Binghamton University lecturer Elliot Kamlet looks back on School of Management memories
Kamlet says he never stops learning as an instructor within SOM
Elliot Kamlet ’76 estimates that he’s taught 15,000 students during his almost 40-year tenure at Binghamton University’s School of Management.
He remembers them fondly, and it appears the feelings are mutual. The SOM Dean’s Office notes that Kamlet’s name is frequently mentioned in conversations with alumni about memorable faculty.
When asked why he thinks that’s the case, Kamlet hesitates. “That’s an interesting question,” he says.
Kamlet attributes it to the close relationships he formed with students during the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Scholars annual 10-day international trip, in which students travel to various cities around the world to explore the different cultures and foreign business practices. Past trips have included Spain, Japan, Italy, South Africa and China.
Kamlet introduced this component of the honors program when he served as the PwC Scholars director.
“You tend to get close to people on an international trip,” he says. “In some cases, this trip was the first time students left the country, and they used it as a stepping-stone to make their lives bigger than they otherwise might have been. In fact, one of the students I’ve kept in touch with is now living abroad. I’m proud to say that Binghamton is where he got his start at looking at the world rather than just looking to pass a course.”
Kamlet says the most rewarding part of being a lecturer in SOM is that he never stops learning.
“SOM students are really smart, and that’s why I continue to learn all the time. They keep me on my toes. I also enjoy being able to see how they’ve advanced in life. I’m just so happy with where so many of my students have landed. To be able to watch that — sometimes from close by, sometimes from a distance — is tremendously rewarding.”
Asked what his answer will be 10 years hence, when alumni ask, “What is Elliot Kamlet doing now?” he replies: “By that time, hopefully, I’m sitting around the pool, retired!”
He adds that he will continue to travel with his wife. His goal is to keep up with their daughter, who takes three major trips a year.