On
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, the Institute of International Education
(IIE) held its 90th Anniversary Awards Gala at the Mandarin Oriental
Hotel in New York City. Each fall, the Institute of International Education
holds an International Awards Dinner in New York City to publicly recognize
prominent individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions
to fostering international understanding.
The evening honored ExxonMobil
with the Opening Minds Corporate Leadership Award. ExxonMobil’s
Chairman & CEO, Rex Tillerson accepted the award on behalf of the
company. IIE is honoring ExxonMobil in 2009 in recognition of the company’s
exemplary leadership and outstanding commitment to education and corporate
social responsibility around the globe.
In celebrating IIE's 90 year history and achievements, the gala also
featured special awards to outstanding individuals who have participated
in and supported IIE's work in international educational exchange. These
included world-renowned conductor and Fulbright alumnus Lorin Maazel
and three women leaders who worked together to found the Iran Opportunities
Fund at IIE - Laya Khadjavi, Roya Khadjavi-Heidari, and Nazgol Saati
Shahbazi. Senior State Department official Mark J. Davidson also attended,
representing Judith A. McHale, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy
and Public Affairs. IIE administers the Fulbright Student and Scholar
Programs for the U.S. Department of State. The evening concluded with
a special presentation on Scholar Rescue Fund by HRH Prince Talal of
Jordan and the former Director of Baghdad's National Museum, Professor
Donny George. News anchor and Fulbright alumna Linda Vester was the Mistress
of Ceremonies for the event. More than 300 business, education, government,
foundation and policy leaders joined IIE in honoring the award winners.
Linda Vester – Anchor, Fox News Channel
was the Mistress of Ceremonies. In addition to Honorary Co-Chair HRH
Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan, the Co-Chairs for the IIE 90th Anniversary
Gala were: Mark A. Angelson (Chairman and CEO, World Color Press Inc.);
Maryam Ansary; Denise Benmosche; Amy Brandt (CEO, Vantium Capital); George
J. Donnelly (Managing Partner, Lilo Ventures); Peter M. Gottsegen (Senior
Partner, CAI Partners); Jack M. Greenberg (Retired CEO, McDonald's);
Ruth Hinerfeld; S.A. Ibrahim (CEO, Radian Group Inc.); Henry G. Jarecki
(Chairman, The Falconwood Corporation); Thomas S. Johnson (Retired Chairman
and CEO, GreenPoint Bank); Henry Kaufman (President, Kaufman & Company,
Inc.); Michael G. Morris (Chairman, President & CEO, American Electric
Power); Thomas A. Russo (Senior Counsel, Patton Boggs).
Founded in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) is one
of the world’s most experienced higher education and exchange organizations.
The heart of IIE’s mission is to foster mutual understanding, develop
global leaders, and foster academic freedom through international education
and exchange. Currently, the Institute implements more than 200 programs
each year, including the Fulbright Program, which IIE has the honor to
administer on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Programs involve
a total of approximately 20,000 individuals in more than 175 countries
worldwide. A total of 60 alumni of IIE-administered programs have won
Nobel Prizes.
