During the second half of the Lohez 9/11 Foundation Annual Awards Event, held May 12, 2016, at the French Consulate in NYC, Columbia University Alliance Director Alessia Lefubure Lo Porto introduced Ms. Juliette Faure, a 2015 Lohez Scholar. Juliette presented 2016 Lohez Foundation Scholar Rébecca Assouline-Béra, who has pursued a dual degree between Sciences Po and Columbia University’s School of General Studies.
Ms. Faure pursued a dual degree between Sciences Po and Columbia University SIPA. She is currently Assistant Director for Sovereign and Government Fund Relations at the Sovereign Investor Institute at Institutional Investor in New York.
Emcee Carla Virola next introduced Lohez Foundation Board Member Ms. Emily Wexler, who spoke briefly about 2016 Lohez Scholar Etienne Marié, who has pursued a dual degree between EPITA and Stevens Institute of Technology. Etienne was not able to attend the evening in NYC as he was attending a family wedding in France.
A professional engineer, Ms. Wexler is currently a Development Consultant in association with Tranquility49 LLC, with past associations at Baruch College, AllianceBernstein and – most important – Stevens Institute of Technology, where she earned a master’s degree in Technology Management and Project Management.
Ms. Virola then introduced Dr. James Parenti, Senior Associate Dean at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, who presented 2016 Lohez Foundation Scholar Pierre Savary, who has pursued a dual degree between Sciences Po and the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia.
Next Ms. Virola introduced Lohez Foundation Board Member Ms. Ellie de Abdi, who introduce the Foundation’s Guest of Honor, photographer, videographer and educator, Mr. Thomas E. Franklin, who received the Lohez 9/11 Foundation Distinguished American Spirit Award.
Ms. de Abdi is a doctoral researcher and a former gymnast and coach, currently a physical, health and dance education teacher and Professional Development Coordinator for the Department of Health and Physical Education, in addition to being a research and teacher leader, for an urban district in New Jersey. She is also a Clinical Faculty member in the College of Education and Human Services at Montclair State University.
Ms. Virola then announced “with that our Annual Celebration and Awards Ceremony draws to a close. Ms. Lohez has provided me a list of guests and supporters that she would like to thank, including…
“Ms. Léa Futschik, Higher Education Attaché, Executive Director, Partner University Fund of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy
Mr. Allan Chapin, Chairman of the French-American Foundation
Mr. John Bennett, President of the Paris America Club
Dr. Joel Courtois, Director of EPITA, Paris
Dean Gregory Prastacos, School of Business, Stevens Institute of Technology
Dean Merit Janow, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
Senior Associate Dean James Parenti, SIPA
Associate Dean Cory Way, SIPA
Assistant Vice President Dawn da Silva, and the Stevens Office of Development
Dr. Alessia Lefebure Lo Porto, Director of the Alliance, Columbia University
Ms. Helene Sostarich Barsamian, Director of Development, College of the Arts, School of Communication and Media, Montclair State University
Ms. Sharen Glennon, Senior Associate, Tranquility49 PR
Mr. Patrick A. Berzinski, CEO, Tranquility49 PR
The Tranquility49 PR Video Crew
Mr. Kevin Berry, a Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic Party Organization
Ms. Maria Martini Cordonnier, President of the Little Falls, N.J., Democratic Club
Ms. Amandine Tristani, Pace University Graduate and Digital Communications Volunteer at Control Arms, for her volunteer service at the registration table during tonight’s event.
“Ms. Lohez wishes to extend special thanks to Select Auto Services of New Jersey for their generous donation of fine wines for the enjoyment of our guests,” said Ms. Virola, in conclusion. “Also – many thanks to Ms. Yu-chen Juang and Mr. Brian T. Kelly, CPA for donating the selection of delicious desserts.”