# Reunite Possible

1 Stern Stories September 29, 2018 On September 29, the NYU Stern PhD program welcomed back alumni to campus to celebrate its history, scholarship and future. >

![PhD Program Journals](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/PhD-Alumni-Reunion-2018_Body1.jpg)
Following opening remarks from Professor [Joel Steckel](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/joel-steckel), vice dean of Doctoral Education, NYU alumnus Henry Kaufman (ARTS ‘48, PhD ‘58), NYU Life Trustee, chairman emeritus of NYU Stern’s Board of Overseers and president of Henry Kaufman & Company, Inc., joined Professor [Kim Schoenholtz](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/kim-schoenholtz), director of Stern’s Center for Global Economy & Business, for a fireside chat. Dr. Kaufman and Professor Schoenholtz discussed a variety of topics including the role of policy in AI-informed financing, future challenges for the labor sector and the decline in credit quality and AAA-rated companies. In his advice to current students, Dr. Kaufman highlighted the importance of having an open mind as well as an understanding of the history of economic and financial thought.

![From left to right: Professor Kim Schoenholtz and Dr. Henry Kaufman ](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/PhD-Alumni-Reunion-2018_Body2.jpg)
*From left to right: Professor [Kim Schoenholtz](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/kim-schoenholtz) and Dr. Henry Kaufman (ARTS ‘48, PhD ‘58), NYU Life Trustee, chairman emeritus of NYU Stern’s Board of Overseers and president of Henry Kaufman & Company, Inc.*> Dr. Henry Kaufman (PhD '58) speaks with Prof [@kschoenh](https://twitter.com/kschoenh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) at today's [\#PhD](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PhD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Program [\#Reunion](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reunion?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Celebration. Welcome back to campus [\#NYUStern](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYUStern?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) PhD alumni! [pic.twitter.com/UNRaNrvV5d](https://t.co/UNRaNrvV5d)
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> — NYU Stern (@NYUStern) [September 29, 2018](https://twitter.com/NYUStern/status/1046068592129781760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The event also highlighted the evolution of the program to its current level of preeminence through a panel discussion featuring current and former PhD program chairs and directors, moderated by Professor [Lawrence White](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/lawrence-white).

![From left to right: Edwin Elton, William Greene, William Starbuck, Joel Steckel and Lawrence White](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/PhD-Alumni-Reunion-2018_Body3.jpg)
*From left to right: Professor Emeritus [Edwin Elton](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/edwin-elton), Professor [William Greene](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/william-greene), Professor Emeritus William Starbuck, Professor [Joel Steckel](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/joel-steckel) and Professor [Lawrence White](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/lawrence-white)*
> The theme, also drawing from Henry Kaufman’s earlier talk: be special, but not too specialized. [@NYUStern](https://twitter.com/NYUStern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/okTUhyABjD](https://t.co/okTUhyABjD)
>
> — Mike Barnett (@profmikebarnett) [September 29, 2018](https://twitter.com/profmikebarnett/status/1046101795855114240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Finally, the day concluded with current PhD students showcasing their research.

![NYU Stern PhD student Stéphane Francioli](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/PhD-Alumni-Reunion-2018_Body4.jpg)
*NYU Stern PhD student [Stéphane Francioli](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/academic-departments/management-and-organizations/academic-programs/phd-overview/current-doctoral-students/st-phane-francioli) presents his research on organizational behavior.*## Learn more

- [NYU Stern P](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/center-sustainable-business)[hD Program](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/phd)