First Annual Pathways Breakfast

Thursday, December 13, 2007
Down Town Club, Philadelphia

Business and community leaders and elected officials packed a ballroom for the College’s first annual Pathways Breakfast on December 13, where the College gave Bill Cosby, Ed.D., its highest honor.

Daniel P. McElhatton, Esq. and President Stephen M. Curtis gave Dr. Cosby the College’s first Allen T. Bonnell Award at a breakfast held at the Down Town Club in Center City. Named after the College’s founder and first president, the Bonnell Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to access, opportunity and transformational change. Dr. Cosby embodies those characteristics. He has urged individuals to better themselves by obtaining an education.

At the breakfast, the renowned actor, comedian, author, educator and humanitarian praised the College and called it an “eraser” that allows people to erase past mistakes and rise above their circumstances—whether poverty, drugs, or incarceration—to obtain an education and advance into rewarding careers.

“The time when you decide that you want to make a difference in yourself, Community College [of Philadelphia] is ready,” Dr. Cosby said.

Others honored at the Pathways Breakfast included:

Corporate Partnership Award
Bill Knott, regional president for Wachovia Bank
Watch a video interview of Bill Knott.

Foundation Keystone Award
Barbara Cohen of The Hassel Foundation
Watch a video interview of Barbara Cohen.

Civic Investment Award
Cecilia Moy Yep, founder of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. Watch a video interview of Cecilia Moy Yep.

Community Philanthropist Award
Kal Rudman, music industry pioneer and philanthropist
Watch a video interview of Kal Rudman.

Alumni Achievement Award
Community College of Philadelphia Alumnus Paul Gluck, executive director, Kal and Lucille Rudman Institute for Entertainment Industry Studies, Drexel University. Watch a video interview of Paul Gluck.

Sponsors of the 2007 Pathways Breakfast included Comcast Corporation, The Glenmede Trust Company and the Independence Foundation, as well as Agoos/Lovera Architects; Beneficial Bank; Citizens Bank; Independence Blue Cross; Jacques Ferber, Inc.; Keystone Mercy Health Plan; Edward Y. Kung, Ph.D.; Verizon; Bill and Eileen Whiteside; and others.