College was a real turning point for Jack Dembow '77. "It was a great opportunity to transition from a geeky high schooler into a thoughtful adult," he says. "I've been blessed with a wonderful life, and I attribute a large part of my success to my Ithaca College experience."
Following his graduation with a degree in health services administration, Jack was hired as an assistant administrator at a 200-bed community general hospital in Philadelphia. That led to positions of increasing responsibility, some at large health care networks. In 1997 he was appointed vice president of the Jefferson Health System, the largest health care alliance in southeastern Pennsylvania. He retired from JHS in 2001.
Though he hadn’t stayed in close touch with Ithaca since his graduation, memories of his college years came back to him following retirement. "During that time I traveled a lot, rebuilt my house, and developed into a pretty accomplished potter," he says. "In that period of reflection, I realized that during my career I had met a number of talented employees who, had they been able to earn a degree, could surely have transitioned into top management. The college experience had made such a crucial difference in my life, and I saw where it could do the same for others—so I reconnected with my alma mater. By endowing a scholarship, I was helping to make sure that talented people wouldn't be held back for the lack of a college education."
In 2003, during the silent phase of the Campaign for Ithaca College, he established the Jack H. Dembow '77 Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a student with strong academic achievement and financial need who is preparing for a career in health care leadership.
Jack's retirement turned out to be relatively short-lived. In 2005 Jewish Family and Children's Services of Greater Philadelphia approached him about accepting a leadership position, and he now serves as that organization's president and CEO. "I never imagined I would go back to work after retiring, but having an opportunity to head an agency that does so many good things for nearly 37,000 people each year makes coming to work each day a pleasure," he says.
At the same time, Jack is pleased to be supporting the next generation of leaders in health care. "I receive written communication from students who have been awarded the scholarship, and I would be lying if I told you that I don't feel fantastic each time I rip open their letters."
Jack has also built a bequest for Ithaca College into his will. "I have included a sizable gift to the College in my will—but hopefully, at least from my perspective, they won't get it any time soon! In the meantime, by my continuing to fund the educational scholarship, the College can use my dollars today to attract smart, enthusiastic students to IC tomorrow and for many years into the future."
The idea of a scholarship—a gift that keeps on giving—appeals to Jack. "I make contributions to many organizations, as we all do," he notes. "But those gifts don't necessarily encourage the recipients to become donors themselves. Creating a scholarship is an entirely different animal. I'd like to believe that my scholarship support today will beget someone else's scholarship support tomorrow."
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20070917112229213