February 2013

Benets Endow Professorship
in Finance 

Jay and Jeanne Benet with their son, Josh

Longtime supporter of the William E. Simon School of Business Jay S. Benet ’76S (MBA) has remained actively involved at his alma mater as a member of the Simon School’s National Council and Executive Advisory Committee. In appreciation for the outstanding leadership at Simon, Mr. Benet and his wife Jeanne have committed $1.5 million that will establish the Jay S. and Jeanne P. Benet Professorship of Finance.

 “We are deeply grateful to Jay and Jeanne Benet for this investment in finance education at the Simon School,” said President Joel Seligman. “We are proud to be considered a global leader in finance education, and this gift will help us to build on that momentum.”

The Benet’s gift contributes to the Simon School’s $85 million campaign, which is part of The Meliora Challenge: The Campaign for the University of Rochester and its $1.2 billion goal. Their gift is also one of 60 endowed professorships that have been established since the beginning of the Campaign, which seeks to reach 80 new endowed professorships by June 30, 2016.

By endowing this professorship, the Benets are providing Simon with the resources to continue to attract renowned faculty from around the world and remain a leader among its peers in finance. Mr. Benet has also committed to ongoing support of the University as a Charter Member of the George Eastman Circle at the Benefactor level. 

 “This gift of a finance professorship for the Simon School is in recognition of the outstanding education I received while attending Simon,” said Mr. Benet. “The analytic, fact-based problem-solving skills I learned from my professors enabled me to successfully compete in business.”

That success has helped Mr. Benet become vice chairman and CFO of The Travelers Companies Inc, where he oversees all of Travelers’ financial operations, including financial planning and analysis, enterprise risk management, and several other areas. He joined the company after 14 years at Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he was a partner.

For more information, please click here.

Values and Action

Throughout The Meliora Challenge, our generous alumni, parents, and friends have honored others with their gifts. Often those who are honored are friends or loved ones, revered faculty, or exceptional care providers—people who have had a direct impact on their lives. Phil Saunders’ truly altruistic gesture, mentioned within this newsletter, is a reminder that there are those whose impact on our lives cannot easily be seen or felt.

The display honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Saunders Research Building acknowledges the men and women who have bravely served and selflessly sacrificed for our country. University of Rochester faculty, students, and alumni have served in the military as far back as the Civil War. Plaques hanging in Wilson Commons commemorate the lives that were lost in past battles.

Today, students are receiving training for service as commissioned officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps through our NROTC program. Alumnus Rear Admiral Sean Pybus ’79 is still serving as a career Naval Special Warfare SEAL officer—some of you may have heard him speak at this past Meliora Weekend. And Donald Winter ’69, currently a member of the Washington, D.C. Regional Cabinet, served as the 74th Secretary of the U.S. Navy from January 2006 until March 2009.

These men and women have put their own lives in danger to protect the lives of others. I cannot think of a more admirable profession, and I am proud the University’s history contains so many who have chosen this path. The next time you are on the River Campus or at the Medical Center, I encourage you to visit these memorials.

Meliora!

James D. Thompson
Senior Vice President
Chief Advancement Officer

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Thornton Installed as the Inaugural Saunders Distinguished Professor

From left: Richard T. Moxley III, E. Philip Saunders, Charles A. Thornton, Dean Mark Taubman, and President Joel Seligman

Today, more than 28 million Americans are coping with neuromuscular diseases, which include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy, among others. As the population continues to grow and age, this number will continue to increase.

Charles A. Thornton ’91 (Flw) has dedicated his career to understanding the causes of these devastating degenerative diseases and developing treatments for them, opening the door to revolutionary new therapies. On February 7, Thornton was installed as the inaugural Saunders Family Distinguished Professor in Neuromuscular Research.

Family, friends, colleagues, and University leaders filled the atrium of the Saunders Research Building at the University of Rochester Medical Center to acknowledge Thornton’s excellence in neuromuscular care and research and to recognize the building’s namesake E. Philip Saunders for his vision and transformational philanthropy.

"I want to thank Phil Saunders for his generosity and recognize that it is not just his generosity that we are lauding tonight; it’s also his character," said President Joel Seligman. "Phil is one of the most principled people I know. He is a person of unquestioned integrity and honesty. He is the kind of person we all want to be."

Saunders’ interest in neuromuscular disease research began in 1988 when his daughter, Patty, had a severe attack of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Patty’s physician was Director of the Neuromuscular Disease Center Richard T. Moxley III, Helen Aresty Fine and Irving Fine Professor in Neurology. After her treatment, Saunders developed a close friendship with Moxley and became a passionate supporter of the neuromuscular program. In 2011, he made one of the largest gifts in the history of the Medical Center in support of research programs in muscular dystrophy, cancer, and translational medicine. The Saunders Family Distinguished Professorship in Neuromuscular Research was part of that gift.

A link also exists between Moxley and Thornton. The year after meeting Saunders, Moxley received a call from a physician at the University of Zimbabwe School of Medicine who was interested in the neuromuscular fellowship being offered at the Medical Center. That physician was Thornton, who spent two years abroad serving as a Fulbright scholar. Since joining the faculty in 1991, he has become one of the most knowledgeable and revered muscular dystrophy specialists in the country.

“Charles epitomizes the translational scientist,” said Mark Taubman, dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “His current work is taking advantage of exciting new developments in RNA biology to provide novel approaches to crippling diseases. And as an active clinician, he is ideally suited to be able to take results from the lab to the patient, which is exactly the work being done in the Saunders Research Building.”

Professor of neurology and a scientist in the Center for Neural Development and Disease, Thornton teaches students, residents, and fellows about genetics and the roots of and potential treatments for neurological diseases. He also helps patients and families affected by disorders such as muscular dystrophy as co-director of the Medical Center's Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, one of the world's top centers for treatment of the disease. 

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Saunders Recognizes Our Nation’s Heroes

E. Philip Saunders, Bradford C. Berk, Jeff Bazarian (back) with officers and cadets of the NROTC program

“Let us never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families, and may the research within this building bring healing to them and others.”

These are the encouraging words of accomplished entrepreneur
E. Philip Saunders, now immortalized on the new memorial display in the Saunders Research Building to honor veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The display, unveiled during a dedication ceremony in the building’s atrium on January 31, serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those serving in our country’s armed forces and as inspiration to those pursuing research at the Medical Center.

“I want to thank Phil for his dedication to our veterans and making sure that they are never forgotten,” said Bradford C. Berk ’81M (MD), ’81M (PhD), University senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of the Medical Center. “His generosity is an inspiration and I am confident that the discoveries produced in this building will help improve the lives of not only our veterans but countless other people across the globe.”

Recognition of our nation’s heroes was Saunders' request when he made one of the largest commitments in Medical Center history. With his $10 million gift in April 2011, Saunders provided transformational support to research programs in muscular dystrophy, cancer, and translational medicine. To recognize this visionary gift and Saunders' decades of support for research at the Medical Center, the new building for the Clinical and Translational Science Institute building was named in his honor.

Remarking upon the devastating and all-too-common brain injuries in veterans, Jeff Bazarian ’87M (MD), ’02M (MPH), P’13, an emergency physician and traumatic brain injury researcher, noted the significance of Saunders' gift.

“This building is a symbol, a beacon, a message,” said Bazarian. “And the message is this: the University of Rochester is serious about bringing research findings discovered at the bench to people in order to improve the human condition; we are serious about translating basic science discoveries into cures.”

In addition to being among the Medical Center’s most generous benefactors, Saunders has provided leadership through his service on the executive committee of The Meliora Challenge: The Campaign for the University of Rochester and as co-chair for the Medical Center’s campaign. He is also chair of the Rochester Leadership Council for the George Eastman Circle, of which he is a member at the Patron level.

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January 2013

Regional Campaign for New England Begins in Boston

The Boston regional campaign launch, held in the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, became the largest University event ever held in the city.

More than 250 members of the University community gathered on January 15 in the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to celebrate the University’s third regional launch of The Meliora Challenge: The Campaign for the University of Rochester.

Alumni, parents, and friends were welcomed by Trustee Cathy Minehan ’68, P’04, co-chair of The Meliora Challenge and chair of the Boston Regional Cabinet. In her remarks, Minehan provided a brief overview of the University’s Campaign and encouraged attendees to support its ambitions.

“Through this and other regional campaigns, we seek to evoke George Eastman’s spirit and inspire a new generation of philanthropy,” said Minehan. “My hope is tonight you will find inspiration to take action.”

Stephen Fantone ’79 (PhD), chair of the Boston regional campaign, announced the goals for the greater Boston area and the New England region. The campaign aims to reach $30 million, through support for priority areas of The Meliora Challenge and surpass 180 George Eastman Circle members, by June 30, 2016.

As an example of those who stand to benefit most from the Campaign, College of Arts, Sciences & Engineering student Shiv Rambarran ’13 testified to how perfectly the University suited his wide interests and diverse background. Rambarran noted his experiences were made possible, in part, by his scholarship and stressed the importance of providing support to future students. Following his comments, soprano Adelaide Boedecker ’13E (MM), accompanied by pianist and fellow Eastman student Heather McEwen Goldman ’13E (MM), performed pieces from both the classical and musical theater repertory.

The evening concluded with a message from President Joel Seligman. Highlighting the Campaign’s successes thus far, Seligman pointed to University transformations that will be possible thanks to the dedicated commitment of energized alumni and friends throughout the country. He closed with an invitation he has extended to attendees in each city he has visited; he invited those who have been away from Rochester to “come home.”

To view photos from the event, click here.

Values and Action

The beginning of a new year is widely thought to provide a fresh start. I am of the mind that every day presents this same opportunity. Also common is the idea that this is an opportunity to “wipe the slate clean.” To me, this often seems to be counterproductive. All of the events and experiences of the previous year have brought us to today, and we should further embrace them and use them as our teachers for the future. I see this time of year as an opportunity to refocus on where we have been, where we are, and where we want to be next year.

Two days ago we celebrated the regional launch of The Meliora Challenge in Boston. More than 250 members and representatives of the entire University community came together in support of our Campaign, an effort spearheaded by the leadership of our Boston Regional Cabinet. The continuing formation of Regional Cabinets and the dedication of their members are playing a significant role in helping us bring the Campaign to our alumni, parents, and friends across the country. Later this month the Campaign will be in Miami, with plans to visit other cities throughout 2013.

As we pursue our Campaign goals, leadership from our Community of Leaders will be increasingly important. For that reason, I am very pleased to report membership in the George Eastman Circle has reached 2,500, a number 10 times the size of our original goal of 250! Since our formal launch at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City, this represents phenomenal growth. New memberships and renewals from our Charter Members have put us on track to reach our goal of 3,300 memberships by the close of The Meliora Challenge in 2016. I hope many of you will join me in celebrating this milestone at the George Eastman Circle dinner in New York City this March.

All of our goals can be reached and surpassed. By treating each day as an opportunity, setting long- and short-term goals, and working together, there is no goal we cannot accomplish. I’m looking forward to another great year of success and progress!

Meliora!

James D. Thompson
Senior Vice President
Chief Advancement Officer

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Lambert and Schleifer Endow Directorship for River Campus Libraries 

Joseph Lambert ’59 and Harold Schleifer

Rush Rhees Library provided Joseph Lambert ’59 and Harold Schleifer with a wealth of fond memories and inspiration, which contributed to the creation of a newly endowed position at the University. Together, the two men have committed $1 million to endow the Joseph N. Lambert and Harold B. Schleifer Director of Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation at the University of Rochester’s River Campus Libraries.

 “This is an amazing gift for which all of us at the University of Rochester are profoundly grateful,” said President Joel Seligman. “Joseph Lambert and Harold Schleifer possess a deep understanding of the evolving work of libraries. Through their professional and personal experiences, they recognize the critical role that libraries play in advancing and preserving knowledge. Their commitment will allow collections that were once the preserve of a handful of scholars to be widely available through the Internet.”

Partners for 27 years, Lambert and Schleifer have close ties to the world of libraries. At the age of 14, Schleifer was stacking the shelves as a page at the New York Public Library. Lambert also found work among the stacks while attending Rochester as an undergraduate student, checking out books, locating materials in the reserve reading room, and even tending the fireplace in the Welles-Brown Room of Rush Rhees Library. These early experiences sensitized the two men to sweeping changes occurring in today’s libraries and influenced their decision to make an enduring contribution.

“Buildings and books come and go, but good people will always be essential,” said Schleifer. “As the University continues to grow, this directorship will support scholarship and students in perpetuity,” added Lambert.

After graduating from the University with a B.A. in psychology, Lambert went on to medical school at New York University. He then fulfilled a military commitment before becoming an ophthalmologist, where he practiced and taught as a clinical faculty member at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, in Southern California. Lambert also worked in the pharmaceutical industry in drug safety and clinical research. Today, he remains active in the University community as a member of the San Diego Regional Cabinet. Now retired, Schleifer led a career inspired by his early library work and ultimately became the dean of the University Library at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona—a position he held for 28 years—where he led a major construction and renovation project for the Cal Poly Pomona University Library.

“This is an exciting time for libraries. There are whole worlds being created in archiving and preserving e-mails, Web sites, and blogs paralleling what was done with print materials in the past, but reflective of advancements in electronic communication and documentation,” noted Schleifer. “Unique materials will always be important and more so, today, with the application of technology to these collections. Digitization and the Internet have made Rochester’s resources available to the world.”

For more information, click here.

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