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Leo Melamed, Chairman Emeritus of Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), will be honored with the Scopus Award by the American Friends of the Hebrew University on June 18, 2007, at Chicago's Fairmont Hotel. The gala evening will be highlighted by a speech from legendary actor, director, comedian, writer and producer Carl Reiner. The dinner emcee is Terry Savage, financial commentator, columnist and author. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the Leo Melamed scholarship fund at the Business School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The Scopus Award is the highest honor conferred by the American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU). It is awarded to individuals who demonstrate leadership and involvement with humanitarian causes throughout their careers. Past Scopus laureates include the late economist Milton Friedman; former Secretary of State George P. Schultz; Abram N. Pritzker, founder of Hyatt hotels; talk show host Larry King, and many others.
Recognized as the founder of financial futures markets, Mr. Melamed was named by the former editor of the Chicago Tribune as one of the ten most important Chicagoans in business of the 20th Century. In 1972, as Chairman of CME, Mr. Melamed created the International Monetary Market (IMM), the first futures market for financial instruments. He led CME in the introduction of futures on foreign currencies, paving the way for a diverse number of financial instruments, including futures on U.S. Treasury bills, Eurodollars, and in 1982, stock index futures. In 1987, Mr. Melamed and his colleagues pioneered the concept of electronic trading of derivatives contracts and in 1992 launched the CME Globex(R) electronic trading platform. Today, CME is the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange. Its shares are publicly traded on the NYSE and the Nasdaq stock exchanges.
A long-time supporter of educational institutions, Mr. Melamed has received awards and distinctions from many of the world's top universities. He also received a Presidential appointment to the Council of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, from 1991 to 2005.
"Supporting the business school at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is the perfect combination of my professional and philanthropic activities and interests," said Mr. Melamed. "By ensuring that Israeli business students receive a top-tier education, the Hebrew University is fulfilling a vital role in securing Israel's future. Israel needs top business leaders to strengthen its economy, and thereby strengthen the country itself."
"Leo Melamed has made a phenomenal impact in his professional life," said Charles "Corky" Goodman, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "But as someone who is dedicated to the Hebrew University, it is his philanthropic activities that truly move me. I'm grateful for and honored by his commitment to HU's business school."
"It is our great privilege to present the Scopus award to Leo Melamed," said George A. Schieren, president of AFHU. "His generous friendship, leadership, passion for Israel, and a lifetime of personal and professional accomplishments make him extremely deserving of this honor."
A chronicle of the evolution of CME, the exchange's growing role in worldwide economies and Mr. Melamed's efforts and influence in driving progress in the global futures industry, is available on Mr. Melamed's Web site, http://www.leomelamed.com. The Media, the CME and Me! provides an historical overview of the many changes, challenges and triumphs that have shaped CME into its current world-leading status and provides more details on Mr. Melamed's innovative contributions over the past four decades.
The Scopus Award dinner, which is being chaired by CME Executive Chairman Terrence A. Duffy and Mr. Goodman, will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Gail Gruen, Executive Director, Midwest Region, AFHU, at 312-329-0332, ext 25, or visit http://www.afhu.org.
