This fall, NYU Stern received a $10 million gift from NYU Stern alumna Christina Dennis (BS ’80), member of the Stern Executive Board and NYU Board of Trustees. Her gift will allow Stern to increase access and opportunity through student scholarships, investment in new ideas and initiatives that strengthen our core teaching and research activities, and reimagine how we connect, learn, and engage. It represents a powerful commitment to ensuring that talented students from all backgrounds can fully benefit from all that Stern has to offer, and to strengthening the spaces and technologies that define the Stern experience. 

In recognition of her generosity, the lobby outside the Paulson Auditorium—one of the School’s most dynamic and visible gathering places where thousands of students, faculty, and alumni walk through every day— has been renamed the Christina M. Dennis Lobby.

“Chris is a role model in every sense of the word, resolutely sharing her time, talents, and financial support to increase access and create the best possible experiences for our students,” said Bharat Anand, Dean of NYU Stern. “Her latest commitment extends that legacy in profound ways, empowering Stern to make strategic investments that strengthen the ideas, collaborations, and community that are cornerstones of Stern’s culture.”

From left: NYU Trustees Chair Evan Chesler, NYU President Linda Mills, Christina Dennis (BS ‘80), NYU Stern Dean Anand Bharat

To celebrate the newly named space, the School hosted a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception in October. NYU President Linda Mills opened the event with remarks of gratitude for Christina’s ongoing generosity, followed by Evan Chesler, Chair, NYU Trustees, and NYU Stern Dean Bharat Anand who thanked Christina for her incredible support of and commitment to Stern.

Christina is a dedicated philanthropist and private investor. She began her career at Merrill Lynch before becoming a founding partner and head of trading at Palantir Capital, a technology hedge fund. Since 2002, as Founder and CEO of the Christina Dennis Foundation, she has focused her philanthropy on social services, animal welfare, and education. The School is honored that she has made Stern one of her top priorities.

“I am a scholarship recipient and have always felt that I benefited not only from the financial support, but knowing that someone believed in me,” said Christina. “I hope to inspire others with the belief that the impossible is possible.”

Christina Dennis (BS ‘80) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony 

The event was attended by members of the NYU Trustees and the Stern Executive Board, Alumni Council, the Stern Women’s Forum, along with students and faculty.

Watch the Christina Dennis impact video: