Evening’s Festivities Thank Donors, Commemorate Jefferson’s 175th Anniversary

Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton, longtime University Trustee and Chairman of the successful Jefferson 2000 Fund Capital Campaign, was the honored guest at this year’s President’s Club Dinner. The annual dinner dance, hosted by Thomas Jefferson University President Paul C. Brucker, MD, and his wife Joan, was a glittering celebration of Jefferson’s 175th anniversary and the extraordinary philanthropy that recently brought the comprehensive fundraising effort to a close, ahead of schedule and exceeding its $200 million goal.

The event, which acknowledges Jefferson’s most generous and loyal benefactors, was held Saturday evening, October 2, at The Crystal Tea Room. Besides commemorating Jefferson’s past, present and future, and informing the guests of the Campaign’s success, the evening’s program paid tribute to Mrs. Hamilton for her exceptional philanthropic leadership and service to Jefferson, and recognized 22 new President’s Club Fellows and 12 new members of the Winged Ox Society.

PHOTO: From left, are: Mrs. Jack Farber, Mr. Farber, Chairman, Board of Trustees, TJU; Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton, Chairman, Jefferson 2000 Fund Campaign, and Trustee, TJU; Mrs. Paul C. Brucker, Dr. Brucker, President, TJU; with portrait photograph presented to Mrs. Hamilton at the 1999 President’s Club Dinner. Mrs. Hamilton was honored for her longstanding leadership, philanthropy and service to Jefferson. Robert Neroni Photography

“One hundred and seventy-five years ago, our founders had a dream and a mission, and I am proud to say it has been fulfilled,” Dr. Brucker said as he brought the 250 guests up to date on the last year of activity and achievement at Jefferson. “This is a very different world than it was in 1824. Both eras have their unique challenges, but I think our founders would be pleased to see how Jefferson has flourished and achieved success.”

Mrs. Hamilton, in her capacity as Chairman of the Jefferson 2000 Fund, announced the end of the capital campaign. “We did it!” Mrs. Hamilton told the group. “The Jefferson 2000 Fund has reached its goal – in fact exceeded it. The grand total is $202 million in gifts and pledges.” Thanking her for her enormous contribution to the success of the Campaign, Jack Farber, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Thomas Jefferson University, made a special presentation to Mrs. Hamilton.

“The 2000 Fund is completed – and over the top – and we have you to thank, Dodo, for leading this campaign to victory,” Mr. Farber said. “The more than $200 million you have inspired all of us to raise will benefit countless patients now and in the future, educate generations of physicians and other healthcare professionals, and advance vital medical research. This is an exciting and remarkable achievement.”

Mr. Farber unveiled a photographic portrait of Mrs. Hamilton as a gift to her and her family. He announced that an identical one will be displayed in the University, but will be replaced later by a formal oil portrait of Mrs. Hamilton.

“Dodo’s portrait will serve as an inspiration to all who view it and will acknowledge her place in our history and our future as a Jeffersonian of the highest caliber, “ Mr. Farber stated. “Dodo is a leader whose steadfast support has had a major impact on this institution. In addition to leading the successful Jefferson 2000 Fund Campaign, Mrs. Hamilton has been a member of the University’s Board of Trustees for 27 years, a member of the Hospital’s Women’s Board for more than 40 years and has generously supported a wide variety of programs.”

PHOTO: Also attending the 1999 President’s Club Dinner, thanking Jefferson’s major donors, at the Crystal Tea Room, were, from left, Mrs. Thomas J. Lewis, Mr. Lewis, President, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Mrs. Julian Feldman and Dr. Feldman. Dr. Feldman is a member of Jefferson’s obstetrics and gynecology division. Robert Neroni Photography

Adding his thanks and accolades for Mrs. Hamilton, Dr. Brucker said, “Your outstanding commitment to Jefferson continues to astonish and encourage all of us. It is a joy to be the beneficiaries of your wisdom, generosity and leadership.”

During the program, Mrs. Hamilton also acknowledged special donors. “Every year, for over two decades, new Fellows of The President’s Club have received gold-headed physicians’ canes, symbolizing healing, and acknowledging their exceptional, enduring philanthropy to Jefferson,” Mrs. Hamilton said. In announcing the names of the new President’s Club Fellows, benefactors whose total support has been $50,000 or more, Mrs. Hamilton reported that there were a record number of canes to present this year.

The 22 new Fellows are: Dr. Thomas Connelly, postgraduate alumnus (Dermatology JMC ’85); Mrs. Catherine Datz; Michael D. Ellis, MD, JMC ’70 ; Mr. and Mrs. John Estey; Martin Feldman, MD, JMC ’62; Mr. and Mrs. Stanford Frank; Mr. and Mrs. Robert French, Jr.; Joshua Gold; H. George Hollander, MD, JMC ’39; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Honickman; W. Bosley Manges, MD, F’44; Alice T. Muffly; John J. Murray; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Polett; Dr. (JMC ’53) and Mrs. Robert Poole, III; Robert A. Shopbach, MD; Grafton F. Sieber, MD, JMC ’57; Paul E. Stroup, MD, JMC ’52. The remaining four new Fellows prefer to remain anonymous.

Dr. Richard L. Steelman, CGS ’77, attended the dinner and received his gold Winged Ox pin. Winged Ox Society members are benefactors who have contributed $10,000 or more to Jefferson in the previous fiscal year. New Winged Ox Society members this year are: Mrs. William M. Cashman; Dr. and Mrs. Eui K. Chung; Dr. and Mrs. Won S. Cynn; Edward A. Emmett, MD; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Klein; Karl G. Klinges, MD, JMC ’56; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Korman; Mr. Howard S. Kroop; Helyn L. Romberg, RN; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schreiner; Frederick A. Simeone, MD; and Mrs. Henry Stofman.

Visit The Jefferson 2000 Fund website at http://www.tju.edu/jeffgiving/

Capital Campaign Tops $200 Million Goal Ahead Of Schedule
The Jefferson 2000 Fund Capital Campaign exceeded its goal of $200 million by the year 2000 when the 1999 fiscal year ended last summer. “On June 30, the Campaign closed with a grand total of over $202 million in gifts and pledges,” Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton, University Trustee and Campaign Chairman, announced to the 250 Jefferson benefactors at the annual President’s Club dinner.

The funds raised during this ambitious comprehensive campaign support many University and Hospital programs. Gifts of cash, stock and pledges from trustees, faculty, employees, alumni, friends, grateful patients, foundations and corporations have advanced research initiatives, established professorships, endowed new projects, helped recruit talented scientists to faculty and research teams, and strengthened existing departments.
The Jefferson 2000 Fund began in 1989 under the leadership of James Stratton, then Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TJU, later joined by his successor as Board Chair- man, Jack Farber, and Ira Brind, Chairman of the Board of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Mrs. Hamilton assumed leadership in 1993. The Campaign consistently met its yearly goals earlier than anticipated.

“This extraordinary accomplishment could not have happened without the commitment to Jefferson and support of its mission demonstrated by so many generous, loyal and dedicated donors,” said Paul C. Brucker, MD, President of TJU. “We are indebted to all of the individuals and organizations whose philanthropy made this $200 million goal a reality, allowing us to move ahead with a wide range of objectives for both the University and the Hospital.”

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