Joshua Goldmeier Named the 2018 Valedictorian of Lander College for Men
Future Computer Scientist to be Honored at Commencement
Although he hasn’t officially graduated yet, Joshua Goldmeier is already looking for ways to use his computer science degree to make the world a better place. Joshua’s deep commitment to learning and personal growth helped make him the 2018 valedictorian at Touro’s Lander College for Men.
Joshua chose LCM for its holistic learning environment. “Education is not simply about memorizing information. It is about engaging with information, applying it, and using it to transform your relationship with yourself and others,” he said. He was inspired by the sense of camaraderie and the opportunities to collaborate with classmates at LCM. After studying for three years at a yeshiva in Israel, he moved from St. Louis, MO to LCM’s campus in Queens.
On campus he made time to cultivate relationships with Rabbeim, Deans, Professors, and even the maintenance team. He found faculty mentors in Dean Moshe Sokol, and Professors Dr. Yoni Robinson and Dr. Moshe Miller.
Studying computer science with Dr. Robinson, Joshua developed an appreciation for both technology and innovation. He sent a cold email to a developer at a nonprofit in Israel and asked for a summer internship. Sefaria, which is creating a massive, interconnected, living library of Jewish texts, hired him. “Somebody told me that the best way to learn is to work on a project you are passionate about. I identified with Sefaria’s mission and knew it would be a wonderful opportunity,” he said. He worked on the data team, writing code, and uploaded over 3 million words of Torah to the Sefaria application.
After finishing classes in January, Joshua moved to Israel to pursue a career in artificial intelligence. He is currently enrolled in an elite, ten-month machine learning program through the Israel Tech Challenge. The curriculum covers topics such as natural language processing, deep learning, and data visualization.
His dream is to be able to use artificial intelligence for a project that has potential to improve the lives of others. “I would like to look back at the end of my life and know that I invested my time with the goal of helping others,” he said.
About the Touro College and University System
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 18,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has 29 branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill. are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: www.touro.edu/news.
