‘Extraordinary Times Call for Extraordinary Action’

The Weissmans
Listen

Fearing the impact that the global coronavirus outbreak may have on Babson College’s financial health, Edward Chiu needed to make a call.

The person he dialed? Robert Weissman ’64, H’94, P’87 ’90, G’20.

On the phone, Chiu, the Governor Craig R. Benson Endowed Senior Vice President for Advancement, outlined a proposal. What if Weissman’s annual contribution to the College was allocated to current needs? That would allow College leadership the flexibility to address head-on whatever issues they may encounter.

Weissman listened to the proposal. He didn’t hesitate with an answer.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary action,” says Weissman. “I want to ensure the well-being of Babson students, faculty, and staff.”

And so, with that phone call, $1 million was given to Babson to use however it sees fit in a time of unprecedented crisis and uncertainty. “He trusts the leadership of the College to employ it in the way it sees best,” Chiu says. “This provides some much needed flexibility to ensure academic continuity.”


Support our students most affected by the crisis. Together, we are #OneBabson.


Come Together

Weissman’s gift comes as the College is rallying together, says Chiu. More than 150 people—alumni, parents, faculty, staff—have contributed already to a newly established emergency fund for students whose living and learning situations have been disrupted because of the coronavirus outbreak. Those funds can go to whatever needs a student may have: transportation, storage, housing.

“No words can describe the impact that they and their entire family continue to have on Babson.”

Edward Chiu

“In difficult times, the Babson community comes together,” says Chiu, who anticipates that support for the College from alumni and friends will only continue to grow in the days and weeks ahead.

Weissman’s gift is just another in a long line of generous contributions that he and his wife, Jan P’87 ’90, G’20, have made to the school. In just the last year or two, they have supported projects that have radically changed the look and feel of campus: the relocation of the Babson World Globe and the openings of both the Weissman Foundry and Babson Commons at Horn Library. Over the course of their lives, they have committed more than $100 million to the College.

“No words can describe the impact that they and their entire family continue to have on Babson,” Chiu says. “Guardian angel might be a good way to describe it.”

Posted in Community

More from  »

Latest Stories

Farrah Narkiewicz and Rob Major sit and talk at Trim Dining Hall
The Regular Crowd Shuffles In: Lunchtime at Trim  Trim Dining Hall may be a key part of everyday life for many Babson students, but a slew of faculty and staff members also make it part of their daily routine. At lunchtime, they file into the dining hall, seeking food and camaraderie.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
September 4, 2025

Posted in Community

Babson Study Reveals the Power of Customer Kindness New Babson-funded research shows that customer kindness can boost employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and spark a cycle of positivity in service industries.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
September 3, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

Three photos in a side-by-side collage depict Michael Kopelman coaching, Brady Anderson in action, and the doubles team celebrating
Courting Success: How Babson Tennis Teams Transformed into National Powerhouses With championships and top-tier recruiting classes, Babson Director of Tennis Michael Kopelman has overseen the transformation of the men’s and women’s programs into national powerhouses.
By
Scott Dietz
Writer
Scott Dietz
Scott Dietz is Babson College's Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications. Dietz is responsible for the department's internal and external communications, including branding, campus engagement, marketing, social media, sponsorships and website management. Additional duties consist of event coverage, facilitation of interview requests, media pitching, video content, writing and editing. Before Babson, Dietz spent 13-plus years at fellow NEWMAC institution Wheaton College, worked for the NFL, New England Patriots, and in the media relations department with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. A native of South Park, PA, Dietz began his sports information career at Westminster College.
September 2, 2025

Posted in Community