Connie Milstein

The Collegiate Seminar Program is an exclusive program established by NYU graduate Connie Milstein in 2007. This special program, unique to NYU’s College of Arts and Science, provides seminars for freshmen students and creates a mentoring relationship with the faculty of the Seminar program with each student; a relationship that continues throughout the student’s undergraduate careers.

Connie Milstein has been the force behind other innovative programming at the University, including the establishment of a branch of NYU in Washington, D.C., the Constance Milstein and Family Academic Center. With a branch in the nation’s capital, students of politics have a ‘home away from home’ in which to observe the workings of government up close.

NYU is set to have a 12^th location as part of its semester long study abroad program. Thanks to the generous $10 million contribution from Connie Milstein, they will soon begin construction on the 75,000 square foot building to be located at northwest L Street.  This new location will join cities such as London, Shanghai and Tel Aviv in offering an exceptional study abroad experience for students from NYU.

As Connie Milstein explains, “For me, the idea of higher education is non-negotiable. The better educated our children are, the greater our opportunities we have to achieve peace in our world.”

This new location will be for students who are interested in journalism, political science and American history, and it will include lecture halls, seminar rooms and dormitories.  Students will also enjoy internships with government offices and nongovernmental organizations.

Spring is the season for blossoming flowers and trees, warming weather trends, and graduation events and commencements. This year, at the 2010 commencement for the prestigious New York University, Connie Milstein will be honored with the coveted “Albert Gallatin Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Society” award. This honor is being bestowed upon Connie Milstein in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to society as a lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, as well as an alumna of NYU.

This year’s Commencement Exercises will be held on May 12, at Yankee Stadium. The President of NYU, John Sexton and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Martin Lipton, announced in March the names of all those that will be honored at the event.

In addition to Connie Milstein, several other notable people are receiving honors from NYU. Among them is the actor Alec Baldwin, who was one of the co-hosts of this year’s Academy Awards, who will address the graduates and guests and receive a Doctor or Fine Arts degree, honoris causa, at the ceremony.

Wayne Shorter, the award-winning jazz musician and composer is a NYU Steinhardt alumnus. He will also receive a Doctor or Fine Arts degree, honoris causa.

Merryl Tisch, the chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents and NYU alumna will be receiving the “Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City” in recognition of her contribution to the improvement of the quality of life in New York.