Spring 2014
News from Momentum2: The Breakthrough Campaign for the University of Miami POWERED BY PHILANTHROPY
Impact of Scholarship You can see it in the faces of the students. Heartfelt thanks. Appreciation for an opportunity to learn. The thrill of attending a world-class research university. And when it comes to the Momentum2 campaign and its focus on student success, donors feel the impact, too.
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ore than $163 million raised during M2 has been targeted for scholarships and student support. These generous gifts have created 48 new endowed financial awards. They have enabled high-achieving students to continue extraordinary work in research, innovation, and varied fields of academia. They have supported students studying abroad, learning about new cultures. They have enriched the lives of many through financial aid. Our donors have been strategic and creative in their giving. Local philanthropists Swanee and Paul J. DiMare, who have pledged more than $14.5 million toward Momentum2 (see story at right), recently earmarked $6 million of their gift to fund scholarships at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, with recipients to be known as DiMare Medical Scholars. The financial assistance will help attract the country’s most promising medical students to the Miller School. Robert C. Newman, Hon. ’08, and UM Trustee Judi Prokop Newman, B.B.A. ’63, have an engaging scholarship challenge under way. The goal of the Newman Alumni Loyalty Challenge is to inspire fellow ‘Canes to give back to their alma mater. If 10,700 alumni renew their previous year’s gifts to the University by the end of May, the Newmans will make a $500,000 gift to student ROBERT C. NEWMAN, HON. ’08, AND scholarships. JUDI PROKOP NEWMAN, B.B.A. ’63
“If we all could give back, even just a little, think of the impact we could make by paying it forward to today’s students,” said Judi Prokop Newman. At the School of Law, Patricia A. Redmond, J.D. ’79, director of the school’s Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic, has established a scholarship for students who have demonstrated leadership and service to the bankruptcy clinic. “I have watched students struggle with the PATRICIA A. REDMOND, J.D. ’79 overwhelming amount of debt associated with legal education and wished to help in some small way,” she said. Using a sports analogy, UM alumnus Michael “Pete” Piechoski, B.B.A. ’76, has touched all the bases with a generous $3.6 million gift to the University of Miami that provides support to the Department of Athletics and creates three endowments: the Piechoski Family Endowed Graduate Business Fellowship Fund; the Piechoski Family Endowed Graduate Engineering Fellowship Fund; and the Piechoski Study Abroad Endowed Fund. Support also goes to the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund and the Undergraduate Education Gift Fund. “This wonderful gift demonstrates Pete’s interests and commitments that span across the University,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Thomas J. LeBlanc. “His gift is perfectly aligned with the University of Miami’s strategic priorities. We are forever grateful for Pete’s loyalty and leadership to his alma mater.”
DiMares Contribute $14.5M to M2
Through the Paul J. DiMare Foundation, Swanee and Paul J. DiMare have pledged more than $14.5 million toward the M2 campaign, which began in 2008. Their contributions support a number of areas, including $6 million to establish the DiMare Medical Scholars scholarship fund for Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine students, $2 million to help build a new 200-seat recital hall at the Frost School of Music, and most recently, a $1.85 million pledge for an innovative, robotic surgical device for the University of Miami Health System. In April UHealth became the first academic medical center in the world to use the new da Vinci Xi Surgical System, which possesses 3D-HD visualization, to perform a prostatectomy procedure. Previously in the M2 campaign, the DiMares donated $2.5 million to the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence, and to establish the DiMare Athletics Scholars program. An additional $500,000 is pledged to the Miller School’s UHealth Sports Medicine Division for research related to regenerative medicine in sports. Paul DiMare is a member of the UM Board of Trustees and chair of the Athletics M2 campaign. The couple serve as vice chairs of the M2 campaign.
The Pulse of a Campus Community service, knowledge discovery, and a vibrant academic community enrich lives and the South Florida region.
Naming Gift for UM Hillel
Broadcasting Success
Following a tradition stretching over several generations, two of Miami’s most distinguished families, the Bramans and the Millers, have joined forces to transform Jewish student life at the University of Miami with the lead naming gift to University of Miami Hillel. Hillel is the largest Jewish organization on campuses worldwide. The $2.5 million in gifts will enable fundamental renovations and the building of the new Braman Miller Center for Jewish Student Life to meet the needs of more than 2,000 Jewish students at the University.
“Our families are proud that the Braman Miller Center for Jewish Student Life will be the center of Jewish life on campus at the University of Miami for many years to come. UM Hillel is extremely important to us, as we have deep roots in the community and in the University,” said Debra Braman Wechsler and Jeffrey S. Miller, A.B. ‘84, Hillel at UM capital campaign co-chairs. Through their philanthropic gifts, the local Braman and Miller families will support UM Hillel in focusing its efforts on providing students with a new state-of-the-art facility to attract both Jewish and non-Jewish students. Over $4.25 million has been raised toward the $5 million capital campaign goal. For more information, contact Shana Kantor, skantor@miamihillel.com.
The School of Communication’s award-winning UMTV cable channel will soon be broadcasting in full 1080p high definition, thanks to $1.1 million in upgrades to the studio, cameras, servers, graphics, and other equipment. The school’s visiting committee, said Robert A. Mann, A.B. ’70, the school’s M2 campaign chair, made generous gifts to support the upgrades. In-kind donations came from Grass Valley USA for camera packages, servers, and control units, and from ChyronHego, which provided its BlueNet workflows to create state-of-the-art graphics. The picture on the screen will be better and brighter than ever, and so is the outlook for the school’s students, who have already begun using the new tools. “Getting the upgrades is amazing for us,” said UMTV station manager and broadcast journalism student Lauren Behar. “It’s the newest technology out there, and it’s raising the quality of our shows and the quality of our work.”
Focus on School of Law
Support Goes to Frost MusicReach The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has pledged a $500,000 restricted grant to the University of Miami Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music to support the Frost MusicReach program and develop a partnership with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The contribution will help the Frost School continue to bring free music lessons to thousands of young people in South Florida who have limited or no access to music instruction in their schools or homes, and also expand its impact nationally. Due to the generous support “the Frost School of Music will be able to help build healthier communities by investing in the positive development of children through music,” said Dean Shelly Berg. Frost MusicReach provides highly effective mentoring programs that uplift and encourage young people to succeed in school and life through music instruction. The program also received a $1 million anonymous pledge this academic year from a longtime Frost donor.
From left, UM President Donna E. Shalala, Michael Klein Distinguished Scholar Chair Jan Paulsson, Law School Dean Patricia D. White, and UM alumna Carolyn B. Lamm, J.D. ‘73.
Global law firm White & Case LLP has made a multi-year commitment to support the continued excellence and impact of the International Arbitration Institute at the School of Law. The institute embodies the law school’s long tradition of engagement with the law of arbitration, and the degree program will now be known as the White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Degree Program. In addition to providing important resources for the development of the LL.M. degree program, the donation funds an endowed scholarship and creates an annual lecture series that will bring leading scholars and practitioners in international arbitration to the institute from around the world. The firm is making the donation in honor of White & Case partner Carolyn B. Lamm, J.D. ‘73, vice chair of the school’s M2 campaign, a visiting professor, and a leading practitioner of international law and arbitration.
NAMING THE HEART OF THE LAW SCHOOL The popular Bricks area in the School of Law’s quadrangle will be renamed “The Bass Bricks” in honor of Hilarie Bass, J.D. ’81, a UM Board of Trustees member and co-president of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP. “It was important to me to give back to this institution that played such a crucial role in my development as an attorney and shaping the person I am today,” said Bass, chair of the School of Education and Human Development M2 campaign. “I chose the Bricks because it’s the center of campus life at the School of Law, and I have fond memories of the time I spent there.” Bass, whose $1 million gift represents her latest support to the School of Law, has also contributed generously to the School of Education and Human Development, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Athletics.
Health Care at the Forefront Life-changing research by our faculty and physicians impacts those in our community and beyond.
Sussmans’ Latest Gift Puts Giving Over $10.5 million
DCC Moving to February
A $2 million gift to the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine by Elaine and Sydney Sussman has created the Elaine and Sydney Sussman Endowed Chair in Interventional Cardiology in the school’s Division of Cardiology. This latest generous support puts the Sussmans’ total giving for the M2 campaign at more than $10.5 million. Nearly $9 million in gifts have been targeted to advancing cardiology at the Miller School of Medicine, including $7 million to name and equip the state-of-the-art Elaine and Sydney Sussman Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at University of Miami Hospital. The couple also provided $1.5 million to support the Crohn’s and Colitis Center. “Like so many, our family has suffered with debilitating heart conditions,” said the Sussmans. “We are grateful for the great care that we have received at the Miller School of Medicine, and we always let others know about the school’s excellent cardiology program.” The inaugural chair holder will be Alan W. Heldman, M.D., professor of medicine and clinical chief of cardiology at the Miller School of Medicine.
The Dolphins Cycling Challenge (DCC), traditionally held in the fall, will be moved permanently to the weekend after the Super Bowl. The next challenge will be held on February 7-8, 2015. A two-day, tri-county cycling event, the DCC is a partnership between the Miami Dolphins and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, with 100 percent of riderraised funds going directly to fund critical research at Sylvester. Since its launch in 2010, the DCC has raised nearly $7 million. Registration for DCC opened on May 1, 2014. Check www.ridedcc.com.
The endowed faculty chair provides the resources to fund the work of a distinguished faculty member, rewards academic achievement, and supports research and innovative teaching. “We are thrilled to be able to play a small role in assisting Dr. Heldman and his team as they continue their research and help save lives,” the Sussmans said.
The Power of Design
Designer Oscar de la Renta with Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine partnered with international fashion designer Oscar de la Renta for Designed for a Cure to benefit cancer research on February 13, 2014, at the Ice Palace in Miami. The highlight of the evening was a powerful fashion show that featured Sylvester patients/survivors and their physicians walking the runway in Oscar de la Renta’s designs. Adding to the excitement of the evening, Jayne Sylvester Malfitano and her sister, Laura Sylvester, matched de la Renta’s generous $100,000 gift with a $100,000 donation from the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Family Foundation. The evening raised more than $1 million, which will directly fund cancer research at Sylvester. More than 800 guests attended Designed for a Cure, which featured an exclusive one-hour reception, a silent auction, and tasting tables bubbling with an assortment of mouthwatering dishes and cocktails from 30 of Miami’s top restaurants. Jennifer Stearns Buttrick, former event chair for Designed for a Cure, was honored with the first Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Philanthropist of the Year Award in recognition of her hard work and dedication to Sylvester.
World Premiere of An Unbreakable Bond A star-studded roster of attendees came out for the world debut of An Unbreakable Bond, a film by Emilio Estefan, Hon. ‘01, that documents the relationship between NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti and his son Marc, both UM trustees, and their nearly three-decade struggle to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The film made its world debut on March 11 at the 31st edition of the Miami Film Festival at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts’ Olympia Theater. Tom Brokaw, Barth A. Green, M.D., Nick Buoniconti, Nick Buoniconti and UM Trustee Gloria Emilio and Gloria Estefan, and Bob Costas. Estefan, A.B. ‘78, and Emilio Estefan were joined by NBC News icon Tom Brokaw, who introduced the film, and NBC legendary sportscaster Bob Costas, who moderated the question-and-answer session following the movie. The Estefans, on behalf of the Gloria Estefan Foundation, then announced a $100,000 donation to The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.
Li Ka Shing Foundation Funds Research Study The Li Ka Shing Foundation has provided a $1.25 million grant to fund a research program on developing treatments for eye diseases and eye tumors that will be a collaborative effort between the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shantou University in Shantou, China. The research efforts will be headed by Andrew V. Schally, Distinguished Leonard M. Miller Professor of Pathology & Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the Miller School, and Herman Cheung, James L. Knight Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UM.
Simulation Hospital Campaign Benefits from Anonymous Gift The School of Nursing and Health Studies received a $500,000 capital campaign gift from an unnamed benefactor that will go toward building one of the nation’s first education-based simulation hospitals. Designed to lead the field of nursing and health care education into the 21st century, the five-story, 39,000-square-foot facility will replicate the true flow of activity in a clinical practice and hospital, and provide an educational setting for the school’s students. Several additional major gifts to support the simulation hospital have been made by Rosalynne and Arthur Miller, to celebrate the life of their daughter, alumna Jillian; Joan Stout; UM Trustee Jayne S. Malfitano; and Janice and Alan Lipton, through the Lipton Foundation. Last year, the school announced the creation of the R. Kirk Landon Challenge. Landon pledged to match all leadership gifts of $50,000 or more, up to a total of $1 million, toward the construction of the simulation hospital.
From Around the Campuses SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Students in the School of Architecture are making an impact in their community by conceptualizing designs for the proposed M-Path/GreenLink, a 10-mile stretch of land underneath the Metrorail between Dadeland South and Brickell Station. The students’ ambitious designs included an art gallery, sculpture garden, bike paths, and an elevated park. The projects were presented recently in the school’s Korach Gallery before more than 100 community leaders and government officials. COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
The college has received a generous gift from Jeffry B. Fuqua, A.B. ’67, M.S. ’70, Ph.D. ’72, to help support the Department of Mathematics’ annual McKnight-Zame Lecture and postdoctoral associates in the department. Postdoctoral associates are the springboards for rising academic talent and future scientific and mathematical development. The McKnight-Zame lectures have inspired new ideas, research collaboration, and connections, and have increased the department’s visibility and profile on the larger academic and national stages. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Okhee Lee-Salwen, professor emeritus in the School of Education and Human Development, feels a profound sense of gratitude to the University of Miami for the support it provided during her husband’s battle against cancer. Before Michael B. Salwen passed away in 2007, he and Lee-Salwen decided to thank UM by including the University in their estate plans. Lee-Salwen also recently endowed scholarship funds in the School of Education and Human Development and the School of Communication in memory of her husband. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
The Fortinet CyberSecurity Laboratory, noted Thomas J. LeBlanc, UM’s executive vice president and provost, “will propel the college’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to the forefront of research and education in cybersecurity.” The college dedicated the new laboratory in April, and during a luncheon honored Ken Xie, Fortinet’s founder, whose M2 gift made the laboratory possible. ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
Researchers will be taking to the skies to continue their science aboard a new helicopter that contains some of the latest technology, transforming the aircraft into a flying scientific laboratory. This helicopter observation platform allows scientists to obtain vital information on environmental processes and mechanisms that affect our climate and impact human health. Much of the funding for the helicopter was from the Batchelor Foundation, the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation, and an anonymous donor. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI LIBRARIES
Archival materials that chronicle the work and missions of Brothers to the Rescue have been donated to the University of Miami Libraries’ Cuban Heritage Collection. “I can’t think of any other better place (to house the collection),” said Jose Basulto, B.S.A.E. ‘69, the pilot who co-founded and led the volunteer group. Brothers to the Rescue pilots flew hundreds of missions and helped rescue thousands of men, women, and children fleeing Cuba from 1991 to 2003 across the Florida Strait.
M2U Spring 2014 Editor Peter E. Howard Sr. Graphic Designer Kevin Corrales, B.F.A. ’05 Contributors Maite Alvarez Annette Herrera Maria Olga Aizcorbe, A.B. ’73 Senior Vice President, University Advancement and External Affairs Sergio M. Gonzalez
Associate Vice President, Central Development Naomi Nixon Executive Director, Stewardship and Development Communications Darlene Rebello-Rao Vice President, University Communications Jacqueline Menendez, A.B. ’83 Assistant Vice President, Communications and Marketing Todd Ellenberg
Division of University Advancement and External Affairs Newman Alumni Center 6200 San Amaro Drive, Suite 300 Coral Gables, FL 33146 Phone: 305-284-4443 Email: give@miami.edu Web: miami.edu/advancement
C A M PA I G N L E A D E R S
CAMPAIGN CHAIRS
Jayne and Leonard Abess CAMPAIGN VICE CHAIRS
Tracey and Bruce Berkowitz Joanne, D.N.P. ‘13, and Eddie Dauer, B.S.E.E. ’72, M.D. ’75, M.S.B.E. ’01 Swanee and Paul DiMare Ana and Joe Echevarria, B.B.A. ’78 Dany Garcia-Rienzi, B.B.A. ’92, and Dwayne Johnson, B.G.S. ’95 Christine and Ted Schwartz Penny and E. Roe Stamps SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Co-Chairs Jorge M. Perez Gilberto Neves
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Co-Chairs Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa, A.B. ’77 James A. Kushlan, B.S. ’69, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’74 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
National Chair Patrick K. Barron, B.B.A. ’75
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
Chair Robert A. Mann, A.B. ’70
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Chair Hilarie Bass, J.D. ’81
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Chair Ana VeigaMilton, B.S.E.E. ’87, J.D. ’93 Co-Chairs Laura Coulter-Jones, B.B.A. ’80, M.B.A. ’90 Carmen Gonzalez-Sanfeliu Sal Jurado, B.S.C.E. ’73, M.S.C.E. ’76 SCHOOL OF LAW
Chair Wayne E. Chaplin, B.B.A. ’79, J.D. ’82 Vice Chairs Larry J. Hoffman, J.D. ’54 Carolyn B. Lamm, J.D. ’73 LEONARD M. MILLER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Chair Stuart Miller, J.D. ’82
PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Chair David Weaver
SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES
Co-Chairs Pam Garrison Maria Lamas Shojaee, A.B. ’85, M.B.A. ’12
ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
Chair Steve Saiontz, M.B.A. ’84, M.P.S. ’12
DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Chair Paul DiMare
UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Co-Chairs Fred Camner, J.D. ’69 Mitchell Kaplan, M.S.Ed. ’80 CITIZENS BOARD
Chair Al Vara, B.S.E.E. ’79, M.S.E.E. ’85
Celebrating James McLamore James W. McLamore, the co-founder of Burger King and generous philanthropist, was chair of the UM Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1990 and chair of UM’s historic $517.5 million fundraising campaign from 1984 to 1989. UM President Donna E. Shalala credits McLamore with leading “the University to new heights.” The James W. McLamore Society recognizes annual leadership gifts of $1,000 or more to the University of Miami. Originally called the President’s Circle, it was renamed in 2013 to honor the legacy of the former trustee and South Florida businessman. Watch the video celebrating McLamore and the McLamore Society at http://youtu.be/gqBb3xACqrk.
The Story Thus Far Thanks to the generous support of donors like you, the $1.6 billion Momentum2 campaign is already making a dramatic impact on the U.
$1.3 billion in donations / 137,622 donors / 212 donations of $1 million or more / 48 new endowed scholarships to help attract talented students / 23 endowed chairs and professorships to support recruitment of outstanding research faculty / 17 new and renovated facilities to advance sophisticated research and enhance the campus experience
Division of University Advancement Newman Alumni Center 6200 San Amaro Drive, Suite 300 Coral Gables, Florida 33146
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Thank you! Your generous gifts fund life-changing opportunities for bright young scholars, state-of-the-art educational resources, leading-edge health care, pioneering research, innovative community-building, and much more. Many thanks for your support!
Powered by Philanthropy Learn more about the many exciting recent activities and achievements at the University of Miami in the pages inside.