Meet Our Donors
James “Jim” Kimmel, MBA ’74
A Giving Strategy that Honors His Grandfather’s Legacy
Finance professional James “Jim” Kimmel, MBA ’74 understands the value of philanthropy. Since establishing a scholarship in honor of his grandfather – the former chief of staff at Hahnemann Hospital – he has used four charitable gift annuities and a bequest pledge to ensure that future medical students can carry on his grandfather’s legacy.
John Frederick Phiel Jr.
The Engineer Who Changed One Life in 1965 – and Changes Countless More Today
As in all the greatest love stories, the stars aligned the night that Vesta Phiel and her late husband, John “Jack” Phiel Jr., MS ’65, BS ’63, met. Vesta, a teacher, was convinced by a friend to crash a party.
Robert “Bob” Reuss, BS ’68, MS ’69, PhD ’72
From the CIA to a CGA: How Bob is Helping Future Chemists Dream Big
Robert “Bob” Reuss, BS ’68, MS ’69, PhD ’72 did not anticipate the career he had. Fortunately, his Drexel degrees prepared him well for the winding path that he took – and now he is helping future students navigate their own paths a charitable gift annuity.
Martha Skinner Stone, MD, WMC ’62
HELPING OTHERS TRAIN AS PHYSICIANS
Martha Skinner Stone, MD, WMC ’62 and her husband established the Martha Skinner Stone, MD (WMC ’62) and Sumner Stone, MD Endowed Scholarship Fund within the College of Medicine. This endowed fund will support generations of students in pursuit of their MD degrees in perpetuity.
Rosalyn Richman
Empowering Leaders in Medicine
"I want to support organizations whose principals speak to me. I admire what these women are doing I feel like their work is important — important enough to put my dollars there."
Charles A. Chada —72
Building a Better Future
"These students have the power to achieve not just their own personal goals, but to lead our progress in the tech arena," he says. "I feel strongly that Drexel will play a key role in enabling their success."
W. Geoffrey Lefferts MD, HU —69 and Susan Hiles Lefferts, RN, HU —67
Two New Colleges, Same Great Legacy
"My parents…they started saving early, and I was the beneficiary. Now, I hope I can help someone else in the same way."
Walter Straub '65, MBA '70, HD —12
Securing the Future
"In order for the university to stay current and relevant, I think it's essential that all students, regardless of their school, have an increased awareness of the issues in the marketplace today."
Wilma Bulkin Siegel, MD WMC '62, HD '06
Helping Students Combine Creativity and Care
A graduate of Woman's Medical College (WMC), a predecessor institution of the Drexel University College of Medicine, Dr. Bulkin Siegel's career has spanned not only an impressive track record as an oncologist and pioneer in hospice care, but also the ongoing exploration of how art plays an important part in well-being.
Benita Weber Vassallo '74
Paying Forward Career Defining Opportunities
Benita Weber Vassallo '74 supports the next generation of CCI students through a bequest pledge establishing the Benita Weber Vassallo '74 and Paul Vassallo Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Jim Kochenour '70
Paying Forward Career Defining Opportunities
"Drexel has played a very big part in my life," says James L. Kochenour '70, '77, a bachelor's and master's graduate of the College of Engineering whose Drexel experience launched his 50-year career in traffic engineering.
Joel Zumoff
Passing on a Tradition of Innovation
"My whole career in administrative data processing started with the computer courses I took at Drexel," says Joel Zumoff, who graduated in 1968 with a BS mathematics. When Zumoff came to Drexel in 1964, the University's computing center was relatively new, and the use of computers was growing rapidly across campus. Zumoff developed a passion for computers during this time of technological expansion and has always recognized Drexel's role in the foundation of his career. When he decided the time was right to make a significant gift, he established a charitable gift annuity (CGA) to benefit Drexel's College of Computing and Informatics (CCI).
William R. DiMarino '68
William R. DiMarino '68
Constructing the Next Generation of Builders
William R. DiMarino '68, wanted to build structures that benefit mankind. Hospitals, museums, schools, religious institutions – buildings that become woven into the fabric of the lives they touch. Now, having enjoyed a long and successful career, Bill wants to leave a legacy to help construct something else – the next generation of builders.
Elinor Cantor, PhD, MCP '79
Elinor Cantor, PhD, MCP '79 and Barry Nelson Jones, PhD
Empowering Women in Medicine
When Elinor Cantor, PhD, MCP '79, graduated from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1979, the American Medical Association had just established the Ad Hoc Committee on Women Physicians – a first, small step toward recognizing women's growing role in the medical field.
J. Kenneth Brubaker, MD, CMD 1970 College of Medicine
J. Kenneth Brubaker, MD, CMD 1970 College of Medicine
His Care for Frail Elderly Extends to Their Doctors
Kenneth Brubaker and his wife, Pamela, have made philanthropy part of their lifestyle ever since they married. Both are health care professionals, deeply devoted to the frail elderly and the families who love them. In addition to demanding careers, the Brubakers have translated their shared passion into philanthropy aimed at encouraging the education of more physicians in the field.
Joel Cohen
Joel Cohen
Hometown Grad Makes Global Classroom Impact
Joel B. Cohen graduated from the Drexel School of Business Administration (now known as LeBow College of Business) in 1954. But when he talks about what made his experience special, you might think that his college years were recent. He can name specific Drexel professors who took a personal interest in his studies and career options, and they are his role models — even today. "When a teacher talks one-on-one to you, and shows concern for your future, that makes a tremendous impression," he says.
Harvey '65 and Florence Cohen
Harvey and Florence Cohen count among their blessings a 48 year marriage and two sons, as well as their successful careers. Harvey attributes a great deal of his success to the education he began at Drexel University.
Their success allowed the Cohen's to provide high quality care for their younger son, Jason, who has cerebral palsy and grew up with special needs. Now, after successfully completing his own higher education, Jason has a job he enjoys and lives on his own in an apartment complex designed for the physically disabled.
James Richard Miller
James Richard Miller
"My message to the students who benefit from support like this on a daily basis is to always challenge yourself but understand your limits. Keep in mind that the journey should be as important as the destination."
- James Miller '71