For three decades, Judith ’77 (M.S.W.) and Henry Zachs have supported UConn through their philanthropy and engagement on advisory and fundraising boards. In keeping with their lifetime of support for students, programs, and bricks and mortar projects, the Zachses chose to continue demonstrating their interest in the institution by including UConn in their estate plans.
The couple has given generously not only financially but also with their time and energy. Mrs. Zachs serves on the board of the Ballard Institute and Puppetry Museum and previously served on the UConn Foundation’s board from 1995 to 2001 and the School of Social Work’s advisory board. Mr. Zachs is active at UConn as well and is a board member of Hillel.
The Zachses cite a desire to give back to the community as the primary reason for their largesse. They have supported areas ranging from Hillel and the arts to the School of Social Work and the UConn Health Center, among others.
“We give to the University of Connecticut because it is the premier public university in Connecticut,” says Mr. Zachs. “We want to show support for all aspects of the University.” Through his support of Hillel, Mr. Zachs illustrates his passion for creating a welcoming community for Jewish students on campus. Mrs. Zachs has focused tremendous support toward the Schools of Fine Arts and Social Work. At the School of Fine Arts, the Zachs Endowment Fund provides merit scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students.
“We want to give bright students the opportunity to do creative work,” says Mrs. Zachs. “We have a worldrenowned puppetry program at UConn. It’s exciting, and we’re proud to support it.”
Nowhere is the Zachs legacy more noticeable than at the School of Social Work. The Zachs Community Room upgraded the school’s facilities, providing a modern space for seminars, lectures and social events. A transformational $1-million gift, which funded the school’s first endowed chair and launched a doctorate program in social work, has contributed toward the school’s growing prominence.
“We’ve supported the Ph.D. program to raise the level of education in the state. This is the only public university in New England to have a Ph.D. program in social work. And there’s a great feeling of pride for us to have it led by Alex Gitterman, who is a nationally recognized professor,” says Mrs. Zachs.
Gitterman, holder of the Judith M. and Henry M. Zachs Chair in Social Work, received the 2008 Significant Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Award from the Council on Social Work Education in November.
Mrs. Zachs notes that she’s pleased with the direction the school is headed under Dean Salome Raheim’s leadership.
“I have a lot of aspirations for the school’s future, to have it grow and continue to identify and solve problems in the community,” says Mrs. Zachs. “Salome Raheim is enthusiastic, very bright, articulate and a great asset to the School of Social Work. We’ll reach new heights with her.”
For more information about supporting the School of Social Work or the School of Fine Arts, please refer to the development staff listing available on our Contact Us page.
