Erik Nordstrom Gives Keynote Address at LIM College Commencement

“One of the great things I have always enjoyed about this business is the pure objectivity of it. Yes, the customer is always right and that makes things very clear for those of us in our business. Our goal is to make customers feel good.”

So said Nordstrom, Inc. Co-President Erik Nordstrom to the 2016 graduates of LIM College in his keynote address at the College’s 77th Commencement exercises on May 25 at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.

Mr. Nordstrom received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree and was presented with LIM College’s Distinguished Achievement Award. An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree was presented to Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (in absentia) at the ceremony as well.

Nearly 500 graduates make up the Class of 2016, the largest in LIM College’s history. They received Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Studies (MPS), bachelor’s, and associate degrees. In what has become an annual tradition, representatives from previous LIM College graduating classes marched in the Commencement procession and were seated on stage. For the first time, LIM’s Commencement ceremony was also streamed live online.

LIM College’s Commencement was also recognized in Washington, D.C. via a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol at Congresswoman Maloney’s request. The Capitol Flag Program commemorates holidays and special events and honors the work of groups such as schools and civic organizations.

Said Congresswoman Maloney prior to the ceremony, “Under the leadership of its extraordinary President, Elizabeth Marcuse, LIM College continues a proud tradition of educating students to take on a diverse range of roles in the fashion industry. LIM’s success in placing its graduates in prominent positions on the business side of fashion, and its frequent inclusion among lists of the best fashion schools in the world, speaks volumes about the effectiveness of their programs. I am deeply grateful to be receiving an honorary degree from LIM.”

At the ceremony, the College presented the Maxwell F. Marcuse Award to Luisa Herrera-Garcia (Class of 1988) Senior Vice President of Operations and Production, John Varvatos Enterprises. Named for LIM’s founder, the award recognizes an LIM College graduate who has reached the pinnacle of success within the business of fashion.

Leanne Escobar Gomez (Class of 2003) Group Vice President/Divisional Merchandise Manager, Ross Stores dd’s Discounts was this year’s Shining Star Alumni Award recipient and Hannah Galeazzi (Class of 2011), Ready-to-Wear Designer Buyer, Saks Fifth Avenue received the Rising Star Alumni Award.