Connie Milstein Supports Small Family Farmers of New York

In 2007, Connie Milstein, chairman of the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI), provided a $125,000 grant to the Farmers Market Federation of New York. 25,000 food stamps were distributed to residents of upstate NY, in hopes of increasing their purchases of fresh, locally grown produce. This program not only encouraged more purchases of fruits and vegetables, it also benefitted small family farmers of New York.

HDI is an organization which focuses on solving difficult humanitarian problems around the world. Currently, it is working to identify and eliminate UXOs (unexploded ordinances) and mines that remain hidden around the world, as well as to alleviate international and domestic hunger.

Groundbreaking and Construction of Constance Milstein and Family Academic Center

Following various speeches at the groundbreaking for the Constance Milstein and Family Academic Center (NYUDC), the symbolic groundbreaking took place. This comprised hardhats and shovels using the purple NYU torch. Work on constructing the 75,000 square foot 12-story building is scheduled to start soon and will have dorms on the upper floors to house 125 students. It will be perfect for those doing courses in journalism, economics, history and politics as will come with an internship in the city of Washington, DC. But the fun continued after the groundbreaking with the VIPs assembling at the St. Regis Hotel along with around 400 guests (mainly alumni) for food and wine. Following a brief introduction (requesting further donations for the new construction), Connie Milstein, who donated a generous $10 million to the project, talked about the “need for an NYU campus in the nation’s capital and echoed the evening’s excitement about NYU’s global push. ‘[Sexton’s] vision of the ‘global network university’ is no doubt one of the most brilliant ideas of our time,’ she said.”

Connie Milstein Directing $10 Million Towards NYU Project

Students from NYU will soon have an incredible new opportunity. As part of the semester-long study abroad program offered through the University, students will be able to spend their time in Washington D.C. Connie Milstein, who led the reconstruction of the Jefferson Hotel last year, has directed $10 million towards the creation of the extension campus.

The new location, at northwest L Street will include a 12 story building with a 75,000 square foot center for lecture halls, seminar rooms and dormitories for 125 students.

Connie Milstein explains what drives her towards this project. "I used to think New York was the capital of the world but being in D.C. will give these students a totally different view of the United States and its position in the world," she says. "It's an important place to teach students how the government works and the history of the U.S., not to mention opportunities for internships, which will allow them to understand the political system and get exposure to a much larger global network."