More than 300 NLGJA members and media boldfacers gathered at TheTimesCenter — part of the new headquarters of The New York Times — on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 for Headlines & Headliners: NLGJA’s 13th Annual New York Benefit.

Following the general reception, a sold-out VIP dinner for over 120 guests took place on the 15th floor of the Renzo Piano-designed building. Amid panoramic views of the nation’s media capital, NLGJA leaders announced the benefit raised more than $160,000 for NLGJA’s year-round programs, making it the most successful evening in the event’s 13-year history.

Emceed by Today Show Co-Host Meredith Vieira and hosted by Bill Keller, Executive Editor of The New York Times, the evening also featured the announcement of NLGJA’s third Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award to Matthew Leung.

Before presenting the third-year Vassar College student with the $5,000 scholarship check, Keller reflected on the state of the ever-changing journalism industry. "Our business is reeling from technological advances that have siphoned off much of our advertising revenue and have loosened our monopoly on the audience and fractured our readership," he said, adding, "I believe in my bones that there is a bright, prosperous future for quality journalism."

Leung is a technology columnist for Vassar's Miscellany News and the founder/editor-in-chief of the print and online LGBT magazine Outlet. A first-generation American and college student, he is currently pursuing a double major in Philosophy and Chinese. As part of the scholarship award, Leung will receive tuition funding, a professional mentor and a space in NLGJA’s print/online newsroom at the National Convention Student Project.

"Matt exemplifies the future of journalism. He is entrepreneurial and innovative, yet retains a commitment to the importance of accuracy, fairness and objectivity as a journalist. I know Roy Aarons would be a big fan of Matthew and it is an honor to present him with this scholarship," said NLGJA Executive Director David Barre.

Keller and Vieira were two of many special guests who contributed their time to supporting NLGJA at the event, including:

• Jill Abramson, Managing Editor, The New York Times
• Steve Ainsley, Publisher, The Boston Globe
• Ted Allen, Co-Host, Bravo's Queer Eye
• Jason Bellini, Anchor, CBS News on Logo
• Steve Capus, President, NBC News
• Liz Cho, Anchor, WABC-TV, New York
• Rita Cosby, Author
• John Geddes, Managing Editor, The New York Times
• Kimberly Guilfoyle, Host, Fox’s The Lineup
• Larry Hackett, Managing Editor, People Magazine
• Shannon High, Vice President & Managing Editor, MSNBC
• Carson Kressley, Co-Host, Bravo's Queer Eye
• Matt Lauer, Co-Host, NBC’s TODAY Show
• Jack Mackenroth, Contestant, Bravo’s Project Runway
• Jeanne Moos, News Correspondent, CNN
• Natalie Morales, Co-Host, NBC's TODAY Show
• Erin Moriarty, Correspondent, CBS' 48 Hours
• Michael Musto, Columnist, The Village Voice
• Martin Nisenholtz, Sr. VP, The New York Times
• Carl Quintanilla, Co-Anchor, CNBC's Squawk Box
• Anthony Rapp, Original Cast, Rent
• Barry Rice, Barry Rice Designs
• Bill Ritter, Anchor, WABC-TV, New York
• Geraldo Rivera, Host, Fox’s Geraldo At Large
• Maggie Rodriguez, Co-Anchor, CBS Early Show
• Andy Rosenthal, Editorial Page Editor, The New York Times
• Rosanna Scotto, Anchor, WNYW-Fox, New York
• Judy Shepard, Executive Director, Matthew Shepard Foundation
• Bobbie Thomas, Style Editor, NBC’s TODAY Show
• Jonathan Wald, Sr. Vice President, CNBC
• Mark Whitaker, Sr. Vice President, NBC News

Photos of the event can be viewed online and requested by press for media coverage by contacting NLGJA Director of Communications Jason Lloyd Clement at jlclement@nlgja.org or 202-588-9888, ext. 12.