June 24, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT: Halimah Celestine: (202) 994-3087; halimah@gwu.edu
FORMER GW TRUSTEE PHILIP S. AMSTERDAM
RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTOR OF LAWS DEGREE
Philanthropist and Businessman Recognized in New York City Ceremony for Lifetime Achievements
WASHINGTON - The George Washington University has conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for services to the Institution upon former Board of Trustees member Philip S. Amsterdam. GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg awarded the degree at a special ceremony in New York City recognizing Amsterdam's decades of support and service to the University. Amsterdam served as a charter member of the GW Arts and Science Council and was a member of the University's Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2007.
"Phil has been a constant and considerate member of the GW family for decades, and it gives me great pleasure to award this honorary degree in recognition of his dedication to the institution and its students," said Trachtenberg. "His public service commitments speak for themselves, and his sincere generosity has made many special initiatives at GW possible."
Amsterdam said, "I am deeply touched to receive this distinction from my alma mater. It has given me tremendous pleasure to serve the University and watch it grow and develop over the years. My time as a GW undergraduate served as a unique experience that laid the foundation for future success and helped shape a commitment to business and public service."
In his capacity as a member of the GW Board of Trustees, Amsterdam served on the Alumni and Development Committee, the Investment Committee, the Executive Committee, and a special committee for the Centuries Campaign. He established the inaugural Philip Amsterdam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2004, which recognizes the important impact graduate students make on the educational process. Amsterdam received GW's Distinguished Alumni Service Award in April 2007 for his involvement in the improvement of the University. Amsterdam is the President and CEO of North Star Enterprises, Inc., a private company engaged in commercial building and heavy highway contracting.
Amsterdam has a history of philanthropic generosity and is chairman of the Amsterdam Family Philanthropic Foundation and the Anna Amsterdam Eye Foundation. He and his wife, Gail, are longstanding supporters of GW. Their most recent gift of $5 million will support the Trachtenberg Legacy Fund, which provides resources for scholarships, supports an endowed chair named for President Trachtenberg, and funds other needs. The Amsterdams also have contributed to the University in other many ways, including a substantial gift to the Department of Anthropology, from which he received his degree, establishing the Hortense Amsterdam House on G Street. His numerous contributions throughout the years have funded special initiatives sponsored by President Trachtenberg. Amsterdam also currently serves as co-chair of the Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Legacy Campaign.
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