"Private higher education has always been a high priority in our lives," says Mr. Cobb. "We both went to Stanford, our sons went to college at private institutions, and I've been a member of the Board of Trustees at the University of Miami for 27 years."

Since he left Stanford University in 1962, with a master's degree in business administration, Chuck Cobb has been a top corporate executive, a developer of millions of dollars in real estate projects, a director of the Walt Disney Co., undersecretary of commerce in the senior Bush administration and ambassador to Iceland. Currently, he is Senior Partner of Cobb Partners, Inc., an investment firm with interests in real estate, international trade, resorts and tourism-related business. His wife, Sue, a successful lawyer, UM Law School alumna, and avid mountain climber is currently ambassador to Jamaica. Together, they have been among the University of Miami's strongest supporters.

In addition to his role on the University of Miami's Board of Trustees where he served as Chairman from 1992-94, Mr. Cobb and his wife have generously donated funds to purchase the fountain in the center of Lake Oseola on the Coral Gables campus, as well as the Cobb Stadium, home to the University's track and field and women's soccer teams.

"I see where the needs are at the University, and I try to fill them. Giving to the University dovetails my interests," says the former Olympic high-hurdler.

One of the Cobbs' gifts to the University established the Cobb Family Fellowship for Icelandic Graduate Students. During Mr. Cobb's tenure as Ambassador to Iceland, he realized that a high percentage of students from Iceland attended college in the United States, particularly Florida. When Edward T. Foote II, former president of the University of Miami, visited Mr. Cobb in Iceland, the idea was formed to create a fellowship for graduate students.

"We felt this was a good way to expand the connection between Iceland and the United States," explains Mr. Cobb.

The current Cobb Fellow is Heidar Atlason, a graduate student from Faskrudsfjordur, Iceland who is pursuing a LL.M. degree in Comparative Law.

"I decided to study here because the University of Miami is a really good school and I looked at the programs offered and saw many things that interested me," says Heidar. "But I also came here because of the Cobb Fellowship. I got accepted to several very good law schools but the deciding factor was the Cobb Fellowship. It had been my dream for a long time to pursue studies in America, and this fellowship made it financially possible for me."

After 27 years, the Cobbs remain committed to supporting the University of Miami and its many programs.

"I am confident that UM will continue on its destiny to greatness," says Mr. Cobb. "The University of Miami is an important part of our life and the quality of life of South Florida."