Five Area College Presidents to Offer "Advice" to New HUC-JIR President David Ellenson at 20th Annual Cincinnati Associates Tribute Dinner

Father Michael J. Graham, S.J., president, Xavier University; Dr. Joseph A. Steger, president, University of Cincinnati; Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill, president, The College of Mount Saint Joseph; Dr. James C. Votruba, president, Northern Kentucky University; and Dr. Ron D. Wright, president, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College will offer "Tips on Being a College President in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky" to newly inaugurated Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion president Rabbi David Ellenson at the 20th Annual Cincinnati Associates Tribute Dinner to be held on Sunday, November 17, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency.

This unprecedented assembly of five presidents joining together to pay tribute to a new colleague exemplifies the close relationships between the local colleges and universities in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky community and is a shining example of how our city can cross cultures and come together in the spirit of academic advancement. A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 pm followed by dinner and the lighthearted program at 6:30 pm.

Rabbi David Ellenson, a distinguished rabbi and scholar, dedicated teacher, and committed leader of the Reform Jewish Movement, has been the president of HUC-JIR since June 2001. During Rabbi Ellenson's first year as president he has raised over $30 million in cash and pledges for the annual and endowments funds at the College-Institute, he welcomed the largest class of rabbinical students in 20 years, and he has dealt with the impact that the escalating violence in Israel has had on the school's Year-In-Israel Program, a requirement for all first year rabbinical, cantorial, and education students.

Prior to his appointment as president of HUC-JIR, Rabbi Ellenson had taught Jewish religious thought, ethics, and modern Jewish history at the Los Angeles campus of HUC-JIR since 1979. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1981 and was ordained a rabbi at HUC-JIR's New York School in 1977. He holds masters degrees from Columbia University, HUC-JIR, and the University of Virginia and received his bachelors degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia in 1969.

Karen M. Hoguet, chief financial officer and senior vice president of Federated Department Stores, Inc. and H. Jerome Lerner, chairman of Crane Contractors and owner of HJL Enterprises, serve as co-chairs of the Tribute Dinner.

The co-chairs of the Corporate Council for the 2002 Tribute Dinner are Thomas L. Neyer, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Al Neyer, Inc.; Charlotte R. Otto, Global External Relations Officer, Procter & Gamble; and James E. Schwab, Cincinnati Market President, U.S. Bank. The Corporate Council is a group of outstanding corporate leaders who support the important work of the College-Institute on behalf of their corporations.

Current members of the Corporate Council, still in formation, include: John F. Barrett, Western & Southern Financial Group; Leonard H. Berenfield, Berenfield Containters, Inc.; Thomas G. Cody, Federated Department Stores, Inc.; William A. Friedlander, Bartlett & Company; Joe Hale, Cinergy Foundation, Inc.; Robin Harvey, Baker & Hostetler LLP; Robert L. Hoverson, The Provident Bank; Thomas H. Humes, Great Traditions Land & Development Co.; Addison Lanier II, Scinet Development & Holdings, Inc.; Jacqueline Mack, Magellan Travel, Inc.; Joseph A. Pichler, The Kroger Company; Robert C. Reifsnyder, United Way & Community Chest; J. David Rosenberg, Keating, Muething & Klekamp, P.L.L.; George A. Schaefer, Jr., Fifth Third Bank; Dr. Joseph A. Steger, University of Cincinnati; Richard K. Taulbee, Western & Southern Financial Group; Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill, The College of Mt. Saint Joseph; Richard A. Weiland, Richard Consulting Corporation; Rabbi Michael Zedek, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati; and James M. Zimmerman, Federated Department Stores, Inc.

Founded in Cincinnati in 1875, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest institution of higher Jewish education in the western hemisphere and the academic and professional leadership development center of the Reform Movement. The College-Institute prepares rabbis, cantors, religious school educators, and Jewish communal workers at its four campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem. In addition to training professional leadership to serve the Jewish community, HUC-JIR's School of Graduate Studies awards Masters and Doctoral degrees to men and women of all faiths.

For additional information about the Tribute Dinner or the College-Institute, contact Cathy F. Weinberger, director of development and public affairs, at (513) 221-1875, ext. 222.