Award honors peacemaker

The Alumni Association has named Jeffrey Ross '69, who died July 9, 2003, recipient of the 2004 Edward Weisband Distinguished Alumnus Award for Public Service or Contributions to Public Affairs. As the director of campus and higher education affairs for the Anti-Defamation League, Ross devoted nearly 20 years to combating anti-Semitism and bigotry on campuses throughout the nation. He traveled to campuses across the country, including his alma mater, to rebuild relationships and trust following incidents of anti-Semitism.

Ross called to offer his assistance when the Binghamton campus was shaken by anti-Semitic incidents in 2000 and 2001, and worked together with a local rabbi, a Baptist minister, a priest and campus administrators to put together a series of programs and activities on anti-Semitism. "My estimate is that Dr. Ross has been back to Binghamton University or sent presenters more than a dozen times," wrote Rodger Summers, vice president for Student Affairs, in a letter in support nominating Ross for the Weisband Award. "He came willingly and never ceased in his efforts to help ameliorate the problem. Through his experience and advice we were able to begin placing symbols of our diversity around campus, which has made a major impact in helping others to appreciate the differences and the many groups who are a part of Binghamton University."

Ross was a founding collaborator of "Stop the Hate! Campus Hate Crime Prevention," a "Train the Trainer" program sponsored by the Association of College Unions International. He is also the author of Schooled in Hate: Anti-Semitism on Campus. He was scheduled to work with BU's chapter of Hillel on a new workshop, "Confronting Anti-Semitism on College and University Campuses: A Train-the-Trainer Program."

"Jeff believed that the campus should be a place where all students and faculty can pursue knowledge free of fear and intimidation," wrote Jeff Rubin, Hillel director of communications, in "Jeffrey Ross, An Appreciation," on the Hillel website. "He undertook programs that promoted tolerance and fostered understanding among campus groups... To watch Jeff interact with students was a joy. He spoke in great detail and depth but, like any empathetic educator, he listened to students just as intently."

Ross earned his PhD in political science from the University of Minnesota in 1978. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, and their four children.