1990 — Full-Time

Hello 20th Reunion classmates! As you read this, we are only weeks away from our 20th Reunion. I can’t wait to see you. You are coming, aren’t you? It is going to be an amazing weekend.

I was very happy to hear from Jake Boxer, who offered a delightful update for us on what he’s been up to since our Kellogg graduation almost 20 years ago.

Jake’s update: "I look back very fondly at my Kellogg experience. The school gave me structure and my friends’ unconditional love when I needed it most — when I lost my father during our first year. Thank you. Upon graduation, I moved back to Vancouver to help restructure the family business and support my immediate family. Since then, I have started my own real estate investment and private equity company, Boxer Capital, which invests and manages monies on behalf of private and institutional clients. We primarily focus on acquisition, financing and restructuring of commercial (shopping centers) and residential (apartment/condominium buildings) real estate throughout Canada and the United States, trying to create and increase value for our shareholders. The business has grown tremendously and we have projects in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal and investments in California, Texas and Arizona. Naturally, there have been many ups and downs along the way but I feel very fortunate today, especially given the current economic climate. I would like to thank my peers and Kellogg for giving me the business foundation and tools to meet my challenges — or at least fudge my way through them.

"Almost 15 years ago, I decided to pursue a lifelong dream of obtaining a master’s of philosophy in international relations at Cambridge University. It was truly an amazing experience, enabling me to learn completely new things with people from all over the world, row at Henley, and even participate in a Shakespearean play.

"Since returning to Vancouver, I have been growing my company and met my future wife Jillian. We were married on the beach in Tofino, a UNESCO world heritage site and among the guests was Kellogg roommate Jim Sellers. Speaking of weddings, classmate Marcus Alexis married Sahara the same day in California. So on our respective one-year anniversaries, we renewed our vows together including sharing a minister and photographer. Jillian and I are now blessed with two girls, Jaclyn (4) and Siena (2). I am totally surrounded by girls as both my wife’s sister and my sister have twin girls. Needless to say, we are trying for another to hopefully balance family dynamics.

"About six or eight years ago, Khadim Hussain and I formed the Kellogg Club of British Columbia. Although Khadim has since moved back with his family to Pakistan, we are now 15 to 20 members strong and hold some joint events with local alumni from other top b-schools. During the past year, we have had several KSM ’90 visitors in Vancouver, including Lee Cotton, Jim Faier and Robert Hill. With the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler, we enjoyed another ski season and viewed as many events as possible (I was a hopeful for the bobsled team, but then I weighed in). We recently built a home by the beach, and always have room for guests. So if any classmate is planning a trip to Vancouver, please let me know at jake@boxercapital.com or 604.738.4620."

I’ve always admired Jake’s enthusiasm for Kellogg and his wonderful energy. I’m looking forward to seeing him at Reunion.

In case you are completely out of the loop, our Reunion will be the weekend of April 30-May 2. There will be a TG on Friday afternoon. For you Hashers, Scott Gode and I are planning a Hash run with details to be posted on our class Web site: alumni.kellogg.northwestern.edu/reunion/. The main events are a Friday night gathering at the Globe Café and Bar, 1710 Orrington Ave. in Evanston, and the Saturday evening class party from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. (cocktails, dinner and entertainment) at the amazing restaurant Spiaggia at 980 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago.

The Reunion committee is hard at work making numerous small details and arrangements to ensure that this will be the best weekend of your life (now and in the future). Please grace us with your presence and reconnect in person (Facebook always leaves something to be desired, doesn’t it?). Real people and real conversations equals real fun. And don’t forget to consider a gift to Kellogg’s Annual Fund as part of your reunion participation. Check our Web sites often for up-to-the-minute information.

And don’t forget to write. I’m lonely and need to hear from you. See you in a few months!