Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, will receive the John H. Finley Award from The Alumni Association of The City College of New York, Nov. 13.
Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), is the recipient of the 2025 John H. Finley Award from The Alumni Association of The City College of New York. In addition, the Association will honor seven CCNY alumni for outstanding post-graduate achievement. They’ll receive the Townsend Harris Medal at CCNY’s 145th Annual Alumni Gala at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13.
The event, in CCNY’s Great Hall, Shepard Hall, located at 160 Convent Ave in Manhattan, will be both in-person and virtual. Click here to register.
The Finley award is given out for exemplary and dedicated service to the City of New York. For Mulgrew, it recognizes his steadfast advocacy for public education and his leadership representing more than 190,000 educators and school professionals across New York City.
The 2025 Townsend Harris Medalists recognized for their exceptional post-graduate accomplishments and lasting contributions to society are:
- Dr. Nichola J. Davis ’94 – physician and Vice President of Health and Hospitals NYC;
- Dr. Leon Golub ’67 – astrophysicist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory;
- Kirk McDonald ’22 – business and marketing leader; CEO of Sundial Medial & Technology Group;
- Dr. Arien K. Muzacz ’09 – professional counselor, educator, and advocate for mental health;
- Garri Rivkin ’10 – founder and executive director of The City Tutors;
- Emanuel James Stergiou ’71 – actuary; Founder and CEO of SG Risk; and
- Gary Weiss ’75 – investigative reporter, author, and columnist; renowned for exposing white collar crime and organized crime in business and finance.
“These honorees exemplify the transformative power of a City College education,” said David Covington, executive director of the Alumni Association. “Their accomplishments across science, education, healthcare, media, business, and public service reflect the spirit of access, excellence, and social mobility that defines The City College. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and to gather our alumni community in support of programs that continue this legacy.”
Click here to learn more about the 145th Annual Alumni Gala Fundraiser, including to register to attend, or support through sponsorship or journal advertising.
About the Alumni Association of The City College of New York
The Alumni Association of The City College of New York (AACCNY) is an independent, member-driven 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of The City College of New York and its alumni. Founded in 1853, the Association advances the principles of public higher education and the ideals of the Ephebic Oath—engaging alumni, supporting students through scholarships and mentorship, and promoting the College’s interests locally and globally. For more information, visit www.ccnyalumni.org.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers, and society. At City College, more than 16,500 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity, and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together,” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College's mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic, and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Jay Mwamba
p: 917.892.0374
e:
jmwamba@ccny.cuny.edu