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They Did the Math So Others Could Learn

Gift Creates Marvin Rosenblum Professorship in Mathematics

Marvin Rosenblum

In 1984, undergraduate Mendel Rosenblum (College ’84) quietly revolutionized how University of Virginia faculty, students and staff would communicate with one another by developing U.Va.’s first electronic mail—or “email”--system.

Now, 27 years later, Rosenblum and his wife, Diane Greene (pictured, right), have ushered in another transformation that will have great benefit the University. Honoring his late father, former mathematics department chair and professor Marvin Rosenblum (pictured, left), the couple gave $3 million to create the Marvin Rosenblum Professorship in Mathematics in the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Mendel Rosenblum, right, and his wife Diane Greene

Marvin Rosenblum taught for 45 years in U.Va.’s mathematics department, where he also directed dissertations and became known internationally as an expert in operator theory and analysis. His discovery that absolutely continuous spectra are stable under small perturbations remains one of the cornerstones of perturbation theory.

In his dealings with students and colleagues, Professor Rosenblum was known for generosity and supportiveness. In the words of one former student, he was a “role model in treating all people fairly, with grace, respect, intelligence, kindness, and good humor."

The endowed professorship will be used to attract and retain capable, visionary leaders in the department. The College is currently recruiting candidates for this important post.

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Endowment Gifts

Endowed funds provide a lasting source of support for the University. A team of investment professionals carefully manages the funds to preserve and enhance the assets. Income from the assets is used to meet the needs of the University and for special purposes designated by donors.

Endowments produce a steady stream of funding for professorships to recruit and retain distinguished faculty; scholarships and fellowships to support deserving students; lectureships to bring distinguished speakers to Grounds; library acquisitions; and academic prizes to recognize outstanding students and faculty. The University’s unrestricted endowment generates vital funding for operations and enables the University to respond to important needs as they arise.

Types of Endowed Funds

Endowed funds must be funded at certain levels and may be designated for any school, department, or program at the University. They also may be named by the donor. There are several types of endowed funds.

University Endowments: Minimum Levels of Funding

  • Deanships: $5 Million
  • Professorships: $2 Million
  • Faculty Funds for Excellence: $1 Million
  • Named Research Fund: $500,000
  • Scholarships: $100,000
  • Graduate Fellowships: $100,000
  • Endowed Lectureships: $100,000
  • Unrestricted Funding, When and Where Needed: $100,000
  • Library funds: $50,000
  • Memorial or Commemorative Endowed Gift Funds: $50,000
  • Prizes and Awards: $50,000

O’Connell Global Immersion M.S. in Commerce Endowment

Melissa Tacey (College ’09, McIntire ’10)

Melissa Tacey was on her own financially for graduate school. To pay her bills, she spent many hours outside of class teaching fitness classes at U.Va.’s Aquatic and Fitness Center and babysitting.

She was happy to learn she was one of eight M.S. in Commerce students selected to receive O’Connell Global Immersion Awards. The grants, offered for the first time this year, help students cover travel expenses for their global immersion experience.

The O’Connell Global Immersion M.S. in Commerce Endowment, established by John T. O’Connell (McIntire ’79) and his wife, Anita D. O’Connell, in April 2009, funds annual student awards of at least $500 and enhancements related to the program’s global immersion component. more >