Syracuse University

Samuel V. Goekjian '52
For Excellence in International Business and Law

Samuel Goekjian is a highly respected lawyer and entrepreneur specializing in international trade and investment, banking and finance, and real estate. A naturalized American citizen who speaks several foreign languages, Goekjian has, as a consultant to various agencies of the United Nations, advised governments and government entities of developing countries on the legal and financial aspects of their international transactions and economic development activities. He also has served on an array of councils and committees on such matters as U.S.-Egypt business, African law, and international development.

Goekjian was born in Greece to Armenian parents and attended school in Ethiopia and Cyprus before coming to Syracuse University in 1948. One of the few international students to attend SU at the time, he had difficulty convincing his academic advisor he did not need to take a course on English as a Second Language and that he could handle more than five courses per semester. In addition to his studies, Goekjian found time to letter in soccer, track and tennis, serve as class president during his junior year, and as president of Men's Student Government and ex officio member of nearly a dozen University committees during his senior year.

After Goekjian graduated from Syracuse University magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with an undergraduate degree in history, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School with an eye toward a career in international transactional law. Following a stint in the army during the Korean conflict, and after spending a few years learning the finer points of international banking, Goekjian joined Surrey & Morse, a D.C. law firm primarily engaged in international transactions.

Within a few years, Goekjian established offices for the firm in Beirut, Riyadh, Paris, and London — then returned to Washington after nearly 10 years running the Paris office to lead the firm's international arbitration practice. In 1983, Goekjian took a leave of absence to become chairman of the board and CEO of Consolidated Westway Group, a New Jersey-based holding company of the U.S. subsidiaries of an international trading and manufacturing group in Europe.

After 15 years as managing partner of Kile, Goekjian, Reed & McManus, a law firm specializing in intellectual property, communication technology, and international trade, Goekjian has finally decided to retire from the practice of law. He continues,  however, as chairman and CEO of Intracon Associates LLC, a business consulting and venture capital company offering business and financial services to American and foreign clients.

Goekjian is a member of Syracuse University's Board of Trustees and the longest-serving member of the Maxwell School's Advisory Board (1996-present). He is one of Maxwell's greatest friends, supporting several initiatives that he himself helped develop with his unique perspective as a citizen of the world.