Cornell Hillel's Board of Trustees has announced the creation of the Tanner Prize to be awarded annually to a person, couple or family who has made significant contributions to both Jewish life anywhere in the world and to Cornell University, including, but not necessarily limited to, service to Cornell Hillel.

"As Cornell Hillel is the intersection of all things Jewish and all things Cornell, it is fitting for a prize acknowledging service to both to come from the organization," said Seth M. Siegel, chair of the Cornell Hillel board, who holds both an undergraduate degree and a law degree from Cornell. "That so generous, so tireless and so visionary a leader as Harold Tanner has allowed us to name the prize for him sets a high standard for all recipients of the Tanner Prize."

Harold Tanner '52 became a member of the Cornell Board of Trustees in 1982 and served as its chairman from 1997 to 2002. He is considered one of Cornell's most successful fund-raisers and is a Foremost Benefactor of the university. A longtime member of the American Jewish Committee's (AJC) Board of Governors, Tanner was elected as the organization's national president in 2001 and served in this capacity until this past June. He has also served as chair of AJC's board and in other key leadership roles at this global Jewish organization. Tanner was the recipient of the AJC's Herbert H. Lehman Human Relations Award in 1995. He is also the chairman of Tanner & Company, an investment advisory firm.

"I am extremely flattered to have this annual prize from Cornell Hillel named for me," said Tanner. "It is my hope that Cornell students will recognize that, while they rightly focus on family and career, they should also make every effort to find causes that move them and to which they can devote their energies. For me, and, I hope for Jewish students at Cornell, those volunteer energies have been largely focused on Cornell University and the safety and security of the Jewish people around the world."

Cornell President Jeffrey S. Lehman said: "The Tanner Prize is a great honor for a great Cornellian. Many years from now, as the ranks of prestigious Tanner Prize recipients grow, all will remember Harold Tanner's significant contributions to Cornell University and to the Jewish people. As an added benefit, the prize further integrates Cornell Hillel into the life and activities of our students, alumni and supporters."

The first recipient of the Tanner Prize will be announced in early 2005.

Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. Cornell Hillel is the umbrella organization for Jewish life at Cornell and provides opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity through its 30 Jewish student union groups representing the spectrum of cultural, social, religious and political Jewish life.