Why I give: Jean Libo Meyerowitz

This friend of the University of Rochester honors her late husband, Andrew Libo ’79, by establishing two scholarships in his name at the School of Medicine and Dentistry and the College

The Libo family

Jean Meyerowitz met the man who would become her husband, Andrew Libo ’79 in 1990. They hit if off and married in 1993. Together, they raised their three sons—Sanford, Matthew, and Ethan—in Westchester County outside of New York City.

In 2009, the Libos’ world turned upside down. Andrew was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He died two years later, at the age of 54. His children were just 12, 14, and 16 years old.

Besides being a husband and father, Andrew was also a lawyer, soccer and Little League coach, avid golfer, die-hard New York Yankees fan, and great friend to many. He was witty and goofy, too. “Andrew was smart, inquisitive, humble, and kind,” says Jean. “Those who knew him will never forget his legendary impersonations, on the one hand, and his insightful guidance and genuine interest in everyone, on the other hand. He could also relate to all kinds of people, no matter their background. These were the traits that made him a great lawyer and wonderful person.”

To honor Andrew, Jean and her sons recently established two endowed scholarships at the University of Rochester: the Libo Meyerowitz Family Scholarship at the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) and the Andrew L. Libo, Esq. ’79 Scholarship at the College. Here she talks about her late husband, his impact on their family and community, and her reasons for establishing these gifts.

What prompted you to make these generous gifts?

Andrew advocated for those who faced hardships, were disenfranchised, and didn’t have the same sorts of opportunities he had in life. My sons and I talked through it and knew that making these two gifts would be an ideal way to honor their dad while also helping people pursue their dreams.

Tell us more about both gifts.

The scholarship at the College is designed to help deserving students get the top tier education the University offers. Specifically, we made this gift as part of the Nataraj Challenge, which was designed to support talented and diverse students achieve their academic aspirations.

We established the Medical School scholarship to help future physicians—especially those pursuing the study of brain cancer. We feel that this gift has the potential to help future families avoid the kind of heartbreak we’ve endured.

How did Andrew’s Rochester experience shape his future?

Andrew found his place at the University of Rochester. During his freshman year in Susan B. Anthony Hall, he made lifelong friends. He graduated cum laude, with degrees in history and psychology, and then attended George Washington Law School in Washington, D.C. After that, he returned to New York City and began practicing in civil litigation. Soon after, he formed Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, specializing in civil torts, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Along with his partners, Andrew grew GLK to state and national prominence—he was extremely proud of their accomplishments.

Tell us about Andrew’s commitment to help others, especially the traditionally marginalized and underrepresented.

Andrew was driven to help those he felt had been wronged or looked over. He paid for the education of a promising son of one of his employees for both private high school and college. He also helped found the Gardiner Foundation, which sponsors an annual Bronx charity basketball tournament to fund scholarships to college-bound Bronx youth.

In addition to Andrew, your father had a strong connection to the University. Tell us about that.  

My father, Dr. Sanford Meyerowitz was a doctor of internal medicine and psychiatry as well as a trained Freudian analyst. Later, he joined the school’s faculty and rose to the rank of associate dean for education in the 1970s. He died in 1977 at the age of 50, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was just 14 at the time. Like my own children, I know all too well what it’s like to lose a father at a young age.

My father worked closely with Drs. George Engel and John Romano in the very early days of the biopsychosocial model, which has really influenced the way medicine is practiced around the world. In 1977, my family and my father’s colleagues and friends established the Sanford Meyerowitz Lecture, which rotates through the Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Education and Neurology. I attend these with my family every year. As a result, I feel a strong connection to the medical school and really like knowing that Andrew and my dad, though they never met, are being honored and remembered through their mutual ties to the University community.

What are some fond memories of the University that you have?

Over the years, Andrew and I came back to Rochester often. We got married there and my family was there. We shared a strong connection to the Rochester community, too—Andrew went to college here, I grew up in Brighton, and my parents worked at the University.

I have such great memories of Andrew and I riding our ride bikes along the Erie Canal Rail Trail from Pittsford to campus. We’d walk around campus and Andrew would reminisce. Of course, whenever we visited, we went to Sal’s Birdland—a favorite spot among Rochester alumni from our generation—and returned home with many jars of Sal’s hot sauce.

What is life like for you today?

I have a very full life. In 2017, I married Steve Giove, a widower who also has three children. My kids are launched into the world now and living in the New York metro area. Life has settled down, but I often wonder what Andrew’s reaction and thoughts would be to what life looks like today. Although we have missed out on the benefit of his thoughtful and insightful guidance, I know that Andrew would be incredibly proud of Sandy, Matthew, and Ethan.

Is there a way for people to support these funds?

Andrew touched a lot of lives. I encourage others to recognize that by making a gift to one or both of our endowed scholarships. By growing these two funds we can—together—help more people reach their academic goals and we can make an impact in their lives and careers, which can, we hope, make the world a better place. I’m hopeful that we can work towards more treatments and a cure for brain cancer.