Penn Trustee Stephen Heyman’s $5 Million Gift to Endow the
I. George Heyman University PIK Professorship |
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May 25, 2010,
Volume 56, No. 34
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The University of Pennsylvania has received a $5 million gift designated for faculty support from Emeritus Trustee Stephen J. Heyman, W’59, President Amy Gutmann announced. The gift will be used to create a Penn Integrates Knowledge (PIK) Professorship, which will be named the I. George Heyman University Professorship in honor of Mr. Heyman’s father.
“By supporting and creating more Penn Integrates Knowledge professorships, Steve and other wonderful donors are enabling us to build on the strongest foundation of faculty at Penn—by attracting even more of the most brilliant scholars, teachers, and interdisciplinary thinkers to Penn who extend the scope of our programs and increase Penn’s impact on the world,” said President Gutmann.
The Penn Integrates Knowledge initiative recruits exceptional scholars whose research and teaching exemplify the integration of knowledge across academic disciplines. PIK professors hold joint appointments between two schools, and contribute to the University’s mission of engagement and impact as the leaders of interdisciplinary centers and research teams. The I. George Heyman Professorship is not designated for any specific school, enabling the University to identify and select candidates from among many disciplines.
“I have long believed that the greatness of Penn is a direct result of great faculty,” said Mr. Heyman. “With the strength of our students and the breadth of Penn’s academic vision, it’s inspiring to see what superb scholars and teachers can accomplish here. I’m thrilled to make this gift and help propel our faculty to the highest level.”
Mr. Heyman has previously endowed two full Professorships at Penn: the Stephen J. Heyman Professorship in the Wharton School, and the Bess W. Heyman Professorship in the School of Arts and Sciences (in honor of his mother). He has also made major capital gifts to the University, including building projects at the Wharton School and the School of Nursing.
Penn’s Making History Campaign has now raised more than 77 percent of its overall $3.5 billion goal, and has raised over $400 million toward its $623 million goal for faculty support. Since the start of the Campaign, Penn has received commitments to endow 15 Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professorships, with 10 professors currently holding PIK appointments.
Provost Vincent Price noted Mr. Heyman’s long history of commitment to faculty support, saying “We are indebted, once again, to Steve Heyman’s visionary support of scholarship and teaching at Penn. This gift will help keep our faculty at the forefront of academic eminence for decades to come.”
Mr. Heyman is a partner at Nadel and Gussman, an oil and gas exploration and production firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Mr. Heyman was a member of the Board of Trustees for ten years (1986-1996) and currently serves as an Emeritus Trustee. He served on the Trustee Executive Committee (1990-1996) and was chair of the University Responsibility Committee (1990-1996). He was a member of the Presidential Search Committee that selected Judith Rodin as the seventh president of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Heyman is a member of the School of Nursing Board of Overseers and has previously served on the Board of Overseers for SAS and as a member of the Wharton Graduate Executive Board.
For nearly 40 years, he has chaired the Alumni Secondary Schools Committee in Eastern Oklahoma and was a member of the Alumni Council on Admissions Advisory Committee. Mr. Heyman is also one of the founders of the Penn Club of New York and is an honorary member of The Penn Fund Executive Board.
In 2000, Mr. Heyman’s service to Penn was recognized with the Alumni Award of Merit, the University’s highest alumni honor.
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