July 2, 2004

Columbus, Ga. - As the founder of the Columbus-based Casual Corner clothing stores, Jack Schiffman understood business success was anchored upon sound investment, integrity and a viable strategy for the future.

Prior to his death in 1994, Schiffman used these sound business principles to help assure a tradition of musical and academic excellence for Columbus State University and its Schwob School of Music. His commitment as a founding member of the Steering Committee of CSU's Patrons of Music Society reflected his belief that quality of life issues have a profound impact on economic development.

The Schiffman family made a gift to the Columbus Challenge campaign in the early 1990s that resulted in the naming of the percussion teaching suite in the Schwob School of Music at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in memory of Mr. Schiffman. A subsequent gift to the CSU Foundation provided state-of-the-art equipment for the percussion suite. The Schiffman family recently continued its legacy of support through a gift to the CSU Capital Campaign, An Investment in People, to purchase additional equipment and to support new programs and initiatives designed to continue the school on its quest to national prominence.

'The quality of thought behind the gift in its specification for musical instrument/equipment purchases provided the vehicle for substantial and immediate change in the Schwob School of Music,' said Robert W. Rumbelow, director of wind ensemble activities and chair of the Schwob school's recruiting committee. 'I personally attribute an improved curriculum, performance level and learning environment to this very gift. The Wind Ensemble's tremendously successful appearance on the national stage at the National CBDNA Conference last year would not have been possible without this gift. 'There have been many wonderful gifts in support of the Schwob School of Music, but I can think of no other that had such an immediate impact on the level of education we can provide our students and, by there successes, how attractive CSU is to prospective students,' he said.

Not only was Jack Schiffman a life-long supporter of the CSU School of Music, he also served as a member of the CSU Foundation Board of Trustees. In addition he was on the Board of Directors of AFLAC and the Columbus Museum.

CSU's An Investment in People capital campaign seeks to raise at least $80 million to establish a learning environment more advanced than at any institution of similar size. To date CSU has logged more than $76 million,about $12 million of which is in deferred gifts, such as wills.

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For more information, please contact Rex Whiddon at 706-568-5185 or by e-mail at whiddon_rex@ColumbusState.edu.