To the editors,

Zohran Mandami’s ’14 ascension to become mayor of New York City is an extraordinary accomplishment.

He caught the imagination of the voters, capturing their hopes and addressing their fears around affordability to win. Bowdoin has had a long history of producing leaders from Chamberlain to Samuelson to Hastings, and Mr. Mamdani is a leader.

Since he received nearly 50.4 percent of the vote, just under 50 percent of New Yorker voters did not vote for him and do not share his vision for his policies. Therefore, he will need to apply the best things a Bowdoin education offers—civility, humility, curiosity and community—to forge a path of purpose and possibility as he leads. I will be rooting for his success.

Andrew Wheeler

Andrew Wheeler is a member of the Class of 1993.