| SFSU Public Affairs Press ReleasePublished by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Diag Center. |
SFSU to honor Goldman at its May 26 Commencement with doctor of humane letters
SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 2001---Richard N. Goldman, noted Bay Area philanthropist and chairman of Goldman Insurance Services, will receive the honorary degree doctor of humane letters at San Francisco State University's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 26 at 12:30 p.m. in Cox Stadium on campus. Each campus of the California State University nominates recipients of honorary degrees; the degrees are formally bestowed by both the CSU and the individual campus.
Goldman is perhaps best known as the co-founder, along with his late wife Rhoda, of the Goldman Environmental Prize, a yearly award that honors a grassroots environmental activist from each of the six populated continental regions. Through the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, Goldman supports research and programs that have a positive impact on a variety of communities-especially those in the Bay Area.
A $1 million gift to State in 1997 by Goldman created the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility. The endowed chair, one of three at SF State, will allow the Jewish Studies Department to hire a leading scholar who will research the intersection of Jewish tradition and thought with ethical dilemmas and questions in areas such as health care, education, business, politics and the environment. The endowed chair is the first ever devoted to Judaism and social responsibility.
"Richard Goldman backs causes and programs that he believes in," said San Francisco State President Robert A. Corrigan. "His decision to endow a chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility here at the university remains one of the greatest compliments San Francisco State has ever received. We want to honor him as a great friend of this university, but even more we want to recognize the genuinely global impact of his philanthropy and his determination to address issues that are of concern to all mankind."
The Goldman Fund also established the Diplomat-in-Residence program at San Francisco State. In 1998, the program brought Ambassador David Fischer to campus to teach classes in international relations and act as a resource for students and faculty.
Goldman is the Community Representative of the San Francisco State University Foundation, Inc., is on the board of the Jewish Studies Program and has served as a member of the President's Advisory Board for over 20 years as both member and chair.
"Goldman models civic and moral engagement, conscious partnership in-and far beyond-the community in which he lives," read State's nomination. "He has said: 'I give of my energy to things I think I can make better. Each of us can make a difference if we're willing to try.' We can think of no finer message to our graduates."
NOTE TO EDITORS: A transcript of SFSU's commencement will be posted online at the Office of Public Affairs home page shortly after the conclusion of commencement on May 26. SFSU's Public Affairs home page is: www.sfsu.edu/~pubaff
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Last modified December 8, 2010, by Office of Public Affairs