More than 800 people gathered for Columbia Business School’s 36th Annual Dinner on Monday, May 7, raising $3 million in unrestricted funds for the School’s programs and activities. Held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, the gala event recognized Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express, with the Distinguished Leadership in Business Award and Janet L. Yellen, vice chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, with the Distinguished Leadership in Government Award.“Since becoming dean in 2004, I have had the distinct honor and privilege to stand before you on the first Monday night in May to celebrate the extraordinary depth, breadth, and vitality of the Columbia Business School community,” Dean Glenn Hubbard said in his opening remarks for the evening. “Ideas and talent are also distinguishing hallmarks of our honorees this evening. It goes without saying that Janet Yellen and Kenneth Chenault are tried and true leaders in their respective fields, and their remarkable accomplishments continue to inspire business students and experienced practitioners alike.”This year’s event set several Annual Dinner records: 160 students in attendance, the most ever; a record 49 new sponsors comprising more than 30 percent of Annual Dinner supporters; and a total of 177 gifts, setting a record for gifts made during the event.The Annual Dinner brings together alumni, faculty members, students, and friends of the School and generates critical support for curriculum development, financial aid, faculty research, and day-to-day operations. The following Benefactor-level donors led sponsorship of this year’s Annual Dinner: First Eagle Investment Management/First Eagle Funds, the Geier Group, Marie-Josée and Henry R. ’69 Kravis, MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., and Jerry I. Speyer ’64 and Tishman Speyer, and an anonymous donor.