When Irfan Tihić ’17 was born 22 years ago, his hometown of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina was in the midst of a war. In fact, he was not born in a hospital, but in a factory that doubled as a safe haven for refugees. Half of his family was killed in the conflict; the other half was forced to flee to safety, including Irfan, his parents and his brother, who made a new home in Syracuse when Irfan was just 8 years old.
Today Irfan is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in information systems at Le Moyne, where he was one of only six students selected to receive a prestigious Purcell Scholarship. He has already completed an internship at KPMG, one of the nation’s four largest accounting firms, at its office in New York City. While there, he worked on a project to help KPMG identify potential clients to grow its business, and several of his recommendations are currently being used. Irfan is multilingual – speaking Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian in addition to English – and his advisors and professors use words like “tenacious,” “determined” and “diligent” to describe him.
Irfan could likely work anywhere he wants one day. However, his long-term aim – after gaining experience – is to return to Bosnia. The majority of his family is still in the country, and he believes it is where he can do the most good, helping to rebuild the economy and serving as a catalyst for change. High rates of unemployment and low rates of production linger, and Bosnia’s leaders have identified accelerating integration into the European Union, strengthening the financial system, and fostering a dynamic, competitive private sector among their chief economic goals.
As a child entering the first grade in Bosnia, Irfan learned to read and write his name – and to be on the lookout for mines, grenades and other hazardous materials. Now he wants to be part of that nation’s revitalization as a management consultant, exploring different sectors of business. In his essay application for the Purcell Scholarship, he wrote, “I want my voice to echo across religious, political and economic divides to show that success is achievable despite adversity.” He believes that an education, such as the one he is receiving at Le Moyne, “can empower each and every single individual to go out and do amazing things with their lives.” Specifically, he wants to use his understanding of business and his ability to think critically to implement new ideas.
Laila Kobrossy Audi, executive-in-residence in the College’s Office of Career Advising and Development, said that Irfan’s experiences and upbringing, coupled with his enthusiasm for excellence and making an impact are remarkable. He is, she said, an example to his peers – and the next generation of alumni. Likewise, Sharon Kinsman Salmon ’78, a member of the board of trustees who has served as Irfan’s mentor at Le Moyne, said that it has been both “profound and humbling” to witness how driven he is, and how he has focused not just on his education, but on how he can use his education to help other people.
“He is passionate and driven, so I have no doubt he will fulfill his dreams,” Kinsman Salmon said.
For his part, Irfan said that he is grateful to Audi for the outstanding career preparation that she provided to him and to Kinsman Salmon, Dean of the Madden School James Joseph ’83, McDevitt Professor of Information Systems Martha Grabowski, Professor Mary Collins, Professor Joan Myers and Dale Wilson of the Madden School for the care and support they have shown to him.
“I can’t say thank you enough to any of them,” he said.
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