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2005 Award Recipient: The Gevirtz Family
 The
Gevirtz family name has become synonymous with education since
their generosity led to the creation of the Gevirtz Research Center
and the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education—two prominent
institutions at UCSB.
The
late Ambassador Don Gevirtz and his wife Marilyn donated the funds
that led to the establishment of the Gevirtz Research Center in
1996. Their vision was of a Center that would develop well-researched
programs leading to high levels of academic achievement for all
children. The Center has since developed many productive partnerships
with the Santa Barbara School Districts, other primary and secondary
educational institutions, and the private sector. Today the GRC
researches and develops innovative educational programs that become
models for educational practice.
Four
years later, the Gevirtzes made another fabulous gift to education:
$10 million to the UCSB Graduate School of Education. To honor
their generosity, as well as their dedication to promoting research-based
excellence in education, the campus renamed the School after them.
Although
it was both Gevirtzes who made these gifts to UCSB, it was Marilyn’s
passion for education that sparked Don’s involvement. Marilyn
has long been dedicated to helping children succeed in school.
One of her visions was after-school homework centers—a dream
the Gevirtz Research Center helped her bring to reality.
Marilyn
is also a co-founder and major supporter of the Adopt-a-Student
program at Santa Barbara City College, which helps deserving young
students stay in school. She serves on the board of the SBCC Foundation,
the UCSB Foundation, and the Dean’s Council of the Gevirtz
Graduate School of Education. So outstanding has her commitment
to public education been, that the Santa Barbara Public Education
Foundation bestowed on her its Hope Award in 2001.
Marilyn
is also a former board member of the Santa Barbara Scholarship
Foundation and Girls, Inc., and is a newly-elected member of the
board of KCET. She was a member of the California Commission on
Crime Control and Violence Prevention, and was named by then State
Senator Jack O’Connell as Woman of the Year in 2001. She
also serves on the Education Committee of the Santa Barbara Museum
of Art.
Although
Don died in 2001, Marilyn does her best to continue their shared
dream of educational opportunity for all.
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