Contacts:

Gloria Gottschalk, New School University
212-229-5667, ext. 239
[email protected]

Lauren Erlichman, New School University
212-229-5667, ext. 206
[email protected]

 

FELIX ROHATYN TO BE HONORED BY
NEW SCHOOL UNIVERSITY AT LAGUARDIA AWARD DINNER
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2002

Rebuilding New York City is Dinner’s Theme

GOVERNOR GEORGE PATAKI TO GIVE KEYNOTE ADDRESS

(New York, NY – November 2, 2001) – New School University will honor Felix Rohatyn, former U.S. Ambassador to France and former chairman of the Municipal Assistance Corporation, for his extraordinary career in public service and present him with the 2002 Fiorello H. LaGuardia Award on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at a benefit dinner at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers.

"We’re delighted to honor Felix Rohatyn for his years in public service and the diplomatic corps and for his leadership in the financial sector," remarked Bob Kerrey, President of New School University. "Felix was instrumental in rescuing NYC during the fiscal crisis of the 1970’s, and he continues to contribute enormously to the vitality of the city."

Kerrey added, "Given the extraordinary rebuilding challenge that faces our city today, his experience and insight will be a critical ingredient in the success of this undertaking. I truly believe he is a role model to students at New School University, which trains tomorrow’s leaders in public and urban policy, the arts and social sciences and I am pleased to honor him with this prestigious award."

New School University is committed to the task of rebuilding New York City in the aftermath of the World Trade Center tragedy. The LaGuardia Award Dinner will help fund scholarships for those affected by the tragedy. It will also support important University initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to rebuilding – through programs in urban renewal, community development and the improvement of the quality of life in New York City. Now more than ever, New School University can and will make a difference in these efforts.

Benefit Co-Chairmen for the benefit include Bob Kerrey, President of New School University, Pete Peterson, Chairman of The Blackstone Group, Brian Roberts, President of Comcast, Inc., and John L. Tishman, Chairman of Tishman Realty and Construction and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of New School University.

The evening will begin with cocktails at 6:30 PM followed by a dinner at 7:30 PM at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers at 811 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street in NYC. For information on the benefit, call New School University Special Events at 212/229-5662, ext. 250.

Felix Rohatyn served as the U.S. Ambassador to France under the Clinton Administration from 1997-2000. Prior to his appointment, he was Managing Director of the investment bank Lazard Freres and Company in New York, which he joined in 1948, becoming partner in 1961.

From 1975 to 1993, he was Chairman of the Municipal Assistance Corporation (MAC) of the City of New York, where he managed negotiations that enabled New York City to pull itself out of its financial crisis in the late 1970’s. He served as a member of the board of governors of the New York Stock Exchange from 1968 to 1972. He also served on the board of directors of several NYSE listed corporations.

Mr. Rohatyn received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1949 and also has been awarded honorary degrees from Adelphi, Bard, Hofstra, Long Island University, Middlebury, Fordham, NYU and Brandeis. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was Vice Chairman of Carnegie Hall and a member of many other non-profit organizations. He is a Commander in the French Legion of Honor.

Mr. Rohatyn is married to Elizabeth Fly Rohatyn and has three children. Mrs. Rohatyn was President of the New York Public Library. She has one daughter.

Named after Fiorello H. LaGuardia, who served as Mayor of New York City from 1934 - 1945, the award is presented to individuals who exemplify compassion, courage and determination, and who contribute significantly to the character and culture of New York City. Past recipients of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia Award have included Reuben and Arlene Mark, David Rockefeller, Henry Kravis, Arthur Levitt, Jr., Carl McCall, former Senator Patrick Moynihan, former Governor Mario Cuomo, former Mayors David N. Dinkins and Edward I. Koch.

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New School University, with 7,000 matriculated students and 25,000 continuing education students, is comprised of seven academic divisions: The New School, the Graduate Faculty of Political and Social Science, Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College, Mannes College of Music, the Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, and the Actors Studio Drama School, as well as the University's B.F.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Music. New School Online University offers one of the largest selections of online courses in the nation. For further information about admission to New School University, call 877-528-3321 or go to the Web site at www.newschool.edu