[by Phyllis Shaikun]
On Monday, August 22, Jane Goldstein was shocked to learn that as part of the University of Louisville’s “Charting Our Course” campaign, and in recognition of the contributions she has made to the university and its students, the college’s entrance circle is being renovated and will be renamed in her honor in late spring.
“I have received a number of tributes and recognitions over the years,” says Goldstein, “including some pretty nice ones, but this one is very special and overwhelming. I have never been so shocked in my life nor felt so honored. I feel blessed, and am indebted to Development Director Graham Honaker and Business School Dean Charlie Moyer, who conceived the idea and carried through on it.
A university publication stated: If there were a box score reporting on the ascent of professional women in the Louisville area, hundreds of the players’ names and accomplishments would be followed by an asterisk, with a companion notation at the bottom of the tally stating “Assist, Goldstein.”
For over 40 years, Goldstein, currently assistant dean for development and external relations at the College of Business, has been the wind beneath the wings of women on the rise. She has taught, mentored, counseled, connected, funded, defended and challenged students, friends and peers, simply for the joy of seeing them succeed.
Previously a UofL lecturer in the area of office management, Goldstein holds bachelor and master’s degrees from UofL in business education and is a Certified Professional Secretary. She regularly gave seminars, workshops and speeches on a variety of workplace issues, and her resume contains a litany of civic and humanitarian awards for leadership and philanthropy, including the UofL Alumni Association’s Red Apple Award, which is given to teachers who make significant contributions to students’ lives.
“Jane truly cares about people and will do everything in her power to help them grow,” said Allie Goatley, the college’s assistant dean for advising. “She doesn’t believe in red tape.”
“As a role model and advocate, she’s making our community a better place,” said Diane Medley, CEO of Chilton & Medley, a 1980 graduate of the college and a member of EWAB, the Executive Women’s Alumni Board Goldstein founded 12 years ago. “The university is on her mind 24/7 – she’s all about making connections.”
Leadership Louisville recently agreed, naming Goldstein to its charter assembly of community “Connectors.”
Goldstein is her own Who’s Who in Louisville’s Jewish community as well. Feted by B’nai B’rith’s Louisville Lodge 14 as Person of the Year in 1994 and a recipient of the Wilson-Kipnis/Friedland Award for her leadership and tireless work on behalf of the Louisville Jewish community, she served three years as president of the board of the Jewish Community Federation of Louisville (now the Jewish Community of Louisville), chaired the Council on Aging and co-chaired the Annual Campaign. She also was a member of the executive committee of the JCL when it first merged and currently serves on the JCL’s Planning and Allocations Committee, the CEO Evaluation Committee and the Endowment Committee.
A former member of Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare Mission Committee before its most recent merger and a past president of Jewish Family & Vocational Service (now Jewish Family & Career Services), she currently serves on the Regional Cancer Center board.
Nationally, she is a past president of the national board of the Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies and serves on the National Funding Council (NFC, now the Alliance) of JFNA and the JFNA Domestic Affairs Committee. She co-chaired the Aging and Family Care Giving Workgroup, from which she stepped down in November, and is a former vice chair of the NFC’s Education/Culture Panel.
In Louisville, she has served on the Mobility Committee of the Jefferson Coun-ty Comprehensive Plane – Cornerstone 2020 Task Force, the Citizen’s Advisory Panel of the Public Radio Partnership, and the Mayor’s Task Force on Race Relations. She recently was inducted into the Atherton High School Hall of Fame.
If you are interested in making a contribution toward the construction of the Jane Goldstein Plaza, contact Graham Honaker, UofL director of development, at graham.honaker@louisville.edu or 852-3410. “When I think about it, this is exactly the kind of recognition project Jane would love to get behind,” says Honaker, “and that’s exactly why it’s time we put her out front.” So far, more than half the cost of construction has been raised.