Page 29 - NYLS Magazine • 2016 • Vol 35, No. 1

On December 2, a crowd of more than 350 supporters gathered at the stunning Cipriani 25 Broadway for New York Law School’s 2015 Gala, which recognized the 125th Anniversary of the School’s founding in 1891. Trustees, faculty, alumni, friends, and current students joined Dean Anthony W. Crowell and Gala host Arthur N. Abbey ’59, Chairman of the NYLS Board of Trustees, to celebrate the milestone and to recognize this year’s honorees, Joe Plumeri ’15 (LL.D.) and Norman J. Radow ’81.
The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour and mixer, and then led into an evening of dinner and dancing in the grand gallery of the historic landmark location. Attendees were treated to an inspiring video that featured a brief history of NYLS, and showcased the successes of the Law School’s past and the vision for its future.
After dinner was served, Sam Olens, Attorney General of the State of Georgia, introduced Mr. Radow, Chairman of The RADCO Companies, an Atlanta-based, national real estate acquisition and redevelopment company founded by Mr. Radow in 1994. Serving as an NYLS trustee since 2006, he has been instrumental in guiding the Law School through a pivotal time of rebranding, strategic repositioning, and academic transformation. Mr. Radow was presented with an award for Real Estate Entrepreneurship and NYLS Leadership.
Joe Plumeri, a renowned leader in the financial services industry who currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Senior Advisor to the CEO of First Data Corporation, was honored for his business innovation and visionary philanthropy. Mr. Plumeri’s generosity and support for NYLS recently helped to create The Joe Plumeri Center for Social Justice and Economic Opportunity, which will serve as the School’s “law firm,” and allow its students to provide high-quality legal services to underserved clients throughout New York City. Mr. Plumeri, a former student of the School who left to embark on a successful career in the financial industry, was introduced that evening by former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ). Bradley, a two-time NBA champion with the New York Knicks, received one of the largest ovations when he was introduced.
Providing Opportunity was the theme of this year’s celebration. The 125th Anniversary Celebration video highlighted the School’s rich history of opening doors to many who may not have otherwise been able to pursue a legal education. Both honorees spoke movingly on the tremendous opportunities NYLS provided them on their journeys to success.
All moneys raised at the Gala will enable the School to continue to provide opportunities for students and alumni through scholarship support, programming, experiential learning, and beyond. Additional contributions were made during the Gala to support Bar Prep programs for students.
About the Gala Location
In recognition of the special occasion marked by the School’s 125th Anniversary, the Gala was held at an iconic and historic location in lower Manhattan. Cipriani 25 Broadway is located in the Cunard Building, a New York City landmark, famous for its Great Hall—an Italian neo-renaissance masterpiece designed by Benjamin Wistar Morris and completed in 1921. The grand space features 65-foot high ceilings, soaring marble columns, magnificent inlaid floors, and murals painted by Ezra Winter. It was originally the home of Cunard Lines and was used as a ticketing hall until 1968.
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