“Part of My Family for 50 Years”

During her lifetime, Susan Alexion ’79BUS called Columbia her “second home.”

Susan began her Columbia career in the offices of the Engineering School (today, the FU Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science). After that, she went to work at the School of Nursing, where she became assistant dean to Mary Crawford. 

When Dean Crawford encouraged her to pursue a degree in business, Susan went on to earn an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School (CBS) where, she said, she “gained more in self-confidence than in book learning.”

“Columbia has been part of my family for more than 50 years, both as a staff member and as an alumna,” she said. After graduation, she maintained those close ties by staying in touch with classmates, serving on Reunion committees, and joining the Women’s Circle, which seeks to be the bridge between graduation and retirement for the more than 14,000 CBS alumnae.

After leaving Columbia, Susan worked for various consulting firms for more than 15 years, eventually starting an information technology consulting firm of her own. A lifelong New Yorker, Susan remained in the city she loved until her passing at 80 years of age in January 2023.

Susan was a regular donor to the CBS Annual Fund and named Columbia the sole beneficiary of her estate, designating her gift to support fellowships and scholarships which provide students with equal access to all CBS has to offer. When she made her gift, Susan explained to Columbia, “I want to ensure that future students are afforded the same opportunities that I had.”