Meet A Donor: George A. Dickerman '61

"I owe everything to UMass," emphasizes George A. Dickerman '61, whose generous planned gift this year will ensure the continuation through endowment of his George A. Dickerman '61 Family Scholarships.  "My wife, Sherry, brother, Stephen, oldest son, Mitchell '90, three nieces, and cousins all attended UMass," Dickerman continues. The UMass Amherst campus has been  a second home for us."

Now in their 20th year, the annual gifts have  generated scholarships for 95 students-all of  whom have accepted George Dickerman's terms: "They must repay the scholarship by giving  back to the Isenberg School," he notes, "preferably through their own scholarship support. But they may also give back through mentoring or other services to students. The point is, they are all obligated to give back in their own time, in their own way."

Photo: Sherry '63 '84 MS, Mitchell '89, Nina, and George Dickerman '61 with Ben, Kal, and Ian.

That commitment mirrors George Dickerman's own financial experience as a UMass student and alumnus. On the eve of his senior year, personal finances threatened to keep him from finishing his degree. But a family friend came to the rescue with assistance that allowed George to graduate on schedule. His friend's only caveat: give back by helping future UMass students with assistance of your own.

After graduation Dickerman went on to a spectacular business career, highlighted by his tenure from 1976-2000 as president and CEO of Spalding Sports Worldwide. In the early 1990s, he served with distinction as Chair of the Isenberg School's Business Advisory Council. 

"At some point, my sons Mitchell and Douglas will inherit the responsibility of presenting the scholarships at the Isenberg School's annual awards banquet,  George Dickerman continues.  "And I fully expect my three grandsons, Ian, Ben, and Kal, in the family photo accompanying this article, to follow in their footsteps."