Neiman Marcus Exec Neva Hall Speaks At LIM College’s 76th Commencement

by Sydney Sadick

Nearly 500 LIM seniors, the largest class in the college’s history, graduated at yesterday’s 76th Commencement celebration. Neiman Marcus EVP of Stores Neva Hall, a LIM College alum, gave the keynote address (aka “Neva’s Nine”), sharing her guidance for life and business.

“I have been blessed with myriad opportunities in retail, and have worked with some of the best retailers in the world, but it all started at LIM, which prepared me for the workforce.” said Hall, who stressed the importance of finding a mentor. “Learn from someone who has found success. Retailing icon Stanley Marcus was a relentless merchant and marketer, and he was my first mentor. He coached me about how to think about the business.”

Hall, who’s spent over three decades at Neiman Marcus, was presented with LIM’s Distinguished Achievement Award and an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree at the ceremony, which took place at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. The college also presented alum and LIM board-member Doug Jakubowski, President-North America at FitFlop, with the Maxwell F. Marcuse Award, which recognizes a grad who has reached the pinnacle of success within the fashion business.

Others recognized at the celebration include 2015 valedictorian Courtney Vander Linden and alums Erica Infantolino and Bianca Caampued. 

“Presumably, you chose to attend LIM College because you have a passion for some aspect of the business of fashion, and as the years pass, it will become necessary for you to find ways to stay connected to that passion,” said Elizabeth S. Marcuse, president of LIM College, to the grads. “If you develop new passions that inspire you professionally, don’t be afraid to follow them and see where they lead. Ultimately, it is up to you, not your parents, not your professors, not your peers, to define what success means in your own life.”

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