UConn alum Jerry Lieberman donated $250,000 to fund generator systems, such as oxide fuel cells, hoping to one day make a significant research advancement at the university. (Screenshot/UConn Alumni)
University of Connecticut alumnus Jerry Lieberman recently donated $250,000 to the university, which will go toward the Clean Energy Initiative, according to a press release.
Philanthropist Ed Satell challenged UConn and Technion Israeli Institute of Technology in Israel to match his donation of $500,000. Lieberman said he saw the potential benefits of a donation and decided to step up with the $250,000.
“The funds will go to generator systems such as oxide fuel cells,” UConn Center for Clean Energy Engineering director Prabhakar Singh said.
Oxide fuel cells are a clean and sustainable fuel source that runs off of continuously generated power. The heat that it creates can be used as a source of external energy, like a power outlet. That heat can be used over and over again to create continuous energy, according to Bloom Energy.
“This is a field of great promise that both universities have emerging research in and have the labs and expertise to further this work.” Lieberman said in the release.
“Due to his contributions the University of Connecticut will build scientific bridges with Israel and also allow us to continue collaborating with Technion,” Vice President of Global Affairs Daniel Weiner said in the release.
Singh hopes to one day have an international forum on clean energy. UConn is constantly innovating new forms of energy and appears to be on the road to continue these strides.
“UConn really gave me a chance to excel,” Lieberman said in the release.
While working at AllianceBernstein, Lieberman made numerous contributions. Taking care of tasks such as global risk management, technology, public relations and many others. He was also “instrumental” in developing the “corporate governance” of the company, according to Reverence Capital.
Lieberman served on the UConn Board of Directors for many years and has made charitable contributions to the university in the past, according to the release.
After creating a scholarship in the Business School and making generous donations to the Hillel Building, Lieberman said, “Eileen (his wife) and I feel blessed and fortunate to be able to give back to the university and help kids who are less fortunate, while building bonds with Israel through excellence in education.”
Caesar Valentin is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at Caesar.valentin@uconn.edu.
