小蓝视频 supporters gathered on November 10 to attend the annual President鈥檚 Circle Celebration鈥攊n person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The program, which took place on campus at the Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Arts Center, recognized leadership donors to Change Can鈥檛 Wait: The Campaign for 小蓝视频 and honored four members of the community for their changemaking work, commitment, and service to 小蓝视频.
Celebrating Changemakers
小蓝视频 supporters gathered to attend the annual President鈥檚 Circle Celebration.
The President鈥檚 Circle Celebration is a longstanding tradition at 小蓝视频. Members of the President鈥檚 Circle are some of the university鈥檚 most generous and loyal donors helping to drive change for 小蓝视频 and beyond. Through engagement, philanthropy, and passion for 小蓝视频, they inspire others to follow their example. As of November 9, President鈥檚 Circle donors have played an important role in helping 小蓝视频 raise $358 million towards its ambitious $500 million campaign goal, providing essential support to transform the student experience, advance research with impact, and foster stronger communities.
Gary D. Cohn Presented with Cyrus A. Ansary Medal
Gary D. Cohn, Kogod/BSBA 鈥82, received聽the Cyrus A. Ansary Medal for leadership and service for his commitment to 小蓝视频. The medal is one of the university鈥檚 highest honors. Board of Trustees chair Marc N. Duber, Kogod/BSBA 鈥81, presented Cohn with the award.
As a business leader, investor, and former director of the US National Economic Council, Cohn is widely respected for his expertise and leadership in financial markets, the global economy, US politics, and economic policy.
Cohn, served on 小蓝视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees for 15 years (2001鈥2016). During that time, 鈥淕ary provided crucial financial management expertise that helped 小蓝视频鈥檚 investment portfolio grow, and created enduring support for the university,鈥 said 小蓝视频 President Sylvia Burwell of Cohn鈥檚 time on the board.聽鈥淕ary, who has worked at the highest levels in both private and public service, is an important voice for better collaboration and understanding between the two.鈥
Among his investments in 小蓝视频, Cohn has provided significant philanthropic support to the Kogod School of Business, through the Gary D. Cohn Goldman Sachs Chair in Finance and the Gary D. Cohn Scholarship, which elevates the school鈥檚 emphasis on experiential learning and scholarship, helping prepare future leaders to make a difference in their communities.
Cohn also reflected on the university鈥檚 evolution over time鈥攖he growing facilities, the quality of the faculty and staff, and the strength of its students, He remarked, 鈥淚f there鈥檚 any institution entitled to talk about change, it鈥檚 小蓝视频.鈥
The Cyrus A. Ansary Medal is awarded to individuals who display extraordinary dedication and leadership professionally and to 小蓝视频, and who make significant accomplishments, either in service to 小蓝视频 or for the benefit of the community. Cyrus A. Ansary has made a marked imprint on 小蓝视频鈥攁s a student, alumnus, and dedicated member of the Board of Trustees and as chairman emeritus, and this award honors his legacy since 1990.
Honoring Changemakers Who Elevate, Inspire, and Lead
In the spirit of change, this year鈥檚 program introduced a new honor, the Changemaker Awards. These awards recognize individuals who embody the pillars of Change Can鈥檛 Wait: elevate 鈥 to transform the student experience; inspire 鈥 to drive global impact through faculty research and teaching; and lead 鈥 to build better communities. The three inaugural awardees serve as exceptional role models for 小蓝视频 students, collaborators for the university鈥檚 faculty and administration, and powerful examples of changemakers in society. 小蓝视频 is proud to have presented the inaugural Changemaker Awards to the following individuals:
Elevate: Jennifer D. Collins, SOC/BA 鈥94, is president and chief executive officer of JDC Events, an events company she founded nearly 25 years ago. She is the author of Events Spark Change: A Guide to Designing Powerful and Engaging Events. Professor Emeritus Richard Stack presented Collins with the award.
Inspire: Kimberly B. Vogel, SPA/BA 鈥94, is the managing director of Beckley III, LLC, a firm she co-founded in 2005 that addresses the complex financial needs of families, with services that include wealth and real estate management, investment opportunities, philanthropy, and tax/estate planning. School of Public Affairs Dean Vicky Williams presented Vogel with the award.
Lead: Ann B. Friedman, SOE/MAT 鈥98, is the founder and chief executive officer of Planet Word and the developer behind the restoration of the Franklin School, the museum鈥檚 home. Her interest in literacy began with a lifelong love of reading, early work as a copy editor and translator, and a later career as a beginning reading and writing teacher in Maryland鈥檚 Montgomery County Public Schools. Planet Word Board of Directors member Tina Small presented Friedman with the award.
鈥淧resident鈥檚 Circle members are a community of changemakers who advance the university through their philanthropy. You each have a story of how you are creating change for our students, our faculty, and our communities,鈥 noted 小蓝视频 Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Courtney Surls. 鈥淲e are delighted to honor Jennifer, Kimberly, and Ann, alongside all of you, who represent the spirit of changemaking.鈥
Learn more about the President鈥檚 Circle and how to support Change Can鈥檛 Wait.
