Newman’s 2014 Distinguished Alumnus: Richard B. Stone ‘60

[FULL STORY]

On the evening of March 20, 2014, Newman faculty, alumni, and community members gathered in the School’s Reynolds Ryan Art Gallery to honor Richard B. Stone, ’60, the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus. A prominent lawyer, teacher, philanthropist, and supporter of Newman, Richard received the award for being a tireless entrepreneur, law professor, and advocate for the international Jewish community.

Friends, family, classmates, and Newman faculty were on hand to celebrate Richard’s achievement. Head of School Dale M. Smith welcomed the audience and explained the significance of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, which is given each year to an alumnus or alumna who exhibits professional success, civic leadership, and affection for of the School. Dale spoke of Richard’s high regard for Newman, which comes across in every conversation. He also acknowledged the Stone family for its unwavering dedication to the School. Many Stone family members were in attendance, including Richard’s mother and the family’s matriarch, Mrs. Sara Stone.

Jack Weiss ’64 took the podium next to introduce Richard, his lifelong friend and mentor. He joked, “You all have me to blame for Richard’s getting this award” as Jack was the one who nominated Richard for the honor. Jack shared some insights on Richard’s character, among them that he has been a friend and mentor to so many people. “Every place he’s gone in life, Richard has attracted people who have sought him out for his wisdom, advice, and sense of humor,” he said. Citing Richard’s boundless appetite for fishing, his family, good food and wine, New York, Israel, Judaism, and Newman, he added, “Richard is a person of tremendous passion.”

Alumni Board President Jonny Lake ’69 presented Richard with the award, and then Richard accepted with his characteristic humor. He told amusing and poignant anecdotes about his relationship with Newman and what the School has meant to him. He said that he had had “staggeringly wonderful luck” in Newman teachers, specifically mentioning Wayne Frederick, whom he called “one of the most perceptive human beings I ever met.”

Richard explained that, when he left the School after graduation, he always kept Newman with him. He shared one anecdote about preparing to argue his first case before the Supreme Court in which he calmed his nerves and focused his arguments by imagining himself in Newman’s auditorium, composing a speech for student government. As he closed his speech, he summed up his feelings for the School: “I’m so proud to be here, but the truth is whatever love and affection Newman has shown for me, I have more nostalgia, love, and affection for Newman.”

A man or remarkable professional and civic achievement, Richard Stone is truly deserving of this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He has served on the faculty at Columbia University Law School since 1974, where he held the Wilbur Friedman Chair in Tax Law. From 2011 to 2013 he was Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. This Chairmanship is considered the highest lay position in the organized Jewish community.

He is a co-founder of several biotechnology companies including Lev Pharmaceuticals. He is also a co-founder of Powermat, a global player in wireless device charging, and he is Chairman of the Board of Espro Acoustiguide, the second largest provider of contact and hardware for acoustical museum guides.

After Newman, Richard graduated magna cum laude from both Harvard College and Harvard Law School. After two years in private practice, he was appointed as Assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States, where he was part of a small group that represented the United States government in the Supreme Court. During that time he argued 10 cases before the Court. During Rudy Giuliani’s term as New York City Mayor, Stone served as the Mayor’s Manhattan representative on the Board of the City Universities of New York.

Richard has become a noted philanthropist and humanitarian over the course of his life and career. In addition to his current role as Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, he served as Chairman of the NCSJ, the National Conference on Soviet Jewry. He has also chaired the public policy arms of both the New York Jewish Community Relations Council and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

A resident of New York, he has nevertheless maintained a strong connection with Newman. Richard was invited back to the School as the Commencement speaker in 1982, and he hosted a gathering for his class’s 50th reunion in 2010. He has attended almost all of his class reunions and has hosted, organized, or attended a number of Newman events held in the New York area.