Advance, Cornell ILR School's publication for alumni and friends.
Issue link: https://advance.epubxp.com/i/429746
Alpern agrees. "I'm indebted to the ILR School for the pro- fessors we had," he says. Both Oxman and Alpern say they were greatly infuenced by Professors Maurice Neufeld and Jean McKelvey. Oxman also mentions Milton Konvitz, who wrote her a letter of recom- mendation to the Cornell Law School. Although thrilled to be accepted, she was unable to attend due to the serious illness of her father, a World War I veteran. After graduation, Oxman spent 27 years in the New York City school system. She taught history, geography and economics, and served as a guidance counselor and assis- tant principal. When she was named principal of Erasmus Hall, in Brooklyn, she became the frst woman principal of an academic high school in New York City. "During the 10 years I was principal, I didn't have many grievances," she says. "But when I did get them, I won them all. I attribute that to my ILR education." Oxman has traveled extensively and written a book about her adventures, "Around the World With Harriet." The ILR School will receive any profts from sales of the book. "I was a good student, and the characteristics you acquire when you're in school — they follow you in later years," she says. "When I travel, I always take notes. And when I return home, I write them up." Oxman is traveling to Austra- lia this fall and to Italy in the spring. She has two goals: to take an around-the-world cruise, and to live to 120 and become ILR's oldest living alum- na. Despite the many years since graduation, Oxman and Alpern have remained connected to their alma mater. Oxman served as a member of the Cornell Club, and inter- viewed New York City-area stu- dents applying for admission. For her 60th class reunion, she endowed the directorship of the Catherwood Library. "I've always felt books were import- ant," she says. "At Cornell, I spent a lot of time at the library." Alpern's familial connections to ILR and Cornell include his wife, Enid Levine HumEc '47, daughter Susan Alpern Fisch A&S; '81 and son-in-law Rich- ard Fisch '79, MBA '80. A lifetime member of the Cor- nell University Council, Alpern has served on the Dean's Ad- visory Council and as co-chair- man of the ILR School Founders Fund Committee, chairman of anniversary committees, treasurer of the Class of 1949 and permanent chairman of the nominating committee for the Class of 1949. He received Cornell's Frank H.T. Rhodes Ex- emplary Alumni Service Award in 2001. In 1997, the Jerome Alpern Award was established to recognize professionals who provide service and support to ILR and whose career achieve- ments are outside industrial and labor relations. The award is presented annually at the Groat and Alpern celebration in New York. "I get a kick out of going to the dinner and meeting the awardees, who are very distin- guished people," he says. "I'm so proud to have their names forever linked with mine." 7 Cornell University Photography