Longtime Baruchians reflect on the people, places, and initiatives of the Zicklin-Weissman “Gift Era.”
From 1968 to 2002, Baruch College basketball didn’t have a home. Then on Nov. 26, 2002, we played our first home game in the Baruch ARC. We were Big Time in a top-of-the-line facility. All the players felt like peacocks strutting their stuff.
The following day, my picture is on the front page of the New York Times! Current men’s basketball coach John Alesi (shown right with basketball) was there, too, as a player. What John remembers: “Just having a home … on our campus. That was so special.” Wow.
—Ray Rankis, athletics director and former Men’s Basketball coach (1983–2012); Baruchian since 1983
In 2000 the Zicklin School changed its undergraduate admission requirements, with the new standards going into effect for the entering class of 2001. These changes dovetailed with using SAT scores and generally becoming a more select institution. The increased rigor at Zicklin propelled significant changes at Baruch as a whole.
—Phyllis Zadra, associate dean, Zicklin School of Business, who authored and implemented the changes; Baruchian since 1996
One of the greatest changes I’ve seen for our accounting students—Baruch has always been a good place for accounting students—is the opportunities they have through the STARR Career Development Center. Accounting has changed: At one time, students planned for careers in auditing and earning CPA credentials. Now there are so many different areas of specialization, and Baruch has risen to meet these changing career opportunities.
—Steven Lilien, Weinstein Professor, Stan Ross Department of Accountancy; Baruchian since 1972
After we established the Field Center for Entrepreneurship—which has played a crucial role in establishing the Zicklin School as a national leader in entrepreneurship research, teaching, and service—we created a program called the Field Fellows for students to work in the center with our small-business clients. Larry Field [center namesake] was in town, so we arranged for him to meet the first cohort of Fellows. Larry was, frankly, overwhelmed by their quality and enthusiasm. He commented that he had never been more proud about his gift than when he met these students.
—Edward Rogoff, chair, Loomba Department of Management, and academic director, Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship; Baruchian since 1992
The Sidney Harman Writer-in-Residence Program came into being at the same remarkable moment in Baruch history as the Weissman and Zicklin gifts. The program, which launched in 1998 and boasts a roster of 32 visiting writers, including Edward Albee, Tony Kushner, and Jhumpa Lahiri, has transformed the Baruch landscape. Baruch, known for business, is now also known for its distinguished literary salon.
—Roslyn Bernstein, professor, Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions, and director, Sidney Harman Writer-in-Residence Program; Baruchian since 1974
Implicit in the combination of Weissman and Zicklin is the notion that there is great merit in integrating the arts and business.
— Dr. Sidney Harman (’39, LHD [Hon.] ’09) (1918–2011), founder of Baruch College’s Harman Writer-in-Residence Program