NYU-Poly Gala to Raise Funds for Higher Education Scholarships

NEW YORK, March 27, 2013 – The Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) will honor three remarkable leaders of industry and education during its annual i²e Gala, on April 17, 2013 in Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan.  The event will recognize Ursula Burns, chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation; Jerry M. Hultin, NYU-Poly president on sabbatical; and Arthur Martinez, retired chairman and CEO of Sears Roebuck & Co.

President Bill Clinton will pay a video tribute to their contributions to education.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit NYU-Poly’s Promise Scholarship Fund, which has raised millions of dollars in the 24 years since its inception and helped over 8,000 of the brightest students fulfill their dreams of earning a college degree at NYU-Poly.

Most Promise Scholars are from groups traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education; many are the children of immigrants and the first in their families to attend college. All recipients demonstrate extraordinary promise.  Promise Fund scholarships bring some of the country’s brightest aspiring inventors to NYU-Poly. Last year’s inaugural gala raised more than $600,000 for the fund.

“NYU-Poly has a long tradition of educating innovative thinkers from all walks of life,” said Katepalli Sreenivasan, acting president and provost of NYU-Poly. “All three of our honorees have contributed greatly to our tradition. This gala will remind our students that – like Ursula Burns and Arthur Martinez, who once studied here, and Jerry Hultin who led the institution for the last seven years – leadership is within their reach, and that true leaders use their roles to inspire and help others.”

DATE:  Wednesday, April 17, 20113 
TIME:  6 p.m. Reception, Dinner and Program
LOCATION:  Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal
TICKETS:  Nick Masciotti, nmasciotti@projectsplusinc.com or (212) 997-0100 x230

Burns, who earned her undergraduate degree from the Institute in 1980 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2005, will receive the i²e Leadership Award, recognizing her inspired work in business as well as her deep commitment to STEM education. The acronym i²e refers to invention, innovation and entrepreneurship – guiding principles of NYU-Poly that Hultin set in place after assuming its presidency in 2005. He will receive the i²e Innovation and Impact Award for his contributions to strengthening the academic and business foundation of NYU-Poly for the benefit of students, faculty and the economic health of New York. Martinez (’60, ’08 HON) will receive the i²e Vision Award, recognizing his outstanding insight in business and guidance of the NYU-Poly Board of Trustees.

NY1 reporter Tara Lynn Wagner will serve as the emcee for the evening.