Giving Thanks
A former ACS Scholar pays it forward as a current ACS member
By Joyce DeFrancesco
A member of the Andrew Carnegie Society and former ACS Scholar, Matt Cushman is an entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience developing quantitative models for financial markets. The 1995 graduate of the Mellon College of Science, with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, has founded or launched several companies including Ajna Labs, a decentralized finance project; Etale, Inc., a cryptocurrency trading software firm; and Engineers Gate, a quantitative equity hedge fund. He also co-founded and is president of Village Garage Distillery, a small-batch craft distillery in his hometown of Bennington, Vermont.
While at CMU, Matt received a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, was named an ACS Scholar and met his wife, Jodi Levy (MCS 1995), something he calls “an absolute highlight” of his experience. Today, he, Jodi and their three children live in Armonk, New York, where you can find him running, reading and expanding his knowledge of math, science and philosophy. Matt explains why he makes it a priority to invest in today’s Tartans.
"If you don't have a few failures, you haven't tried enough stuff. Don't be so afraid to fail that you don't push yourself."
What did it mean to you to be an ACS Scholar?
I always felt that CMU challenges every student to develop and learn to their fullest potential. During my time as a student, I deeply appreciated that opportunity, and being recognized as an ACS Scholar meant to me that I really had pushed myself to my limits.
Why is supporting students through ACS important to you?
My passion was for mathematics, and CMU's math studies curriculum was unlike any other. The department has continued to innovate, and you can see that today with the performance of its current students. But every department offered enterprising students similar opportunities to excel. ACS reflects that culture of excellence.
Why would you recommend ACS membership to other alumni?
I can share what it means to me: An opportunity to say “thank you” for the education I was offered and more broadly for the experiences I had as part of the Carnegie Mellon University community. Plus, it's fun to read about all the cool things the current batch of ACS Scholars are doing!
What lesson did you learn at CMU that you still use today?
If you don't have a few failures, you haven't tried enough stuff. Don't be so afraid to fail that you don't push yourself.
