On Monday, May 5, more than 800 people gathered at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City for Columbia Business School’s 38th Annual Dinner. The event brought together alumni, faculty members, students and friends of the school to generate critical support for the institution. During the event, a whopping $3.2 million was raised for financial aid, faculty research and entrepreneurial outreach.
A record 60 new donors contributed to 11 percent of the total money raised at the dinner. Consistent with last year’s dinner, 173 gifts were made in total. In total, there were 120 students representing the full-time MBA, EMBA, and EMBA-Global programs in attendance, as well as more than 40 alumni club leaders from 30 regional alumni clubs, representing 13 countries and two affinity clubs.
The donations were not the only thing being celebrated at the gala event as a few awards were handed out. Leon Cooperman ’67, chairman and CEO of Omega Advisors, Inc., and a member of the School’s Board of Overseers, was recognized with the Distinguished Leadership in Business Award. In addition, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was presented with the Distinguished Leadership in Government Award.
“The extraordinary success of this year’s Annual Dinner is a result of the generosity of alumni, faculty members, students, staff, and friends,” said Dean Glenn Hubbard during remarks to dinner attendees. “Together, you represent what it means to be at the center of business, and for your incredible generosity, you have my sincere thanks.”