GIVING BACK TO GS

By I. M. “Peter” Day III

The Benefactor
Our mission in this and future issues of The Owl is to continue to concentrate on friend-raising articles, columns, blurbs, and happenings, while introducing here and there interesting information about alums who choose to make a difference at GS through financial contributions.

We are pleased to introduce Dietrich “Dick” Weismann, GS ’62, to you.

The School of General Studies is proud that Dick is the benefactor of the Professor Ilse S. Mintz Scholarship. This scholarship for “general excellence” was created in honor of one of his economics professors. The first and current recipient is Philipp Kuecuekyan. You can read all about Philipp and how he is benefiting from Dick’s support in the accompanying article.

Profile of Dick Weismann

• Dick graduated from the School of General Studies in 1962, with a B.S. degree in economics.
• He pursued graduate studies in economics at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and studied under Professor Gary Becker, who went on to win a Nobel Prize in economics.
• Later, in 1964, he passed his Ph.D. oral examinations in economics.
• His son is currently attending the Graduate School of Business.
• Dick is Senior Managing Director at Neuberger Berman, LLC, which he joined in 1968.
• He and his spouse, Philippa, reside in Manhattan.
• They support a number of cultural and educational organizations, including The School Choice Scholarship Fund, Incarnation School, Bank Street School, The Children’s Aid Society, and Baruch College.

In describing why he is giving back to his alma mater, Dick said, “I have had a great business career, and Columbia University, starting with GS, has played an important role in my success.”

Of his days at GS, he recalls an “interesting student body, and outstanding instruction.”

Let us take this opportunity to thank Dick for giving back to our school!

The Recipient
Philipp Kuecuekyan is a man living his intellectual dream, but that was not always the case. In a past existence, he was a law student in his native Berlin, poring over what he calls the “tedious minutiae of law.” That was over seven years ago. Now at 26 years of age, he will earn a B.A. in film studies from General Studies, and by all accounts he enjoyed every minute of it. For Philipp, the study of film is not just an academic pursuit, but also a personal passion. When he is not attending courses taught by academic luminaries, he hosts a Columbia radio show, and is writing a thesis on Alfred Hitchcock and German Realism.

“Being at Columbia has given me the opportunity to study what I didn’t dare study before,” said Philipp. “The advantage of the American system is that you have time to explore, you’re not thrown into professional studies like you are in Europe.” Philipp is taking full advantage of his newfound intellectual freedom. For example, his thesis explores the influence of German Realism on the work of Alfred Hitchcock, a topic that combines Philipp’s love of literature with his passion for film. He has also enjoyed a broader exposure to international cinema.

Born in Germany, Philipp graduated from a French lycée with French and German high-school degrees. While traveling across Europe and the United States, he found that he “couldn’t resist the temptation of living in the cultural epicenter of the New World,” and set up his tent in New York City. Fluent in three languages, and able to read and write Latin and Classic Greek, it’s no surprise that he has been especially drawn to foreign cinema.

Philipp’s passion for film also carries over into his extracurricular activities. As the host of a radio film program on Columbia’s WKCR, he has enviable access to many of today’s film stars. He has interviewed a number of celebrities, including Ang Lee, Mira Sorvino, and Marisa Tomei. “Being at WKCR has given me access to the actors and directors in smaller foreign films, and I love to share my interest in them with my listeners, and hopefully help the films to grow.” But for him, the most exciting interviews are the ones that deal with the more esoteric, often foreign, films. You can hear the passion and excitement in his voice as he talks about interviewing filmmaker Jacques Rivette. “That was my most interesting interview,” he said.

One might think that the Columbia curriculum, a senior thesis, and a radio show would be enough to keep someone busy—but not Philipp. He has still found time to give back to the community at GS and in Morningside Heights. Philipp coordinates a monthly Human Rights Film Festival with Professor Emily Watson, teaches G.E.D. and E.S.L. courses, and mentors new GS students. He also plans to apply to graduate school after graduation.

Of his scholarship, Philipp says, “The scholarship means a lot to me, in terms of academic recognition, as well as financial assistance. I feel very honored to have been selected.”

On the eve of graduation, Philipp Kuecuekyan seems like a man who has accomplished his goals, and gotten the most from the Columbia experience. “It was hard to get settled at first. I tried different majors, tried to meet people. Eventually, I was able to reach out to people, develop bonds, and really settle in academically and socially. There really is a good community at Columbia and General Studies—you just have to reach out and take advantage of it.”