In recognition of their many years of "support and encouragement in advancing excellence and opportunity at The City University of New York," Jack and Lewis Rudin were presented with the Chancellor's Medal at the annual Salute to Scholars reception at the Morgan Library on December 11. Bestowing the Chancellory's most prestigious award, Chancellor Matthew Goldstein observed, "If ever there were two leading candidates for the title of 'Mr. New York,' they are Jack and Lewis Rudin. And I fear a vote between them would mean endless recounts. Without the Rudin family, it would be impossible to recognize our city."

Lewis, left, and Jack Rudin

hile noting some of the Rudins' numerous civic services-notably Lewis' chairmanship of the Association for a Better New York and Jack's membership on the Sloan-Kettering and American Museum of Natural History boards-the Chancellor focused on the Rudins' multifaceted philanthropy at the University.

The Rudin family has supported the Salute to Scholars, where stellar faculty fellowship and grant winners are honored; both brothers are on the CUNY Business Leadership Council (Lewis chairs it); they have funded internships in new media at Borough of Manhattan Community College, as well as scholarships in nursing at Hunter and Bronx Community Colleges; at CCNY, Jack's alma mater and that of his father Samuel, there are Samuel Rudin Distinguished Visiting Scholars and Samuel Rudin Scholarships; City College also received $1 million from the Rudins for upgrade of computer resources.

The Chancellor's Medal now joins Lewis Rudin's honorary degree from Hunter (1991) and Jack Rudin's honorary degree from City College (1993). Previous recipients of the Chancellor's Medal-which is rarely awarded-include Dr. Jonas Salk, Coretta Scott King, His Eminence Cardinal John O'Connor, and Mayor Robert F. Wagner.

"The City University is pleased and proud to count Jack and Lew among its dearest and most steadfast friends," Chancellor Goldstein summed up, "and among its staunchest allies and advocates.""I just want to note that Colin Powell has spoken on a number of occasions of being proud of his City College diploma. He says he really wanted to go to NYU but ouldn't afford it, and so he went to City College. I have to admit that I really wanted to go to City College, but I couldn't pass the test and went to NYU."