Focus on Philanthropy
Donor Profiles
he University of Miami is fortunate to have the tremendous
support of philanthropists who care about the institution and
have chosen to invest in its future. Seven exceptional individuals
explain why they contribute to the University of Miami.
Luis
J. Botifoll | Dewitt C. Daughtry | Phillip
and Patricia Frost
Jay Jensen | Alvin
Sherman | Christiane Tyson
ecognized
by his peers as un cubano ejemplar, an exemplary Cuban,
Luis J. Botifoll is one of South Florida's leading citizens.
At the young age of 90, he is still active throughout the community,
and his legacy for future generations will be one of "leading
by example."
The chairman emeritus of Republic National Bank-the first Hispanic-owned bank in South Florida-Botifoll has dedicated his life to assisting Cuban refugees to rebuild their lives. He has focused his support on the University's John J. Koubek Memorial Center, in Little Havana, which helps more than 30,000 people annually.
Originally constructed in 1929, the Koubek Center was recently restored, and the newly renovated auditorium was dedicated in Botifoll's honor. "I see the Koubek Center as a unique opportunity to build bridges among our multi-ethnic community, as well as for the University to have a very visible presence among the Hispanic community," Botifoll says.
Botifoll, trustee emeritus of the University and honorary chairman of the Friends of Koubek, also was recently awarded the prestigious Order of Merit by President Edward T. Foote II.
"Dr. Botifoll has been a tireless leader in helping to improve relations among South Florida's diverse communities, and we are extremely proud of his long-term commitment to helping the Koubek Center," says President Foote.
ifty years
ago, Dewitt C. Daughtry and his wife, Lucille, moved to Miami
from Minnesota for a warmer climate. They also found a growing
community and a new medical school in which to commit a lifetime
of service and generosity. Today, the newly named Daughtry Family
Department of Surgery is a tribute to his devotion.
The first thoracic-cardiovascular surgeon in Florida, Daughtry performed the first recorded resection of an ascending aortic aneurysm in 1949. He was also known for treating patients-regardless of their ability to pay. He often joked that there were times when he would remove an obstruction from a patient, and his payment was only whatever he recovered!
During this time, Daughtry joined the planning committee that was instrumental in establishing the School of Medicine in 1952. Beginning with the first enrolled class, he and his wife befriended the students. He still makes grand rounds with them every Thursday morning.
When his son Jim attended the University, Daughtry realized the cost of a medical education entailed much more than tuition and provided endowments for chairs in cardiovascular and general surgery, as well as funding for a charitable trust to endow the department.
"In life, timing is a great determinant of success, though one cannot control it," says Daughtry. "If an opportunity or challenge presents itself, it is up to the individual to recognize it."
hillip
Frost, the founder and CEO of IVAX Corporation, is nationally
recognized for his business acumen and creative enterprise. His
wife, Patricia, the former principal of West Laboratory School,
is also known for her leadership skills. It is not surprising,
therefore, that when they chose to support the University, they
looked at the way it does business-the business of making music.
"I like the fact that the School of Music is well-run," says Phillip Frost. "My wife and I both love music, and the School of Music has an outstanding reputation among its peers. However, as a school of the arts, it's not an inherent moneymaker, so it must depend on outside support."
The Frosts have contributed substantially to the school over the past decade-and-a-half, both with financial support and leadership; Phillip Frost is vice-chair of the University's Board of Trustees.
"I believe that anybody who has had a little bit of good fortune should give some of that back to the community," he says. "I also believe that it is important for an institution to reach out and share its assets with the community. The School of Music does that. It also provides a particularly good environment for students and faculty, and we want to help it maintain its stature.
"In the future, I'd like to see the school operate in the best facilities, with the best faculty, turning out the best students," Frost adds.
e has given
some of the largest gifts the University has ever received, yet
this retired high school teacher is neither a tycoon nor a millionaire.
He lives in a modest apartment in Miami Beach, and he doesn't
even own a car.
"I'd rather give my money to the University," says alumnus Jay Jensen, who has contributed to the School of Education, the Jerry Herman Ring Theater, the Department of Theatre Arts, and the Lowe Art Museum.
"I'm from the old school. I believe that money is like manure; it doesn't do any good unless it's spread around," he says. "I chose to support these particular areas in the University because I earned my degrees in speech, drama, and education. As for my bequest to the Lowe, they were having a campaign, and I like art."
This comes as an extremely humble declaration from a man whose name is now etched in the foundations of the Lowe Museum, the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, and the School of Education; whose scholarship endowments will help hundreds of new students; and who was recently featured in People magazine due to the extent of his generosity.
"I am where I am today because of my education, and all of my gifts have one string attached: They must help poor, but outstanding, students who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend the University," Jensen says.
ometimes
it takes more courage to stand behind the scenes than to take
center stage.
When the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre was renovated three years
ago, Alvin Sherman provided most of the financial support that
made the Ring's rebirth possible. Yet he agreed to let the theatre
be rededicated in honor of one of the University's most prestigious
drama alumni.
"I have never contributed to the University for publicity purposes," says Sherman, a successful real estate executive who has been a friend of the University since the 1970s. "I originally became part of the University as a member of the Citizens Board, and I liked what the University was doing for the community. I was also impressed with [then-president] Henry King Stanford's ability to change the school's image from that of a 'summer camp' to a prestigious research university."
Sherman began his behind-the-scenes performance by doing "nominal things," such as donating a rare film to the School of Communication and establishing a scholarship fund for students of divorced parents. He has quietly provided the financing for "whatever needed to be done."
"I believe the University of Miami is tremendously important to South Florida," he says. "It's a great asset. As a resident of South Florida, with a successful business based here, I believe in giving back something of what you take, and the University is an excellent opportunity to do that."
his
is the most intelligent way I know of to protect my father's
legacy," says Christiane Tyson, who established two endowed
chairs at the Universityone in tropical botany and one in
medicine.
Tyson's father, who served as president of the Nestlé corporation in Switzerland, left a trust fund for his children when he passed away.
"But the new Taxpayer Relief Act said that you could not have a foreign trustee," Tyson recalls. "I talked to attorneys, and as a tax specialist, I knew what I wanted to do, which was to ensure that my children would receive the money my father had left me. The advisors at the University of Miami knew what I was talking about and helped me develop a plan. The University owns the insurance policy now, and when I die the money will go to my children."
Tyson's children were the reason she first became involved with the University nearly 40 years ago. "My son went deaf from meningitis at 17-months-old, so we went to the School of Medicine for his speech therapy," she says. "I've been part of the 'UM family' ever since."
Today, Tyson volunteers more than 60 hours each year for the University's medical school and for the arboretum as a master gardener.
"The University does a lot for the community, and my husband, who is a Yale grad, is impressed that UM is being led by another Yale grad-President Tad Foote."
