GIVING IN ACTION
by Katelyn Silva
Gordon R. Buchsbaum ’87 Invests in Quality Products, Including a JWU Education
As
AS A TEENAGER, Gordon R. Buchsbaum ’87 worked as a line cook in a neighborhood restaurant, gaining valuable experience in hopes of one day becoming a chef. As he worked with graduates from the top culinary arts schools, he noticed something special about the JWU alumni. “JWU graduates were humble and always willing to teach me, which says a lot about the university itself,” says Buchsbaum, president and CEO of Gordon’s Gourmet, which brings specialty foods to chefs around the world. Buchsbaum’s positive experience convinced him that JWU was the right place for him. He enrolled in the associate degree program in the College of Culinary Arts and soon found his place, bonding with his mentor Steven Shipley ’85, ’06 MAT, then a chef instructor, who later offered connections and help throughout Buchsbaum’s career. With his stellar JWU education and mentor support, Buchsbaum was employed as a chef for many years. However, most recently, his passion
resides in bringing high-quality products to chefs’ kitchens — commercial and in the home. These products include organic balsamic vinegar straight from Modena and grade A, sushi-quality octopus from Spain and Portugal. His newest venture is the energy-saving Helios LED Grow Bar System for the expanding cannabis and food technology industry. Buchsbaum is donating these cost-efficient, state-of-the-art horticultural lights for the JWU cannabis entrepreneurship program and the hydroponic vegetable garden. Buchsbaum and his wife, Elisa, established a $50,000 family scholarship for culinary students. “Both our parents raised us to give as much as you possibly can,” says Buchsbaum. Elisa adds: “You can hear my husband’s passion for JWU every time he talks about it. I want to support what matters to him, but I’m also a Rhode Islander and an educator, so it’s a fit for me as well.”
The Caseys Found Love and a Lifelong Giving Priority at JWU Paul Casey ’97 and Patricia (Tricia) Casey ’97 met before freshman year even began at a party on the East Side of Providence. Both agreed the provisions were terrible, but the company was undoubtedly not. They’ve been married for almost 21 years, have two teenaged children, and share a deep love for Johnson & Wales University, where Paul earned his B.S. in retail management and Tricia in sales and meeting management. Today, the couple lives in Nashua, New Hampshire, where Tricia is assistant vice president of college advancement at New England College and Paul is a manager at Trader Joe’s. While both lead busy lives as professionals and parents, they’ve always found the time to give back. Tricia says, “In my family, we were raised to give our time
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and talent to make the world a better place.” The Caseys made JWU a giving priority at a young age because of their deep
appreciation for the experience, including the opportunity to study abroad, join a sorority, and learn from professors who are leaders in their fields. The couple, who are in their 40s, are annual donors. “You have skin in the game when you volunteer and give,” says Tricia, who was a tutor at JWU’s Learning Center. “You’re more committed to something succeeding when you do that. We want JWU to keep going strong. We have skin in the game!” “We both received scholarships and appreciate that, so we want to help students and families because someone else did that for us,” adds Paul. “JWU is also where we met and started our lives together so that’s special!” “We know how important it is to have the opportunity to pursue higher education in a field that you are passionate about,” says Tricia. “JWU alumni make their mark in the world. I encourage others to give so future students can do the same.”
