On May 6, nearly 300 guests gathered at Gotham Hall in New York City for the 2025 Bank Street Celebration, the College’s annual benefit honoring leaders in education and philanthropy. The festive evening celebrated the power of progressive education to transform lives and build stronger, more equitable communities—all while raising vital funds to advance Bank Street’s mission.
This year’s event honored William (Bill) Dodge Rueckert, President of the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, for his unwavering dedication to education and decades of philanthropic leadership. A descendant of Cleveland H. Dodge, who founded the foundation in 1917, Rueckert has spent the past 25 years continuing his family’s legacy by supporting community-based institutions and expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities.
The evening opened with a warm welcome from emcees Maia Ilundain and Leela Kumar, sixth grade (11/12s) students at Bank Street School for Children. Their poise and humor set the tone for a program filled with music, personal stories, and powerful reflections on the College’s impact.
Victoria Hamilton, Chair of the Bank Street Board of Trustees, delivered opening remarks that highlighted the community’s collective commitment to building a better world through education. She also thanked her fellow co-chairs—Phoebe Boyer, President and CEO of Children’s Aid and Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company—for their leadership in bringing the event to life.
Bank Street President Shael Polakow-Suransky, GSE ’00, followed with an inspiring address underscoring the College’s dedication to equity in education and responsive teaching in a child’s earliest years. He shared the story of Reza, a 3-year-old at Bank Street Head Start who had recently arrived from Bangladesh and struggled to connect with others. One of his teachers, recognizing his isolation, learned Bengali nursery songs and introduced them to the class. Reza lit up—helping teach the songs and stepping into a confident, joyful role. The story offered a poignant reminder of how early learning experiences—when thoughtfully designed—can foster belonging, confidence, and a foundation for lifelong growth.
“We have a choice to make,” said Polakow-Suransky. “Are we willing to invest in children early, when it matters most? How we answer that question will shape the direction of our country and what’s possible for families and communities. Your support tonight allows us to keep partnering with schools and coaching teachers so that more children are given the chance to thrive from the very beginning. I hope you’ll continue to stand with us and support this powerful, life-changing work.”
As guests enjoyed dinner, professional auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla brought energy and humor to a spirited live auction featuring luxury getaways and other one-of-a-kind experiences.
The program continued with a moving performance by the Bank Street School for Children Chorus, accompanied by acclaimed Broadway performer Okieriete Onaodowan, best known for his roles in Hamilton and Station 19. Their voices filled the grand ballroom and earned a standing ovation.
The spotlight then turned to Jeré Davis, GSE ’13, GSE ’25, an early childhood educator and coach at the Bank Street Education Center. In her role, Jeré supports teachers in moving beyond rote routines to adopt more intentional, child-centered practice. As President Polakow-Suransky shared in his earlier remarks, Jeré’s coaching transformed the classroom of one veteran educator. That transformation not only reignited the teacher’s passion for her work but also inspired her to pursue a graduate degree and leadership role—showcasing the lasting impact of Bank Street’s approach to educator development.
Next, Santa-Olalla returned to the stage to lead a paddle raise titled Raise the Future, energizing the room once again in support of Bank Street’s scholarships, programs, and school partnerships
To close the evening, honoree William Dodge Rueckert, was recognized for his enduring support of early childhood education, including investments in Bank Street’s partnership with Children’s Aid, which has enabled coaches like Jeré to help educators across New York City strengthen their practice. His commitment to high-quality early childhood education has created pathways for children to thrive and for teachers to grow into leaders—embodying what it means to invest in a stronger, more just future.
The event, which raised over $1 million in donations, was made possible by the generous support of the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation and a broad community of individual and corporate donors, including alumni, trustees, and friends of the College. Planning was led by the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) and a dedicated host committee, including Charlie Bendit, Russell Granet, Fern Khan, Lisa Lewin, Marianna McCall, and Kate Sussman.
Reflecting on the evening, Marcela Hahn, Vice President of Development, said, “We are so grateful to everyone who joined us in honoring Bill Rueckert and investing in the future of Bank Street. The funds raised tonight will have a direct impact on educators, children, and families—helping to build a more just and joyful future through education.”
