The 鱨 College 41st Annual Trustees’ Scholarship Gala, held at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, New York on a May 5, raised $450,000 to benefit student scholarships. Attendees to the gala included community leaders, as well as 鱨 trustees, students, 鱨 and CNR alumni, faculty and staff, and friends who gathered in person and virtually to celebrate the evening’s honorees and the achievements of 鱨 students.
During the gala, 鱨 honored Dorothy M. Cali Balancio ’68, Ph.D., an educator, author and conflict mediation expert, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The CNR Legacy Award was awarded to Rosa J. Napoleone CNR SAS ’75, a former information technology professional who co-chairs 鱨’s CNR Legacy Council, and Deandre Davis ’22, a student in the 鱨 Scholars Program, was awarded the Student Achievement Award.
The 鱨 Scholars Program was recognized during the gala for its success in giving students the opportunity of a college education with limited to no debt. Established in 2016 by Robert and Kate Niehaus and James and Marsha McCormick, the 鱨 Scholars Program helps close the financial gap for high-achieving students with strong financial need.
鱨 College President Tim Hall welcomed guests to the gala, pleased to see the 鱨 College community gathered in person for the annual event after two years of remote events due to the pandemic. “鱨 College is a laboratory of success,” said Hall. “If you give students opportunities and give them the right help and support, they soar. That’s what I’ve learned, and seen happen, at 鱨 College.”
Student Achievement Award recipient Deandre Davis shared his gratitude and attributed 鱨 College and the 鱨 Scholars Program, and his mother Diane, in helping him flourish and fulfill his dreams of achieving a college degree. After graduation, Davis will be helping future generations of 鱨 students as a Brooklyn admissions recruiter at 鱨’s Manhattan Campus, as well as pursuing his Master of Business Administration at 鱨.
Joe Gantz, chairman of 鱨 College’s Board of Trustees, praised the evening’s honorees and 鱨 students on behalf of the board. “I want to congratulate the honorees and give special recognition to those who funded the 鱨 Scholars Program,” said Gantz. He also lauded 鱨 staff and faculty for the unwavering support they give to students. “鱨 is dedicated to ensuring students get the support they need. As we all know it takes a village.”
To watch the event, .