October 22, 2003

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HONOLULU— Friends of the late Norman Weissman, have bequeathed a gift of $20,000 to JAIMS to aid qualified students seeking a career in international public relations.

Dr. Blair Odo, vice president for academic affairs at JAIMS, personally accepted the gift during a Rotary Club of New York business luncheon on September 16, 2003.

“ JAIMS appreciates the Foundation’s confidence and is delighted to manage the Fund that will help further the global careers of JAIMS participants in the profession that Mr. Weissman was so passionate about,” Odo said, “To have learned, after the decision was made by the foundation, that Fujitsu, Ltd., was one of Mr. Weissman’s clients makes this gift even more special for JAIMS.”

A leader of the international public relations profession in New York for many years, Weissman was responsible for the development of some of the city’s most important public relations agencies. Throughout the years, he was generous with his time in advising and mentoring young professionals.

A former member of the Rotary Club of New York, Weissman’s legacy will continue through the Norman Weissman Fund for Internships in International Public Relations. The Fund will award a $1,000 scholarship to a JAIMS student interning in Japan or the United States for a career in international public relations.

Eligible applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better in their coursework prior to their internship. Applicants must also be from a locality where a Rotary Club exists and must intern at a public relations firm or in a public relations capacity in a corporate setting.

Weissman was principal of Norman Weissman, Inc., a public relations consultancy. Previously, he was chairman of Citigate communications, and chairman of GCI Group, subsidiary of Grey Advertising. He was president of Ruder Finn for seventeen years where he was responsible for guiding the agency’s 350 staff based in New York and developing new services for clients. Major clients included Fujitsu Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Nippon Telephone & Telegraph, the Government of Colombia, the Board of Investment of the Government of Thailand, and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Known as the “Host Club of America,” the Rotary Club of New York is comprised of 200 leading international business and professional men and women who meet weekly at a luncheon to advance the interests of New York City; to keep informed on key world, political, economic and social issues; and to serve the community. Founded in 1909, the Rotary Club of New York is the sixth oldest club in the Rotary International organization.