Michael Gould to Give Keynote Address at LIM College's 2012 Commencement Ceremony

5/31/2012

Gould and Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer will receive honorary degrees

Michael Gould, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bloomingdale’s will deliver the keynote address at LIM College’s 73rd annual Commencement exercises on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center in Manhattan.

Mr. Gould will be presented with LIM College’s Distinguished Achievement Award and receive an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree. Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Michael Gould, often referred to as one of the most accomplished and recognized leaders in American retailing, became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bloomingdale’s in 1991. His tenure has seen the greatest period of transformation and growth in the store’s history, expanding from 16 units located mainly in the east, to a broad national brand presence with 37 stores in 17 major markets from coast to coast and the launch of bloomingdales.com. In 2010, Mr.Gould led the brand to its first global expansion into Dubai in addition to the first foray into the outlet business with four openings on the East Coast.

“We are very excited to have Michael Gould address our graduates at this year’s Commencement,” said LIM College President Elizabeth S. Marcuse. “Mr. Gould’s fashion and retail leadership is legendary. Since he credits the launch of his retail career to an internship, and internships are a key component of an LIM College education, he will undoubtedly be inspirational to our students. He has reached the pinnacle of success in the retail and fashion world, which we hope our students will also go on to achieve. We are fortunate that Michael Gould and Bloomingdale’s have been the College’s partner and friend throughout the years.”

Outside of work, Mr. Gould divides his spare time among a number of community service activities, serving on: the Board of Trustees of Lenox Hill Hospital and of The Allen Stevenson School; the Board of Overseers of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business; and the Board of Trustees of Central Synagogue. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The American Jewish Committee. Over the years, Mr. Gould has received numerous awards for distinguished service from many organizations, universities and industry associations, along with a variety of cultural and philanthropic groups.

Mr. Gould received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1966 and continued there to earn a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Business. It was a summer internship program during his MBA studies that afforded Gould his first retail experience. A brief summer stint at Abraham and Straus in New York was enough to inspire him to seek a retail career; and in 1968, Gould entered that store’s Executive Training Squad as an assistant buyer in decorative home furnishings. He soon became the company’s youngest merchandise vice president.

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer has achieved tangible results for New Yorkers by forging diverse coalitions and addressing the City’s most enduring urban challenges. During his nearly three decades of public service, he has dedicated himself to making Manhattan more affordable and livable, tackling issues such as housing, school overcrowding, public safety, balanced development, sustainability and equal opportunities for underserved communities. He is also a leader in women’s issues, immigrants’ rights, and public health.

Says President Marcuse, “We are grateful to Borough President Stringer’s longtime commitment to supporting higher education. He shown great support for many projects that have benefitted students throughout New York City and he understands the importance of higher education to the community’s ongoing economic health.”

Prior to being elected Borough President in 2006, Stringer served for 13 years in the New York State Assembly. He was born and raised in Washington Heights and graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.