Jill Greenthal '78 Funds Financial Literacy Program to Begin this Fall

A financial planning component will be folded into the freshman First Year Experience course. The specific focus of Greenthal's gift, however, is to fund a day for seniors to participate in a financial literacy workshop. The day will include information on creating a personal budget; renting a home versus buying a home; credit score and credit card basics; investing and saving for both the short and long term; and understanding state and federal taxes.

"Financial literacy is the cornerstone of becoming an independent person. At no point in time has this been more obvious than in the current economic climate," Greenthal said. "It's my hope that Simmons students will utilize and understand the lessons conveyed in these workshops to help them create a personal budget, and understand the basics of personal finance."

Dean Diane Raymond, whose group will be implementing the program, couldn't be more thrilled about it. Noting that there was universal enthusiasm for the idea among both faculty and staff, Dean Raymond praises the program for tying the original mission of the College to the present and future needs of today's students. "This gift provides for a program that will be especially appealing to parents who recognize that their students will benefit both short- and long-term from what they learn," said Dean Raymond. "Further, we believe that the program reflects and reinforces John Simmons's original mission and the integration of liberal arts and professions that is the highlight of a Simmons education. Our students will be the beneficiaries of Jill's generosity."

According to Dean Raymond, the program will expand as student needs are identified. The program will also be assessed over time to ensure that anticipated learning outcomes are realized.

Greenthal benefited greatly from her own financial education at Simmons – one of the reasons the economics major chose to fund this required program. Greenthal received an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a senior advisor at The Blackstone Group, an alternative asset management and financial services company that specializes in private equity, real estate, and marketable alternative investment strategies. She serves on the boards of numerous private and public companies.

"I choose to support Simmons because the College made a huge difference in my life," Greenthal said. I am extremely grateful for all that I learned as an undergraduate student."