Rockland Leaders Honored by New York Community College Trustees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: April 16, 2008

CONTACT: Lisa Saunders

(845) 574-4244

Rockland Leaders Honored by New York Community College Trustees

Suffern, NY— The New York Community College Trustees of the State University of New York announced the 2008 NYCCT award winners and presented their awards on April 10 at Schenectady County Community College. Four recipients were from Rockland.

The awards program recognizes extraordinary leadership and achievement, dedicated and effective service, and commitment to community as models of excellence in New York State’s community colleges.

Winners nominated by the SUNY Rockland Community College Board of Trustees are:

Edythe and Herb Kurz, Benefactor Vision for Tomorrow Award

Herb Kurz of Piermont is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Presidential Life Insurance Company. When the Kurzes learned that the College had lost a federal grant supporting its neediest students, they offered a $100,000 challenge grant, resulting in more than $230,000 for students' tutoring and other much-needed help. Thanks to them, RCC raised $800,000 in two years, the largest amount from a single initiative. According to the Kurzes, "Helping others is the greatest pleasure in life."

Howard N. Hellman, Business/Industry Partnership Award

Howard Hellman of Suffern is CEO of All Bright Electric in West Nyack. Hellman graduated RCC in 1972, earned his B.S. from SUNY Oneonta, and currently serves as President of RCC's Alumni Association, where he creates a sense of pride and identification with SUNY Rockland. Hellman recently donated a scoreboard with its installation, valued at more than $30,000, to the College Fieldhouse. Hellman was selected 2007 "Person of the Year" by the Rockland Community College Foundation for his service to the Foundation, College and community. Howard and his wife Fran have two children.

Hon. Ilan S. Schoenberger, Distinguished Alumnus Award

Born in Jerusalem, Schoenberger of Wesley Hills has been a strong supporter of the RCC Foundation and was the Alumni Honoree at the Foundation’s annual Leadership Awards Luncheon. After earning his associate's degree at Rockland Community College, Schoenberger went on to graduate from Pace with a B.A and St. Johns University, School of Law. Schoenberger represents Legislative District 4 in the Rockland County Legislature, where he also has served as Chair. Schoenberger recently retired from his position as the Finance Director of the Town of Ramapo and continues to operate a private Law practice, Schoenberger & Schoenberger, with his wife, Rhoda.

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