Longtime Arhu Benefactor, Jack Kay, Passes At 87
April 24, 2013
ARHU is saddened by the news of the passing of alumna and benefactor Jack Kay '47.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland is saddened by the death of Jack Kay, a distinguished alumnus and benefactor. A 1947 Maryland graduate, Mr. Kay lived in Chevy Chase, Md. and Palm Beach, Fla. He was 87 years old.
With his father, Abraham S. Kay, Jack pioneered development of the Maryland suburbs after World War II, including such communities as Kemp Mill Village. In his own right, Jack Kay became a business and community leader and a dedicated philanthropist. His business interests included a real estate management firm, Kay Management.
During his life, Jack Kay was recognized with a number of prestigious community awards. At the University of Maryland, his philanthropic legacy is reflected in the academic programs, scholarships and facilities he made possible.
More than five years ago, he endowed the Abraham S. and Jack Kay Chair in Israel Studies to further an understanding of the cultural, historical and social dynamics of Israel, as well as to honor his father’s personal commitment to Jewish education. He furthered his own educational commitment by funding the Jack Kay Program in Advanced Israel Studies (part of Graduate Studies).
For decades, he helped support the Banneker/Key Scholarship, the University’s most prestigious academic award for undergraduates. Each year, his endowment provides a merit-based scholarship award for an outstanding student in the Banneker Key Program.
His support for the University’s state-of-the-art performance center is recognized in the naming of the proscenium theatre that bears his name, and the name of his late wife, Ina.
For more information on Jack Kay, visit:
Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies