Monday, June 11, 2012

If You Feel Like Giving


Michael "Miki" Neumann was an amazing man, and I'm proud to have shared the Shavuot education stage with him at Beth David in West Hartford back in 2010. When he passed away suddenly last year of a heart attack, the entire community and all those tied to Miki were broken. He was a boon to the West Hartford community, but he also was internationally known and recognized for his research in Numerical Linear Algebra, Matrix Theory and Linear Algebra, and Numerical Analysis. Miki published more than 150 scholarly articles, coauthored a book in his field and was working on another book at the time of his death. In shul, I will always hear the prayer for the safety of Israel Defense Forces soldiers with his voice, as every Shabbat he led the prayer in West Hartford.

So why am I writing this now? Well, a fund has been set up in his honor at the University of Connecticut, where he was a professor at the time of his untimely death. This is a note from his wife, Helen:
I'm writing to tell you that the University of Connecticut has established a scholarship fund called the Michael Neumann Dissertation Award fund. This scholarship will be given every year to the student who writes the best PhD dissertation in mathematics. This is a very fitting way to honor Miki's memory. In his career at UConn he was a wonderful and devoted PhD supervisor to nine students. He remained a mentor to them all. 
A very generous member of the math department at UConn has offered to match all donations made between now and June 21st up to $5,000. Below is the information on how to make a donation to this fund. 
So, if you're feeling like giving today, considering giving to the Michael Neumann Dissertation Award. He was a brilliant, kind soul, and his memory should be for a blessing!



How to Make a Donation


By Mail
Checks, payable to "The University of Connecticut Foundation," can be mailed to:
The University of Connecticut Foundation
2390 Alumni Drive Unit 3206
Storrs, CT 06269-3206

Please note Michael Neumann-22909 in the memo line.


Online
Donors can also make a gift, up to $5,000, to any part of the University from our secure Web server.
·         For gifts to the Michael Neumann Dissertation Award, visit: giving.uconn.edu
·         Check box: I would like to give to a fund not shown on this list.
·         Account or fund you would like to support: 22909
·         Gift Amount: ______
·         Please enter school, college or program this fund supports (if known): Michael Neumann Dissertation Award - 22909
Description: btn-honor-or-memorial.jpgOnline donors should select the box on the giving screen (example on the left) that informs the Foundation that the gift is being made in memory or honor of someone. When this box is checked, a form will appear where the donor can enter the name of the honoree and who should be notified of the gift (often the honoree or a family member if it’s a memorial gift).




Payroll Withholding
If a UConn faculty or staff member would like to give through payroll deduction, they may call Human Resources for more information. As little as $1 per pay period can be deducted from your paycheck and designated to the account of your choice until you reach your goal. You may download the pledge form, which may be delivered to the UConn Foundation or faxed to the Office of Annual Giving at 860.486.0907.

Phone
Donors can also make a gift over the phone by calling the Office of Annual Giving at 860.269.9965.