Showing Up

Alumni are showing up for each other and their communities in times of need and in times of celebration and reconnection.

As the Los Angeles community battled devastating fires earlier this year, many alumni banded together to support each other. Joe Bwarie ’99 brought a truck full of donated items to ELA for our alumni who lost their homes, and he hosted a benefit concert to support the Altadena schools damaged in the Eaton Fire; Jay Leno ’73, LHD ’04, donated hot food to the firefighters in his antique fire truck; Claire Doyle ’00 gathered supplies from different makeup brands to help makeup artists who lost their kits in the fires; and many alumni created GoFundMe accounts to aid in rebuilding.

As alumni were showing up for one another on the West Coast, 125 alumni and friends showed up for their former coach and mentor on the East Coast. In January, the basketball court in our Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym was named the Hank Smith Court in recognition of former men’s basketball coach Hank Smith. In addition, Sam Presti ’00 made a $250,000 gift to establish the Emerson Basketball Legacy Fund, an endowed fund that will support both the men’s and women’s basketball programs and their players.

Alumni are also showing up for Emerson. The Alumni Board partners with my office and the College to maintain the spirit and devotion of Emersonians in an effort to promote the growth and reputation of our College. I am very pleased to introduce Eric Cornell ’05 and John Porio ’88, P ’19, P ’26, as our new volunteer co-chairs of the Alumni Board.

Finally, I continue my journey to meet with alumni and I can’t wait for you to join me and say hello! Emersonians are a remarkable group—strong, resourceful, talented, and kind. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many; and as an alum myself, it’s been thrilling to see firsthand these powerful connections. Whether it’s old friendships being rekindled, new bonds forming, or exciting career networks taking shape, the energy and support within our community is inspiring. I’m so proud of all that my fellow alumni do to help one another, support the College, and make a real impact in our world.

Maria Vasallo ’92 is the Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations and can be emailed at maria.vasallo@emerson.edu