ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø

As the days get shorter and final exams ramp up, it’s time to reflect on the year that’s wrapping up.

It’s no exaggeration to say that 2023 has been a momentous one at ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø. This year, we opened our brand-new 26-story campus center at 15 Beekman in New York City—and we started work on the renovation of the east side of One ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø Plaza that will bring us a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, an updated residence hall, and new classrooms and gathering spaces for the full ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø Community. In Pleasantville, our women’s lacrosse team became the first national championship squad not only in ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø history but in all of Westchester County history. The Elisabeth Haub School of Law was named the top environmental law program in the nation for the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five years. And in the biggest news of the year, in the spring Board Chair Rob Sands, JD ’84, and his wife, Pamela, made the transformation contribution that we recognized by creating the seventh independent school within ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø, the new Sands College of Performing Arts.

As this issue of ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø Now demonstrates, there are exciting things happening all across our campuses. You can read about our Esports program, which launched only two years ago as ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø’s 15th varsity sport but is already well on its way to becoming a powerhouse. You’ll meet students who are up to remarkable things, from video game maker Michael Falco to environmental scientist and conservation expert Madelyn Garcia to international student Hitasha Nagdeo, who’s earning a master’s in social media and mobile marketing while holding down two different student assistant roles to Lucie Belle Flagg, who is raising awareness for people with hidden disabilities.

We’re also learned this year just how generous the people of ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø can be. The fiscal year that wrapped up in July set a record for contributions to ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø, with $43 million raised. That’s all money to support crucial efforts to support our important mission of Opportunitas—from donations for scholarships to capital investment to pay for construction and repairs to funding for critical student support initiatives. Just last week, the ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø Community surpassed our goal for Giving Tuesday, making 2,430 gifts totaling more than $800,000.

I’m grateful for that generosity, I’m grateful for our community, and I’m grateful for all that we’ve accomplished together this year. Have a wonderful and relaxing break and happy holiday season. I’m looking forward to the great things we’ll do together in 2024.