Municipal Art Society of New York To Honor Dr. Judith Rodin, President, And David Rockefeller, Jr., Board Chair, The Rockefeller Foundation, At Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal Gala

NEW YORK, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Vin Cipolla, president of The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS), today announced that the 2013 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal Gala will honor Dr. Judith Rodin, President, and David Rockefeller, Jr., Board Chair, The Rockefeller Foundation, on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of its founding, for its outstanding contributions to New York City, and in recognition of its steadfast support of global and local innovations that address environmental, health, economic and urban challenges.

The annual fundraising event will take place on June 13^th in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal during its own centennial year.  It will bring together hundreds of civic-minded and charitable New Yorkers to honor The Foundation and to raise funds to support MAS in its mission to advocate for urban planning, preservation and design that makes New York more livable and resilient.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal, MAS's highest honor, is presented annually to an individual or institution whose work or deeds have made an outstanding contribution to New York City. The medal, launched in 1950, was renamed in 1994 to commemorate Mrs. Onassis's efforts to champion and preserve New York's great architectural treasures.

Cipolla said, "For 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation has served as one of the world's most influential philanthropic organizations.  From funding the development of pioneering medical advances to leading the international dialogue on urbanization and recognizing progressive civil-society leaders who are affecting positive, lasting change in cities around the world, The Rockefeller Foundation has served as a catalytic force for good for a century. Judith Rodin and David Rockefeller, Jr. are true visionaries.  We are humbled to honor them with MAS's highest award.

"It is fitting," Cipolla continued, "that we celebrate and honor The Foundation's centennial year in Grand Central Terminal – one of the world's greatest public spaces – also celebrating its 100th anniversary." Cipolla also noted that this revered New York Landmark was saved from destruction as a direct result of the combined efforts of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, MAS and others.

As president of The Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Rodin has recalibrated its focus to meet the challenges of the 21^st century.  Today, under her leadership, The Foundation supports and shapes innovations that strengthen resilience to risk, and ensures more equitable growth around the world. The Foundation accomplishes these goals through initiatives that address climate change in poor communities, strengthen global health systems, catalyze the field of impact investing, mobilize an agricultural revolution in Africa and shape smart, sustainable transportation policies in the United States. Dr. Rodin previously served as president of the University of Pennsylvania and provost of Yale University.

A member of The Rockefeller Foundation board of trustees since 2006, David Rockefeller, Jr. has served as its board chair since December 2010. Mr. Rockefeller is a director and former chairman of Rockefeller & Co. and has been an active participant in the nonprofit arena, especially in the areas of environment, arts and public education. He is a Founder and the Chairman of Sailors for the Sea, an educational non-profit organization committed to engaging the boating community in the worldwide protection of the oceans. In his former post as Citizen Chairman of the National Park Foundation, he reported directly to the Secretary of the Interior. He is the former chair of the North American Nominating Committee for the Praemium Imperiale, the Japanese prize for outstanding international achievement in the arts. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, he is also a trustee of the Museum of Modern Art, the Asian Cultural Council, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

John D. Rockefeller, Sr. established The Rockefeller Foundation in 1913 to promote the well-being of humanity around the world. For the past 100 years The Rockefeller Foundation has addressed the emerging challenges facing humankind through a legacy of innovation, intervention and influence to shape agendas and inform decision making.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis medal from such an esteemed organization as the Municipal Art Society," said Judith Rodin. "For one hundred years The Rockefeller Foundation has been deeply engaged in the city in which we were founded. We are proud of our many collaborations with the Municipal Art Society to build resilience and make New York a better place for all its residents, particularly the poor or vulnerable."

"When my great-grandfather founded The Rockefeller Foundation he sought to address problems at their root cause," said David Rockefeller, Jr. "We continue that approach today in service of the well-being of humanity. I am proud of, and deeply appreciate, this recognition from the Municipal Art Society who have their own impressive record of improving the lives of New Yorkers and the great city in which we live."

Previous recipients of MAS's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal include philanthropists Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney, Agnes Gund, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman, Peter L. Malkin, Wade F.B. Thompson and Janet and Arthur Ross, preservationists Margot Gayle and Brendan Gill, fashion icon and urban advocate Diane von Furstenberg, and architects I. M. Pei, James Stewart Polshek and Robert A.M. Stern.

For information about the gala or to purchase tickets please contact the JFM Group at (212) 921-9070 ext. 13 or [email protected].

ABOUT THE MUNICIPAL ART SOCIETY OF NEW YORK: The Municipal Art Society is New York's leading organization dedicated to creating a more livable city. For 120 years, MAS—a nonprofit membership organization—has been committed to promoting New York City's economic vitality, cultural vibrancy, environmental sustainability and social diversity. Working to protect the best of New York's existing landscape, from landmarks and historic districts to public open spaces, MAS encourages visionary design, planning and architecture that promote resilience and the livability of New York. For more information, visit MAS.org.

SOURCE Municipal Art Society of New York