To reflect on another year of impact and reaffirm their commitment to the College, TC’s most devoted supporters gathered on June 3 for the annual Grace Dodge Society Luncheon. Inspired by the College’s meaningful work and their desire to give back, members of the Society support TC through their wills, trusts or other planned gifts. 

“You enable us to meet the growing needs around the world that TC is uniquely suited to address in the subjects of psychology, health and education," President Thomas Bailey said in his welcome address thanking Grace Dodge Society members for their support. “You are all critical members of our community, and that community is vitally important to our ability to achieve our mission because you are not only supporters of our students financially, together you form a powerful network that allows us to achieve real change in the world.”

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Ruth Friendly (M.A. ’58) and Ting Zhao (Ed.D. ’26, M.A. ’19). (Photo: Bruce Gilbert) 

President Thomas Bailey thanks members of the Grace Dodge Society for their commitment to the College’s students and critical work. (Photo: Bruce Gilbert) 

Student Dana Bassynbekova, Lila Swell (Ed.D. ’64) and Kay Moon (M.A. ’06). (Photo: Bruce Gilbert) 

Sharon G. Pierson (Ph.D. ’12, M.A. ’04) and William D. Rueckert, Chair Emeritus of the Board.  (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)

Sue Riemer Sacks (Ph.D. ’73), Prem Hira and Carla Shere (Ed.D. ’93). (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)

TC supporters gathered at the Ascent Lounge in Columbus Circle. (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)

The society bears the name of Grace Hoadley Dodge, who founded Teachers College as a kitchen garden school in 1880. “To each of you who have chosen to follow her example by establishing a planned gift for TC, please know how very grateful we are,” said great-grand nephew William D. Rueckert, Chair Emeritus of the Board. “Your foresight and generosity sustain this institution and strengthen its future in lasting ways.”

At the Ascent Lounge above Manhattan’s Columbus Circle, Grace Dodge Society members also heard from Music and Music Education master’s student Jocelyn Ho, who as an Evalyn Edwards Milman Fellow, teaches music at the Teachers College Community School. 

“I’m not just helping students learn music for the first time; I’m helping them claim their identities as artists, thinkers, storytellers, creatives and dreamers,” said Ho, who shared with guests that their support is critical to empowering teachers like her to make a difference. “You recognize that the contributions you make reverberate through the lives of students and set off a cascade of positive change to provide access and opportunity.” 

Jocelyn Ho, who is an accomplished violinist, also performed an abridged version of “Malagueña” by Pablo de Sarasate for guests at the luncheon.