THE KING AND I's Ruthie Ann Miles Honored at NYUAA's 2016 Luncheon Today

The New York University Alumni Association (NYUAA) honors four outstanding members of the NYU community at its annual Awards Luncheon, including former president John Sexton and Tony Award-winning actress Ruthie Ann Miles (pictured, left). The luncheon is hosted by President Andrew Hamilton and NYUAA Board President and Alumni Trustee Beverly Hyman (STEINHARDT '80) today, April 8 at the Grand Hyatt New York.

Each year, the NYUAA selects distinguished members of the NYU community who embody the spirit of distinction that brings pride to the University by demonstrating extraordinary achievement and service to their professional, vocational, social, and cultural endeavors.

"The NYUAA Awards unite our community, making us one NYU," says Hyman. "The luncheon celebrates our communal pride in the academic, public service, artistic and philanthropic achievements of these exceptional honorees."

Honorees include:

· John Sexton, Benjamin Butler Professor of Law and dean emeritus of the School of Law, served as president of New York University from 2002 through 2015. Milestones of his tenure include growth of NYU's global network, including campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai; a merger with Polytechnic University, now the NYU Tandon School of Engineering; and the largest increase in Arts and Science faculty in the University's history. Sexton will be awarded the Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service.

· Jonathan L. Mechanic (LAW '77) is chairman of Fried Frank's Real Estate Department. He routinely counsels developers, owners, investors, REITs, and financial institutions in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. A philanthropist who is renowned in his field, Mechanic was named one of the "Most Influential Lawyers" by the National Law Journal and is consistently on the New York Observer's "Power 100" list for people in NY real estate. Mechanic will be awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

· Jonathan Woodson (MED '79) is the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs who administers the more than $50 billion Military Health System budget and serves as principal adviser to the secretary of defense for health issues. Additionally, he has been recognized extensively for his outstanding surgical career and military service. Woodson will be awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

· Ruthie Ann Miles (STEINHARDT '07) is a Broadway actress currently appearing in the Tony Award-winning revival of The King And I at Lincoln Center, for which she won the 2015 Tony Award for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical." Miles is also active with the Broadway Green Alliance and community outreach through Trinity Grace Church. Miles will be awarded the Distinguished Young Alumna Award.

The Awards Luncheon will take place on Friday, April 8, 2016 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt New York. For more information or to register for this event, click here.

The NYU Alumni Association (NYUAA) is the umbrella organization for all University alumni from every NYU school. With a network of more than 470,000 NYU alumni worldwide, the mission of the NYUAA is to build and sustain a lifelong relationship between the University and its alumni through communication, programs, services, volunteering, and opportunities for lifelong learning.