Many reasons, one gift

Boston University—and Boston itself—taught Lance Korman (CGS'92, CAS'93, Questrom'94) many lessons in business and entrepreneurship. But not all of those lessons took place in a classroom.

Even before coming to BU, Korman had demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit, and it's what drove him to seek a business education. In pursuit of that goal, he studied in four different BU colleges-now known as the College of General Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, School of Hospitality Administration, and Questrom School of Business. And he also parlayed earlier experiences in the nightclub industry in his native New York into a variety of work experiences and entrepreneurial ventures in Boston.

Those experiences included work at some legendary Boston nightclubs along Lansdowne Street, as well as the old M80 and the still-thriving Paradise. "Boston gave me such a big part of my life," Korman says, "and all these things made me what I am today."

His coursework at BU naturally played a large part in that. "I'm proud that I got the degree," he says, "and I'm very proud of BU."

It was natural, then, that when he was looking to give back to a variety of causes through planned giving, BU was high on the list for many reasons.

"I graduated with a great education," he says. "Boston is a great city, and BU's a great school. I met my fiancée at BU. I made a lot of money as an entrepreneur in the nightclub market. I have a lot of friends, still, from BU."

There's yet another reason Korman appreciates BU. He's found it a valuable asset in his successful career as a commercial real estate advisor at Newmark, where he's a vice chairman.

"A BU degree gives you a lot of credibility when you're out pitching business, meeting people," he says.

How fitting, then, that Korman has designated his planned gift to the University's business school. He has strong roots in many Boston institutions, and he now has a lasting bond with Questrom.