A generous gift from Jim Lippman ’79 and his wife, Linda, will support a major renovation of the Social Sciences building that will revitalize the teaching and learning environment of one of the most heavily used academic buildings on campus.
The building will be renamed Lippman Hall in honor of Jim Lippman’s father, Robert G. Lippman ’50.
“We are enormously grateful to the Lippmans,” said President Stephen C. Ainlay. “Their generosity greatly aids our ability to fulfill one of the ambitious goals of our strategic plan – honoring the genius and vision of the original Ramée campus plan by constructing and renovating academic space that supports our mission.”
The renovations are an important component of the College’s comprehensive campus plan. They will include “smart classrooms” that employ state-of-the-art technology and will support the work of faculty and students both within and across departments. In any given week in the building, more than 40 faculty members collectively spend more than 3,000 hours with students, who are taught to think and write critically, analyze and solve problems, and become thoughtful, engaged citizens.
Renovations are expected to begin in January 2011 and be completed before the end of the year.
Opened in 1967, the Social Sciences building houses classrooms and faculty offices for the departments of Anthropology, Economics, Sociology, Political Science and History. In addition, it is a hub for interdisciplinary programs that draw on the wide range of Union’s offerings. The Lippmans’ gift embraces the College’s commitment to many of the academic disciplines that are the lifeblood of a top-tier liberal arts college.
“My application essay for Union was about the value of making lifelong friends in college, just like my dad did when he was here,” said Jim Lippman. “And sure enough, all my closest friends today are Union alumni. This is a way of paying back the many gifts Union has given me and my family.”
Lippman is chairman and CEO of JRK Property Holdings, a Los Angeles-based commercial real estate firm he founded in 1992. The company has 1,500 employees and manages a portfolio valued at more than $3.5 billion, with more than $300 million in annual revenues.
At Union, Lippman was a member of the Economic Honor Society and the men’s varsity tennis team, and a coach for women’s varsity tennis. He earned his bachelor of arts in economics and political science. A longtime supporter of the College, he was awarded the Alumni Gold Medal in 2004 for “passionate and dedicated commitment to Union.” He has served as the chairman of the 25th Class ReUnion and the Annual Fund Leadership Committee.
Lippman’s father, Robert, retired as director of marketing for Campus Sportswear. Robert pioneered the use of sports licensing as a major marketing tool. At one point, Robert managed licenses for the NFL, NBA, MLB, USTA, NHL, National Hot Rod Association and Harlem Globe Trotters. He also developed marketing programs for several major college teams, many which are still in effect today.
He also worked with Cove Point Realty in Oyster Bay, N.Y., which was founded by his wife, Barbara. At Union, Robert was a member of Phi Sigma Delta, the Interfraternity Council and Student Council. He received a bachelor of arts in economics.
Other Lippmans who are members of the Union family are Jim’s brother, Donald ’82, who majored in history at Union, and his niece, Meredith Lippman ’09, an English major.
Jim Lippman and his wife have three children: Alexandra, Matthew and Daniel. Matthew will become the newest Lippman member of the Union family this fall when he joins the Class of 2013.
The Lippman gift upholds Union’s vision statement, which positions the College to be a “leader in educating students to be engaged, innovative and ethical contributors to an increasingly diverse, global and technologically complex society.”
It comes during the College’s $250 million You are Union campaign, which has raised more than $160 million to date. The recently expanded campaign is forging ahead with new momentum for significant initiatives tied to the College’s Strategic Plan.