A new research center focused on human rights policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government dramatically illustrates how campaign donors are helping the University harness its intellectual resources in ways that extend well beyond Harvard Yard. The newly established center, being announced today (June 10) will examine the policies and actions of governments, international organizations, and independent actors that affect the realization of human rights. The center's faculty will also engage in empirical, philosophical, and conceptual research on the concept of human rights itself, and its relationship with other academic disciplines.

Gregory C. Carr, MPP '86 and the Gregory C. Carr Foundation Inc. are giving $18 million toward the new center. The gift includes an endowment for operating support, a professorship, and funds for facilities to be named the Carr Center. This is the largest gift ever received from an alumnus in Kennedy School history. Carr commented that his choice of the Kennedy School as a home for the new center is due in large part to his relationship with Graham T. Allison Jr., Douglas Dillon Professor of Government, and is also a signal of confidence in Dean Joseph Nye's leadership. As a special tribute to Allison, Carr will be naming a room in Allison's honor in the new Carr Center.

"I am extremely gratified by Greg Carr's generosity and vision," commented Nye. "It is rare that an individual philanthropist chooses to approach a complex policy challenge like human rights with Greg's level of passion, knowledge, and commitment. His gift is truly extraordinary in terms of its importance and impact during a time when human rights concerns affect so many facets of global affairs."

According to international relations observers, many core human rights ideals have become firmly established in international law, politics, and policy. Human rights organizations have achieved a prominence unanticipated even a decade ago. Multinational corporations, Internet entrepreneurs, defense analysts, development economists, and countless others openly acknowledge the implication of human rights in their activities.

Carr and the Kennedy School concurred on the importance of creating a center to rigorously examine the theory and practice of human rights policy and to assess efforts to implement human rights norms. Humanitarian and human rights organizations will benefit from focused study on advocacy strategies, monitoring practices, and response mechanisms.

Allison said, "Greg's entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and intellectual curiosity have distinguished him throughout his studies and his career. His great generosity in establishing the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy demonstrates both his ideals and his willingness to invest financial resources earned in his private ventures for greater public goods."

Carr cofounded Boston Technology Inc. in 1986 and served as CEO and then chairman of the board. In 1996, Carr also became chairman of Prodigy Inc. of White Plains, New York, a global Internet services provider. Earlier this year, Carr sold a portion of his interest in Prodigy and formed the Gregory C. Carr Foundation Inc.

Professorships Established in Latin American Studies

Human rights is not the only global issue recently addressed by campaign donors. Harvard's deepening attention to and understanding of global affairs will be furthered by two new professorships in Latin American studies.

The new chairs, one given by David Rockefeller '36, G '37, LLD '69 (hon.) and the other by Monique and Philip Lehner '46, AMP '69, will be affiliated with the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. The chairs aim to honor distinguished scholars of international stature whose work has contributed significantly to knowledge of the economic, social, political, environmental, or historical development of Latin America. The chairs' incumbents will have examined Latin America's artistic and cultural achievements or have focused on studying Latin America's relations with the rest of the world.

The professorship endowed by Rockefeller the second he has established will ultimately be named for President Neil L. Rudenstine, but in accordance with University practice, will hold Rockefeller's name during the president's tenure.

"Neil's commitment to Latin America is indisputable," Rockefeller observed. "We were partners in creating the Center and I thought it would be fitting that a University-wide professorship be named in honor of someone who was, in a very real sense, a co-founder of the center Neil."

"David Rockefeller's vision, generosity, and constant personal involvement have led to the creation and the flowering of our Center for Latin American Studies," said Rudenstine. "It has been more than a privilege for me to be able to work with him, and to come to know him during the past several years. And it is a special honor for me to be associated with the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies through the endowed chair that David has created."

Regarding the Monique and Philip Lehner Professorship for the Study of Latin America, which will be based in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), Philip Lehner noted, "When David Rockefeller founded the Latin American Center in 1994, he created an opportunity for us to support Harvard and our interests in the region. We hope this professorship may help to bring to light answers and solutions that will benefit Latin Americans and bring improvements to the area."

Lehner, who joins Rockefeller as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Rockefeller Center, added: "For nearly 40 years, Monique and I have been interested in Latin America, particularly Central America, where we have many close friends and various business activities. We have always been concerned about the numerous issues facing these countries in their efforts to improve their economies and we have been skeptical about the appropriateness of the economic and political advice they have received."

"The Lehners' wonderful gift will contribute enormously to strengthening Latin American studies at Harvard," said Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Jeremy R. Knowles. "Through their generosity, we shall be able to bring to Harvard a professor whose teaching and scholarship are focused on this region of the world."

President's academic initiative fund spurs innovation

Over the past six months, alumni have designated more than $28 million toward the president's academic initiatives fund, bringing the total raised for this critical campaign priority to $94 million.

Interfaculty initiatives receive major support from the president's academic initiatives fund. During The University Campaign, the interfaculty initiatives have made real progress in academic development, including undergraduate as well as graduate education and research. For example, the University Committee on the Environment established a full undergraduate concentration and led major collaborative research projects, most notably in China; and the interfaculty collaboration around the Mind/Brain/Behavior initiative created undergraduate concentration tracks in four departments and generated the publication of two major books.

"Many important problems in society today are so complicated and demand understanding from so many perspectives that the University, to play its part, must be capable of mobilizing individuals from a variety of relevant fields and professions," said Provost Harvey V. Fineberg. "These interdisciplinary opportunities require a 'venture fund' mentality to invest selectively and prudently, yet boldly, in areas with tremendous potential."

Discretionary central funds also enable the president and provost to assist University-wide research centers like the Rockefeller Center and the Asia Center (both based in the FAS) and the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations (based in the Kennedy School). Funds for recruitment of talented faculty and upgrading of facilities have underpinned interdisciplinary science efforts. Further, support from the president's academic initiatives fund made possible the creation of the retrospective electronic catalog for the entire University-wide library system, making all 13.5 million volumes searchable online.

Library sustained

The library, another campaign priority, continues to command attention. While it is universally recognized to be among the world's greatest, Harvard's library requires funds to prevent the deterioration of the collections, to acquire books and materials being published at record rates, to develop electronic networks, to train students and scholars to use information technology to best access the holdings, and to preserve the collections.

Sidney Verba, Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor and director of the Harvard University Library, said, "In an era of books and journals the major media for the scholarly community the Harvard library has traditionally been among the world's greatest. One reason the library needs support now is to ensure that it performs the same role in the digital era." To help the library remain strong, Harriet and Paul M. Weissman '52 have generously made a $3 million gift. In recognition of all they have done for Harvard, the University Library's preservation center will be named for the Weissmans.

"You can't have a great university without a great library," said Paul Weissman. "And what is exciting to Harriet and me is that the preservation center is vital to all the libraries at Harvard, simply because it preserves the collections for future students and scholars. We had an opportunity to tour the preservation center and were very impressed with the work that the preservation librarians do. The breadth of materials they treat all kinds of rare, old, and valuable pieces is truly amazing."

The Weissmans say they feel strongly about supporting libraries, both academic and public, because "libraries work to benefit all of their constituents." Harriet Weissman is particularly involved in behalf of the library in their home community of White Plains, N.Y. A steadfast alumnus, Paul Weissman has served as head class agent and gift chairman for all of his class reunions. In 1998, he concluded seven years as chair of the Harvard College Fund. His career at the investment banking firm Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. spanned 41 years.

Paul and Harriet Weissman, enthusiastic supporters of students and financial aid, also gave The University Campaign an additional $500,000 toward the Paul M. Weissman Family Scholarship Program.

"The Weissmans are recognizing two of our very highest priorities," said Dean Knowles. "By endowing the University's preservation center, they help to ensure the survival of the cultural and intellectual record of humanity. Their latest in a splendid sequence of gifts for financial aid will help keep Harvard open to all deserving students. Harvard is fortunate to have such generous and percipient friends as Harriet and Paul Weissman."

Breadth of support critical