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City Tech Salutes Six at 60th Anniversary Best of New York Award Dinner
New York City College of Technology honored Frank Crystal & Company Chairman James W. Crystal and New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. at its 2007 Best of New York Award Dinner at the Hilton New York on May 14. Special awards went to international food consultant Anna Nurse and City Tech alumnus and U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing Director Larry R. Felix ’80. City Tech President Russell K. Hotzler praised former Governor Thomas E. Dewey and Brooklyn’s A. I. Namm & Son Department Store owner Benjamin H. Namm in a special 60th anniversary salute to the College’s founders.
The evening began with a Guest of Honor Reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. Nearly 300 business, industry, community and union leaders, public officials, City Tech alumni, students and faculty, and other guests attended. Amalgamated Bank President & CEO Derrick D. Cephas served as honorary dinner chair, with Porter House New York Executive Chef/Managing Partner Michael Lomonaco ’84, also a City Tech graduate, serving as dinner chair and master of ceremonies.
James W. Crystal
James W. Crystal is chairman and chief executive officer of Frank Crystal & Company, Inc., one of the largest privately owned insurance brokerages in the United States. The firm was founded in 1933 and today, under Mr. Crystal's leadership, ranks among the top five percent of insurance brokerage firms worldwide, serving more than 9,500 clients from its corporate headquarter in New York and offices around the country.
Hon. William C. Thompson, Jr.
Hon. William C. Thompson, Jr., has served as New York City Comptroller since January 2002. As Comptroller, he has uncovered more than $172 million in savings, and the money collected for damage done to City property has risen dramatically. His Community Action Center has made positive differences in the lives of more than 40,000 New Yorkers having problems with City services.
Anna Nurse
Anna Nurse is an internationally recognized food consultant, James Beard Foundation advisory board member, founding member of the New York Association of Culinary Teachers, a frequent guest on top television and radio food shows, and a long-time supporter of City Tech’s hospitality management program. Few individuals have made as large a mark on the lives and educational experience of as many City Tech students as has the legendary Anna Nurse. Nurse was recipient of the College’s 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Larry R. Felix ‘80
2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient Larry R. Felix ‘80 was named Director of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing in January 2006. He credits City Tech with providing him an invaluable broad-based education and a keen interest in technology that has served him well at the Bureau, particularly in his supervision of enhancements in anti-counterfeiting techniques. He has traveled extensively as the government’s expert on conflict deterrence and the application of digital deterrence to protect the integrity of printed security documents.
Governor Thomas E. Dewey & Major Benjamin H. Namm
The dinner featured a special salute to former Governor Thomas E. Dewey and Brooklyn’s A. I. Namm & Son Department Store owner Major Benjamin H. Namm. It was their vision and commitment to the rapidly growing importance of higher education at dawn of the Age of Technology that led to the establishment of the College in 1946.
Originally chartered to operate for only five years, City Tech has endured and prospered, growing form 234 student on the first day of classes in 1947 to more than 28,000 students today in its degree and continuing education programs. Its longevity and growth are due in large measure to Dewey and Namm. On hand to acknowledge the tribute paid their fathers, were Thomas E. Dewey, Jr., managing trustee of the Thomas E. Dewey Fund, and Andrew I. Namm, president of the Namm Family Foundation and chairman emeritus of the City Tech Foundation.
Best of New York Award Dinner
Established in 1982, the Best of New York Award Dinner is hosted by the City Tech Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation chartered in 1981 to support the College in meeting its educational mission. Proceeds from the annual dinner help fund foundation-sponsored scholarships and other student financial assistance and professional development programs. Foundation Chair Martin Jaffe ’65 addressed the gathering and introduced a video presentation tracing the College’s 60-year history. Advertising design student Evelyn Santana produced biographical videos that served as background during the presentation of the 2007 awards
06/27/07
