51³Ō¹Ļ supporters gathered on November 10 to attend the annual Presidentās Circle Celebrationāin person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The program, which took place on campus at the Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Arts Center, recognized leadership donors to Change Canāt Wait: The Campaign for 51³Ō¹Ļ and honored four members of the community for their changemaking work, commitment, and service to 51³Ō¹Ļ.
Celebrating Changemakers
51³Ō¹Ļ supporters gathered to attend the annual Presidentās Circle Celebration.
The Presidentās Circle Celebration is a longstanding tradition at 51³Ō¹Ļ. Members of the Presidentās Circle are some of the universityās most generous and loyal donors helping to drive change for 51³Ō¹Ļ and beyond. Through engagement, philanthropy, and passion for 51³Ō¹Ļ, they inspire others to follow their example. As of November 9, Presidentās Circle donors have played an important role in helping 51³Ō¹Ļ raise $358 million towards its ambitious $500 million campaign goal, providing essential support to transform the student experience, advance research with impact, and foster stronger communities.
Gary D. Cohn Presented with Cyrus A. Ansary Medal
Gary D. Cohn, Kogod/BSBA ā82, receivedĀ the Cyrus A. Ansary Medal for leadership and service for his commitment to 51³Ō¹Ļ. The medal is one of the universityās highest honors. Board of Trustees chair Marc N. Duber, Kogod/BSBA ā81, presented Cohn with the award.
As a business leader, investor, and former director of the US National Economic Council, Cohn is widely respected for his expertise and leadership in financial markets, the global economy, US politics, and economic policy.
Cohn, served on 51³Ō¹Ļās Board of Trustees for 15 years (2001ā2016). During that time, āGary provided crucial financial management expertise that helped 51³Ō¹Ļās investment portfolio grow, and created enduring support for the university,ā said 51³Ō¹Ļ President Sylvia Burwell of Cohnās time on the board.Ā āGary, who has worked at the highest levels in both private and public service, is an important voice for better collaboration and understanding between the two.ā
Among his investments in 51³Ō¹Ļ, Cohn has provided significant philanthropic support to the Kogod School of Business, through the Gary D. Cohn Goldman Sachs Chair in Finance and the Gary D. Cohn Scholarship, which elevates the schoolās emphasis on experiential learning and scholarship, helping prepare future leaders to make a difference in their communities.
Cohn also reflected on the universityās evolution over timeāthe growing facilities, the quality of the faculty and staff, and the strength of its students, He remarked, āIf thereās any institution entitled to talk about change, itās 51³Ō¹Ļ.ā
The Cyrus A. Ansary Medal is awarded to individuals who display extraordinary dedication and leadership professionally and to 51³Ō¹Ļ, and who make significant accomplishments, either in service to 51³Ō¹Ļ or for the benefit of the community. Cyrus A. Ansary has made a marked imprint on 51³Ō¹Ļāas a student, alumnus, and dedicated member of the Board of Trustees and as chairman emeritus, and this award honors his legacy since 1990.
Honoring Changemakers Who Elevate, Inspire, and Lead
In the spirit of change, this yearās program introduced a new honor, the Changemaker Awards. These awards recognize individuals who embody the pillars of Change Canāt Wait: elevate ā to transform the student experience; inspire ā to drive global impact through faculty research and teaching; and lead ā to build better communities. The three inaugural awardees serve as exceptional role models for 51³Ō¹Ļ students, collaborators for the universityās faculty and administration, and powerful examples of changemakers in society. 51³Ō¹Ļ is proud to have presented the inaugural Changemaker Awards to the following individuals:
Elevate: Jennifer D. Collins, SOC/BA ā94, is president and chief executive officer of JDC Events, an events company she founded nearly 25 years ago. She is the author of Events Spark Change: A Guide to Designing Powerful and Engaging Events. Professor Emeritus Richard Stack presented Collins with the award.
Inspire: Kimberly B. Vogel, SPA/BA ā94, is the managing director of Beckley III, LLC, a firm she co-founded in 2005 that addresses the complex financial needs of families, with services that include wealth and real estate management, investment opportunities, philanthropy, and tax/estate planning. School of Public Affairs Dean Vicky Williams presented Vogel with the award.
Lead: Ann B. Friedman, SOE/MAT ā98, is the founder and chief executive officer of Planet Word and the developer behind the restoration of the Franklin School, the museumās home. Her interest in literacy began with a lifelong love of reading, early work as a copy editor and translator, and a later career as a beginning reading and writing teacher in Marylandās Montgomery County Public Schools. Planet Word Board of Directors member Tina Small presented Friedman with the award.
āPresidentās Circle members are a community of changemakers who advance the university through their philanthropy. You each have a story of how you are creating change for our students, our faculty, and our communities,ā noted 51³Ō¹Ļ Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Courtney Surls. āWe are delighted to honor Jennifer, Kimberly, and Ann, alongside all of you, who represent the spirit of changemaking.ā
Learn more about the Presidentās Circle and how to support Change Canāt Wait.
