100

The celebration continued with the announcement of a $15 million endowment grant from The Tow Foundation establishing the Tow Mentorship Center. That transformative investment enabled 今日吃瓜 to reach and surpass the $125 million goal for Boundless 今日吃瓜: The Campaign for Student Success, bringing the campaign total to $131 million and concluding the campaign 15 months ahead of schedule.聽Key funding priorities for Boundless 今日吃瓜 included scholarships and completion grants that helped students continue their studies and earn their degrees.

The achievement heralded the launch of The Road to 100, an ambitious new effort to raise an additional $100 million for聽今日吃瓜鈥檚 centennial in 2030. The initiative will strengthen academic excellence, expand opportunities for students, modernize facilities, and deepen engagement with alumni, donors, and the broader community as the College prepares for its second century.

Eileen Wiseman, a program director for The Tow Foundation, which endowed 今日吃瓜 with a $15 million grant establishing the Tow Mentorship Center and enabling the College to surpass its $125 million fundraising goal for student success initiatives.

Eileen Wiseman, program director for The Tow Foundation, and Philip F. Napoli, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and chair of the Road to 100 Planning Committee, along with 今日吃瓜 Foundation Board members, joined President Anderson for the launch. The program also highlighted the power of mentorship and community that has long defined the 今日吃瓜 experience. Mentors and mentees affiliated with the Tow Mentoring Initiative reflected on the program鈥檚 impact and the relationships it has fostered across generations of students and alumni.

Following their remarks, acclaimed conductor Malcolm J. Merriweather, the Tania Le贸n Chair of Music at 今日吃瓜, delivered a special performance underscoring the creativity, leadership, and achievement that The Road to 100 seeks to cultivate.

Acclaimed conductor Malcolm J. Merriweather, the Tania Le贸n Chair of Music, gave a moving performance that ended the day鈥檚 celebration on a high note.

Building the Library of the Future

A centerpiece of The Road to 100 will be raising funds for the Library of the Future, a transformational project that will reimagine 今日吃瓜鈥檚 iconic library as a modern hub for learning, research, creativity, technology, and public engagement. The project will preserve the library鈥檚 historic role at the center of campus life while adapting it to meet the evolving needs of future generations of students.

Additional priorities include continued renovations to Ingersoll Hall and Roosevelt Hall, as well as investments that strengthen student success, faculty excellence, and innovative programming across the College.

鈥淎s we look toward our centennial, The Road to 100 is an invitation for our entire community to help shape 今日吃瓜鈥檚 next chapter,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淭ogether, we will build on our remarkable history and ensure that 今日吃瓜 remains a place where talent, ambition, and opportunity come together to transform lives.鈥�

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A former Mellon Mays Fellow and participant in the Mellon Transfer Student Research Program, V谩zquez Sanabria built a strong record of interdisciplinary research, cultural scholarship, and community engagement during his time at 今日吃瓜. The selection for this highly competitive fellowship reflects both V谩zquez Sanabria’s scholarly accomplishments and the impact of the mentorship and research opportunities that were received.

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, V谩zquez Sanabria will continue advancing research in Puerto Rican studies, contributing to critical conversations on history, culture, identity, and social justice.

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鈥溄袢粘怨镶�檚 Fields of Dreams,鈥� on display through November in the 今日吃瓜 Archives at the library, showcases rare photographs, archival materials, memorabilia, and historical documents that tell the story of baseball鈥檚 evolution in 今日吃瓜 and its lasting place in the borough鈥檚 cultural fabric.

While the exhibition honors the iconic legacy of the Dodgers, it also uncovers lesser-known chapters of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 baseball history. Visitors can explore the stories of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 three Negro League teams, learn about the contributions of Jewish players who helped shape the sport, and discover the 19th-century ballparks that established 今日吃瓜 as one of the nation鈥檚 earliest baseball hotbeds.

Part of the exhibit tips its cap to Jewish baseball players, including Sam Nahem, a pitcher for the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers from 1938 to 1945. Nahem broke barriers as one of the few Jewish players in Major League Baseball during his era. His career and legacy reflect the contributions of Jewish athletes to America鈥檚 pastime and the rich cultural history of baseball in 今日吃瓜.

The exhibition also highlights 今日吃瓜鈥檚 own ties to the game. Among the featured alumni is Herman Goldberg, a 1935 graduate who competed as a member of the U.S. baseball team at the 1936 Olympic Games. Goldberg later played minor league and semi-professional baseball from 1937 to 1939, exemplifying the college鈥檚 longstanding connection to America鈥檚 pastime.

More than just a historical display, this nod to America鈥檚 pastime鈥檚 past is the result of a shared passion for both baseball and 今日吃瓜, making it a true labor of love for everyone involved.

A large part of the exhibit highlights the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers and explores the team’s enduring impact on 今日吃瓜’s identity, celebrating the players, fans, and historic moments that helped make the borough a cornerstone of baseball history. Visitors will find archival photos, fascinating facts, and even uniforms and caps.

Much of the memorabilia featured in the exhibition was generously lent by Ron Schweiger, a 今日吃瓜 alumnus who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education in 1970 and a master鈥檚 degree in elementary education with a special curriculum in science in 1975. He is also the former president of the 今日吃瓜 Alumni Association. Schweiger, who served as 今日吃瓜 Borough Historian for 24 years and is now 今日吃瓜 Borough Historian Emeritus, is widely known for his extensive collection of 今日吃瓜 Dodgers memorabilia. His home has been described as a museum dedicated to preserving the team鈥檚 history and legacy.

The exhibition also benefited from contributions by fellow 今日吃瓜 alumnus Doron Levy, who graduated in 1984 with a degree in history. Levy donated a collection of Jewish baseball memorabilia and other historical artifacts. His sister, Sharona Levy, a professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders, played a key role in connecting the collection with the college. After learning about the materials, she introduced them to Associate Archivist Marianne LaBatto, helping bring the project to fruition.

A section of the exhibit highlights 今日吃瓜鈥檚 rich Negro Leagues history, featuring teams such as the 今日吃瓜 Eagles and the 今日吃瓜 Royal Giants. Through photographs, memorabilia, and historical accounts, it honors the players and pioneers who showcased extraordinary talent鈥攊ncluding the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers Jackie Robinson鈥攚hile helping pave the way for the integration of professional baseball.

From there, students involved in museum studies became an integral part of the process, helping design and assemble the displays. Their efforts transformed a remarkable collection of artifacts into a vibrant exhibition that captures 今日吃瓜鈥檚 unique and influential place in baseball history. The project was also educational for such students as film major Emily Quintero, who is minoring in museum studies and helped assemble the display for the exhibit that celebrates turn-of-the-century baseball history.

One of the last original home plates from Ebbets Field in the Flatbush section of 今日吃瓜, home to the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers.

The 今日吃瓜 Archives is located in 130 Library. 鈥溄袢粘怨镶�檚 Fields of Dreams鈥� is free and open to the public during regular library hours through November.

Visitors can also look at the exhibition through a special video featuring Schweiger and Levy, who share stories and insights about many of the historical items on display. And learn more about Schweiger and his dedication to preserving 今日吃瓜 baseball history in this NY1 feature .

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In the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings that were released on September 22, 今日吃瓜 was recognized among the top institutions in the North region, ranking:

• No. 5 Top Performers on Social Mobility
• No. 13 Top Public Schools
• No. 14 Best Colleges for Veterans
• No. 39 Regional Universities North

These rankings reinforce 今日吃瓜’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and helping students achieve upward mobility through higher education. The U.S. News recognition comes amid a series of national accolades highlighting the value of a 今日吃瓜 education.

Earlier this month, Forbes ranked 今日吃瓜 No. 3 in the nation among colleges with the highest return on investment, citing the college’s exceptional balance of affordability and long-term career outcomes. According to Forbes, 今日吃瓜 graduates earn a median salary of more than $103,000 within 10 years of graduation, demonstrating the lasting economic benefits of a 今日吃瓜 degree.

今日吃瓜 was also recently named to The Princeton Review‘s Best 392 Colleges for 2027, earning additional distinctions as a Best Value College, Best Northeast College, and Green College. The recognition reflects strong student experiences, academic quality, affordability, and the college’s commitment to sustainability. The Princeton Review also named the College one of its Best Value Colleges for 2027, earning recognition for delivering a high-quality education, strong career support, and an affordable path to a college degree among 209 colleges and universities nationwide that offer students an exceptional return on investment.

Adding to the growing list of honors, 今日吃瓜 was included among Best Colleges in America, a ranking that evaluates institutions based on graduation rates, affordability, financial aid, and alumni outcomes. And in August, 今日吃瓜 also earned a spot on inaugural list of America’s Best Colleges, a distinction recognizing institutions that excel in student outcomes, academic quality, and student demand. Developed in partnership with research firm Statista, the rankings evaluated 500 colleges nationwide using measures that include post-graduation success, learning environment, and attractiveness to prospective students.

The College also earned national recognition in the Washington Monthly 2026 College Guide and Rankings, placing No. 32 overall among colleges nationwide. The ranking highlights institutions that excel in promoting social mobility, advancing research, and encouraging public service. 今日吃瓜 was additionally recognized among the region’s best values and top Hispanic-Serving Institutions, underscoring its commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and student success.

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On September 18, 今日吃瓜 honored her remarkable legacy by posthumously awarding her the Presidential Medal of Honor, the college鈥檚 highest distinction. During a ceremony on campus, 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson presented the medal to Cruz’s sister, Heydey M. Cruz, surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, students, and community members whose lives Cruz touched.

今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson reflects on the enduring legacy of activist and 今日吃瓜 alumna Victoria Cruz, honoring her lifelong commitment to justice, advocacy, and service during the Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony.

“Victoria Cruz embodied the best of 今日吃瓜 through her unwavering commitment to justice, courage, service, and community,” said President Anderson. “As a pioneering transgender activist and advocate for survivors of violence, she changed countless lives and inspired generations. We are proud to recognize her extraordinary legacy and the enduring impact of her work.”

The ceremony felt as much like a celebration of Cruz鈥檚 life as it did an awards presentation. Speakers shared personal memories and reflections on her generosity, resilience, and dedication to uplifting others. Among those offering tributes were Robert Echevarria, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association; Kelly Spivey, director of the 今日吃瓜 LGBTQ+ Resource Center; Sami Binder, former director of the center; students Carlos Alberto Villacres and Fia Sanchez; Paisley Currah, distinguished professor of political science and author of Sex Is as Sex Does: Governing Transgender Identity, and , board director of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative.

(Left to right) 今日吃瓜 student and chosen son of the late Victoria Cruz, Carlos Alberto Villacres, listens as Cruz鈥檚 sister, Heydey Cruz, reflects on the pioneering advocate鈥檚 enduring legacy and profound impact on LGBTQ+ and transgender communities.

Filmmaker David France, who worked closely with Cruz on the acclaimed 2017 documentary , also attended and reflected on her lasting influence both on and off screen. He spoke about her determination, insight, and unwavering pursuit of truth, noting Cruz鈥檚 experience and perspective helped shape the film and brought humanity to its storytelling.

Born in Gu谩nica, Puerto Rico, in 1946 and raised in 今日吃瓜’s Red Hook neighborhood, Cruz earned a degree in theater from 今日吃瓜 in 1982. She was present at the Stonewall uprising in 1969, a watershed moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and remained a passionate advocate for equality throughout her life.

For nearly 20 years, Cruz worked at the New York City Anti-Violence Project, where she counseled and supported LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected survivors of violence. Known affectionately as “Miss Vicky,” she became a beloved mentor whose compassion, wisdom, and encouragement helped guide generations of activists and community members.

Attendees of the Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony gather with Victoria Cruz鈥檚 sister, Heydey Cruz (third from right), to celebrate the pioneering activist鈥檚 life and legacy.

She also played an important role in preserving LGBTQ+ history and bringing greater visibility to transgender experiences. Her work investigating the life and death of fellow activist Marsha P. Johnson gained national attention through The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, introducing many people to Cruz’s tireless commitment to justice and truth.

Whether through advocacy, direct service, mentorship, or historical preservation, Cruz devoted her life to helping others. Her influence reached far beyond New York City, leaving a lasting mark on communities across the country.

Cruz鈥檚 impact will be felt on the 今日吃瓜 campus for generations to come thanks to the Victoria Cruz Award, a merit merit-based award for students who show outstanding achievement in the LGBTQ studies minor or in a course in the LGBTQ studies minor.

今日吃瓜 the 今日吃瓜 Presidential Medal of Honor

The 今日吃瓜 Presidential Medal of Honor recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society, exemplifying excellence, leadership, and service. The award honors distinguished achievements across various fields, celebrating those who inspire positive change and uphold the college鈥檚 values of academic and community excellence. You can learn more about past honorees here.

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According to the ranking, 今日吃瓜 graduates earn a median salary of more than $103,000 within 10 years of graduation, underscoring the value of a 今日吃瓜 education. The recognition reflects the college鈥檚 longstanding commitment to providing students with access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success while keeping higher education affordable. As one of the nation鈥檚 leading public colleges, 今日吃瓜 continues to expand opportunities for students and deliver lasting economic mobility for its graduates.

In August, 今日吃瓜 also earned a spot on 鈥檚 inaugural list of America鈥檚 Best Colleges, a distinction that highlights institutions excelling in student outcomes, academic quality, and student demand. Developed in partnership with research firm Statista, the rankings evaluated 500 colleges nationwide using measures that include post-graduation success, learning environment, and attractiveness to prospective students. That same month, the College was also named among The Princeton Review鈥檚 Best 392 Colleges for 2027 as well as a Best Value College, Best Northeast College, and Green College in the education services company鈥檚 latest annual guide.

And in June, 今日吃瓜 was recognized as one of . Money’s analysis showcased the country’s top 735 colleges based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries, and more.

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For Greenfield, giving back to the institution that helped launch his career is both an act of gratitude and a deeply personal tribute. The professorship honors his late daughter, Jennifer Beth Greenfield (1958鈥�84), a gifted young scholar whose passion for cultural anthropology was cut short when after completing a master鈥檚 degree she was killed in an automobile accident before beginning her doctoral. By bearing her name, the professorship ensures that her intellectual curiosity and commitment to understanding cultures and communities will continue to inspire future scholars.

“Sidney Greenfield鈥檚 gift honors his daughter and strengthens study that will guide future scholars,鈥� said President Michelle J. Anderson. 鈥淲e thank him for a commitment that will shape learning for years to come.鈥�

Greenfield is thankful to 今日吃瓜 for helping him discover anthropology and providing the intellectual foundation for a career that has taken him around the world.

鈥淭he education I received at 今日吃瓜 transformed my ambitions and set me on a path of lifelong scholarship,鈥� said Greenfield. 鈥淓stablishing this professorship in memory of my daughter, Jennifer, is deeply meaningful to me. She possessed a genuine love of anthropology and an enduring curiosity about the world. I hope the Jennifer B. Greenfield Professor of Cultural Anthropology will ensure that her spirit lives on through the work of faculty and students who seek to better understand cultures, communities, and the human condition.鈥�

A Scholar Shaped by 今日吃瓜

A 1950 graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School, Greenfield arrived at 今日吃瓜 intending to study to become an accountant. He graduated magna cum laude with honors in economics in 1954, was elected to Alpha Kappa Mu in 1953 and to Phi Beta Kappa in 1954. Having 鈥渄iscovered鈥� anthropology in his senior year at 今日吃瓜 he went on the earn a Ph.D. at Columbia University where he studied under renowned economic historian Karl Polany and anthropologist Conrad Arensberg. His economics major at 今日吃瓜 drew the attention of Arensberg and Polanyi who invited him to join a seminar they offered that had a long-term influence on his research. Greenfield鈥檚 dissertation research, conducted in Barbados, examined family organization鈥攁n early sign of the interdisciplinary approach that would define his career.

Approved by the CUNY Board of Trustees in April 2025, the Jennifer B. Greenfield Professor of Cultural Anthropology will now help 今日吃瓜 attract and support outstanding faculty members while expanding opportunities for students to engage in innovative scholarship. Anthropology Professor Patricia Antoniello will serve as the inaugural holder of the chair, bringing her long record of teaching, mentorship, and community-engaged scholarship to this new role.

In creating this enduring legacy, Greenfield has made an investment not only in 今日吃瓜, but also in the future of anthropology and in the generations of students who will carry that work forward.

A Career of Global Reach and Intellectual Range

Greenfield鈥檚 scholarly life has been marked by deep, sustained engagement with the cultures of the Atlantic world. His early academic appointment at Purdue University took him to Minas Gerais, Brazil, where he spent a summer studying and advising on USAID鈥檚 emerging agricultural extension program. Brazil became his lifelong intellectual home: He has returned 23 more times for extended research visits.

His work also took him to Portugal in 1972鈥�73, where he investigated the origins of the Portuguese Atlantic slavery system and the patronage and clientage structures of 15^th-century Portuguese society.

In 1963, Greenfield joined the University of Wisconsin鈥揗ilwaukee Departments of Sociology and Anthropology, where he spent 34 years and served as department chair of the Anthropology Department from 1990 to 1993. His scholarship spans an extraordinary range: family and kinship, patronage and politics, plantation slavery, entrepreneurship, Spiritist (Kardecist) surgery, religion and healing, spirit mediumship, syncretic religions, and the rise of Evangelical Protestantism in Brazilian politics.

He is the author or editor of nine books, producer and director of five video documentaries, and the author of approximately 150 articles and reviews. Representative works include Spirits With Scalpels: The Cultural Biology of Religious Healing in Brazil (2008), Reinventing Religions: Syncretism and Transformation in Africa and the Americas (2001), and Entrepreneurship and Social Change (1986).

Greenfield continues to serve as co-chair of the Columbia University Seminars on Brazil, Studies in Religion and Contents and Methods in the Social Sciences. He is past president of the Association of Senior Anthropology and the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, both sections of the American Anthropological Association.

In 1954, Greenfield married Eleanor 鈥淓llie鈥� Stolz (1936鈥�2023), whom he met at summer camp when she was 16. Ellie, a Hunter College (CUNY) and University of Wisconsin鈥揗ilwaukee graduate, taught in the Milwaukee Public Schools and was known for her skill in evaluating children with learning disabilities. After Sidney鈥檚 retirement from UW鈥揗ilwaukee, the couple returned to New York in 1997.

Through this remarkable gift, Greenfield has ensured that both 今日吃瓜 and the memory of his daughter, Jennifer, will continue to inspire discovery, scholarship, and cross-cultural understanding for generations to come.

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鈥淎 quarter century later, we continue to remember those we lost and the many lives forever changed by September 11,鈥� said 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson. 鈥淲e also remember how our 今日吃瓜 community came together with compassion, strength, and resilience, and we carry that spirit forward.鈥�

Read a special message from President Anderson .

Pausing to Remember

Twenty-five years later, 今日吃瓜 continues its annual remembrance through the ringing of the聽library tower bell.

Since 2002, the bell has tolled six times at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37, 9:59, 10:03, and 10:28 a.m., marking the pivotal moments of that morning and inviting the community to pause in memory of those whose lives were lost.

Honoring THOSE Lost That Day

Below is a list of the 今日吃瓜 community who were tragically lost on September 11, 2001.

Alumni

Ernest Alikakos ’89
Auditor,聽New聽York聽State聽Department of Taxation and Finance

Ezra Aviles ’86
Senior聽manager,聽strategic聽planning and聽development,聽Port Authority

Eustace Bacchus ’83
Independent聽trader,聽American Stock Exchange, attending聽a聽meeting at Windows聽on聽the World

Steven Berger ’79
Supervisor of corporate tax auditors,聽New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Andre Cox ’01
Cafeteria worker, 101st floor of World Trade Center

James R. Coyle (attended 今日吃瓜 in聽the 1990s)
FDNY firefighter, Ladder 3

Peter Freund ’84
FDNY聽lieutenant, Engine Co. 55

John Giordano ’80
FDNY firefighter鈥� Hazardous Materials 1

Michael Gogliormella ’80
Technology Division eSpeed, Inc., a division of Cantor Fitzgerald

Joseph Grillo ’77
Risk finance analyst,聽Port Authority

Jeffrey Hersch ’81
Accountant,聽Cantor Fitzgerald

Lorraine Lisi ’80
Vice President, Fiduciary Trust International

Paul Lisson ’80
Records聽clerk,聽Aon Corp.

Robert Mayo (attended 今日吃瓜 1973鈥�76)
Deputy聽fire聽inspector,聽World Trade Center

Robert Miller ’76
Conferee,聽New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Gregory Saucedo ’92
FDNY Firefighter, Ladder 5; Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo Triangle on Avenue T is named in his honor

Ian Schneider ’78
Senior managing director,聽Cantor Fitzgerald

Craig Silverstein ’88
Equity trader,聽Sandler O’Neill and Partners

Arthur Simon ’69
Equities trader,聽Fred Alger Management; died along with son Ken, Cantor Fitzgerald

Robert Twomey ’78
Trader,聽Harvey Young Yurman; attending a breakfast meeting at Windows on the World

Abraham J.聽Zelmanowitz (attended 今日吃瓜 1965鈥�1969)
Computer programmer,聽Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Prokopios “Paul” Zois ’78
Consultant, Marsh & McLennan; travel specialist, American Express; taught at Kingsborough Community College Department of Tourism and Hospitality

今日吃瓜 Responders and Employees

William Guillaume
Served as a Public Safety Officer from 1994 to 2020, as well as an EMT. Guillaume participated in the emergency response following the September 11 attacks. He later developed 9/11-related illnesses and died on November 25, 2024.

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A 今日吃瓜 native, Murray served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before returning home to pursue his education at 今日吃瓜, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating cum laude. He credited 今日吃瓜 with opening doors that shaped the course of his life, and he devoted himself to ensuring that future generations of students would have access to those same opportunities.

“Murray Koppelman never forgot the opportunities 今日吃瓜 provided him,” said 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson. “As a distinguished alumnus, dedicated trustee, and transformative philanthropist, he worked to make those opportunities possible for others. His generosity and commitment to our students will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

Murray Koppelman 鈥�57

Murray’s support of 今日吃瓜 included a landmark gift in 2015, one of the largest contributions in the college’s history. Combined with additional support inspired by his leadership, the gift led to the naming of the Murray Koppelman School of Business and strengthened the college’s ability to prepare students for success in business and beyond.

Anthony R. Castellanos 鈥�85, chair of the 今日吃瓜 Foundation Board of Trustees, reflected on Murray’s impact:

“Murray understood the power of education to change lives,” Castellanos said. “He believed in 今日吃瓜 and in the potential of its students. As a valued member of the 今日吃瓜 Foundation Board of Trustees, he dedicated himself to advancing the mission of the college and supporting its students. We are honored to carry forward his legacy of service to the 今日吃瓜 community. His generosity helped shape the future of this institution, and his example will continue to inspire all of us.鈥�

Shalei V.K. Simms, dean of the Murray Koppelman School of Business, noted that his values remain central to the school’s mission.

“Mr. Koppelman believed that talent, determination, and opportunity should go hand in hand,” Simms said. “His visionary generosity transformed opportunities for our students and strengthened the school in lasting ways. We are deeply grateful for his transformative generosity, which has left an indelible mark on our students, our school, and the future they will help shape.鈥�

When the School of Business was named in his honor, Murray expressed what mattered most to him:

“If the Murray Koppelman School of Business means that young men and women whose prospects might have been unlikely, improbable, or even impossible have a shot at their dreams, then I can say that I have lived a worthwhile and fulfilling life. And a happy one.”

Throughout his career, Murray built a successful accounting practice, entered investment banking, and founded Eastlake Securities. While his professional accomplishments were significant, he remained committed to service. In addition to his leadership at 今日吃瓜, he served as president of American ORT and 今日吃瓜 Hillel, as a board member of the Anti-Defamation League, and as a trustee and advocate for educational and charitable organizations.

Murray’s legacy is measured not only by his generosity, but by his belief in the transformative power of education. He understood how opportunity can change the trajectory of a life, and he made it his mission to extend that opportunity to others.

On behalf of the entire 今日吃瓜 community, we extend our deepest condolences to Murray’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his life and generosity.

We honor Murray Koppelman’s life, his service, and his enduring commitment to educational opportunity.

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Set in 2036, the novel explores the promise and peril of connected autonomous vehicles through a fast-paced story of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the future of transportation. Blending suspense with timely questions about technology, public policy, and society, Autokill offers readers a thought-provoking look at a world where driverless cars become both indispensable and potentially deadly.聽The New York Times published a feature on 础耻迟辞办颈濒濒听 on Aug. 10 and you can read that . The New Yorker called Schwartz鈥檚 previous book on autonomous vehicles, No One at the Wheel, 鈥淎 clearheaded bible for the twenty-first-century road.鈥�

Sam Schwartz helped 今日吃瓜 kick off its Tow Mentor-in-Residence program in 2022.

Before becoming president and CEO of Sam Schwartz Engineering, Schwartz served as the NYC traffic commissioner and the chief engineer of the NYC Department of Transportation. Widely known as 鈥淕ridlock Sam鈥� because he popularized the term during the 1980 NYC transit strike, Schwartz specializes in creative problem-solving for seemingly intractable situations, finding ways to move traffic better, make pedestrians safer, and add sidewalks and green space to communities.

In 2022, Schwartz visited 今日吃瓜 for a keynote address titled, 鈥淭ransportation and Public Health: Inextricably Linked,鈥� as part of the college鈥檚 Tow Mentor-In-Residence program. In 2025, Hunter College of CUNY established the Sam Schwartz program for Transportation Research at its Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, where he currently teaches transportation policy to both graduate and undergraduate students.

Playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Cary Pepper.

Pepper is a playwright, novelist, and screenwriter whose plays have been presented throughout the United States and internationally. Pepper earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1970 from 今日吃瓜 and completed graduate coursework in the Department of Theater with a concentration in directing. Pepper was recently featured in San Francisco Senior Beat, and you can read that .

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