Up in the Club

From: York president
Sent: Monday, October 6, 2025 2:27 PM
Subject: Up in the Club

Dear York Cardinals,

I hope you had a great weekend.  My weekend was okay. I rested all day Sunday, but on Saturday I went back to my old stomping ground, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.  Three years ago, I was honored to be inducted in the Rutgers University African-American Alumni (RAAA) Hall of Fame.  This year however, I was excited to learn that my friend Fred, was being inducted, so back to New Brunswick I went. I was great seeing my old college friends and I enjoyed our time walking down memory lane. 

My hope for you is when you walk down memory lane that you have lots to story to tell about York—about the friends you met, the Professors you had, the classes you took, and the experiences you had—all of which will contribute to the person you will become.

Let me tell you about Fred and the person he became.  I actually knew Fred from high school in St. Croix.  He was a year ahead of me then, and when I got to Rutgers, he was already a year ahead of me.  Rutgers was a big school, with many students, so I quickly found my tribe of friends, most of whom were from the islands.  I also limed lot with Fred and all the other students from the Virgin Islands. Most of us belonged to the West Indian Student Organization (WISO).  I was an active member, and at some point, Fred became the WISO president.   Ooooh, we had the best parties in the basement of the Paul Robeson Center (reggae and soca all night!!!!). Fred loved music and he loved to dance even more! He was also our DJ and he was extremely (and still is) very smart. After he graduated from Rutgers, he earned his law degree from Rutgers Law School, and his Masters from Columbia University.  He worked at MTV Networks as Deputy General Counsel of Business and Legal Affairs and continued to maintain his love for his Caribbean culture and music.  One day, he combined his business acumen with his love of all things Caribbean and founded Tempo Networks. - and the rest is history. You can read all about him and see why he earned his spot in the RAAA Hall of Fame here: https://www.temponetworks.com/about/

But what I want you to know is that your history and legacy is being written right now.  Everything you experience will shape or impact your future in some way.  Start by joining one of the many student clubs at York. https://www.york.cuny.edu/student-affairs/student-activities/student-clubs-and-organizations Immerse yourself in a variety of experiences and opportunities and you will be amazed at all the doors that are opened and possibilities that await you!

Have a great week!

President Schrader