Philanthropist Alex Cohen to speak at Manhattan College Graduate Commencement in May and receive Honorary Degree

Milo Riverso, Ph.D., P.E., President of Manhattan College, today announced that Alex Cohen, philanthropist and owner of the New York Mets, will deliver the keynote address and receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa at the School’s Graduate Commencement to be held on May 17, 2024. Ms. Cohen was a commuter student during her college days at Manhattan College, where she studied communications.

As President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Ms. Cohen directs giving toward underserved communities, children’s health and education, Lyme and tickborne disease research, psychedelic research and mental health, the arts, and sustainability. Established in 2001, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation has awarded more than $1.2 billion in grants to support changemaking non-profit organizations.

Additionally, Ms. Cohen serves as the President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, which she and her husband established in 2020 after purchasing the New York Mets baseball team. Since its inception, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation has funded over $10.2 million in grants to over 160 organizations in its community, including the communities surrounding affiliate teams.

A lifelong New Yorker, Ms. Cohen was born in Harlem and raised in Washington Heights. She was named one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in U.S. Philanthropy" by Inside Philanthropy.

“I’m so excited to return to Manhattan College to speak to the graduating class of 2024. I’m also humbled and grateful to receive this honorary degree,” said Alex Cohen. “My time at Manhattan College was transformative for me, and I will never forget the people there who made a difference in my life.”

Said Dr. Riverso, “It is a distinct honor and privilege to confer this honorary degree upon Alex. Her tremendous support for the College, particularly for our students coming from under-resourced communities, is typical of her spirit of generosity and her recognition of the importance of the solid educational experience that Manhattan College offers all its graduate and undergraduate students.”

The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation has generously supported Manhattan College with over $1.5 million in grants to fund initiatives including the Manhattan College Baseball Big Brother Program, Summer Literacy Institute, and the Veterans Success Program. Additionally, the Cohen Scholars program, a scholarship fund, covers nearly 90% of tuition and fees for five commuter students from underserved communities majoring in a field focused on science, technology, engineering, or math. There are currently two cohorts of Cohen Scholars.