Jordan Daniel first traveled internationally in high school when his Aunt Jacqueline invited him to Italy. She was a professor, and Daniel accompanied her study-abroad students.
Then came Spain, Morocco, and South Africa before Daniel started at SUNY Geneseo.
“I was always curious how other people live, and it was so different from my upstate upbringing. It inspired me to want to see everything I can.”
Daniel started classes undeclared but soon found his niche in the School of Business. He minored in Spanish—and continued exploring the world during a semester abroad in Spain.
It took a while to return, but Daniel has been working in his legal and real estate careers from Spain since summer 2021.
Daniel credits Geneseo for being part of his success and his Aunt Jacqueline with sparking his international passion that shaped his path.
Daniel recently gave two gifts to the College.
The Jacqueline Levine and John Borek Endowment for Study Abroad Education will provide a scholarship to assist Geneseo students who will study abroad. It is named after Daniel’s aunt and uncle, who passed away in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Daniel didn’t have much spending money to explore Spain and Europe past daily expenses.
“I want them to have the freedom to embrace all the opportunities they can while there,” Daniel says about students who receive the scholarship. “I can help them do so. I also wanted to give to Geneseo, which gave me so much. With the scholarship, I can honor my aunt and uncle and maybe change a student’s life in a small way that is a long-term way. They would be proud and happy.”
Daniel also provided a gift to help build the new data analytics program in the School of Business, which was created in Fall 2022.
Daniel’s gift to the data analytics major will help build the new major, including hiring student fellows and teaching assistants or supporting faculty efforts to develop liaisons with industry leaders to create an employment pipeline for graduates.
Former dean professor Mary Ellen Zuckerman was a mentor who gave him much-needed and vital advice as a student. When she shared goals for the new major, Daniel wanted to help.
“I’m happy to support it,” he says, “and see more students become a part of it.”
