More than 300 young alumni attended the Duff Ball-NYC gala in New York City March 1. Photo: Jason Koski/University Photography.
Young alumni boost Annual Fund at second annual Duff Ball-NYC
From left, Sanjiv Tata '09, Corey Belaief '11 andGracielle Cabungcal '09 at the Duff Ball-NYC gala. Photo: Jason Koski/University Photography.
For the second year in a row, more than 300 young alumni dressed to the nines gathered at the super chic Bowery Hotel in New York City March 1 for the Duff Ball-NYC gala. Ticket sales to this year's event generated nearly $35,000 for the Cornell Annual Fund, designated for Student and Academic Services.
According to Duff Ball-NYC chair Jonathan Feldman '08, the annual event engages many recent graduates who have not previously attended an alumni gathering or made a gift to Cornell, while also bringing young alumni and university trustees together in a festive atmosphere. "It's great to extend to alumni the growing tradition of undergraduate Duff Ball, an on-campus student fundraiser for the United Way," Feldman said.
From left, Oliver Yu '11, Kristen Dilzell '11, Felicia Kennedy '12, Jen Dilzell '13, Olivia Moore '12 and Adam Nicoletti '12 at the Duff Ball-NYC gala. Photo: Jason Koski/University Photography.
Susan Murphy '73, Ph.D. '94, vice president for student and academic services, made brief remarks, followed by a toast and expression of gratitude from Robert S. Harrison '76, chair of the Cornell University Board of Trustees. Kent Hubbell '69, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, trustees Gene Resnick '70 and Eileen McManus Walker '76, MBA '78, and trustee emerita Blanche Goldenberg '74 mingled with young alumni as well.
New to this year's event was an on-site raffle which featured prizes donated by alumni, including an autographed Cornell men's ice hockey jersey, a tour of the Millbrook Winery in the Hudson Valley, a $100 gift certificate and pre-opening tasting at the Ithaca or NYC Souvlaki House, a $200 gift certificate to Fourth Wall Restaurants, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the U.S. Supreme Court. "We look forward to continuing the tradition of this annual event to provide additional opportunities for our alumni community to be involved in an impactful way," said Julie Katz '08, member of the Duff Ball-NYC Committee and raffle coordinator.
From left, Yaw Etse '08 and Jonathan Feldman '08 at the Duff Ball-NYC gala. Photo: Jason Koski/University Photography.
Duff Ball-NYC continued well into the morning as young alumni moved from the Bowery Hotel to an after party at the Hotel on Rivington.
"I had an incredible night reconnecting with classmates and meeting new people," said Brett Allen '12, who helped plan the post-event party. "Cornell helped me write my story. This event made it possible for me to help write someone else's story by giving back."
Margaux Neiderbach '99 is director of student and young alumni programs for Cornell's Office of Alumni Affairs; Pat Burns is associate director of young alumni programs.