AROUND THE CENTER
Mandel Center Holds Scholars Lunch
On Friday, October 16, 2005, Joseph, Jack and Morton Mandel, along with several Mandel Foundation staff, met with a small group of students, alumni, and faculty of the Center to discuss the impact of the Center's graduate programs on students' career and personal accomplishments.
Two students, Keith Jones and Cheryl Morrow-White, and one alumna, Michele Seyranian, were invited to participate in the lunch. Keith is currently enrolled in the CNM program and is the executive director of the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership, a program designed to protect, enhance and restore Doan Brook and its watershed. Cheryl is also a Certificate student and is a board certified pediatrician with degrees from Harvard and Case's Medical School. Michele is a recent alumna who is currently the executive vice president and senior planning manager of strategic planning for KeyCorp.
The students and alumna spoke briefly about their experiences at the Mandel Center and how the Center's programs help them in their careers. When asked what improvements could be made to the Mandel Center and its programs, the participants agreed that the Center could play a role in informing the business community about the role of nonprofits in helping to make a positive difference in the world. They said that the Center should help businesses generally understand the work of nonprofits and that they are well run, professional organizations that are not that different from any other businesses.
"After lively dialogue and a wonderful meal, I left the luncheon convinced that my career path into the nonprofit sector matters," Cheryl Morrow-White commented. "It helps to know that the Mandel family has made a financial investment in my education, and has a keen personal interest in knowing who I am and what I can contribute to society."
"I felt very priveleged to have been invited to the lunch," Keith Jones said. "The discussion helped me to understand the larger strategic issues Executive Director Susan Eagan and her staff must consider daily to maintain the high standing of the Mandel Center and its programs."
Mort Mandel told the participants in the Scholars Lunch that "Your drive is to improve the world; our drive is to help you do that."
Keith Jones, Mort Mandel, Cheryl Morrow-White, Jack Mandel, Michele Seyranian, and Joe Mandel
