A Fundraising Mission: Borough of Manhattan Community College's (BMCC) 24th Annual Gala Raises Money for Scholarships

NEW YORK, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- BMCC 24th Annual Gala, which benefits the BMCC Foundation Scholarship Fund, will be held at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at Pier 61. The event will feature a cocktail reception, Silent Auction, and formal dinner.

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The Gala's theme, "Focusing on the Future," reflects BMCC's scholars as well as the official opening of BMCC's newest building, Fiterman Hall, which will open its doors to students this fall.

The BMCC event co-chairs will be Publisher Emeritus of The Villager Elizabeth Butson, former chair of the BMCC Foundation Board; James McKenna, Chief Executive Officer, Hunter Roberts Construction Group, and Margery Thomas Mueller, President, Margery Thomas & Associates, Inc.

The Master of Ceremonies will be CBS National News Correspondent Jim Axelrod, author of the book In the Long Run: A Father, a Son and Unintentional Lessons in Happiness.

Honored guests will include Iris Weinshall, Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management at The City University of New York; Sheldon Silver, Speaker, New York State Assembly, and Matthew Goldstein, Chancellor of The City University of New York.

Additionally, Tim Tynan, Chair of the BMCC Foundation and Managing Director and Global Head of Citibank Business Services, will be on-hand to remind guests that every dollar raised at the Gala goes directly to scholarships for BMCC students.

The 24th Annual Gala will honor Miles and Shirley Fiterman & Family and Frank Sciame, Chairman and CEO, Sciame Construction.

In 1993, Miles and Shirley Fiterman donated the original Fiterman Hall building to BMCC. The building was irreparably damaged when World Trade 7 fell against it, during the attacks of 9/11. The new Fiterman Hall—a 14-story building designed by the architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and built by Hunter Roberts Construction Group—will house a world-class, fine arts gallery and public cafe, as well as approximately 80 Smart Classrooms and computer laboratories, offices, library spaces, music ensemble rooms and a rooftop conference center.

Honoree Frank Sciame, a CUNY graduate, established F. J. Sciame Construction Co., Inc. (Sciame) in 1975. In the years since, he has led the firm to its current position as one of the tri-state's leading construction management firms. In 2006, Frank was appointed by Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg to lead the effort to ensure a buildable World Trade Center Memorial. He is a great friend to the BMCC community.

Last year, the BMCC Gala raised more than $500,000 for the BMCC Foundation, which grants scholarships to high-achieving students. Additionally, the Silent Auction drew close to $14,000 in the sale of 65 donated items. The goal is to reach the a higher monetary amount for scholarships this year.

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) of the City University of New York (CUNY) enrolls over 24,000 degree-seeking and 10,000 Continuing Ed. students a year, awarding Associate Degrees in 31 fields.

Contact: Rachel Sokol
212-346-8501
[email protected]

SOURCE Borough of Manhattan Community College