Washington, DC – On April 25, 2018, the Hungarian American Coalition (Coalition) will host its 14th annual Gala Dinner at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C. At this year’s Gala dinner, the Coalition’s Board will honor Dr. Jeanette Gecsy Grasselli Brown, scientist, businesswoman and philanthropist and the Ferenc Rákóczi II. Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute represented by Dr. Ildikó Orosz, Rector.
This award is bestowed annually to those individuals and institutions, who have made significant contributions to strengthening transatlantic relations, assisted the Coalition’s educational and cultural programs, and helped our organization support our brethren in the Carpathian basin.
Dr. Jeanette Gecsy Grasselli Brown, a second generation Hungarian American, has been a long-time supporter of the Coalition and many Hungarian American organizations and initiatives. In her hometown of Cleveland, OH, she has played a pivotal role in maintaining the Cleveland Hungarian Museum, and as a founding member and advisor of Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel, she greatly contributed to foster business opportunities between Cleveland and Hungary. In addition, Dr. Brown has supported several cultural and educational initiatives between the U.S. and Hungary. Read Dr. Brown’s full profile here.
The Coalition will also honor the Ferenc Rákóczi II. Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute (Institute), a nationally recognized Ukrainian private higher education establishment located in Transcarpathia, Ukraine. It was established by the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association (KMKSZ) in 1996. The Board agreed that the Institute’s contributions to the education of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia are invaluable, especially in the areas of higher education. Read more about the Institute here.
Mr. Peter Kurz, Mrs. Edith K. Lauer, Dr. Jeanette Gecsy Grasselli Brown and Dr. Glenn Brown at the Coalition’s 13th annual Gala Dinner at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C on May 18, 2017
The Institute will be represented by Dr. Ildikó Orosz, Rector and President of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Educators’ Alliance. Her work as an organizer of the Institute, community leader, public figure and politician has been widely-praised in professional and political circles. As one of the creators of the Institute, her name is synonymous with the Transcarpathian Hungarian education system and the issue of global Hungarian education and pedagogy.
The proceeds of the Gala Dinner will benefit the Coalition’s scholarship programs. For more information on tickets, please contact Noemi Banhidi, Program Coordinator at hac@hacusa.org.