Date: Jun 01, 2009

Richard Ravitch to Deliver Keynote Speech at Third Annual Scholarship Luncheon Sponsored by Wilbur F. Breslin Center for Real Estate Studies and the Institute of Real Estate at Hofstra University

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – The Third Annual Institute of Real Estate Luncheon hosted by the Wilbur F. Breslin Center for Real Estate Studies will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hofstra University Club, David S. Mack Hall, North Campus.

The annual luncheon offers an opportunity for leaders within the real estate community and some of the most influential thinkers in economic development to dialogue about current trends in the field while raising funds to benefit scholarships for Hofstra students.

This year's keynote speaker is Richard Ravitch, principal at Ravitch, Rice & Company LLC.

Mr. Ravitch’s professional career has included both business and public service. He is chairman of the Commission on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Financing, the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust’s Board of Trustees and the AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust’s Advisory Board. He is a former principal owner and chairman of the Bowery Savings Bank of New York and has served as chairman of the New York State Urban Development Board and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York.

In 2003, Mr. Ravitch received the Housing Person of the Year Award from the National Housing Conference. During his tenure as chairman with HRH Construction Corporation, from 1960 to 1977, Mr. Ravitch is credited with creating and supervising more than 45,000 units of affordable housing in New York City and other urban areas.

The luncheon fee is $100 per person or $1,000 per table of 10 attendees. Luncheon sponsorships are also available for $300. Sponsors will be recognized in the formal program and at the event. For additional information or to reserve your seat please contact Theresa M. Haller at (516) 463-4069.

The Wilbur F. Breslin Center for Real Estate aims to promote professionalism and to be a trusted, authoritative source for real estate education, mentoring and networking for the Long Island real estate industry. The center will host additional conferences and seminars throughout the year, analyzing critical issues in real estate and bringing together leading scholars and practitioners.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.