In four event-packed days chaired by Prof. Alfred Tauber, members of the Board, faculty, students and guests celebrated University achievements, welcomed new members, remembered longtime friends and honored the distinguished accomplishments of honorary degree recipients.
Remembering Leon H. Charney
The Board of Governors paid tribute to the late Leon Charney, lifetime Honorary Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University of Haifa and generous and longstanding supporter. Leon Charney was an American philanthropist, lawyer, political advisor, and critical contributor to the Israel-Egypt peace treaty – and above all a staunch friend of the State of Israel. His vision and support led to the establishment of the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Israel’s only graduate school of marine sciences.
“Leon had a huge impact on this University,” said Prof. Tauber, Chairman of the Board of Governors, “The School of Marine Sciences, which he made possible, will be seen as an inflection point in the history of the University of Haifa – and we speak of it already with great pride. Its future and potential is simply enormous and he saw with great insight and foresight what this potential may be.”
A tribute video highlighting his impressive activities was screened in the presence of Mrs. Tzili Charney, and a group of Mr. Charney’s friends and loved ones who flew in from the US especially for the occasion. Leon H. Charney passed away on March 21, 2016 at age 78.
Dedication Ceremony of the
Herta and Paul Amir Social Sciences Complex
The Herta and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences was dedicated in a special ceremony in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Amir and their family. “They say that social sciences is the study of man and human society, so it is very fitting that we dedicate our faculty to two individuals who have dedicated themselves to helping their fellow man and society,” stated Dr. Shai Gabay of the Department of Psychology at the event.
The $10 million gift from Herta and Paul Amir will enable the extension of the Social Sciences Complex that will house new laboratories and graduate student workspaces, and provide a physical home to some of the Faculty’s cutting-edge departments. “The University is a conduit, and a magnet for talented people,” said Mrs. Amir. “By its mere presence in this city it empowers Haifa, the northern region and the security of Israel.”
Saluting 2016 Israel Prize Winner
Prof. Emeritus Eviatar Nevo
The Board of Governors celebrated the remarkable research accomplishments of Prof. Emeritus Eviatar (Eibi) Nevo and his recent award of the prestigious Israel Prize in Life Sciences Research. Prof. Alfred Tauber, Chairman of the Board of Governors, related, “When I first met Eibi all I could think of is Ben Gurion reincarnated – a real force of nature. He is an extraordinarily productive and creative scientist, who has been acknowledged internationally for his vast contributions to evolutionary biology.”
The Israel Prize Committee noted that Prof. Nevo is one of the fathers of modern evolutionary biology, broadening and widening our knowledge of biological species and their adaptation to changing environments. Prof. Nevo founded the University of Haifa’s Institute of Evolution in 1973 and served as its academic head until 2008. He continues to conduct his important research until today.