On May 13, 2015, alumnus Edwin Cohen ’62 was honored at the Brooklyn College Foundation’s annual fundraising gala, Best of Brooklyn, at Tribeca Rooftop in downtown Manhattan. Cohen is one of New Jersey’s most respected real estate developers and a principal partner with Prism Capital Partners, LLC, which plays a leading role in residential, commercial and industrial developments throughout New Jersey. The chairman of the Brooklyn College Foundation Board of Trustees, and a member of the board since 1995, Cohen has been an unfailing supporter and longtime champion of the college. “As many of you in this room are aware, I have made no secret of the fact that I truly feel that my years as an undergraduate student at Brooklyn College helped me create a pathway to my growth as an individual and my successes in life,” Cohen said, after being presented with the Best of Brooklyn award from President Karen L. Gould to a standing ovation. “And that is why I have spent over two decades doing whatever I can to ‘give back’ to this fabulous institution.” Born and raised in Brooklyn, Cohen came to Brooklyn College with plans to complete pre-engineering courses, and then attend engineering school at City College in Manhattan. But after hearing his businessman brother’s exciting stories about the real estate business, he decided to stay at Brooklyn College and focus on economics to prepare himself for a business career. After graduating in 1962, Cohen built a successful career in real estate. Then, in 2001, he decided to fulfill his dream of becoming a developer and started his current venture, Prism Capital Partners. After acknowledging his wife Doris, daughters, other family, friends, colleagues, and fellow board members at the gala, he thanked Brooklyn College President Karen L. Gould and Vice President Andrew Sillen, executive director of the Brooklyn College Foundation, along with his staff. “I have made so many lasting friendships with our cadre of dynamic, unselfish and caring trustees. We all subscribe to the same mission: to enable any qualified person to receive a quality college education at Brooklyn College at little or no cost! After all, isn’t that what we received?” Cohen also noted individual alumni whose generous contributions over the years have made a huge impact on college programs and funded new schools, including the Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Steiner Studios, which will open this fall, and the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts, scheduled for completion in fall 2016. “My dear friend Murray Koppelman’s School of Business has now advanced from the ‘dream stage’ to a project that will be launching in the near future,” said Cohen. “And let’s not forget the Magner Career Center, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, initiated by my dear colleague, Marge Magner ’69, which has become a tremendous success.” “Ed’s leadership, his high standards of excellence and long-term vision inspire us, and we thank him and his lovely wife, Doris, for always being there,” said President Gould. “Ed knows what it takes to promote strong teamwork. His leadership, passion and insights are ensuring the continued strength of the college for years to come.” Other highlights of the evening included a performance by Grammy Award–winning artists Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, winners of the 2015 Best Latin Jazz Album Grammy. Bandleader and educator Arturo O’Farrill ’96 is a professor at the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music. The gala was co-hosted by Brooklyn College Alumni Association President and Trustee Jeffrey Sigler ’92, ’95 M.S., Doris Bien-Aime ’13, children’s author, youth advocate, brand consultant for luxury beauty and wellness products, and Brooklyn College Foundation trustee.
