Mort Zuckerman to Receive First-Ever Sy Syms Humanitarian Award at April 23 Gala
The Student Council of the Sy Syms School of Business will be presenting Mortimer B. Zuckerman with the first-ever Sy Syms Humanitarian Award, in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and ethical business practices throughout many years in philanthropy and business. The formal dinner and reception will be held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage on April 23 as part of the annual Sy Syms School of Business Gala Awards Dinner. The event is organized and hosted by the Student Council.
“Mr. Zuckerman personifies the principles of leadership and entrepreneurship that are instilled in all of us at Sy Syms and we are honored to have him accept the inaugural Humanitarian Award,” said Jesse Nathanson, president of the Sy Syms School of Business Student Council.
Yeshiva University President Richard M. Joel will present the award, an engraved Jerusalem stone charity box, to Zuckerman. Marcy Syms, president of The Sy Syms Foundation, and Moses Pava, dean of the Sy Syms School of Business, will also give remarks.
“My father’s desire and ability to run his successful business with the utmost integrity is well-known,” Marcy Syms said. “His wish to instill this tradition in the future generations is underscored by The Foundation’s dedication to the School of Business, and most recently, helping fund the school’s ‘Leading with Meaning’ lecture series to help Jewish professionals navigate business, ethics and social responsibility.”
She added, “Mort Zuckerman has run his myriad influential and successful businesses with integrity and humanity. His desire to use his significant position to work tirelessly to make a better world for future generations is an example for all of us, and his effort working for peace in the Middle East has been particularly notable. On behalf of the other Trustees of The Foundation–Robert Syms, Mark Frieberg and Lynn Tamarkin Syms–we are thrilled to honor Mort Zuckerman with the first Sy Syms Humanitarian Award.”
Zuckerman is the co-founder and executive chairman of Boston Properties. He is also the owner and publisher of the New York Daily News and of U.S. News & World Report where he serves as editor-in-chief. He holds degrees from McGill University, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School.
Among various philanthropic endeavors, Zuckerman is an active supporter of Israeli and international Jewish causes. Between 2001 and 2003, Zuckerman was the chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. President George W. Bush appointed Zuckerman to serve on the Honorary Delegation to accompany him to Jerusalem for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008.
“As we celebrate our 26th anniversary at the Sy Syms School of Business, we have renewed our focus on integrating ethics into every course, celebrating the spirit of Jewish entrepreneurship across the curriculum, and emphasizing experience-based learning in everything we do,” said Pava. “Mort Zuckerman is a fine choice for this very important award and we are delighted to have him as our guest.”
