I’m at a McGraw Hill dinner on the eve of the two-day CUNY IT Conference 2025.

I am dining with my former students, Reginald Wills (Goldman Sachs) and Sujen Wu Wu (HQ Capital), as well as Ms. Wu Wu’s husband.

It is a reunion of sorts – I coached both former students to national victory in the Blackstone LaunchPad competition, beating 45 other schools.

Also, it is a belated double birthday celebration for both Ms. Wu Wu and me. We share the same birthday.

She introduces us to her husband, a CPA and a graduate of Baruch College.

Last night, I hosted a retirement party for Specialist Eton Brooks.

Mr. Brooks is a colleague, a friend, and a brother.

We had a fabulous time.

I would be remiss if I did not thank (with clasped hands) Director Deborah Huggins, Lieutenant Hemwatie Seusarran, and Sergeant Laura Ballesty for their collaboration with me.

I want to thank everyone for coming out to support me in celebrating Sir Brooks’ retirement. The attendees represented Public Safety, IT, B&G, Bursar, and the Business School from Queens College, Hunter College, the CUNY Graduate Center, and CUNY Central.

Finally, I would like to thank Restaurateur Marva Layne, owner of Negril Village, for gracing the retirement party with her presence.