Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Grateful Parents Establish Charitable Gift Annuity to Honor Professor and to Provide Scholarships for Students

Many universities claim that their students have unsurpassed access to leading faculty members, both in and out of the classroom. Mark Friedman, P’14, can attest that at Brandeis the assertion is not mere promotional fluff.

During her time at Brandeis, Mark’s daughter Emma Chad-Friedman ’14, developed close relationships with a number of faculty—particularly Malcolm “Mick” Watson, the George and Frances Levin Professor of Psychology and former dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

“Professor Watson took a special interest in her, and he nurtured her passion and interest in psychology and research,” Mark says. “Brandeis delivered a quality education in a very personal way that made a big difference.”

To express their gratitude, Mark and his wife, Ruth Chad, established a generous charitable gift annuity at Brandeis in Professor Watson’s honor. In accordance with the professor’s wishes, proceeds will provide scholarship support for Brandeis students.

“We wanted to convey the message publicly to Brandeis professors that they are truly appreciated,” Mark says. “Parents do take note of the commitment they display to our children.”

Emma graduated summa cum laude with highest honors in psychology. She also received the Elliot Aronson ’54 Prize for Excellence in Psychological Research for a study she conducted with Professor Watson that examined the influence of artistic pedagogical methods on children’s intrinsic motivation and creativity.

Since graduation, Emma has worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Benson Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. She plans to attend graduate school in the future.

Emma’s family hosted a number of gatherings for her Brandeis friends at their home in Newton, Massachusetts, particularly during school breaks when friends from overseas were unable to travel long distances back to their countries.

“Our lives were enriched by getting to know Emma’s friends and their parents,” Mark says. “We are very grateful for her Brandeis experience.”