October 23, 2006
$5 Million Gift from Leonard and Jayne Abess Endows University of Miami Ecosystem Science and Policy Center
CORAL GABLES, FL. (Oct. 23, 2006) -- The University of Miami announced today a generous endowment of $5 million to name the Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy (CESP).
Leonard Abess, an ardent supporter of education in South Florida and of environmental causes worldwide, is a member of the University of Miami Board of Trustees and Chairman, President and CEO of City National Bank of Florida. Jayne Abess is Chairman Emeritus of Goodwill Industries of South Florida and a Board member of the United Way of Miami-Dade County. As dedicated environmentalists, Leonard and Jayne founded the Abess Floating Research Station in the Brazilian Amazon and the Abess Center for Environmental Studies at Miami Country Day School.
This gift enables UM to build upon its internationally recognized programs in marine science, ecology, and environmental law and policy to foster innovative interdisciplinary approaches to environmental management and decision-making.
“I am pleased that the Abess family recognizes the importance of an interdisciplinary academic center for environment research,” said Donna E. Shalala, president of the University of Miami. “This generous gift will position the Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy as an international academic leader in finding solutions to our world’s complex environmental problems.”
Established in 2002, the CESP’s primary objective is to educate the next generation of environmental scientists, policy-makers, managers and planners through an innovative interdisciplinary major and minor for undergraduates. The Center also brings faculty from various schools and departments in the University together with external scientists, policy-makers, planners and managers to facilitate research on environmental issues. CESP unites the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, School of Architecture, School of Law, Miller School of Medicine, and the College of Engineering and College of Arts & Sciences in order to address emerging environmental issues.
“Environmental problem-solving in the 21st Century requires close collaboration between scientists and policy-makers,” said Mary Doyle, professor of Law and co-director of the Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. “Inter-disciplinary approaches to the complex problems that face us are essential. Leonard and Jayne Abess share our devotion to the cause of training effective environmental leaders for the future. We are thrilled that they have chosen to name the Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy and we look forward to a long-term productive partnership with the Abess family in the cause of environmental progress,” Doyle said.
Doyle, who served as deputy general counsel of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the Carter administration and who, in her role as acting assistant secretary of the Interior for water and science from 1999-2001 chaired an intergovernmental panel that coordinated a $7.3 billion Everglades restoration program, is co-director of the Center with Otis Brown. Dean for UM’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Brown uses his expertise in satellite oceanography to study ocean variability and has received national recognition for his research from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Meteorological Society, the National Research Council, and NASA.
The Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy offers an undergraduate degree in ecosystem science and policy, sponsors faculty-generated research, colloquia, lectures and conferences, and awards competitive faculty seed grants to conduct interdisciplinary environmental research. The Center provides students with broad exposure to environmental issues from a variety of perspectives as well as in-depth training in the natural or social sciences. The Center also affords students opportunities to participate in research activities by working with faculty in the field and to serve in internships with environmental agencies where scientists and decision-makers interact regularly. For more information, visit www.cesp.miami.edu
# # #
The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu
# # #
Media Contact:
Annie Reisewitz
a.reisewitz@miami.edu
305-284-1601
