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Art Roberts, BBA ’64, says philanthropy is never
taught but rather, learned by example. He credits
his mother with instilling in him the value of giving.
“I believe we should always try to give something
back,” he says. Roberts recently made a bequest
of $1 million to support the development of a new
signature Alumni Center for the extended University
family. The new building will serve as a combination
visiting center and multi-purpose meeting facility,
and as important, it will be a gateway to the University,
properly welcoming alumni, friends, and prospective
students.
After graduating from the University with a bachelor’s
degree in business administration, Art Roberts
went on to a successful government career and
is a founding principal of Jefferson Government
Relations in Washington, DC. Although his family
members have always been major donors (his father
Lyle, a local builder, was a co-founder of the
Golden Canes athletics giving society), Roberts
wasn’t sure how else to contribute. Several years
ago, Roberts was one of the first to be invited
to join the President’s Council and has since
become a major catalyst for increased alumni involvement
and giving. “I care about Miami. Besides raising
money, I’m also trying to think past that and
see what other kinds of things we can do.”
Art’s mother, Jane Roberts, was the first woman
to chair the Miami-Dade County School Board in
the turbulent 1960s, when schools were being desegregated.
She was a founder of Miami-Dade Community College
and served in over twenty community organizations.
In honor of her, Roberts and his wife Roselee
created the Jane S. Roberts Memorial Lecture Series
in the College of Arts and Sciences. For over
ten years, they have underwritten this outstanding
lecture series, which brings distinguished women
to speak at the University. One of the very first
guest lecturers was Roberts’ neighbor in Washington,
DC— President Donna Shalala, then Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
Roberts has also been instrumental in making
other important University projects happen, including
working with the Commission on Presidential Debates
in Washington to secure the University of Miami
as the host site for the first 2004 presidential
debate, to be held in September of 2004.
Roberts says the $1 million bequest was simply
the right thing to do. “We don’t do enough to
give back, considering how much we have benefited
from our school. And who else, if not alumni,
will teach philanthropy to the kids who are now
coming through?”
Bequests, which are simply gifts made through
a will or trust, are a popular means of providing
long-term support for personal causes and valued
organizations. In essence, they help memorialize
one's personal life values and perpetuate important
causes for future generations.
With respect to the next generation, Art Roberts
cites his two daughters, who both have successful
careers, as women “who can do it all,” thanks
in part to the influence of his mother. “I have
two jobs: to give my family roots and wings. And
my wife and I have done that.”
- Chris Prado
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