Ross School, founded by Steven J Ross and Courtney Sale Ross, raises $750,000 for Ross School Scholarship Fund at the 2008 Starlight Ball

At the 2008 annual Starlight Ball, the Ross School raised a record-breaking $750,000 for the Steven J. Ross Scholardship Fund. Courtney Ross and the late Steven J Ross founded the Ross School, the Ross Institute, and the Ross Global Academy to address the needs of education in an increasingly globalized world. The Steven J Ross Scholarship Fund grants financial assistance to over forty percent of Ross School families. Courtney Ross attended the event with her children.

Ross School Fifth Annual Starlight Ball Raises Over $700,000 for Scholarship Fund

6/4/2008

Ross School is pleased to announce that the Fifth Annual Starlight Ball held on Saturday, May 17, raised a record $750,000 for the Steven J. Ross Scholarship Fund.

The fund, which was established in 1991 at the school’s inception by Courtney Sale Ross and Steven J. Ross, ensures that all children have the opportunity to benefit from a Ross School education regardless of economic circumstances. The SJR Scholarship Fund currently grants financial assistance to over forty percent of Ross School families.

The Starlight Ball, which featured an outstanding performance by CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers, honored Anke, Juergen and Max Friedrich and the JAF Foundation for their extraordinary generosity and unwavering support of Ross School. The Friedrich family and the JAF Foundation recently contributed $1.5 million to enable Ross School to expand its athletic program and facilities.

Starlight Ball chairs, Jay McInerney and Anne Hearst McInerney, were joined by over 400 attendees. An opportunity to be a character in an upcoming Jay McInerney novel was one of the highlights of the successful Live and Silent Auctions, which were featured prior to the event at charitybuzz. Offerings included a Harry Winston Ladies Diamond Avenue Timepiece with a mother-of-pearl face and 2.38 karats of diamonds set in 18 karat white gold; two tickets for a meet and greet and a Jerry Seinfeld performance; private box seating at a James Taylor concert, donated by Ron Delsener, Chairman of Live Nation; a table for eight at the exclusive restaurant to the stars, Rao’s, in New York City; two front row box seats at Shea Stadium; and a meet and greet with famed tennis player Andre Agassi, as well as two tickets for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation’s benefit at Ross School on August 16.

Head of School, Michele Claeys, said, “The Starlight Ball is a wonderful tribute to Steven J. Ross, a renowned humanitarian who, with Courtney Ross, founded Ross School to prepare our children to meet the challenges of our increasingly global world. Ross School’s commitment to the mission of diversity and inclusion was confirmed by our benefit’s terrific turnout and the amount of Scholarship funds raised.”

By supporting the scholarship program, donors are helping to secure the future of our children and extending the legacy of the founding principles of Ross School. Ross School attracts a diverse and energetic group of students who are guided by an exceptional faculty. During the 2007-08 academic year, the school served 565 students from pre-nursery through grade 12. Financial support is offered to one hundred percent of faculty children, and tuition discounts are given to siblings. Once enrolled, the educational opportunities at Ross make an enormous difference in our students’ lives: 100 percent of all Ross graduates that have applied to four-year colleges have been accepted, and over 30 percent are the first in their families to pursue higher education. So far, the class of 2008 has received over $1,000,000 in merit awards and over 160 acceptances to schools including Bard College, Barnard College, Bates College, Carleton University, College of Charleston, Columbia, University of Chicago, Emory University, New York University, Rhode Island School of Design, Rollins College, University of San Diego, Skidmore College and Yale University.

This fifth annual Starlight Ball was made possible in part by our generous sponsors and friends. We extend our deepest appreciation for their support.

Press Release retrieved from the Ross School

The Ross School Scholarship fund event was covered by Hampton news.

More information about Courtney Ross is available at Forbes Online.

View an interview with Charlie Rose and Courtney Ross about the Ross School and Ross Global Academy.

View the Courtney Sale Ross website for articles about the Ross School and the Ross Global Academy

View the IMBD profile for Courtney Sale Ross