Whitman’s Southern California Alumni Represent Growing Presence on the West Coast

“Go West, young man!” This iconic statement credited to newspaper editor Horace Greeley in 1854 echoed a time when Americans were enticed by the country’s westward expansion and opportunities like plentiful farmland and the lure of the California Gold Rush. While circumstances have certainly changed over two centuries, the pull of opportunities remains, as more than 1,700 alumni call California home, representing a growing Whitman presence on the West Coast.

Meet three Whitman alumni who have found success in California, while still staying in touch with their East Coast alma mater.

Michelle J. Hockett ’16

Last year, Michelle Hockett worked on her first Grammy award-winning song, “Water,” by South African singer/artist Tyla and was able to attend her first red carpet event this year with client, gospel singer Yolanda Adams. Three years ago, she never would have believed she would have a star-studded career in Los Angeles working as director of marketing for Epic Records. From Long Island, Hockett was a marketing and supply chain major at Whitman. She credits the activities she participated in—like Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, being a brand ambassador for a number of products on campus and working with her Capstone team—for giving her skills that have translated into a thriving career.

After graduating, Hockett worked in New York City, first for Warner Media, then in the music industry for Tidal, Sony Music Entertainment and Spotify. When an opportunity at Epic Records presented itself, however, she was West Coast-bound. Today, Hockett works with 15 artists, but over the past two years she has been focused on Tyla, who is “breaking records and making history in the music space.”

Although Syracuse is a long way from Los Angeles, Hockett often runs into alumni working in the music industry.

“We have a big community out here that lets me stay connected to my Orange family,” Hockett says.

Richard Corgel ’71, ’76 M.S. 

Richard Corgel, a former member of the Whitman Advisory Council and the Los Angeles Regional Council, established the Corgel Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance for Whitman students and is a supporter of the Whitman School Dean’s Fund. Corgel was a double major in finance and accounting. He says he has taken the foundations in technical skills, communication and ethical behavior he learned at Whitman with him throughout his career.

“Whitman continues to be highly relevant and demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. It prepared me for what I consider a satisfying career, and I have great appreciation for what the school did for me,” Corgel says.

After graduation, Corgel joined Arthur Andersen LLP in New York City, but when the firm was looking for someone to work in San Francisco and later Los Angeles, he jumped at the chance. He later worked at Navigant Consulting in Los Angeles, and then EY, retiring in 2017. Next he then created Cross-Current Consulting LLC, advising boards on governance and ethical issues to help develop proportionate responses to alleged threats from unethical or alleged illegal acts. Today, he lives in Manhattan Beach, California, with his wife, Dr. Joan Otomo Corgel.

Rob LaBreche ’87

Originally from Connecticut, Rob LaBreche says he was “hooked” the first time he visited Syracuse University. He studied marketing management and personnel and industrial relations at the the-then School of Management and says what impacted him most were the professors who “instilled in me that you can make anything happen by finding a need and filling it.”

After graduating, he convinced two friends to rent a U-Haul and head to California, where he started his career as a finance broker. Later, he was president of consumer marketing for College Loan Corp., which sparked the idea for his own company. iGrad was established in 2009 as a financial wellness company helping students and employees be more financially well and become more financially literate. iGrad was recognized in 2023 when LaBreche received one of the University’s inaugural ’CUSE50 awards, honoring successful alumni in the entrepreneurial space.

“It was a great honor to be included with so many recipients that have accomplished so much, and it was nice to know that my alma mater is paying attention to my success after so many years. Syracuse helped prepare me for my time after graduation,” LaBreche says.

There is no question that LaBreche is a devoted alumnus. He had a dog named Cuse, and his California license plate reads CUSE, too. More importantly, he established the Janice McKenna LaBreche Scholarship in memory of his mother, who was so proud of his time at Syracuse. “It’s a way to honor my mom, while also helping a student in need,” he says.