To truly understand the depth of Lowell Glazer's philanthropic spirit, this story must be told: A year or so ago, Glazer received a letter from a school for the deaf requesting that he sponsor a student to attend an out-of-town conference. The recommended contribution was $135 to cover the child's bus fare, lodging and board expenses. Glazer called the letter's signatory, asked a few questions and then pledged to take care of the costs for all the students attending the event. He requested that any other funds raised be used for the children's entertainment. "It wasn't a lot of money," he says, "and I got a wonderful letter from the children. I am the happiest in making other people happy."
Glazer '55 is not the sort of person who dwells on what could have been, but rather points toward what could be. For instance, he might have been a half-back or defensive back on the 1953 team that won Maryland's first national championship, but the former high school basketball and football player declined an invitation to try out. Instead, he chose to nurture his lifelong love for college football, and sports in general, as a fan.
For Glazer, athletics is much more about playing than winning the game. There's possibility in playing--you could win the game, you could discover a new talent, you could score your personal best. As he marks his 70th birthday this month, Glazer works out twice a week, plays golf and occasionally picks up a tennis racket. (He gave up basketball and other competitive sports a few years ago, but only after competing in a mini-triathlon). Lean and spry, his athlete's energy propels him into every endeavor he takes on.
It's that force, and the promise of what could and can be, that drives him to support generously the causes he champions, including University of Maryland Athletics.
This year Glazer and his wife, Harriet '57, pledged $250,000 to the university's Building Partners Campaign through the Lowell and Harriet Glazer Family Foundation. In recognition of their generosity, a wing of the new Comcast Center arena that houses the coaches' offices will be known as the Lowell and Harriet Glazer Family Foundation Coaches Level. Glazer also pledged $50,000 toward coach Ralph Friedgen's Football Special Projects fund.
Glazer doesn't seek personal recognition through the gift, however. His motivation, as it has been since he began supporting Maryland athletics long ago through scholarships and other means, is simply to advance the cause of sports and sportsmanship. "Although it's nice to see your name, nobody knows who I am or who my wife is," says Glazer, "so the name of the Coaches Level gives me more of a personal satisfaction in knowing that I've helped."
Yet the irony is that because of his loyalty and generosity, the man who does not seek rewards is now a Building Partner and is entitled to permanent seat assignments in one of the prime locations for men's basketball in the new arena.
Glazer supports Maryland athletics because he understands that competition in sports helps young people compete in life. But more important, he does it because he believes deeply in the cause of philanthropy. "I have been very fortunate in my life," says Glazer, a lifelong Marylander, who spent his career as a builder. "To be able to take advantage of that good fortune and to give something back now, to share with others--it's a great, wonderful feeling."
After a two-year stint as an Air Force pilot from 1955 to 1957, which left him with a penchant for sports sedans with big engines, Glazer returned to Baltimore to establish Attman Glazer Building in 1960 with his partner Leonard J. Attman. He has built residential homes, apartments, shopping centers, storage parks, office buildings and a few warehouses, and has developed lots for homebuilders. The company still owns and manages the apartment buildings. He calls himself half-retired now.
"I just feel that it is my obligation to help people or causes in any way possible at the level I'm capable of doing," he says. --JP
Comcast Center on Track
he Building Partners Campaign has raised $18 million toward a $20 million goal for the construction of the Comcast Center, in addition to the $25 million pledged by Comcast for naming rights. Plans are to complete the Building Partners effort by March 31, 2002. Next May, seat selection for Building Partners and other Terrapin Club members will begin and continue through August. Comcast Center will host its first event in October 2002--Midnight Madness.
Visit www.umterps.com to check progress on the Comcast Center. For more information about the Building Partners Campaign, call 301.314.7020 or 800.653.7667.
