News & Events
2005 Best of New York Award Dinner
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, center, with, from left, dinner chair Michael Lomonaco, City Tech Foundation Executive Director Jewel Trowers Escobar, prominent restaurateur Angelo Vivolo and foundation chair Martin Jaffe
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The New York City College of Technology Foundation hosted its Best of New York Award Dinner 2005 on May 9 at the Hilton New York in Manhattan. The theme of this year’s dinner was “New York at Your Service” and the honorees included Jerome Belson, president, Associated Builders & Owners of Greater New York, Mindy Gale, president, Gale Group Advertising/Public Relations, Turner Construction Company and Health Plus.
The 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award went to Michael Romano ‘75, executive chef/partner at Union Square Café, New York City’s number one most popular restaurant (1997 to 2002 and again in 2004), according to the New York City Zagat Survey. Celebrity restaurateur and business partner Danny Meyer presented the award to Romano.
This year’s dinner was chaired by celebrity chef Michael Lomonaco ‘84,
chef/director at Gaustavino’s and co-host of the Travel Channel’s
popular food show “Epicurious.” Award-winning CBS news correspondent
Harold Dow served as Master of Ceremonies.
Prominent restaurateur Angelo Vivolo served as chair of the Dinner Journal
Committee.
Other speakers included City Tech President Russell K. Hotzler and Class of 2005 Valedictorian Nicole Caruso, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the College’s 11,800 degree program students to the nearly 400 corporate and community leaders and other guests in attendance, including Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes. Guest presenters included CUNY Vice Chancellor for University Relations Jay Hershenson, Williams Construction Company Chief Financial Officer Dolly Williams, City Tech Foundation Vice Chair Lorraine Beitler and City Tech Alumni Association President Yvonne Riley-Tepie.
Established in 1982, Best of New York Award Dinner proceeds help fund foundation-sponsored scholarships and other student financial assistance programs and make it possible for City Tech students to participate in local, national and international curriculum-related conferences and competitions.
“This year’s dinner was our most successful ever,” said foundation Executive Director Jewel Trowers Escobar, “in terms of both the number of people attending and the income generated for student assistance programs. The 2006 dinner will mark the foundation’s 25th anniversary and we’re planning a spectacular event.”
