Joseph Philip Goldsmith – 50th Reunion Essay

Joseph Philip Goldsmith

109 Plantation Circle South

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

jpgoldsmith64@gmail.com

508-277-9159

Spouse(s): Hope Goldsmith (33 years)

Child(ren): Melissa (39), Sam (37), Sara Lee (30), Sophie (26)

Grandchild(ren): Hopefully!!!

Education: Yale: BA, 1969 & Harvard Business School: M.BA, 1972

Career: Salesman: 1972-1978 Goldman Sachs, 1978-1998 Salomon Brothers, 1998-2008 Lehman Brothers, 2008-2012 Barclays Capital

Avocations: Board Member: New England Friends of the IDF, Board Member: Schepens Eye Research Foundation

College: Silliman

How best to reflect “the blessings and burdens that Yale bestowed on us” appears to be our assignment. Of course, I’m glad I went to Yale: it opened my eyes to new possibilities and certainly prevented my return to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It gave me the confidence to become comfortable in a world where many were smarter and more talented than I, and most importantly created friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Our Yale was the ultimate meritocracy. It was the most open and democratic environment in which I have ever lived. We hardly agreed on everything (remember there was that war raging in Southeast Asia), but ideas flowed freely and dialogue was not only accepted but encouraged.

Of course Yale helped me as I tumbled through life. It enabled me to attend Harvard Business School which helped launch my long career on Wall Street as an institutional salesman of equities and convertible securities. I am grateful for what Yale afforded me and as such contributed annually to the Alumni Fund as well as the Football Association for 40 years after graduation. However, that was enough. At my age, there are simply other causes and institutions to which I would rather contribute. Yale has certainly made that decision easier given its current priorities and its politically correctness run amok (the annual beat down administered by that famous football factory in Cambridge seems only to reinforce Mother Yale’s priorities).

If this missive sounds like it’s from the pen of a grumpy old man (well, old maybe), that is hardly the case. I am reasonably healthy, living in fabulous Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, with the woman of my dreams and have never been happier. I hope to be able to demonstrate that to some of you in the late spring of 2019.