A Gift for Franklin's Valedictorian

This year’s graduating class valedictorian, Nicholas Hasko ’09, received not only the top honors distinction but also a prize watch from Grimoldi Milano, which was generously donated by alumna Chen Chu ’03. Currently the CEO of VABENE Italy, an edgy fashion watch brand under the Grimoldi family label, Chen works at the Grimoldi watch headquarters in Milan when not travelling the world on business.

Chen arrived at Franklin from Shanghai, China, and considers her coming here not just a personal choice but also destiny. “Growing up in a traditional Communist China school system, I longed for the western education experience and the liberty to choose freely the subjects of interest for my learning,” says Chen. At Franklin, she became an International Management major and especially enjoyed Professors Floyd Parsons, Sanja Dudukovic and Paul Glass, from all of whom she learned not only the subjects they taught, but also the importance of developing a personal style.

After graduating from Franklin, Chen tried a job in trade financing but found the work less interesting and interactive than she liked so she moved back to Shanghai where she organized events and marketing for a large fashion magazine group. She then moved to Milan, Italy, after her engagement to Giorgio Grimoldi. There she learned the high-end jewelry and watch business and started to work for her husband’s family business, Grimoldi Orologi.

Although Chen is based in Milan, she travels extensively for work and enjoys knowing that no matter whether she is in Bangkok, Tokyo, New York or Istanbul, there will always be a friend from Franklin to meet up with. “The international environment of my time at Franklin helped to develop an open mind, communication skills and positive aspects of my personality,” says Chen. “You get used to being with people from every corner of the world who have totally different habits or cultures than you.”

Chen decided to sponsor the gift of a watch to the valedictorian because she thought it would be a nice gesture from a former student to a current student. She also wanted to show respect for the education that nurtured Chen herself and the graduating seniors during their time at Franklin. She hopes to continue honoring the valedictorian of the graduating class with the gift of a Grimoldi watch and enjoys giving back to Franklin because “it is a good thing to appreciate what we have and to spread out the positive feelings.” 

The valedictorian, Nick Hasko, is an honors program graduate with a major in International Economics with emphasis in Political Economy. He has passed the rigorous selection process for the American Foreign Service and will serve as Political Affairs Officer in the Foreign Service of the United States. He hopes to be stationed in Pakistan or Afghanistan after becoming intrigued by those countries while studying abroad in Russia and meeting Afghani students.  

May 2009