She grew up in Denver and always knew that she “belonged” on the East Coast. He grew up on the West Coast and sought a technical educational experience that was not so deep that he would be separated from the rest of the world. In early October, Lisa Bhimani, MD, and Anish Bhimani—both graduates of the class of 1991 and frequent campus visitors—were in Providence for the day. He, to attend the School of Engineering’s advisory council annual meeting; she, to tour Brown with their children.
“Anish and I met at the end of our sophomore year but didn’t start dating until our senior year—26 years ago tomorrow,” says Lisa. “We all worked hard but the engineering concentrators seemed to work harder. I concentrated in international relations; long–term it wasn’t the right path for me. My medical training gave me a strong appreciation for science, math, and analytical skills. Those, I believe, are the life–skills that lead you into any career that you want.”
“Our college years were formative for both of us,” agrees Anish. “After graduate school, I thought that I would be building circuits. Flash forward to the work I do now as a bank CIO, and I realize that the industry needs individuals with deep technological backgrounds who can also apply those skills to an organization’s mission. Today we talked about how to continue to build a strong School of Engineering in the midst of a liberal arts university. It’s going to be special. The combination of depth in one area and the ability to communicate well is something that Brown is well suited to provide.”
The Brown Design Workshop in Prince Lab, available to engineering and non–engineering students alike, resonates with the couple as a space that merges the School with the campus at large. “I am a visual learner,” says Lisa, “so I was thinking of all the ways that being able to make 3D prints could have helped me. Using it for any class would give you a better perspective.” And ENGN 30 —“which was ENGN 3 when I was here—is a totally different class because of this space,” says Anish. “Then it was all book learning and a little computer work. Now you fabricate what you design, adding a completely new dimension.”
Although the core of a strong program is in good order, they believe, the facilities that house it are not. “An investment in the new research building is a way to help position the University for the next century,” says Anish. “Its common spaces will attract people from around the University; its research lab capacity will attract more strong faculty. Additional good faculty will attract even more incredible undergraduates and graduate students. That in turn will burnish the reputation of the School.”
Maintaining Brown’s reputation through gifts of time and treasure matters to them both. “Brown is a big part of our lives and we feel an obligation to give back,” says Lisa. “I interview prospective students. And we come back for all our reunions; we were just here celebrating our 25th. I was on the reunion fundraising committee and want to be involved in any way I can.”
“Engineering facilities are proportionately more expensive than general university facilities: the costs of constructing clean rooms and the like are high,” says Anish. “But if it appeals to you, now is the time to do it. It’s a once–in–a–lifetime opportunity to make a difference.”
Date
January 24, 2017