Dear Alumni and Friends,
As we close another remarkable academic year at Baruch College, I want to take a moment to celebrate the achievements of our 5,639 graduates honored at Commencement on May 28. With a symbolic move of the tassel, they joined the ranks of our powerful alumni network—bringing fresh energy, talent, and promise to a community that grows stronger with every new member.
In this issue, you’ll meet some extraordinary alumni who have embraced technology to build influence and community in the digital age. Among them is Hailey Ra, a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo who shares her passion for martial arts, family, and Korean heritage with nearly a million followers on TikTok. Stories like Hailey’s remind us that at Baruch, we’re not just preparing students for the future—we’re building it together, with them and with you, our alumni.
This collaborative spirit is at the heart of our next chapter. We’ve embarked on the Campus Master Plan, an ambitious initiative to reimagine Baruch’s physical environment for the decades ahead. Now in the information-gathering stage, the plan aspires to create a campus that’s more vibrant, welcoming, and inspiring—one that sparks creativity, supports learning, and deepens our sense of community. I invite you to explore the project and share your ideas on our dedicated website, which will provide regular updates as the plan takes shape.
We’re also extending our footprint beyond our historic campus, with new facilities at 63 Madison Avenue that will expand instructional and office space. Alongside these plans, I’ve been thinking deeply about how Baruch must position itself at the leading edge of the technological transformations reshaping our world.
One idea I’m especially excited about is a Baruch AI Hub—a vision for a center that will help equip mid-career professionals, including our 175,000 alumni, with the skills, fluency, and adaptability needed to thrive in an AI-powered economy. By partnering with employers, we can imagine customized pathways for learning and upskilling, designed to meet the evolving demands of the workplace. While still in its conceptual stages, the AI Hub reflects a broader ambition: for Baruch to be a place where innovation, education, and lifelong learning converge—a platform not just for preparing students, but for propelling professionals forward at every stage of their careers.
In many ways, this vision mirrors Baruch’s own story: an institution grounded in access and opportunity, yet unafraid to look ahead and redefine what’s possible. That’s why it feels especially meaningful that Baruch will soon appear on one of New York City’s most iconic platforms: the subway map. This summer, the 23rd Street stop on the 6 train will be officially renamed “23rd Street–Baruch College.”
With this new name, Baruch takes its rightful place on the map—not just of the city, but in the minds of millions who pass through every day. It’s a powerful symbol of our role in the life of New York: a college in the heart of the city, opening doors to students from every walk of life, providing an education that transforms futures and strengthens communities.
As we look toward the summer ahead, I hope you will stay connected—whether by attending an event, hosting a gathering, mentoring a student, or simply sharing your Baruch story. Your engagement, generosity, and pride keep Baruch’s mission alive, and ensure its impact continues to grow.
Thank you for everything you do to support Baruch.
Sincerely,
S. David Wu
President, Baruch College