RCDS Honors Phi Beta Kappa Alexander Hovnanian ’04

An inspiring display outside Head of School Carson Smith’s office celebrates Rumson Country Day School graduates who have achieved academic excellence and earned induction into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious honor society. Each year, RCDS recognizes these accomplished alumni by selecting one to honor on the Tuesday following President’s Day, marking the occasion with a commemorative day off.

This year’s honoree, Alexander Hovnanian ’04, embodies the spirit of creativity, courage and adaptability. His journey after RCDS reflects the importance of embracing uncertainty and ultimately, finding fulfillment in unexpected places.

After attending RCDS from Nursery through eighth grade, Alexander continued his education at The Dalton School in New York City. Afterward, he began his collegiate journey at the University of Pennsylvania, where he double-majored in philosophy and sculpture. Drawn to craftsmanship and artistry, he envisioned a future as a potter and even apprenticed with a sculptor in Japan. However, the experience, though valuable, led him to an unexpected realization—it wasn’t the life he wanted. “I needed to pursue what I thought was my dream,” he recalled. “And then, when I actually did it, I realized it wasn’t what I thought. Quite honestly, I felt adrift.”

After several years devoted to ceramics, Alexander found himself at a crossroads. He joined K. Hovnanian Homes, a public homebuilding company founded by his grandfather, as a way to gain experience and explore new possibilities. He discovered a newfound appreciation for business and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. “I had imposter syndrome at first,” he admitted. “But I realized that I shouldn’t take that feeling so seriously. The things that you stress about day in and day out carry so much weight because you're afraid to look at them. When you actually shine a light on these things that are so terrifying, I found that you realize it's not that big of a deal.”

Today, Alexander is dedicated to transforming the homebuilding industry, focusing on supply chain efficiency and designing homes that are both beautiful and affordable. His passion stems from a pivotal realization: rather than rejecting the industry’s status quo, he could be the one to change it. “At first, I wasn’t interested because the homes being built didn’t inspire me,” he explained. “But then I had this epiphany—if I don’t like the way homes are being built, I have the opportunity to make them better. That paradigm shift, just reframing it, has sparked something in me that, still today, gets me pumped.”

Looking back, Alexander credits RCDS for instilling in him a love of hands-on creativity and providing a safe environment where he could take risks and explore new ideas. He fondly remembers his woodshop experience and the impact of his science teacher, Mr. Garside, who made complex concepts accessible and engaging.

Alexander’s journey is a testament to the idea that success isn’t about following a predetermined path. “Follow your curiosity and be open to where it leads you,” he advises. “I pursued my passions in college rather than a more traditionally practical path like economics. Because I loved what I studied, I was able to get better grades than my classmates who majored in things they didn’t enjoy— If it’s a chore you won’t be as successful and every class will feel like torture. — Those grades enabled me to get into a school like Harvard where I was able to learn more practical skills to round out my education. Today I use lessons from all of my degrees in ways I never could have imagined.”

As Alexander Hovnanian joins the distinguished ranks of RCDS Phi Beta Kappa honorees, his story serves as an inspiration for current Gators: pursue your passion, trust your instincts, and never be afraid to redefine your path.