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Rockefeller
Alumni in the
Classroom
“It was inspiring and humbling to stand before a room of students sitting
in the same — literally the same — seats I sat in almost 30 years ago.
The students have a depth of vision and understanding of the impact of
current events on their lives that I simply did not possess at their age. I
was struck most by the maturity and strength of character of these young
people. I can’t begin to express how much I enjoyed speaking with them.”
14 Rockefeller College News Magazine | Fall 2012
— Lew Wiener, BA ‘84
Partner, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
Some people say you can never go back, but at Rockefeller that’s not the
case at all. Our former students come back all the time. But now they’re
successful alums — government officials, attorneys, educators, nonprofit
leaders, and public servants — smarter, wiser, and eager to share what
they’ve learned about life and work with current students preparing for
careers in political science, public policy, and public administration.
When Rockefeller launched its Alumni in the Classroom program last
fall, we had three goals in mind: encourage students to begin thinking
about potential careers and the skills they’ll need to succeed in those
careers; open a channel for ongoing student-alumni interaction; and lay
the foundation for a career network for students who are facing an
increasingly competitive global job market.
“I sought out the Alumni in the Classroom program specifically to stay
connected to the students at Rockefeller. I remember sitting in classes
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