Alumni Gifts Offer Students Invaluable Lessons in Leadership, Community and Work-Life Balance
The generosity of Whitman alumni donors has allowed the School to roll out two new opportunities during the fall 2023 semester that benefit students by helping them position themselves for future success as business leaders. The Panasci Local Leadership Initiative will foster skills with the aim of keeping Whitman talent in Central New York, while a gift from the Nass family will assist future business leaders in developing a strong work-life balance while also helping to destigmatize mental health issues in the workplace.
Made possible through a gift from David Panasci ’80, the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative will support professional connections and career building through a program in conjunction with Leadership Greater Syracuse, an organization that inspires current and future leaders to make a difference in the local community. Students will explore topics related to regional leadership, economic development, discovering and impacting local businesses and envisioning the future of the Syracuse area. Students will be paired with local business leaders who will act as mentors, and they will also complete a community project.
David Panasci greets the inaugural class of the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative.
“It is my expectation that this initiative will not only give participants the chance to learn about leadership and the local community but will also help them recognize that Central New York can provide solid career opportunities along with an exceptional quality of life,” says Panasci.
Another initiative will also help students achieve fulfilling and successful careers by developing the tools to address health-related issues in their life, promote greater work-life balance and address mental health issues that may impact business professionals. It is made possible through a $500,000 gift from David ’91 and Dina Nass ’91 (A&S) and extends the recently announced dual undergraduate and master’s public health and business programs with the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
Dina and David Nass
“One primary objective of the program will be to work with students who are focused on business and/or health and stress the importance of creating a balance of the two,” says the Nass family. “We are confident that the results of this program will lead to healthy future leaders and businesses that focus on the importance of the mental health of their employees.”
The initiative will include guest speakers, symposia, technology and the introduction of mental health topics for graduate and undergraduate students.
“We are fortunate to have donors like David Panasci and the Nass family who are not only financially generous but innovative in their thinking about ways to ensure Whitman students develop various skill sets that will keep them on track for career success,” says Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “These programs not only provide unique offerings to our students but also add elements that elevate a Whitman education by addressing leadership, community and mental health. We are grateful to our donors and excited to see how these two initiatives benefit our students.”