Miriam E. Katowitz ’73

At a recent event, a Jesuit priest’s words resonated with Miriam E. Katowitz ’73. She recalls him saying, “We are beneficiaries of a legacy we did not create. We are stewards of a legacy that we will not benefit from.”

For more than a decade, Katowitz has served on the Goucher College Board of Trustees, most recently as board chair with her term ending in June. Much of her work there has focused on being a steward for Goucher, working together with faculty and staff to devise strategies to attract and retain students, and helping to create more access in higher education.

She is a loyal Goucher advocate and without the college’s liberal arts tradition, she may not be where she is today. “I did not have a math background, but after Goucher, I went on to business school and became a successful CPA,” she says. “Goucher is what led to my success.”

Since becoming board chair, Katowitz prioritized the board being more transparent, working closely with the president and faculty, and supporting facilities projects. The board now has two faculty members, Arsht Professor in Ethics and Leadership Nina Kasniunas and Chair of the Faculty and Associate Professor Micah Webster. Plus, there have been many construction developments, including the new First-Year Village, Mary Fisher Dining Hall, and the Froelicher Hall relocation, which she was delighted to see because of how the project was able to balance Goucher’s history with its future.

“While Miriam’s term as board chair ends this month, her impact will continue to be felt past her tenure,” says Trishana Bowden, vice president of advancement at Goucher. “Beyond being a pleasure to work with, her strong financial background and dedication to the college has guided her time as chair. She has led by example and has generously supported the college and our students.”

Katowitz has given to numerous college projects, from the Miriam E. Katowitz ’73 Endowed Chair in Accounting and Management to the First-Year Village and the Greater Goucher Fund. Her first gift to Goucher was to the library and she recalls, with a laugh, that “there was a server named after me.”

She is an advocate for alumnae/i philanthropy and says, “It is important to stay involved and to allow future generations to benefit, just as we did.” She hopes that alumnae/i, parents, students, and the larger Goucher community will be inspired to give to the comprehensive [UNDAUNTED] campaign.

“Miriam has been a tremendous partner during my first four years at Goucher,” says President Bowen. “We are thankful for her ongoing service, her commitment to the liberal arts, and her stewardship of the college for the next generation of students.”

Talented Goucher students are another reason why Goucher is still so important to Katowitz. This spring, she hosted two Goucher students who were performing at Carnegie Hall and she was pleased to see in them—both double majors in music and science or math—the power that the liberal arts has on the current generation of students.