No, this isn’t an exercise to name as many geographic locations as you can think of in a minute; it’s a small sampling of the places Seth Levitin has visited in his 23 years, covering all six inhabited continents. In the past 12 months alone he’s been to seven countries. 

Despite his penchant for jet-setting, Seth made sure to set aside time to study. He was named the 2016 valedictorian of the Lander College for Men-Beis Medrash L’Talmud (LCM) and will address his fellow graduates at the 42nd commencement exercises of the Lander Colleges on May 30th at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center. Graduating with a 3.98 grade point average, Seth is the recipient of Touro’s Presidential Executive Scholarship as well as the Benjamin Strauss Athletic Scholarship, presented to Touro students who excel in academics, athletics and community service. The biology major also earned one of the highest scores in the country on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).

Seth’s passion for travel on a responsible budget drew the attention of his LCM classmates. Consequently, he founded the Personal Finance Club, in which he and his fellow students discussed the best practices for their financial interests, including investments, credit scores and the proper use of credit cards. This position was in addition to a stint as vice president of the Student Council, and a busy informal basketball schedule.

“Lander offered me many opportunities to take advantage of my different interests,” he said. “I’m grateful for that.”

On top of his heavy academic, travel, extra-curricular and beis medrash, schedule—Seth says that one of his top goals is continuing to grow in his Torah study—he spent many Shabbosim volunteering at a home for special needs individuals, eating and singing with them and tending to their needs. That experience helping people was one of many that led him down his chosen career path.

A native of Cleveland, Seth attended high school in Chicago, and is enrolled in Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine for the fall. Seth’s wife, Malka, is also a Columbia student, and just completed her second year at the law school.

Seth knew he wanted a career in the sciences since he was a young boy, and he used to watch from the hospital viewing room as his father, a radiologist, performed minimally invasive surgery. Seth plans to specialize in oral surgery, a profession that he says will allow him to work with the scientific aspects that fascinate him, and also live a meaningful life. 

“I considered going into business for a while, but the appeal for me was all in the corner office and the powerful lifestyle, and I knew that wouldn’t make me happy,” he said. “Dentistry offers me the chance to apply my skills, and also make a substantial difference in people’s lives.”

The Lander College for Men is an undergraduate division of Touro College, in service to the Jewish community. Established in the fall of 2000 and located in Queens, N.Y., the Lander College for Men is grounded in a dual curriculum of intensive Torah study and a wide range of academic programs, and students major in professionally oriented disciplines. Lander College for Men provides students with an environment that produces ethical, mature, and well-rounded professionals committed to scholarship and career growth. Dedicated to Touro’s mission of perpetuating the Jewish heritage, Lander College for Men prepares students to uphold the ideals of Torah and pursue positions of professional and communal leadership. 

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: http://www.touro.edu/news/.