MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Holtz
561-297-0159, lholtz@fau.edu
Elizabeth Zinman to Chair FAU Foundation Board
BOCA RATON, FL (April 25, 2005) - At a meeting held on April 22 on Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton campus, philanthropist Elizabeth "Betty" Zinman was elected chair of the FAU Foundation Board. Zinman, who served as the organization's vice chair in 2003, is the first woman to lead the Foundation. Other newly elected officials for the 2005-2006 term are Richard Murdoch, vice chair; Thomas Workman '71, treasurer; and Christopher Wheeler, who once again assumes the position of secretary.
A longtime friend to FAU through her gifts to various scholarship programs, the FAU Libraries, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and through her support of various cultural arts events, Zinman has been a member of the Foundation Board since 1998 and has served on the Foundation's executive committee for the past six years. With her steadfast belief in the importance of higher education, Zinman has helped guide FAU in its mission of academic excellence and breakthrough research.
Born in Pittsburg, Pa., Zinman is a graduate of Westminster College. She earned her MBA at the University of Pittsburg. Professionally, Zinman was a securities salesman who sold State of Israel bonds and became a licensed broker in order to sell the first closed end mutual funds with foreign holdings in the United States. In addition, she served as executive director of the Girl Scouts of Philadelphia.
As a major force in the community, Zinman was president of B'nai B'rith Council of Greater Pittsburg, and president of American Friends of Haifa University. She is president of the American Friends of Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the Wingate Institute in Israel, and president of the Philip Zinman Charitable Foundation, named in memory of her late husband, a real estate executive who died in 1993. Zinman is an honorary member of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Board of Trustees, where Zinman Hall, an auditorium and theatre, is named in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Zinman.
Zinman's generosity to FAU also includes the bequest of her remarkable120-piece collection of ancient glass and pottery from the middle east that spans the Neolithic and Byzantine periods.
"We are delighted that Mrs. Zinman will be chairing our Foundation Board," said Ann Paton, vice president for University Advancement and director of the FAU Foundation. "Her vast business knowledge, years of experience serving the community and stunning record as a philanthropist well qualify her for this new role."
Also serving on the executive board for the coming year will be William Morris, Thomas Lynch, Dr. Ira J. Gelb, Willard Soper, Herbert Gimelstob and Dr. Frederick Miller.
Re-elected board members Leslie Corley and Suheyla Gencsoy, join newly elected members Jorge Dominicis, William James, Peter Lo Bello and John Tinnemeyer.
Newly appointed ex-officio members are Neal Poller '66, representing the FAU National Alumni Association, Larry Winston representing Lifelong Learning Society and Dr. Roy Levow, representing the FAU faculty.
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