Syracuse University Trustee Gerald B. Cramer '52 is providing a special opportunity
for 12 high-achieving students from the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) to
attend the Sept. 12 Syracuse premiere of "The Express." The students will attend the
premiere and all related festivities as Cramer's special guests.
Cramer purchased $1,000 tickets to the premiere and post-premiere gala, which he
then made available to the SCSD. District administration selected the 12 students
who will accompany him. Students selected to attend the premiere are leaders both in
and out of the classroom, with good academic standing and an interest in athletics.
"The story of Ernie Davis' life is one that transcends across generations. His journey is
motivational, inspirational and educational. It allows our students to see the value of
hard work, perseverance and determination," says Brian Nolan, director of high
schools and career education for the SCSD.
The students will arrive at the Landmark Theatre in a limousine, walk the orange
carpet, meet the film's cast, receive a special gift bag and later attend the post-
premiere gala at the Onondaga County War Memorial.
"I think this is a wonderful way to inspire young people in the local community to
not only learn about Ernie Davis and his life by watching the film, but also to see him
as a role model and hero in their own lives," says Cramer. "I think this will be truly
exciting, not only for the students but for me as well. It will be thrilling to meet the
students and to experience these wonderful events together."
Cramer notes that SU has a history and responsibility to extend a hand to the local
community and sees this event as a natural extension of that partnership. "A few
years ago, I brought a ballet company to the SU campus. As part of their visit, the
dancers worked with local students from the community. That exchange not only
inspired the students, but it inspired the dancers and it inspired me to look into future
opportunities."
Cramer is a co-founder and chairman emeritus of Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC,
an investment advisory firm with close to 50 years of investment experience. His civic
and professional commitments include membership on the boards of the National
Road Safety Foundation and Ripplewood Corporation, a major private equity firm.
At SU, Cramer serves on the Executive Committee of the SU Board of Trustees, as co-
chair of the Investment and Endowment Committee, and is a member of the
Metropolitan New York Advisory Council, the Society of Fellows, the Chancellor's
Council and the Maxwell Advisory Board. Cramer is a recipient of the George Arents
Pioneer Medal, the University's highest alumni honor. He was the first recipient of
the Maxwell School Horizon Award, donated several works of art by major American
artists to the University Art Collection and was a vice chair of the National Campaign
for Syracuse Committee.
For more information on the "The Express," the premiere and Ernie Davis, visit
http://erniedavis.syr.edu.
