ADVANCING THE MISSION
Philip A . Zaffere Library Groundbreaking
On a steamy July 7 morning , members of Stevenson University , its trustees , major supporters , government officials , and the families of the late Philip A . Zaffere and the late Dr . Barbara Zirkin gathered on Owings Mills North for the long-anticipated groundbreaking of the Philip A . Zaffere Library and the naming of the Zirkin Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning .
Despite the sweltering heat , more than 100 guests enjoyed the camaraderie of meeting in person since the start of the pandemic . Old friendships were renewed and new friendships were formed as a spirit of hope and goodwill fueled this milestone event in Stevenson ’ s growth .
President Hirshman began the day by welcoming the guests and reminding the audience there was much to be thankful for during these difficult times . He remarked , “… despite our challenges , we have many reasons to be grateful . We are grateful that our students will have the opportunity to pursue their education in the state-of-the-art Philip A . Zaffere Library . We are also grateful to the generous donors who have made the Zaffere Library possible : The Philip A . Zaffere Foundation led by Louis and Phyllis Friedman and Freddie Traub ; The MacDonald Family Foundation led by Shirley MacDonald ; Kellie MacDonald , and Trustee Meg Sheetz ; alumni supporters Harry and Chris Tsakalos ; and long-time supporters , Dan and Mary Dent .”
Scott Pugatch , Chair of the Board , added , “ As we … now look to new opportunities and new horizons , I am truly grateful and proud that Stevenson is here to educate and develop tomorrow ’ s leaders .”
Cindy Orban , Zaffere ’ s niece , shared her memories of her uncles generosity and “ almost endless well of compassion ” with the audience .
She described how after his father ’ s serious illness , Zaffere left college in his second year and took charge of the family bakery . As Orban observed , “ He never completed his college education , instead working tirelessly , keeping baker ’ s hours , with little life beyond the business . It was his creative , outside-the-box thinking , his relentless ingenuity , his single-minded conviction that there is always a better , more efficient way to do everything that grew a small family bakery into a model of innovation , with food giants like General Foods
relying on his business for their products .”
Orban continued , “ Philip Zaffere was a lifelong learner . He had an unparalleled thirst for information and knowledge … The Philip A . Zaffere Library will be a place where generations of students will seek information and will find meaning and knowledge . Nothing , nothing could have pleased Philip more . He would be so proud .”
Dr . Barry Zirkin spoke of his 54-year marriage to Barbara and her enduring love for her family . Like Zaffere , Zirkin was a lifelong learner . After earning her B . A . from Hunter College , she earned a master ’ s degree in English from The University of Rochester . She went on to earn a second master ’ s degree and a doctorate in education from Johns Hopkins University .
Zirkin joined Stevenson in 2009 . As Associate Dean for Distance Learning , Zirkin assisted in the development of new academic programs . She and her team ensured that Stevenson University Online ( SUO ) courses were delivered to students in a way that promoted active learning and student engagement while enabling students to meet program objectives . Zirkin was committed to Stevenson and its students .
As her husband , Dr . Barry Zirkin , noted , “ Barbara cared deeply about Stevenson University , and would be very pleased with this recognition and honor … Among the many positions she held , Barbara ’ s position at Stevenson was the one she truly cherished above the rest .”
He added , “ Barbara ’ s focus was never on herself . The words ‘ I ’ and ‘ me ’ were ones she rarely used . Her focus consistently was on the people she cared about and on what she was doing and contributing . She wanted to make a difference — and she did — in the lives she touched and the positions she held . The Zirkin Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is a wonderful honor that she would have cherished .”
At the conclusion of remarks , SU leadership , library donors , Mrs . Orban , and Dr . Zirkin donned their hard hats and dug their shovels into the ceremonial soil to officially break ground on the new library .
Stevenson University plans to open the library by the fall of 2023 . This 42,000-square-foot facility will include a teaching space , faculty commons , archives , and a variety of gathering spaces for academic , social , and cultural functions .
29 | VENTURES / WINTER 2021-2022