Gift Complements Decades of Service

Judi and Stephen Fain recently made a gift of a life insurance policy to FIU to show appreciation for an enterprise they value and respect.

Founding FIU Professor Shares Passion Behind Support

In July 1971, founding FIU professor Stephen M. Fain, Ed.D., came to what was then Tamiami Airport in search of a new academic home, joining a small group of visionaries who would expand their careers and eventually transform the deserted airport into a contemporary university.

Now more than 40 years later, Florida International University serves over 54,000 students and contributes nearly $10 billion each year to the local economy as one of South Florida's anchor institutions.

Stephen says the campus grounds and buildings are constant reminders of how far FIU has come. His fondest memory is "working shoulder to shoulder with a band of dedicated colleagues building a great university-and this experience continues today."

He and his wife, Judi, sought out a way to show appreciation for an enterprise they value and respect. Given the breadth of their involvement at FIU over the years, the Fains recently made a gift of $170,000 in the form of a life insurance policy to support four specific areas across the university: College of Education, Honors College, Green Library and Alumni Center. In recognition of their generosity, FIU will establish the Dr. Stephen M. Fain and Judith M. Fain Endowment.

"By making a planned gift we were able to significantly increase the size of our gift and add to the endowment of FIU," Stephen says. "We believe that contributions to the FIU endowment create opportunities for faculty to secure support for their research and in turn enhance what the university can do to improve and expand offerings to students."

'Family Business' As professor emeritus in the College of Education and faculty fellow emeritus in the Honors College, Stephen has also been a loyal supporter of FIU Athletics, the Student-Athlete Academic Center, the First Generation Scholarship Fund, and the Faculty & Staff Campaign known as Ignite, which he currently chairs. Under his leadership, the campaign has raised more than $6.5 million for the university to date. Despite the numbers, Stephen sees the success of the campaign more in terms of participation than in the dollars raised.

"A gift to FIU has impact beyond the point of direct support. Each gift has the power to attract other gifts and all gifts together add greatly to the stature of the university," he says.

The Fains remain an integral part of the history of FIU. "We have grown up with FIU and we believe in taking care of our family. We recognize our obligation to nurture that which we have helped to create. Giving back to the university is doing family business for us," Stephen says.

A dedicated champion of FIU, Stephen served on numerous committees and in various roles including associate dean of the College of Education, chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and founder and director of the Institute of Judaic Studies. He also served as chair of the Faculty Senate for four years. Among his many awards are the Outstanding Faculty Torch Award (2005), Distinguished Service Medallion (2004), Outstanding Honors Fellow Award (2003), Excellence in Teaching Award (1999) and the first Gregory B. Wolfe Award as the Outstanding Member of the Faculty (1986).

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