Stephen A. Schwarzman: a Role Model for Modern America
The story of Stephen A. Schwarzman is one of altruism and dedication. In 2008 Stephen ranked fifty-three on Forbes’ list of the richest people in the US, but it’s not just money which makes this tale so interesting but in addition Stephen’s unbelievable success in the financial industry and his generosity to society. This Blackstone Group tycoon is an inspiration and further proof that commitment and hard work are crucial in achieving success. Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter Peterson founded the private-equity management and financial advisory firm Blackstone Group in 1985. The group has since evolved apace and these days is leading the world in M&A.
Spending most of childhood in near Philadelphia, PA, Stephen received his early education in the Abingdon school district. He graduated from Abington Senior High School; afterwards he received his bachelor’s degree from the famous Connecticut University, Yale in 1969. After that, he chose to advance his education at the well acclaimed Harvard Business School, gaining his Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1972. Then he joined with Lehman Brothers investment bank, situated in Manhattan. By his thirty-second birthday he was already on the board of directors.
Stephen Schwarzman served as an ancillary professor at the acclaimed Yale School of Business Management in addition to donating to a number of charities, educational programs, and the arts. As another example of his engagement, he is Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, to return even more to society, he announced on March 11, 2008 that he had bequeathed 100 million dollars to the New York Public Library to help them extend. In fact the library named their new extension the “Stephen A. Schwarzman Building”.
Stephen Schwarzman is an inspiration to a new generation of would-be moguls: he was named amongst Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on the planet in acknowledgement of his global influence on finance. His swift rise to power in the business and financial communities is certainly amazing, and his readiness to give back to his community as illustrated by his liberal contributions to the arts and education motivates those who see him as a role model. So the business space awaits Stephen’s next move. Stephen A. Schwarzman is doubtless a fascinating business person whose influence can clearly be viewed in the US and its business community.
