BA '70
What really inspired me to go to college was to improve my life. I was a classic CCNY student. I came from a single-parent family; my father died when I was five. We lived in a one-bedroom apartment. My mother slept in the living room until I graduated. Without a free college education, I wouldn't be where I am today. A four-year college degree opened doors for me. I got a good education. As I went from freshman year to senior year, I realized I had some academic skills. CCNY prepared me for the professional world. I've been retired for seven years. I'm on a board of two million members, Medicaid HMO. I've been on that board for 21 years. For the last three and a half years, I've served as chairman of the board and I've reached my ten-year term limit. I'm also on the board of a software product company. I've been on that board for about four years.