Temple University has recently received an estate gift of almost $11 million for the support of ... [+]
Georgia State University and Temple University have each recently received landmark private donations, worth $15 million and $10.9 million, respectively.
The gifts support nationally recognized programs at the two universities - risk management and actuarial science at Georgia State, and services for students with physical disabilities at Temple.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University announced on January 24, that it had received a $15 million gift for its risk education programs within the Georgia State’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. The gift, the largest in the business college’s history, will be used to:
- Establish an honors scholarship program to recruit and support scholars from across the nation to study risk management, insurance, or actuarial science
- Develop a cross-disciplinary program, including endowed scholarships, for students across the university to receive the education necessary for entering the insurance industry
- Create new physical space to for the program that provides a modern learning environment for its students
In recognition of the gift, Georgia State will rename its Department of Risk Management & Insurance the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Science, pending approval by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents. Greenberg is chairman and CEO of Starr Insurance Companies, a leading global insurance and investment organization.
“We are deeply grateful to The Starr Foundation for investing in one of the university’s top-performing and most prestigious departments,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake. “This gift ensures our risk management and insurance programs will continue to produce incredible graduates and outstanding research, all while honoring a legendary insurance executive.”
Maurice R. Greenberg is chairman of Starr Insurance Companies, which was founded by Cornelius Vander Starr. In 1969, he formed American International Group, Inc. (AIG) out of a former Starr subsidiary. Under Greenberg’s leadership, AIG grew from an initial value of $300 million to $180 billion, becoming one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Greenberg also serves as the chairman of The Starr Foundation, a philanthropic organization initially funded by Cornelius Vander Starr’s estate.
“The commercial insurance industry–a driving force of the global economy–must be committed to attracting and nurturing the best and brightest young leaders. Helping Georgia State continue to build one of the nation’s best insurance programs will ensure that happens,” said Greenberg.
Georgia State’s Department of Risk Management & Insurance is a highly regarded academic leader in risk and insurance education and research. According to the university’s release, its undergraduate program is ranked fourth in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and the department is ranked second among all North American business schools for actuarial science research productivity.
Temple University
On February 1, Temple university announced that it has received a $10.9 million estate gift from Jeanne Zweig, which it will use to endow a scholarship fund for students with physical disabilities
The Jeanne Zweig Endowment will generate approximately $450,000 annually for Jeanne Zweig scholarship recipients. Temple plans to begin awarding the scholarship to eligible students this fall.
In addition to the scholarships, the endowment will help pay for various accommodations such as assistive technology. It will also fund other support services, including career planning and coaching from JEVS Human Services, a Philadelphia-based organization whose mission is to “enhance employability, independence and quality of life for individuals, their families and their communities.”
“On behalf of the Temple community, we extend our profound gratitude to the Jeanne Zweig estate and Ms. Zweig’s extended family for this generous gift,” said Mary Burke, vice president of institutional advancement, in Temple’s news release. “Throughout her life Jeanne supported Temple students with disabilities who, like her, had their sights set on making an impact in the world. We are honored to further advance that mission through the Jeanne Zweig Endowment.”
For many years, Temple has been recognized annually by the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation for the services it provides to students with disabilities. In 1985, the university established its Adapted Recreation and Sports program, which enabled students with disabilities to participate in recreational activities. It was the first university program of its kind.
“The number of students with disabilities we welcome at Temple has grown from 50 in 1977 to nearly 3,500 in 2020,” said Carrie Snyder, director of Temple’s Office of Disability Resources (DRS). “The commitment to accessibility is strong here at Temple, and thanks to the Jeanne Zweig Endowment, we will continue to expand the services and opportunities available to our students with disabilities.”
Jeanne Zweig, who was born with cerebral palsy, graduated from Temple’s Fox School of Business in 1953. She earned her MBA there the following year. After working at PricewaterhouseCoopers following her graduation, she eventually founded her own successful accounting firm, Zweig, Ramick & Associates. Over the years, Zweig made other gifts that supported Temple’s disability services for students.
