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2011 Distinguished Alumnus Rick Kleeman '81
On Friday, May 20, Merrick Kleeman '81 returned to campus as the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus, one of Hopkins' highest honors.
On Friday, May 20, Merrick Kleeman '81 returned to campus as the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus, one of Hopkins' highest honors. A committee of faculty and alumni/ae nominate and choose an individual each year for this honor, and invite them to return to campus to address the student body and accept their award.
Rick began his day speaking at assembly, sharing his experiences in the investment world, and how his Hopkins and post-Hopkins years helped shape his career path and passion for giving back. He shared with the students that coming from a family of mainly doctors, he was sure he would also follow suit and pursue medicine as a career. But the advice of a college advisor led him to consider business. To his surprise, after taking a few classes in business in addition to his pre-med courses, he discovered he had a passion and talent for investment. In the years that followed he excelled in his business endeavors, which include the formation of Wheelock Street Capital, LLC, an investment firm focused on hospitality, retail and residential projects; and serving as Senior Managing Director and Head of Acquisitions for Starwood Capital Group. He recently finished a 10 year term on the Hopkins Committee of Trustees, and is currently serving as Director of the Board of EverBank and Troon Golf and serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Boys and Girls Harbor in New York City, The Waterside School in Stamford, CT.
Throughout the morning, Rick attended classes with students and participated in their lessons. By midday, he was addressing the Senior Class at a special luncheon where they were welcomed into the Hopkins Alumni/ae Association by President Bruce Delmonico '87. Rick shared with the seniors why he feels it is important to give back to organizations that you care about, whether it be with time volunteered or financial support. Following the luncheon, Rick sat down with a group of students to answer their questions about finance, business and the investment world.
Later in the evening, family and friends gathered at Head of School Barbara Riley's home for a special dinner in honor of Rick as the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus.
See video of both Rick Kleeman's Assembly address and Luncheon address above.
Videos
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.