The John Jay Awards Dinner is held annually to honor Columbia College alumni for distinguished professional achievement and raises money for the John Jay National Scholars Program. On Wednesday, March 1, the 39th annual dinner will honor David B. Barry ’87, president, Ironstate Development Co.; Joseph A. Cabrera ’82, vice-chair – Eastern Region, Colliers International; Toomas Hendrik Ilves ’76, former president, Republic of Estonia; Jenji Kohan ’91, executive producer and screenwriter; and William A. Von Mueffling ’90, BUS’95, president and CEO, Cantillon Capital Management.
The award, which has been given to 205 honorees since 1978, is named for Founding Father John Jay (Class of 1764), a student of classics and the law and a leading proponent of the principles of the American constitution. Among many other prominent roles, Jay was the first chief justice of New York State and later of the United States. The dinner, which will be held at Cipriani 42nd Street, provides resources for the John Jay National Scholars Program, ensuring financial support and academic programming for the John Jay Scholars, select first-year College students who distinguish themselves through the originality and independence of their thinking, their rich and varied record of accomplishments and their potential to contribute to society in a meaningful way.
This special academic enhancement program is designed to promote intellectual growth, leadership development and global awareness. It is centered on panels, discussions and presentations by leading professors, professionals and individuals from a variety of fields who serve as exemplars of commitment, creativity and courage.
