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March/April 2008
Development Report
For Donald R. Lehman, Ph.D. ’70, and his wife, Elyse Brauch Lehman, M.A. ’67, Ph.D. ’70, the reason for giving is simple: GW is family. Last June, the Lehmans generously expressed their affinity for and appreciation to the University through a $2 million bequest commitment, crowning a long history of philanthropy to GW. Their donation will establish the Elyse B. and Donald R. Lehman Endowed Professorship in Theoretical Physics to attract leading scholars and teachers and advance the study of theoretical physics. “We want science, especially physics, to be an integral part of the future of GW so that others may have the type of experience we had,” says Don Lehman, GW’s executive vice president for academic affairs and the George Gamow Professor of Theoretical Physics. “One of our goals is to provide infrastructure support that will enable talented faculty to continue their scholarly activities,” adds Elyse Lehman, professor emerita of psychology at George Mason University. “Strong science departments are essential if a university is to achieve and maintain greatness.” As graduate students, the Lehmans began what would prove to be a mutually rewarding relationship with the University. Don Lehman remembers his experience as a GW graduate student as an extremely positive one. “I shall always look at that time in my life as a period that set me on my way to a wonderful career doing research in theoretical nuclear physics.” “Don and I were incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful mentors,” notes Elyse Lehman, who received both her master’s and doctorate in psychology at GW. “We had the opportunity to learn from the best. Our support provides a way of honoring the faculty who played such an important role in our training and careers.” The Lehmans moved to D.C. in 1964 after Don Lehman was assigned to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. When his supervisor suggested he work toward a doctorate, he knew GW was the school for him. While completing his dissertation, he joined the Physics Department as an instructor, his first appointment at GW. After a two-year post-doctoral period at the National Bureau of Standards, he returned to GW as an assistant professor— placing him on a career path at GW that would flourish during the years ahead. Because of their commitment, the Lehmans are members of the Tempietto Circle of the Heritage Society, a GW recognition society that honors donors who make documented, planned gifts of $500,000 or more. The Lehmans also generously support the Gelman Library, the Richard Walk Scholars Fund, and other University projects. Inspired by the accomplishments of the past and the opportunities of the future, the Lehmans are actively giving back to the University that they acknowledge gave so much to them. “At the many GW events we’ve attended, we’ve heard people talk about the GW family,” says Elyse Lehman. “We can honestly say from experience that there is such a family.” A noted physicist, Don Lehman was elected a fellow of the American Physical Society in 1988, and he received the Columbian College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship in 1989 and the GW Award for Outstanding Contributions to the University in 2006. Elyse Lehman is a former director of the Developmental, Biopsychology, and School Psychology programs at Mason. Her area of specialization is cognitive development in children. She currently serves as co-chair of the Gelman Library System Development Advisory Board.
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