Statler Foundation Chair Addresses Bachelor’s Degree
Ceremony
Hyde Park, NY – In
a pair of commencement ceremonies at the New York campus of The Culinary Institute of
America, 163 new graduates launched their careers in the exciting food business.
Philip Colicchio, whose consulting firm represents
chefs and other culinary professionals, was keynote speaker at the associate
degree graduation on July 27. The previous day, Robert Bennett, chairman of the Statler Foundation, addressed bachelor’s degree
graduates.
An attorney, Mr. Colicchio co-founded
Taylor Colicchio LLP to provide professional and
legal advice to chefs around the world. He was a pioneer in representing the
interests of chefs in the age of chefs-as-celebrities. Dozens of his clients—chefs,
restaurateurs, authors, beverage and service professionals, and restaurant
designers—have won James Beard Foundation Awards.
“You will succeed because you have the finest culinary
education in the world under your belt and because you have chosen to serve,”
Mr. Colicchio told 47 graduates receiving degrees in
Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts.
Mr. Colicchio is the cousin of
renowned chef and media personality Tom Colicchio. He
often serves as a judge for the student “pitch-off” as part of a CIA’s bachelor’s degree
concentration focused on business innovation, and advises students
regarding their restaurant concept ideas. The winning concept from each
pitch-off becomes an offering at the CIA’s student dining facility for a
semester.
On July 26, some 116 graduates receiving diplomas in Food
Business Management, Culinary Science, and Applied Food Studies heard from Mr.
Bennett. The Statler Foundation, which he heads, has
been a supporter of the CIA and its students since 1958.
A native of Western New York, Mr. Bennett is a former
president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and chancellor
emeritus of the New York State Board of Regents. He has been honored as Citizen
of the Year by both The Buffalo News and the Food Bank of Western New York, just two of the many accolades and
awards Mr. Bennett has received throughout his career.
The full associate and bachelor’s degree
ceremonies are archived at LiveStream.com and can be viewed online. Due to its
rolling enrollment schedule, the CIA’s New York campus holds 16 associate and
three bachelor’s degree graduations each year.
Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images:
Photo 1: (top): Philip Colicchio addresses associate degree graduates at the
New York campus of The Culinary Institute of America on July 27, 2017. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res images >
Photo 2: Robert
Bennett receives congratulations from CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan after
delivering the keynote address at bachelor's degree commencement at The
Culinary Institute of America on July 26, 2017. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res images >
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
jeff.levine@culinary.edu
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier
culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and
hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degree
majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate
degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education
through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs
and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting
services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its
worldwide network of 49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the
food business. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and
Singapore.
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