Cornell Hillel awards 2011 Tanner Prize to Robert J. Katz '69

Cornell Hillel's board of trustees has awarded the 2011 Tanner Prize to Robert J. Katz '69 "for his contributions to the Jewish people and to Cornell."

The prize will be presented June 6 at the Cornell Club in New York City.

Harold Tanner '52, chairman emeritus of the Cornell Board of Trustees, will present the prize bearing his name; Cornell President David J. Skorton will also speak at the luncheon.

"Bob not only deserves this recognition, but in accepting it he adds considerably to this prestigious prize," said Skorton. "We benefit so much from his extensive contributions to Cornell. Bob Katz is truly a pillar at the intersection of the Cornell and Jewish communities."

The Tanner Prize, established by Cornell Hillel's board in 2004, is awarded to a person, couple or family making significant contributions to Cornell and to Jewish life anywhere, including, but not necessarily limited to, Cornell Hillel.

"In selecting Bob, we are moved by his commitment to Jewish history and culture. Through his leadership roles, Bob has left a lasting mark on Jewish life," said Seth "Yossi" M. Siegel '74, J.D. '78, chair of the event and past chair of the Cornell Hillel board.

"I am honored that Cornell Hillel has chosen me for this prestigious award," said Katz in a statement. "The Tanner Prize embodies two of my greatest passions, Cornell and Jewish people, and I am thrilled to accept this prize."

Katz is chair of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, having served on its board (and the board of its predecessor foundation) since 1999. He played a key role in moving the organization to the University of Southern California, creating a permanent home for its 52,000 Holocaust testimonies and for the educational programs built upon them. Katz is a past recipient of the Anti-Defamation League's Human Relations Award and of the American Friends of the Hebrew University's Torch of Learning Award.

At Cornell, Katz is a vice chair of the board of trustees, national chair of the Annual Fund, a vice chair of the Far Above campaign and a member of the Arts and Sciences Advisory Council.

Katz is a senior director of Goldman Sachs, having served for 13 years as general counsel following 14 years as a partner and associate at Sullivan and Cromwell. He is chair of the Dean's Advisory Board of Harvard Law School, emeritus chair of Horace Mann School, a trustee of Achilles International (devoted to mainstream athletics for people with disabilities) and an emeritus trustee of the Allen Stevenson School.

Cornell Hillel is a part of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world.

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John Carberry