Outstanding Service Award

STEPHANIE E. FRIEDMAN ’92, MBA

Honors up to five members of the Skidmore community who have demonstrated outstanding service to the College for at least 10 years as an alumna/alumnus, trustee, faculty member, administrator, staff member, parent or friend. Alumni recipients must be members of a celebrating reunion class.

Stephanie Friedman is a leader with the kind of collaborative spirit that helps teams deliver their best work. As vice president and account manager at Murphy Research, she oversees account acquisition, management, growth, and team development. Over her 25-year career, Stephanie has worked with domestic and international clients across a wide range of research categories, including consumer products, entertainment, technology, travel and tourism, and financial services. Former assistant general manager at Lieberman Research Worldwide, she has held a variety of leadership roles in her field.

This dedicated alumna has also been using her expertise and collaborative mindset on behalf of Skidmore for decades.

“Skidmore gave me a terrific liberal arts education, which I highly value and leverage every day in my work and my life. I’ve also acquired an incredible community that never stops growing. Some of the most important people in my life continue to be in my Skidmore circle, particularly my Class of 1992 family. And that circle expands with each opportunity to connect with students, faculty, staff, and fellow alumni.”

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Stephanie earned an MBA from Babson College. But she never left her Skidmore circle, continuing to broaden it as she built a career. The longtime class agent has been a perennial Reunion planner. An enthusiastic regional volunteer, she helped expand opportunities for West Coast alumni to gather for social and professional events.

Stephanie served two consecutive terms on the Alumni Nominating Committee before stepping into a six-year tenure on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. As the board’s VP of programming, she spearheaded efforts to update and refine the board’s position descriptions, processes, and mission statement. Stephanie was invariably among the first to volunteer for subcommittee work that required more of her time. As her term concluded, a grateful board appointed her member-at-large for a year, allowing Stephanie to complete a key project she was finalizing.

A gracious presence at Presidents Society gatherings and a host of alumni and College events, Stephanie continues to inspire alumni to explore the many ways they can renew a mutually beneficial relationship with their alma mater.

“As I continue serving the College, I’ve deepened my appreciation of Skidmore and the education it gave me. My service is a continuously evolving process, because it needs to remain relevant to today’s students. I am in awe of them and hope more alumni choose to explore this remarkably rewarding experience.”

A stalwart participant in Career Jam, Stephanie has advised countless students on navigating the path to professional success. She has been a guest lecturer in the Department of Management and Business, where she has witnessed firsthand the quality of students and faculty. “I also observed the development of the Center for Integrated Sciences, Skidmore’s commitment to cutting-edge sustainable practices, and its great strides in diversity and inclusion.”

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award. I’m proud of what Skidmore has accomplished and grateful to be able to represent it.”

As I continue serving the College, I’ve deepened my appreciation of Skidmore and the education it gave me.

— Stephanie E. Friedman ’92