New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio visited the Bronx on Wednesday, July 21, to deliver remarks alongside the City’s Department of Education (DOE) schools chancellor, Meisha Porter, at the groundbreaking of a new lab wing at the Bronx High School of Science in Jerome Park, which will be called the “Stanley Manne ‘52 Science Institute.”  The new lab is understood to be funded by investments from Bronx High School of Science alum, Stanley Manne, with support by a number of other entities.

 

Speaking at Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony, which was also attended by District 11 Councilman Eric Dinowitz, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 33), and Assembly Member Kenny Burgos (A.D. 85). The mayor described the new lab wing as an amazing story, saying the occasion brought to mind the phrase, “Remember where you come from,” as he thanked Manne, who was also present for the ceremony, for not forgetting his Bronx roots.

 

De Blasio said that New York City public schools were often maligned but what was great about them was that they produced people like Manne, and “so many other amazing human beings.” According to the school’s website, Manne has been a successful corporate leader and investor for many years, most recently serving as president of Brawny Plastics, a firm that manufactures products including industrial plastic bags and consumer products.

After graduating from Bronx Science in 1952, Manne went on to earn a chemical engineering degree at Columbia University in New York and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He is also the founder of the Manne Family Foundation, which provides assistance to a number of charities. He has also established the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, affiliated with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

 

During his remarks, the mayor joked about the friendly rivalry between Bronx High School of Science and Brooklyn Tech, which he said his son attended. “I want to just describe my bias. I’m a Brooklynite,” he said. “My son went to Brooklyn Tech – the crosstown rivals. I won’t use any of the adjectives he would put before the words Bronx Science or simply, science, but it was always said with love.” He went on to describe Bronx High School of Science as “one of the great jewels in the crown of New York City public schools.”

 

In reference to the City’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor said the educational system would be a key part of the recovery. “Build up Bronx Science, and you build up the City,” he said. “If Bronx Science is thriving and producing the extraordinary talent, then all of New York City is benefiting, all this country is benefiting.”

It was a great day to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the “Stanley Manne ‘52 Science Institute.” The impact of Mr. Manne’s generosity on our Bronx students will be felt for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/kuR8roy3hp

— Council Member Eric Dinowitz (@EricDinowitzNYC) July 21, 2021

Eric Dinowitz, a former teacher, and Bronx High School of Science alum, wrote in a tweet after the event that it had been a great day to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new institute. “The impact of Mr Manne’s generosity on our Bronx students will be felt for generations to come,” he wrote.

 

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Dinowitz, tweeted later on Wednesday, “Today, we break ground on the “Stanley Manne ’52 Institute” at @bronx_science thanks to the incredibly generous donation made by Stanley Manne through the @bxsciencealumni. Thank you Mr. Manne for making Bronx Science and the #Bronx that much greater!”

 

The assemblyman, also an alum of the school, later wrote, “I was very excited to join a groundbreaking ceremony at the Bronx High School of Science, my alma mater, for the future Stanley Manne ’52 Science Institute. This institute will be part of Bronx Science and represents the largest single gift to a public school in the entire nation ($18 million). Congratulations to Bronx Science and thank you to Stanley Manne!”

 

For his part, Bailey, also an alum of the school, tweeted that it had been amazing to be present for the occasion and thanked Manne for his contribution to the school. “The next great scientist is from The Bronx & just needs the space to do it.” he said. “Most importantly, local institutions will have a significant stake in the programming, so that we ensure all of our kids have the opportunity to achieve. Thank you @bxsciencealumni, @NYCMayor and @DOEChancellor for your partnership in getting this done!”

 

Later, on July 30, as part of a separate press release, he added, “This development is a great example of how public education can impact and unite and entire community.” The senator continued, “As our city continues its reopening, this science building will be a place for all students of the Bronx to convene, learn and socialize. I am proud to be a Bronx Science alum and to represent the Bronx. I believe that the Bronx Science Alumni Foundation has launched a model of exceptional partnerships – through not only securing the largest donation in New York City history, but also connecting with other schools in their area to help provide opportunities.”

 

Manne was quoted as having said that the Bronx High School of Science gave him everything.

 

Addressing Manne directly during the ceremony, De Blasio spoke of his investment in the school, saying, “Now a lot more people are going to be great, a lot more kids are going to meet their full potential because of you, Stanley. I want to make this very clear. It’s because of you. You are making possible a different and better future, ultimately, for thousands of kids, and I honor you for that.” Amid applause and laughter, he added, “You’re what we call a mensch in Brooklyn.”

 

The mayor also used the occasion to talk about the role of science in today’s world. “There are people who believe in science and there are all too many nowadays who don’t believe in science, and that’s dangerous,” he said. “I’d like to give a vote of confidence, and a ‘thank you’ to everyone who believes in science, because we need those people,” he added.

De Blasio went on to say that in America, people could hold their beliefs and their political views but said it did not give them permission to negate “the basic principles of the universe,” and adding that the negation of such principles should never cause danger to others. “I think Bronx Science, its greatness, is part of pulling people back to a conversation about a more fundamental truth,” he said. “We shouldn’t be debating certain facts. Some facts are just facts. Some of the facts of COVID are not debatable, for example, because we’ve seen what COVID does to people.”

 

He continued, “Today, we announced that in our public hospitals and clinics, employees are going to have to either get vaccinated or get tested once a week because of the Delta variant. Science tells us the Delta variant is a whole new ball game and it’s not a good ball game. That’s science. That’s not opinion. That’s not politics. We have a problem and we have to do something about that problem, so, we’re doing something different now.”

 

He then thanked God for the scientists who he said tell us the truth to help us and to protect us so we can move forward. “The next generation of those great scientists is coming from right here,” he said.

The mayor went on to thank Manne once again as well as everybody else involved with the new lab wing at the school, including Porter, Nina Kabuta of SCA, Julie Shapiro of the DOE Fund for Public Schools, and Bronx Science Alumni Foundation. “Most especially, Stanley Manne, you are doing something beautiful for the Bronx, beautiful for the City of New York, beautiful for our children. I cannot thank you enough,” he said.

 

Earlier this month, on July 8, as reported, the mayor and the schools chancellor announced their academic recovery vision for New York City’s public schools and students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

On July 30, The Alumni Foundation of the Bronx High School of Science (Bronx Science) announced that the new science laboratory building will be located on the southeast corner of the campus, funded “through the generous support of alumni donor, Stanley Manne (’52).” The building will also provide open neighborhood space for the whole Bronx community.

The new Manne Institute is a joint project between the Bronx Science Alumni Foundation, the Department of Education and the School Construction Authority. Dattner Architects will carry out the design and Consigli Construction are responsible for the construction, under the guidance of the School Construction Authority.

 

The donation from Stanley Manne represents the largest individual gift to The Bronx High School of Science Alumni Foundation ever, and the largest gift to a New York City public school in history. According to the school, it was imperative to Mr. Manne, a longtime Chicago resident, to give back to the Bronx where he grew up, and to provide opportunities for students in the borough.

 

“We are proud to be partnering with our surrounding high schools to provide advance lab space and research programming for our students,” said Sang Kim (’88), president of the alumni foundation. “The building will contain three lab spaces, equipment rooms, and a presentation and gathering space. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for our students and for collaboration with our neighboring schools. We also look forward to welcoming the local community board and other community organizations to use the conference room space to empower the entire community.”

 

Meanwhile, Porter said the Manne Institute will bring cutting-edge science facilities to the Bronx. “I’m grateful for Mr. Manne’s generosity and the collaboration among the Fund for Public Schools, Bronx Science Alumni Foundation and the Department of Education,” she said. “I can’t wait to see students from across the borough busy at work in classrooms, labs, and getting hands-on experience.”

 

The high school partners include The High School for American Studies at Lehman College; Dewitt Clinton High School; High School for Teaching and the Professions; Marie Curie School for Medicine; Nursing and the Health Professions; Discovery High School; International School for Liberal Arts and a middle school partner, PS/MS 95.

 

Partner school principal, Gicel Adon, of the International School for Liberal Arts said the school community was honored to be part of such a historical moment. “Our students will greatly benefit from the lab, and these are the kinds of resources we need to accelerate authentic learning and advance equity.”

Bronx Science is one of eight premiere high schools in New York City. Its alumni represent achievement and leadership in virtually every field of success including a record-breaking, eight Nobel Prize Winners (the most from any high school in the world), the first African American neurosurgeon, a former Secretary of Defense, countless authors, entertainers, leaders in science, business, government and more.

The construction will take approximately 18 months to complete.

 

Concluding his remarks, De Blasio said, “Sometimes, my friends, even in a contentious world, I get to speak on behalf of 8.5 million people. I think I could say 8.5 million people would agree to this statement – you are a blessing,” referring again to Manne.  “You’ve done something beautiful for all of us. God bless you, Stanley. Thank you for remembering where you came from.”