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2023 Alumnus Achievement Award Recipient
The Charles W. Cook ’38 Alumnus Achievement Award, established in 1991 in honor of Browning’s fourth head of school, is presented to an alumnus or alumni displaying the finest qualities of citizenship and distinguished achievement, in either the private or the public sector. Our 2023 recipient is Jeff Landes ’83, who is a member of the firm Epstein Becker & Green in its Labor and Employment practice and the author of numerous publications on employment law. He attended the School from 1979 to 1983, was president of the Alumni Association from 2000 to 2006, and has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2012. In honor of his award, Buzzer editor Jeremy Katz ’04 presented Mr. Landes with three questions to reflect on his time at Browning:
What is a favorite memory from your time as a student?
My time at Browning is marked by the extraordinary and dedicated faculty and the friendships I made. Messrs. Kayoun, Pelz, Durham, Ingrisani, and Dealy were among the teachers who helped shape my academic interests and critical thinking skills. One fun memory is after I joined Browning in ninth grade, I volunteered to host the spring play cast party at my apartment. I guess I thought this would be my ticket to popularity I’m not sure how my parents allowed it, but suddenly after the final night of the play, we had the entire upper schools of Browning and Hewitt at our apartment.
What makes you excited to continue serving on Browning’s Board?
There is a collegiality among board members, and they contribute so much with their expertise, which I value. I’ve also had the privilege of serving on the Board with two incredible school heads, Steve Clement and John Botti. In the future, I am excited to be part of the Board as we support the continued expansion of the programmatic offerings and open a new facility. The current Browning Board respects the history and traditions of the past, yet is constantly doing its part in working with Mr. Botti and his leadership team to continue to meet the current challenges and propel the school forward.
Friendship, integrity, and citizenship come to mind. The focus on citizenship sets Browning apart from other schools. Browning cultivates and recognizes giving back to the community from the earliest days. I have carried that value with me—it’s a foundation of my professional and personal life today.
What values did you learn at Browning that helped shape the rest of your life?
