Due to popular demand, the 2009 Winston Fisher Seminar -- a prestigious business
immersion program, taking place in Manhattan during Spring Break -- is extending
its application deadline to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. All juniors and seniors in The
College of Arts and Sciences are invited to apply for participation in the all-expenses-
paid program. To request an application and further information, contact Judy Bragg
at 443-1995 or jabragg@syr.edu. Completed applications must be returned to the
college's advancement office (Room 307 in the Hall of Languages).
Now in its fourth year, the popular Winston Fisher Seminar is a hands-on program
teaching critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication in a business
setting. The program's namesake is Winston Fisher '96 (pictured), a philosophy major who is a
partner at Fisher Brothers, one of New York's pre-eminent builders, owners and
managers of commercial real estate. "In studying the liberal arts, you are trained to
think critically and logically," he says. "You learn to open yourself to ideas, to
understand their cultural contexts, and to evaluate their usefulness. You must process
a great deal of information into a clear, concise position and be prepared to articulate
it. All these abilities are assets in the business world." Fisher is a member of SU's
Board of Trustees and of the college's Board of Visitors.
Only 12 students will be selected to participate in the next Winston Fisher Seminar,
taking place March 8-13 at the Park Avenue headquarters of Fisher Brothers and at
various sites around the city. The exacting work schedule includes reading case
studies, conducting research and working collaboratively. A number of distinguished
SU alumni have also agreed to share their knowledge and successful business
practices with the students. "They love the interaction with the students and their
enthusiasm," Fisher says.
Students and faculty alike will explore some of the following topics:
Dozens of students have already benefited from the Winston Fisher Seminar, praising
it as "life changing" and a "confidence builder." Jennifer Kirchner '06 says the
experience helped her land a job out of college with a major public relations firm. "I'd
given little thought to working in the business world," says the policy studies and
political science major. "After the seminar, I opened up my job search and applied to
companies I wouldn't have considered."
A member of a family known for its philanthropy, Fisher is involved in numerous
charitable endeavors, including serving as executive vice chairman of the Fisher
House Foundation, which supports and houses injured veterans and their families.
The Winston Fisher Seminar is generously supported by Fisher in partnership with
The College of Arts and Sciences. More information is available at
http://Thecollege.syr.edu.
