President's Medal Gala Raises More Than $667,000

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 guests including parents of current students, trustees, the members of the Executive Council, College faculty and staff, and friends and family of our honoree�contributed more than $650,000 to the College and This is the Day, the Campaign for Marymount Manhattan.

(L-R) Gala Chair Marilyn Simons, President's Medal Honoree Rabbi Philip Hiat, President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D., and Gala Chair Jim Simons.

President's Medal Honoree Rabbi Philip Hiat, Trustee and Campaign Chair Judith M. Carson '03, and 2009 Gala Chair Jim Simons.

NBC News Correspondent Peter Alexander served at the Master of Ceremonies for the 2009 President's Medal Gala.

Sitting (L-R) Trustee Hope D. Knight '85, Master of Ceremonies and NBC News Correspondent Peter Alexander, President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D., Paige Shaver, and Steve Umlauf. Standing (L-R) Former Trustee Marsha Hewitt '67, Jennie Shaver, Nathan Shaver, Carl Hewitt and MMC Distinguished Professor Katie LeBesco, Ph.D.

Sitting (L-R) Lee Miller, Chris Falkenberg, Trustee Natasha Pearl, and Steve Weishoff. Standing (L-R) Linda Bourn, Sheri Sandler, Richard Stowe, William Hewitt, and Marla Schaefer.

Standing (L-R) Board Chair-Elect Lou Martarano, Dansby Evans, Christopher Mosley, Kevin Connell, M.F.A. Sitting (L-R) Sherry Brennan, Capel States, VP for Institutional Advancement Betty K. Heinig, and Kadi Edenfield '09.

Sitting (L-R) Penny Spangler, MMC Distinguished Professor Jason Rosenfeld, Ph.D., Alumni Relations Director Suzy Mulvihill, B.A., Director of Communications and Publications Manny Romero, M.A., Frank Harvey. Standing (L-R) Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs Marguerita Grecco, Ph.D., Arnold Spangler, John Modzelewski, Kathleen, Tara, and Campaign Director Jean Wilhelm, B.A.

Sitting (L-R) Trustee Mary Twomey Greason '86, Joseph Brogan, Lisa Knobel, Michael Greason and Frank Knobel. Standing (L-R) Richard Duchano, Mrs. Greason, Edward Greason, Cook Brogan '66 and Edward Greason Jr.

Melissa Benoist '11, Diana Zambrotta '09 and Nathan Atkinson '07 perform songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Sitting (L-R) Ursula Lowerre, Trustee Ronald Yoo, Trustee and Campaign Chair Judith M. Carson '03, and Hugo Beit. Standing (L-R) Trustee Paul C. Lowerre '81, Leslie Yoo, Jim Hartke, Mrs. Jim Hartke, Russell Carson, and Trustee Louise Beit.

Sitting (L-R) Elizabeth Buckman, Nancy Buckman, Maria DeInnocentiis, Paul Ciraulo B.A., and Patti Manzi. Standing (L-R) Trustee James Buckman, Joseph DeInnocentiis, Margaret Zeuschner, and Erwin Zeuschner.

MMC Students Kadi Edenfield '09, communication arts major, and Matt Mancuso '09, theatre major, share their appreciation for their experiences in Rabbi Hiat's classes.

Board Chair Anne C. Flannery, Esq. '73 accepts a scroll on behalf of the College that was presented by Gala Honoree Rabbi Philip Hiat.

Sitting (L-R): Filiks Frenkel, Mrs. Ronald Sobel, Rabbi Hiat, Ronald Sobel, Jeff Seward. Standing (L-R): Rabbi Eric Polokoff, Rita Sherman, Dr. Ellen Polokoff, Dr. and Mrs. Philip Miller.