Teachers College raised $1.3 million at the TC Gala to support student scholarships. Held on May 5th at New York’s iconic Rainbow Room, the evening reinforced the College’s commitment to providing access for students preparing to lead across the fields of education, health, and psychology. 

Nearly 300 guests attended the sold-out event, which honored Teachers College alumnus John B. King Jr. (Ed.D. ’08, M.A. ’97),  Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) and previously U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama. The event was co-chaired by Valerie Rockefeller (M.A. ’98), William D. Rueckert and David P. O’Connor, members of the Teachers College Board of Trustees, led by Board Chair Leslie Morse Nelson.

“At a moment when expanding access to education has never been more urgent, this gala helps ensure that more students can obtain the professional preparation needed to build careers in education, health, and psychology that strengthen communities and improve lives,” said President Bailey in his remarks. “You have contributed to the great success of our event, but more importantly, you are contributing to the lives of our students, and the many thousands more they will impact through their scholarship, research, and practice.”

Teachers College’s impact was highlighted by Chancellor King, who underscored the importance of supporting access to education and the role scholarships play in preparing professionals to serve communities.

“My experience at Teachers College helped shape my path in public service and my commitment to expanding opportunity for others,” said King, who at the helm of SUNY has  advanced a system-wide agenda focused on student success, research, equity, and economic mobility. “I’m honored to be recognized by Teachers College and grateful for its continued commitment to student scholarships. Scholarships are critical to ensuring that more students can access that same preparation and go on to serve their communities.”

As part of the evening’s program, King joined special guest, PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff for a wide-ranging conversation on the current landscape of K-12 and higher education, including the impact of federal funding cuts, preparing and supporting teachers, student mental health and more. In closing, Woodruff asked, “What is it that teachers need to be focusing on right now in order to educate and support the next generation of young people coming out of this period of turmoil we’re living through?” King’s response: “Teachers need to know how to help students read better, how to help a student do math better, but they also have to understand how to build relationships, how to build connection, how to create a classroom environment characterized by love—you have to create that. If teachers hadn’t done that for me, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

Teachers College student Victoria Dumas shared a powerful testimonial about the impact of the TC “family’s” support on her professional and personal growth as she pursues her doctoral degree in English Education: “When the world was grappling with inequality, rapid industrialization, and deep uncertainty, this institution was built by people who believed, collectively, that education—when theory, research, and practice come together—could transform society,” said Dumas. “Tonight, you—[the ‘TC family’]—have the opportunity to carry that legacy forward. Every time you invest in a student, you are saying: “I may not sit in your classroom. I may not write your thesis or dissertation. But I will make sure you have the opportunity to do both.”

The evening drew strong support from alumni, partners and faculty committed to supporting students pursuing a TC education and to strengthening the pipeline of education, health and psychology professionals serving communities. “Tonight is about achieving a critical goal—to raise funds for financial aid in support of our outstanding students,” shared Leslie Morse Nelson, Chair of the TC Board of Trustees. “Your collective generosity will make it possible for talented, highly motivated individuals to pursue their dream of a TC education, achieve their potential, and shape the future in ways we can only begin to imagine.”

“The success of this year’s gala reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunity through education,” said William D. Rueckert, Gala Co-Chair and Chair Emeritus of Teachers College Board of Trustees. “Scholarships are essential to ensuring that talented students can access a Teachers College education and go on to serve communities in meaningful ways.”

“It is encouraging to see so many alumni and partners come together to help ensure that cost is not a barrier for the next generation of leaders in education, health, and psychology,” added  Valerie Rockefeller (M.A. ’98), Gala Co-Chair and Member of Teachers College Board of Trustees. “Supporting scholarships at Teachers College is an investment in students who will create meaningful change in the world.” 

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