July 12, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT: Tracy Schario
(202) 994-3566; tschario@gwu.edu
GW's TRACHTENBERG LEGACY FUND EXCEEDS $16.5 MILLION
Bender, Amsterdam Gifts Expand Public Policy Programs
WASHINGTON -- Long-time benefactors to The George Washington University Morton and Grace Bender and Philip and Gail Amsterdam have each committed $5 million to the Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Legacy of Excellence Campaign, which was established to create endowments supporting the School of Public Policy and Public Administration. The Amsterdam and Bender benefactions will be directed to the academic enhancement of the school. The gifts to this ongoing campaign so far total more than $16.5 million. Launched in May 2006, the Trachtenberg Legacy of Excellence Campaign recognizes the tremendous growth and success of the University during Trachtenberg's 19-year presidency. This fund-raising effort is chaired by Bender; Amsterdam, B.A. '62, honorary doctor of laws; and Tad Lindner, B.A. '51, D.P.S. '94.
"The generosity of the Amsterdam and Bender families to the University has a long history, and I am very thankful for their latest contributions in my honor," said GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. "Phil and Mort have shared their time, energy, and ideas, as well as their financial support, to help enrich the studies, teaching, and research pursuits of many at GW."
The Benders, prominent philanthropists, have been active contributors to the University. They have participated in many programs at GW including the Centuries Campaign, the annual fund, and several building and academic department campaigns. In 1999, the couple provided funds to create an endowment for the Bender Teaching Awards, which are presented annually to recognize excellence in undergraduate, graduate, and professional teaching. Bender was president of Blake Construction Company and is chairman of the Dorothy G. Bender Foundation, Inc., which established an endowment fund at GW in 1992 to support scholarship awards to its graduates for post-graduate study at the University of Cambridge in England. The Benders' son Jay is a GW graduate.
"My contribution was motivated in part to get rid of Steve," said Bender light-heartedly. Amsterdam added, "The financial commitments to GW are important to the continued success of the University. One of Steve's passions is public service and leveraging GW's connection to the assets of the nation's capital. The Trachtenberg Legacy Campaign recognizes his accomplishments in advancing GW's prominence in the city, the country, and throughout the world and will provide the school with the resources for continued growth."
The Amsterdams have a long history of supporting the University's academic programs, including a substantial gift to the Anthropology Department in 1995 to establish the Hortense Amsterdam House and the creation in 2004 of the Amsterdam Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards for Outstanding Teaching. Amsterdam served as a charter member of the GW Arts and Sciences Council and was a member of the University's Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2007. Amsterdam received GW's Distinguished Alumni Service Award in April 2007 for his involvement in the improvement of the University. His numerous contributions throughout the years also have funded special initiatives sponsored by Trachtenberg. Amsterdam is the president and CEO of North Star Enterprises, Inc., a private company engaged in commercial building and heavy highway contracting, and chairman of the Amsterdam Family Philanthropic Foundation and the Anna Amsterdam Eye Foundation. Most recently, Amsterdam received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from GW at a special ceremony in New York City recognizing his decades of support and service to the University.
Vice President for Advancement Laurel Price Jones, who spearheaded the Trachtenberg Legacy of Excellence Campaign, said the generous gifts made by the Benders and Amsterdams are an important commitment to the University's future. "Thanks to these generous donors, GW is on a trajectory for excellence in the years ahead," she said.
President Trachtenberg will take up an endowed chair in the School of Public Policy and Public Administration in August. The endowment, now over $3 million, is part of the Legacy Campaign. When President Trachtenberg leaves the University, the chair will be named for him. Funds from the campaign also were secured to support the Francine Zorn Trachtenberg Photography Fund, in recognition of her interest in and commitment to art history, and especially the history of photography.
The school will be named the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration on August 1, 2007. Created in 2003, the school has quickly established itself among the nation's leaders in its field. The school is GW's focal point for public affairs education, research, and public service, and faculty collaborate closely with other departments on municipal, state, federal, and international policy initiatives.
Located four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business, and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 countries.
For more news about GW, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.
-GW-
