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April 29, 2009
President’s Medal Gala Raises More Than $660,000
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CONTACTS:
Manny Romero, Director of Communications and Publications,
(212) 517-0451, mromero@mmm.edu
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Gala Chair Marilyn Simons, President's Medal Honoree Rabbi Philip Hiat, MMC President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D., and Gala Chair Jim Simons. CLICK HERE to view the photo gallery.
| (New York, NY) Marymount Manhattan College presented the 2009 President’s Medal to Rabbi Philip Hiat, religious advisor, friend to the College and Scholar-in-Residence at Central Synagogue in New York City. The presentation was made April 27, during the College’s annual fundraising gala at The Boathouse in Central Park.
More than 240 people participated. Trustees, friends, alumni, parents, faculty and staff contributed more than $660,000 to the College and This is the Day, the campaign for Marymount Manhattan.
In an e-mail to the MMC Community, President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D. stated: “This is an extraordinary sum, more than double the average raised by this event, and a real vote of confidence in the College and its Mission at a time when philanthropy is understandably in decline almost everywhere. I am so very happy to say that all the proceeds from the Gala will be used for student financial aid, which as I’ve indicated elsewhere will increase by 13% next year.”
The event’s Master of Ceremonies was NBC News Correspondent Peter Alexander, who introduced the evening’s speakers that included Board Chair Anne C. Flannery, Esq. ’73; Gala Chairs Marilyn and Jim Simons; Student Speakers Kadi Edenfield ’09 and Matt Mancuso ’09. In addition, Diana Zambrotta ’09 and Melissa Benoist ’11 and Nathan Atkinson ’07 performed a selection of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein.
“Rabbi Hiat was a most worthy honoree,” said President Shaver. “As gracious and humble as he is distinguished, he accepted the President’s Medal in a speech that had people dabbing their eyes.”
During his acceptance speech, Rabbi Hiat expressed his heartfelt appreciation to his family, friends and Marymount Manhattan College. As a token of his regard, Rabbi Hiat presented two historic scrolls - one to the College and one to the Gala Chairs Marilyn and Jim Simons. Both scrolls are from The Ramah Synagogue in Krakow, Poland.
The large version of the scroll was presented to Baylor University in Texas. The smaller scrolls were commissioned for special family events. They were in two parts: One part notes the beginning with the end of the Sixth Day of Creation, and the second part notes the Book of Exodus and Leviticus.
Established in 1984, the President’s Medal Gala recognizes outstanding individuals who have distinguished themselves through service to their professions and communities. Throughout his career Rabbi Hiat has worked with community and multi-faith organizations, which includes serving as co-editor of A Visual Testimony: Judaica from the Vatican Library and working as an Executive Consultant for the CBS Television for Religious Broadcasting and serving as Executive Vice President of the Synagogue Council of America.
Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse population by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.
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