Groat, Alpern Winners Celebrate ILR

Hundreds gathered in New York City this spring for an emotional celebration of two ILRies and their connections to their families and alma mater.

When Christy Pambianchi ’90 received the Groat Award and Ed Baum ’81 received the Alpern Award from Dean Alex Colvin, Ph.D. ’99, on April 20 at The Pierre, they shared personal stories about their journeys from childhood to the highest levels of their professions.

Pambianchi, executive vice president and chief people officer at Intel Corporation, was 11 when her mother died in a car accident.

“When her life was cut tragically short, I remember promising myself that I had to use my life to do something meaningful and to make a difference,” Pambianchi said. “And this incredible recognition today closes that loop for me. I have been running my whole life, and this recognition is something that transcends the award, and lets me know, it mattered that I was here, and that I helped make a difference in some way in the world.”

Baum, a partner in the litigation department at Perkins Coie LLP, acknowledged the impact that Jerome “Jerry” Alpern ’49, MBA ’50, had on his life.

“Jerry Alpern was such a force that I remember when I first met him more than 40 years ago, right outside Ives … Jerry charmed me, and then inspired me in the decades since to try to live up to his example of service to our remarkable school.” Alpern died in 2022.

Baum also spoke of his family members, many of whom are Cornell graduates.

To read Christy Pambianchi's speech, click here.

To read Ed Baum's speech, click here.