'Spirit of SOM' Honors Student Who Embodies Values Central to Yale SOM

Each year, three Yale SOM students represent the school at the main Yale University graduation ceremony on Old Campus. This year, for the first time, one of the three was chosen by the graduating class to represent the "Spirit of SOM."

David Mizrahi '09 was selected to be the first to hold this honor as best embodying the values central to SOM. According to Matt Kopac '09, the student government president and one of the three students who will represent the school at the Yale ceremony, the "Spirit of SOM" goes beyond any one factor. "This student has to be a quality participant in the classroom environment," he said. "They must be dedicated to serving the community — whether through clubs, activities, or campus life. They reach out to other students and, above all, show a real strength of character. David fits all the criteria. He has energy and optimism that impacts everyone around him. He always has thoughtful things to say in class. He’s someone everyone sees as worthy."

Mizrahi received his honor after first being nominated by a classmate and then being voted in by his fellow students. He has been a leader of the Marketing Club, the Latin American Club, and the Jewish Student Alliance.

Mizrahi, who will be working in marketing for Pernod Ricard Group — The Absolut Company after graduation, said that to him the "Spirit of SOM" can be boiled down to two things: the community and teamwork among his fellow students, and the belief, central to the school’s mission, that being a strong leader is to work to improve society, no matter if you’re working for a nonprofit, in the public sector, or at a for-profit corporation. "As a group of students, we all rely on each other — we see each other as colleagues before competitors," he said. "And we’re taught from day one to consider the impact of any decision we’ll make as managers. Together, I believe these factors are integral to creating strong leaders. It’s a great honor to be chosen for this, but I honestly believe you could pick just about any student and find the spirit of SOM. It’s what makes this school great and why I can’t imagine being anyplace else."

In addition to Mizrahi and Kopac, David Bledin '09 will take part in the Yale ceremony. He was selected based on distinction in the classroom.