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MEDIA CONTACT: Sharon Dickman sdickman@rochester.edu
585.275.4128
March 10, 2006
The University of Rochester will recognize Robert B. Goergen's long history of strategic support for the University by naming its new biomedical engineering-optics building in his honor, President Joel Seligman announced today. Goergen has pledged $10 million toward construction of the building.
"This is the third transformative gift Bob Goergen has made to the University of Rochester," Seligman said. "The biomedical engineering-optics building is the first new building to be constructed for the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering since 1987. Bob's previous gifts have included $5 million toward the extensive renovation of the University's athletic center (named for Goergen in 2000), and another substantial gift to establish and provide continuous support for the Goergen Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching awarded annually since 1997."
Goergen, a University Trustee since 1982, chaired the Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2003. He has served the University as a key volunteer leader as well as generous benefactor for several decades, Seligman said.
"As with the athletic center and the teaching awards, I see my gift for the biomedical engineering-optics building as a way to improve the scholarship, research, and general experience of Rochester students and faculty in a tangible way," Goergen said. "The building will have an impact beyond bricks and mortar. It will be a wonderful hub of activity for a field of growing importance that will transform lives—not only on campus, but around the world. I am very proud to support a project that will be significant for so many academic pursuits of the University."
"Bob Goergen's contributions have been pivotal to the recent progress of our University," Seligman said. "Bob continues to play a vital leadership role as chairman of the Trustees' strategic planning advisory committee. As board chair for 12 years, he formed a remarkable partnership with President Tom Jackson that was crucial to the great steps forward made by the University. He is again demonstrating his leadership and commitment to the University with this wonderful gift today."
The $37.7 million, 100,000-square-foot biomedical engineering-optics building will house scientists studying both optics and biomedical engineering—two traditionally strong disciplines at Rochester—and facilitate their collaboration. The building will include extensive research facilities, undergraduate and graduate teaching labs, state-of-the-art demonstration halls, a 155-seat lecture hall, and the new Center for Institute Ventures.
Goergen earned a bachelor's degree with honors in physics from Rochester in 1960. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
A successful entrepreneur, Goergen is now chairman and CEO of Blyth, Inc., of Greenwich, Conn., a publicly traded company with $1.6 billion in annual sales. He is also the founder and chairman of The Ropart Group, a private-equity investment firm based in Greenwich. As an investor and operating executive, Goergen has been responsible for the turnarounds of several firms during his extensive career.
He began his career at Procter & Gamble, moving on to McCann-Erickson, where he became a senior account executive within a few years. Next, he joined consultants McKinsey & Co., Inc., working on sales, pricing, marketing strategy, mergers, and acquisition of consumer goods operations. He was made a principal partner in less than four years. He then became managing general partner of the venture capital group at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenerette, Inc.
The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering is complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.
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