130th Annual Alumni Dinner held at The New York Hilton,
October 28, 2010
| The 130th Annual Alumni Dinner was a great success. Over 400 people were in attendance. Honorees all gave brief, eloquent, moving and amusing responses to receiving the Townsend Harris Medal for Outstanding Post Graduate Achievement Award and the John H. Finley Award for service to New York City. Townsend Harris Medalists included: Patricia Black '65E, '67MSE, Irwin Zahn '48ME, Margaret Chin '75, Seymour Moskowitz '54ME, Dr. Edward Kravitz '54, Mark Clements '44 and Brock Peters '49 - (Posthumous). The John H. Finley Awardees were two legendary actors of stage and screen, whose illustrious careers have each spanned over 50 years - Eli Wallach, class of 1938MSE and Marian Seldes. Among the attendees were Emmy Award winning actor Richard Schiff (The West Wing) class of 1983, CCNY President Lisa Staiano-Coico and Benny the Beaver (the CCNY Mascot). Jon Paul DeLise, class of 1971, President of the Alumni Association, served as Master of Ceremonies. |
Scenes from the Annual Alumni Dinner
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| Standing (Left to Right):
Jon DeLise (AA President), Seymour Moskowitz '54ME, Dr. Edward Kravitz
'54, Patricia Black '65E, '67MSE, Margaret Chin '75, Irwin Zahn '48ME,
Mark Clements '54, Don Jordan (AA Executive VP) Seated (Left to Right): Anne Jackson, Eli Wallach '38MSE, Marian Seldes, CCNY President Dr. Lisa Staiano-Coico |
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| Student Scholarship Winners |
The packed ballroom of alumni, students, faculty and friends stand for "Lavender"
Message from CCNY President Lisa Staiano-Coico Many of you know the CUNY Board of Trustees voted in November to approve a 5% increase in tuition for the spring semester, in order to sustain the University in these unmistakably difficult economic times. Although our tuition remains low in comparison to other universities across the nation, even this modest increase represents a real hardship to many of our students – and I wanted to let you know that through a new program of grants and zero-interest loans, City College has committed itself to this principle: no CCNY student in good standing will have to leave school for the Spring 2011 semester because of an inability to meet the tuition differential.
I would not end the year on a sober note, however. The beating heart of this great institution – the community of faculty, staff, students and alumni – remains strong and we are excited about our future. We have worked together to build innovative opportunities for our students and faculty – like the newly endowed Kaylie Prize for Entrepreneurship that will provide an interdisciplinary team of students with financial support and housing while they work over the summer to turn their ideas into a successful business start-up… and the new City Seed Grants to faculty for the development of cross-disciplinary research and creative projects… and our new community scholarships for Harlem residents. I have only the space left to wish you all the happiest of holidays, and to tell you how much I look forward to seeing you on campus in the new year. We are all CCNY! |
ENGINEERING ALUMNI SEEK AWARD NOMINEESThe Engineering School Alumni seek nominations for the Career Achievement Award, their highest honor for engineering and computer science alumni. To nominate an engineering graduate for outstanding achievements in business, government or education please send supporting documentation to: Alumni Association of CCNY The deadline for submissions is January 1, 2011 The Engineering School Alumni meeting and Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at the National Arts Club in New York City. |
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EDUCATION ALUMNI The CCNY Education Alumni Group held its first event of the 2010-2011 Academic Year and it was "HOT!" Close to 100 Alumni, students, faculty and friends attended the group's Forum "Hot Topics in Education: Tenure, Merit Pay and Teacher and Leader performance." Education Alumni President Dr. John W. Lee ('71 and '74) welcomed the attendees and Dean Doris Cintron gave greetings. A distinguished panel consisting of Dr. Betty Rosa (member of the NYS Board of Regents and Ed Alumni Board Member), Dr. Beverly Bryant, Director, NYCDOE Office of School Quality Review, Mr. Robert Reich, Council of Supervisors and Administrators, and Mr. George Young, Principal, PS46M (Ed Alumni Board Member) responded to various "provocative statement" related to the "hot topics" with CCNY's Dr. Joyce Coppin '58E (CCNY Ed Alumni Treasurer) moderating the conversation. Issues explored included whether teachers' names and their ratings re. their impact on student achievement should be made public; whether bonuses and other incentives are an appropriate and effective means of raising student outcomes; whether the business model is appropriate for schools; whether we have lost sight of the true purpose of education and schooling, and more. The panelists spoke with passion and conviction Members of the audience were invited to pose their own questions to panel members resulting in an engaging and important evening of professional dialogue on some very timely issues! All Education Alumni mark your calendar for the Annual Awards Dinner (in the past the group had luncheons) at The National Arts Club on Wednesday, May 4. At the dinner, we will present awards to a Teacher and Administrator at the elementary, middle school and high school levels who graduate from CCNY. If you would like to nominate alumns for any of these awards, click here for the nomination forms.
Panel Standing: Dr. John Lee, Doris Cintron; Seated: George Young, Dr. Joyce Coppin, Dr. Beverly Folkes-Bryant, Robert Reich, Dr. Betty Rosa |
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AVA updates The Alumni Varsity Association seeks nominations for consideration for election to the City College Athletic Hall of Fame. In order to be considered, a nominee must have established a documentable record of excellence and outstanding competitive results while competing as a member of one of the College's intercollegiate athletic teams. Merely being a team member and letter winner will not be sufficient for consideration. Candidates are eligible only after after at least 5 years from the date of their last competition representing the College. Athletic achievement after one's collegiate career will also be considered, but only with adequate documentation. Nominations should contain as much documentation (stats, newspaper clippings, awards, etc.) as possible becuase we have limited research ability. All nominations submitted will receive a prompt response. Click here for the Nomination Form The AVA Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on May 20, 2011 at The National Arts Club. |
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CCNY's Department of Theatre & Speech Our Alumni Association is working closely with CCNY's Department of Theatre & Speech, headed by Professor Eugene Nesmith, Chair, to promote and support productions featuring their students working with theatre professionals. The aim is to mount works that reflect the values, aspirations and conditions of diverse peoples all over the world. The first production of the Winter Season is Passing Strange and is directed by Alfred Preisser. The show was presented at Aaron Davis Hall, Theatre B on 12/2. This is a hilarious story of a young, black bohemian who charts a course for "the real" through sex, drugs and rock and roll. It is loaded with passion and soulful lyrics. For further information about upcoming events, call 212-650-6666. |
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NEW ALUMNI CHAPTER IN CONNECTICUT Don Jordan, Executive Vice President, and Tom D'Andrea, Office Manager, met with a wonderful group of Alumni to begin the process of starting an Alumni Chapter in Connecticut. Stanley Cohen was elected the President by the group at the initial meeting. The Chapter intends to have social gatherings for alumni in the area and trips to New York City including an afternoon trip to The City College. If you are interested in serving on the Planning Board or just interested in being part of the chapter mailings, you can contact Stan Cohen directly at 860-870-2511.
CCNY TO COMPETE IN U.S. ENERGY DEPARTMENT'S 2011 SOLAR DECATHLON A team from the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture and the Grove School of Engineering at CCNY has been chosen as one of 20 finalists in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon for 2011. As Team New York, the CCNY students will compete against colleges and universities from the United States, Belgium, Canada, China and New Zealand to design, build and operate the most affordable, attractive, effective and energy-efficient solar-powered house.
The 1,000 square foot CCNY prototype, called a Solar Roof Pod, is designed with existing urban structures in mind. It will take advantage of the rooftops of buildings in New York and other large cities, which are generally underutilized, but can provide beneficial access to solar radiation, wind, water and roof-top greenery. As an add-on to these rooftops, the Roof Pod would enable urban dwellers to experience what it is like to live more sustainably. A fundraising effort is currently underway to finance the design and construction. To make contributions, please contact Rosemary Weiss, Executive Director of Development at 212-650-7178212-650-7178 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting or rweiss@ccny.cuny.edu. NOBEL LAUREATE MARIO VARGAS LLOSA CONFERRED HONORARY DOCTORATE AT CCNY Mario Vargas Llosa, the 2010 Nobel Laureate in Literature, delivered The City College of New York's President's Lecture on November 18, 2010. Prior to his address, CCNY President Lisa Staiano-Coico bestowed upon him the honorary degree Doctor of Letters.
Mr. Vargas Llosa's topic was on "Return of the Monsters." His lecture comes two weeks after the launch of his latest novel, "El sueño del celta" ("The Celtic's Dream"). In all, Mr. Vargas Llosa has authored more than two-dozen works of fiction and nonfiction. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages including Greek, Hebrew, Arabic and Malayan. He also has
had a prolific career as a journalist, essayist, critic and teacher.
Currently lecturing at Princeton University, he has taught at numerous
institutions over the last 40 years as a visiting professor. They
include King's College of the University of London, the University of
Cambridge, Columbia University, Harvard University, Georgetown
University, Washington State University and Universidad de Puerto Rico. 12th Annual Spring Fling Memphis
From
the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot
Broadway musical that burst off the stage with explosive dancing,
irresistible fun and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love
inspired by actual events. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including
Best Musical, MEMPHIS features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro and a
Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member
David Bryan. Get ready to experience Broadway's most exciting new
destination....MEMPHIS! We'll
meet at Dallas BBQ for a pre-show dinner at 6:00 pm and walk a few
blocks to the Shubert Theater for an 8:00 performance. Light
refreshments will be served. For the First Time Ever - Cabaret Night at CCNY
Noted
performer and producer, Mark York, President of the Ziegfeld Society,
will be presenting a cabaret performance entitled, "Glorifying the
American Showgirl" at CCNY, Shepard Hall room 250. Always featuring a
professional cast, the Ziegfeld Society mission is to preserve musical
theatre history through performances and education. Supper will be
served. Join us for this stellar entertainment as your Alumni
Association presents its first CABARET NIGHT! All day Chocolate Tour
Spend
a full day exploring New York's great chocolate secrets with famed
radio show tour guide Art Zuckerman. You'll learn about the many
neighborhoods of New York and the secrets of great chocolate! Travel by
CCNY bus to Chelsea, Greenwich Village, East Village, Soho and more.
You'll sample many varieties of chocolates along the way, including
amazing chocolate crepes, Italian chocolate pastry, hot chocolate and
other chocolate beverages. Tour led by famed radio host Art Zuckerman.
Spider-Man
Turn Off the Dark spins a new take on the mythic tale of Peter Parker ,
a teenager whose unremarkable life in Queens is turned upside-down when
he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next
morning clinging to the ceiling . Spider-man brings you a score of 16
brand-new songs by 22 time Grammy-winning superstar Bono & the Edge
of U2 and unimaginable stage craft, aerials, stunts and designs created
by an international team of artists from Broadway, Cirque du Soleil, the
Beijing Olympics and the Spider-Man films. Directed by Tony Award
Winning director of "The Lion King" Julie Taymor. We'll meet at Rosie
O'Grady's for a pre-show dinner at 6:00 pm and walk a few blocks to the
Foxwood Theater for an 8:00 performance.
Gracie
Mansion Tea Tours continue the tradition of Gracie's celebrated
hospitality and provide a unique opportunity to learn about the rich
history of the House, and experience first- hand the charm of one of our
City's most treasured landmarks. A selection of homemade tea sandwiches
and home-baked teacakes and scones are served, prepared moments before
your arrival by Gracie Mansion's kitchen. All are accompanied by the
distinctive Archibald Gracie Blend Tea.
Learn
and experience the greatest sports city in the world during a full day
adventure full of unknown stories of America's greatest athletes, while
traveling on a CCNY bus. Visit the Track and Field Museum and Hall of
Fame and meet famous boxing commentator Burt Sugar over lunch at a
famous sports restaurant. Burt will talk about his 30 years with the
greatest champions from Mohammed Ali to Mike Tyson to Sugar Ray Leonard
and many more. You'll also climb into the ring of Gleason's gym where
"Million Dollar Baby" was filmed and is the training facility of some of
the world's greatest boxers.
Spend
the evening touring the New York Harbor on The Manhattan, which was
christened by Walter Cronkite in 2007. You'll experience wine tasting
and lecture as you travel around the Island of Manhattan on an 80 foot
schooner for three hours and see New York from its most magnificent
views. You'll sample wines from far off places and learn the correct
ways to appreciate good wine. This unique tour will also include snacks
and finger foods. Tour led by famed radio host Art Zuckerman.
Don Jordan
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