David Areson ’71 has always thought that a liberal arts education is important.  “I believe strongly in the liberal arts,” states Areson.  “In school I thought math and science were very important, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to appreciate more the importance of, for example, interpersonal skills” that one acquires in a liberal arts setting.

Areson has pledged a substantial gift to establish the Nicole M. and David C. ’71 Areson Endowed Scholarship to allow students to obtain the same kind of St. Lawrence education he has benefited from.  “St. Lawrence taught me how to think for myself and how to write, which have been invaluable throughout my career,” says Areson.

The scholarship is intended for students with a public school education who desire to go to St. Lawrence.  “I had a great experience at SLU, and I want others to have that,” says Areson.  A math major with a minor in French, he was by his own admission highly focused on academics -- “probably too much,” he says.  He was involved in the math honorary, French Club, Outing Club, dormitory council, Alpine skiing, and Operation Boomerang, in which students represented SLU in their hometown schools.  Areson spent his junior year (1969-70) on SLU’s France program, and while skiing in Switzerland he met his future wife, Nicole, a French college student.

Following graduation, Areson attended Yale University graduate school and then SUNY Buffalo law school.  After practicing law and consulting on employee benefits, he moved into finance on Wall Street.  Today, he is managing director of Ironside Capital LLC, a firm focused on selling alternative investments.  He attributes his career success, in part, to the ability to utilize his liberal arts education in many fields.

The Aresons live in Greenwich, Conn., and continue to be active supporters of St. Lawrence.  They have two grown children.                           

--Nora Wolinsky ’10