Promise Fund Gala Raises $1 Million for Scholarships
Glamour, celebrities and the legendary jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli lit up the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel at the 19th Annual Promise Fund Scholarship Dinner, which raised more than $1 million of scholarship support.
“Because of all of you here tonight, Poly will be at the center of education, research and invention shaping the 21st century,” declared President Jerry M. Hultin. “Promise scholars will lead lives as creators, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs. As PolyThinkers, they will make the 21st century a success for themselves, their families and the world.”
Hosted by Jodi Applegate, anchor/co-host of the Fox television show “Good Day New York,” the dinner honored Daniel Rose, chairman of Rose Associates, a preeminent New York-based real estate organization, who received an honorary Doctor of Engineering.
“Help for Polytechnic represents the most sophisticated form of enlightened self interest,” Rose told the more than 300 guests. “Our future economic well-being depends on our ability to create leadership in science, technology and engineering.”
Poly’s Distinguished Service Award for Science and Technology was presented to Elliot G. Sander, executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. David Pogue, personal technology columnist for The New York Times, was presented with the Technology Leadership Award and Applegate was honored with a Communication Leadership Award.
The Promise Fund has raised more than $18 million to support Polytechnic scholarships and the University’s pre-college out reach programs for inner-city youth since 1988. The dinner was held on June 14th.
