Media contact: Barbara Gutierrez
bgutierrez@miami.edu
305-284-5500
Coral Gables, FL (May 27, 2010) – Norton Herrick, head of a prominent motion picture and theatrical production and financing company, received the University of Miami’s Presidential Medal on May 24, 2010 during a private luncheon on the Coral Gables campus.
Herrick, chairman of Herrick Entertainment recently donated a film and video collection appraised at $32 million to UM’s School of Communication that will boost the School’s stature in cinematic holdings and establish it among the top film study programs in the academia. UM President Donna E. Shalala presented the medal and a citation to Herrick during a ceremony in the President’s Boardroom.
“Norton Herrick, visionary businessman, humanitarian, engaged citizen, and philanthropist, in recognition of your generosity to the University of Miami and your passion to conserve and share humanity’s collective memory as portrayed during the Golden Age of Cinema and Television, I am honored to present to you the University of Miami President’s Medal and our enduring gratitude,” quoted President Shalala from the citation.
Among those present during the ceremony were Herrick’s family members, Dean of the School of Communication Sam L Grogg; Senior Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs Sergio Gonzalez and UM Trustee and alumnus Robert Mann, Class of 1970.
Dean Grogg said of the Herrick collection: “This is a very unique collection of rare and unusual film and television titles from the silent era to the present day. Our faculty and students will eagerly mine this treasure trove of cinematic history and popular culture.”
The President’s Medal was established by President Shalala as a way to honor individuals for their outstanding leadership and distinguished accomplishments- in their fields of expertise as well as for their contributions to society. Past recipients include actor Michel J. Fox, for his commitment to raising awareness and research funding for Parkinson’s disease, and several University leaders for their longstanding service to the University of Miami community.
The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu.
Norton Herrick is Chairman and CEO of The Herrick Company, Inc., one of the nation’s most successful real estate investment firms with income property transactions totaling over $3 billion. Mr. Herrick is also Chairman of Herrick Entertainment, LLC, a motion picture and theatrical production and financing company committed to providing audiences with high quality films and Broadway shows.
Editor’s note: A picture of Norton Herrick receiving the medal is available upon request.