Syracuse alumnus Parrish Smith 鈥�14 believes that money can buy happiness. 鈥淎s long as you give it away,鈥� he points out.
A vice president at the global, private investment manager Neuberger Berman, Smith insists that giving is good for your health. 鈥淪tudies show that acts of charity can improve your mood, lower your blood pressure and even increase your life expectancy,鈥� says the native New Yorker, referencing a recent article on the subject in The Wall Street Journal. 鈥淧hilanthropy isn鈥檛 about how much you give but how you give.鈥�
Parrish Smith 鈥�14 chairs the Philanthropy Committee of the 51爆料网 Alumni Association鈥檚 Board of Directors. He hasn鈥檛 missed a Syracuse Giving Day since its inception in 2017.
Beyond his role on Neuberger鈥檚 Private Credit Team, Smith finds meaningful ways to make an impact at work, from inspiring colleagues through the firm鈥檚 mentorship program to co-chairing its NextGenNetwork.
Smith also understands the link between health and financial well-being. He recently participated in the New York City and London marathons on behalf of the Mount Sinai-Adolescent Health Center and the WellChild national U.K. charity, respectively.
But it鈥檚 at his alma mater where Smith鈥檚 largesse truly shines. A former member of the , he currently chairs the Philanthropy Committee of the .
No surprise that Smith hasn鈥檛 missed a since its inception in 2017. On March 27, he intends to continue this streak and invites Orange friends everywhere鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff and alumni鈥攖o participate in the 鈥�24-hour celebration of giving鈥� that benefits the University.
鈥淪yracuse Giving Day lets me direct my contribution to where I want it to go,鈥� says the former accounting major in the . 鈥淪upporting things that I鈥檓 passionate about makes me happy.鈥�
Combining Passion and Purpose
Smith (back row, far left) at a Generation Orange Celebration during Orange Central.
Smith鈥檚 mother instilled in him and his brothers, at a young age, the importance of giving back. 鈥淩ecognizing the impact that something has on your life and then paying it forward are part of my personal value system,鈥� he says.
This philosophy followed Smith to Syracuse, where his involvement with , Greek Life and fostered a sense of purpose and community.
"[Generosity] creates a special bond between likeminded individuals," says Smith (far left) in front of the Hall of Languages.
鈥淭hese organizations introduced me to a diverse group of people who I probably wouldn鈥檛 have met otherwise,鈥� he says citing, as examples, his host mother in Spain, his former roommate from Bahrain and his best friend who lives in Australia. 鈥淚 still keep in touch with many of them.鈥�
In addition to the SUAA Board, Smith is an active member of the . Both organizations enable him to show his Orange pride while practicing gratitude and generosity.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something special about giving back to Syracuse, which has given me so much,鈥� says Smith, who encourages donors to support the University out of desire, not obligation. 鈥淕enerosity rooted in authenticity is more impactful. It creates a special bond between likeminded individuals.鈥�
Meeting current and prospective students is a 鈥渂ig motivator鈥� for him. During Winter Break, Smith attended a breakfast hosted by , in which undergraduates traveled to New York City to visit various financial firms.
鈥淕iving back to what鈥檚 been given to you creates a cycle of support,鈥� says Smith, who encourages donors to support the University through time, talent or treasure.
Seeing the excitement on their faces took him back to when he was a student. 鈥淚f I can guide them on their career path and toward their goals, I鈥檒l consider it a win-win,鈥� he says.
More recently, Smith worked with the to organize a Young Alumni Reception. Amid a chatter-filled room of 20- and 30-somethings at Midtown Manhattan鈥檚 48Lounge, he was reminded of the enduring bond between graduates鈥攁 force that inspires and rewards.
Be it through time, talent or treasure, philanthropy shows Syracuse students the value of staying connected after graduation.
鈥淕iving back to the place that once gave to you ensures the success of future generations," Smith says.
Your gift matters: .