As a child growing up in Poland , longtime University of Memphis supporter Bert Bornblum never had the opportunity to pursue an education; circumstances forced him to drop out of school at age 13. But that doesn't mean the co-founder of Bert's Store on Beale Street didn't have an appreciation of education. For the past 23 years, Bornblum has taken philosophy courses at the U of M.

"I never went to high school," said Bornblum, "but I read a lot of philosophy as a kid in Poland. That is how I got my education – philosophy became my primary subject."

Bert and his brother David, who died in October, came to the United States from Warsaw in 1938. Both served in the military during World War II before opening several clothing stores in the next half century, including Bert's Store in 1949. In 1985, the brothers established the U of M's Bornblum Judaic Studies Center with a $1 million gift.

In late November 2004, Bert announced two additional gifts to the U of M: the David Bornblum Fund in Philosophy, a $100,000 bequest from David's estate; and the David Bornblum Fund for the Bornblum Judaic Studies Center, a $250,000 donation.

"Your intellectual curiosity has been a blessing for the University," President Shirley Raines told Bornblum. "The U of M as a whole is most appreciative of your support."

Dr. Nancy Simco, chairman of the Philosophy Department, said the gift would be directed mainly toward graduate programs. "This gift will help students in many ways," Simco said, noting that because of insufficient funding only five percent of applicants are accepted to the philosophy graduate program. One benefit of the Bornblums' generosity will be the availability of travel funds for students to attend seminars that will help them get started in their profession, she said.

Dr. David Patterson, director of the Bornblum Judaic Studies Center, said the gift to the Center would be used to provide guest lecturers in Israeli and Middle Eastern studies on a continuing basis. "The events of the past few years show a serious need for a better understanding of that region," said Patterson, who also holds the Bornblum Chair of Excellence in Judaic Studies.

The Judaic Studies Center was established to foster an appreciation of Jewish history and Judaic Studies, according to its founders. "The center should act to reveal how beliefs and religions are different without passing judgment or teaching theological views," said former director Dr. Stephen Benin when the center opened.

Many of the students who take courses in the center are non-Jews, according to Bornblum. "Judaism is not a mystery after you learn about it," he said.

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