Sharing Experiences

Donors | Alumni | Students | Faculty

Donors

Albert Anderson '62C '77L
Pam Pryor '69C '70G
Adam Rogers '92C '96M and Stephanie Rogers '92C
Donna Keesler Schwartz '62C
Jonathan Serrie '87C
Jim Varner '43C

Albert Anderson '62C '77L

What does a patent lawyer from Atlanta, raised southern Baptist and actively involved in his Presbyterian church, have in common with a former Buddhist monk from Dharamsala?

A lot, it seems.

For the last thirty years, Albert Anderson has been fascinated with the connections between eastern and western traditions and between science and religion. "My study of quantum mechanics led to a reawakening of the wonder of creation that we're living in the middle of," says Anderson.

This explains why, when Anderson first learned about the Emory-Tibet Partnership program from Emory College Dean Robert A. Paul, he was immediately intrigued.

Shortly afterwards, Anderson began contributing to a scholarship that provides for the living expenses of Tsondue Samphel, a Tibetan student and former monk who studies physics at Emory.

Although Anderson and Samphel come from vastly different backgrounds, they both have an abiding interest in exploring the similarities between modern physics and Buddhism – and sharing their knowledge with others.

"Mathematics and science are universal languages, understandable throughout the world, because they are based on techniques of systematically describing and confirming experiences available to all," Anderson wrote in a recent e-mail.

"The Emory-Tibet Partnership is one of Emory's programs that are juxtaposing science and religion," says Anderson. "This affords Emory students – the future leaders of this and other nations – the opportunity to formulate a new world view that minimizes cultural and religious biases and emphasizes the unity of creation."

Since graduating from Emory, Anderson says he has always tried to give at a level that was comfortable. But now his views about giving have changed with his support of an international student.

"Instead of just responding to a responsibility that I thought was necessary," he says, "I feel like I have an opportunity to make a difference."

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Pam Pryor '69C '70G

Pam Pryor credits her parents with giving her the confidence to handle situations that might seem intimidating to others.

That could explain why, several years ago, she ran the entire 10k Peachtree Road Race with her arm in a sling. She wasn't about to let a purse snatching a few days earlier – her arm was injured during the altercation, which ended with her snatching the purse back – stop her from running her beloved race.

It certainly explains why she "never lost a minute's sleep" as an Emory freshman in 1965, just one year after the University first opened its doors to African-American students. Four years later she received a degree in physics, then stayed on another year to earn a master's degree in science education.

Eventually she found a satisfying career in Southern Bell's first consumer affairs/community relations office in Atlanta. And for the next nineteen years she did what came naturally – helping others in the community, which she enjoys as much as her passion for collecting dolls.

Throughout the years, Pam has stayed closely involved with Emory. In 1999 she received the J. Pollard Turman Service Award from the Association of Emory Alumni for her generous contribution of time and energy.

Pryor says she's proud to give annually, first to the Dean's Circle and currently to the Emory College Fund for Excellence. She's a firm believer in the maxim that charity begins at home.

"Other people look at Emory and wonder whether they should give," she says. "But if the people who've been here aren't supporting Emory, why should anyone else?"

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Adam Rogers '92C '96M and Stephanie Rogers '92C

It should come as no surprise that Adam Rogers and Stephanie Rogers have fond memories of their freshman year at Emory.

After all, they first met while living in the same dorm, Hopkins Hall.

Now married, they live outside of Boston with their growing family (Benjamin, Julia and David). These days, Adam is an assistant professor in ophthalmology specializing in vitreoretinal surgery at Tufts University's New England Eye Center. After studying psychology at Emory, Stephanie earned a master's degree in early childhood education from Leslie College.

Their support for Emory began soon after graduation, while Adam was still in medical school.

"We started off giving gifts of $50," he says. "Basically, we wanted to support the school. We love Emory and thought it was just a way to give something back."

Earlier this year, they learned about Emory's new Adopt- A-Scholar program.

"It stood out for us because we loved the idea of making a difference in one person's life," Adam says. "The Adopt-A-Scholar program allows us not only to support Emory, but also to financially assist students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend."

And even with the pressures of a growing young family, they've found a way to continue supporting their alma mater.

"You always have a lot of demands on your life," says Adam. "But you've got to look at the bigger picture of giving. And that's what we've done."

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Donna Keesler Schwartz '62C

When Donna Keesler Schwartz '62C was an English major at Emory, she remembers taking art history and music classes in the barracks, a small wood-frame building built in World War II that served as a performing arts classroom until it was finally demolished in November 2000.

"It was always peculiar to me that the arts were designated to that little building when so many beautiful buildings were dedicated to the other important fields of study. It must always have been in the back of my mind," she contin­ued, "wondering about a proper home for the arts."

About 40 years after graduating from Emory, Donna returned to campus for the grand opening of the Center for Performing Arts, named after her and her husband, Marvin. With the help of their lead gift of $8 million, today's musicians, dancers and drama students learn in a world-class facility.

As soon as she saw the finished building, Donna Schwartz knew the performing arts would no longer would take a backseat to other disciplines at Emory.

"It's a very rewarding thing to find something that is necessary or wanted and to be able to help fulfill that need, especially when it's your alma mater," she said.

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Jonathan Serrie '87C

Jonathan Serrie was bitten by the journalism bug early. He launched his own classroom newspaper in the second grade. Later, as an Emory undergraduate, Serrie apprenticed at the Wheel as a writer and news editor and in production.

Soon after starting his profes­sional career, Serrie began giving to Emory's Annual Fund, even though the starting pay for journalists is notoriously low.

"I received some financial aid to come to Emory. If I had not received that financial aid, I would not have been able to attend."

Owing to the financial vagaries of his chosen career, Serrie says he has given more to Emory when he could afford to, less when he could not.

"I give to show symbolically my thanks to Emory."

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Jim Varner '43C

Jim Varner has been a leader in the Atlanta community since his undergraduate days at Emory. A native of Atlanta, he majored in economics at Emory and went on to become a bank president at Standard Federal Savings.

Although he didn't receive scholarship funds to attend college (nor did his father before him), he knew early on that the full cost of his Emory education was not borne by tuition payments.

"It had to be funded by the people who came before," he says, referring to the philanthropy that makes it possible to keep down tuition costs.

Varner sees his charitable giving as part of a continual chain that benefits each succeeding generation of Emory students.

"It's a pleasant obli­gation to continue to contribute to Emory and make it a little easier for students who come behind me."

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