On Campus
2016 graduate degrees granted with address by Prashant Gupta ‘95
Muskingum University granted its first educational specialist degree, along with master’s degrees at its graduate commencement exercises, held May 5 in Brown Chapel on the campus. The address was delivered by 1995 alumnus Prashant Gupta.
Muskingum University President Anne C. Steele, who will be retiring June 30, 2016, congratulated the assembled graduates and said, “You have worked hard, and we are very proud of you. What you have done here will have an impact on thousands of individuals, your communities and the world.”
During Dr. Steele’s 17-year-tenure, the Educational Specialist, the Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Master of Information Strategy, Systems and Technology degrees were developed. Those degrees, along with the Master of Arts in Education degree were awarded at Thursday’s ceremony.
In his address, Mr. Gupta encouraged the graduates to “remember to reach...back and help the generations that follow. Make sure that you enjoy what you do and work hard at it.”
Recognizing his distinguished career and lifetime of achievement, the university bestowed upon Mr. Gupta an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
Prashant Gupta is a distinguished business executive who is dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for others.
A respected hedge fund advisor and private investor based in Wilmette, Illinois, Mr. Gupta’s investment leadership enables his clients to impact communities across the globe, supporting business growth and economic development, and enhancing the ability of educational, cultural, and service organizations to fulfill their missions.
He was previously chief financial officer of LAMB Partners, a Forbes 400-family office, and partner and chief financial officer of Delaware Street Capital, a multi-strategy hedge fund. He began his career with Ernst & Young, serving in their Columbus, Ohio and Cayman Islands offices, and as a senior manager in their Dallas, Texas, office.
Mr. Gupta is a native of India and a graduate of the prestigious Doon School. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Muskingum’s class of 1995, with majors in Economics, Business, Accounting and German, and minors in Mathematics and Computer Science. He earned his Master of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia.
He has shared his insights with Muskingum students and delivered the Opening Convocation address for the 2013-2014 academic year. Reflecting on his Muskingum experience, he recalls that “Muskingum introduced me to students from all over the world, and I learned how to find a common understanding with others whose culture, background, and interests vary significantly from mine. The breadth of my Muskingum education has been extremely important in my life.”
Mr. Gupta is married to Jennifer Pingledis, a magna cum laude graduate of the Muskingum Class of 1996. They are the parents of Elainia, Reena, Mira, and Nikhil. They are committed and generous supporters of Muskingum University and our students, and have made possible the Gupta Family Reading Room and the Pingledis Family Children’s Literature Library within the Roberta A. Smith University Library.
Candidates for degrees were presented by Vice President of Academic Affairs James Callaghan. The degrees were conferred by President Steele, Muskingum University Trustee and alumnus Gordon Spillman, Vice President of Graduate and Continuing Studies Dr. Mark Sanford, Department of Education Chair Dr. Rae Harriott White and Dr. Ray Rataiczak, director of the Master of Information Strategies, Systems and Technology graduate program.
Faculty marshals were Professor of Chemistry Dr. Ray Rataiczak and Dr. Rick Nutt, Professor of Religion.
The student marshals were Leah E. Buck and Luke J. Larson.
IN THE PHOTO: Bryan J. Raach, Byesville, is shown with Muskingum University President Dr. Anne C. Steele. Raach received Muskingum's first Educational Specialist degree.
