July 18 • 2019 15
jn

Technion President Peretz Lavie and 

Linda Kovan

Detroiter Honored 
with Technion 
Fellowship

Linda Kovan of Novi was awarded 
a Technion Honorary Fellowship 
last month for her inspiring lead-
ership and vision. She chaired 
ATS’
 first-ever women’
s mission 
to Israel and served as the first 
female president of the Detroit 
Chapter. During her tenure, Kovan 
revitalized the chapter by part-
nering with professional staff, 
reaching out to new donors and 
revamping the board. She advis-
es the local board, serves on the 
national board and supports sever-
al Technion projects. 
“I have been pleased to watch 
as Linda Kovan has dedicated her-
self to advancing the Detroit ATS 
chapter and has taken her place 
as a key leader on the national ATS 
Board,” Scott Leemaster said. “She 
is continuing Detroit’
s strong tradi-
tion of helping the Technion reach 
ever greater heights.”
Kovan, president of The Kovan 
Group and founder of Peace of 
Mind Life Solutions, also serves on 
the executive board of the Jewish 
Women’
s Foundation. 
“I am honored, touched and 
humbled to be receiving this hon-
orary fellowship from Technion,” 
Kovan said. “I am passionate about 
Technion and all that it does to 
help all mankind.” ■

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE TECHNION

supporter, so my passion for Israel, 
science, technology and the Technion 
runs deep. My parents, D. Dan and 
Betty Kahn, took us to visit the 
Technion 30 years ago, and I knew 
immediately this was a special place. 
My father’
s first gift to the Technion 
was the Kahn Robotics Laboratory, 
but his passion continued with the 
donation of the D. Dan and Betty 
Kahn Mechanical Engineering 
Building and his establishment of the 
Kahn Symposium, a science shidduch 
(match) between the Technion and the 
University of Michigan. His vision for 
world-class collaboration and research 
ultimately led to the Michigan-
Israel Partnership for Research and 
Education. 
The fall 2018 mission wasn’
t my 
first trip to China, but it was certainly 
the most impressive. The GTIIT cam-
pus already has more students than 
available housing. We had wonderful 
experiences meeting with students 
and teachers. We were impressed that 
although students speak many differ-
ent languages, all classes are taught in 
English. 
If my father were alive today, he’
d 
be kvelling to know the extent of the 
Technion’
s recently formed academic 
partnerships — the way that university 
leaders from around the world come 
to Israel to have Technion partner with 
them. It’
s a tremendous affirmation of 
the university’
s global standing, thanks 
to its pioneering multidisciplinary 
research in the fields of energy, nano-
technology, life science and so many 
others. ■

supplies.
The event is carried out in coop-
eration with Oakland Schools 
Homeless Student Education 
Program and Jewish Family Service. 
Funding for supplies comes from 
NCJW|MI, along with grants from 
Mandell and Madeline Berman 
Foundation, Claire and Arthur (z’
l) 
Kretchmer Backpack Project Fund, 
Carol Krugel Backpack Project 
Fund and Bookstock Used Book 
and Media Sale. Approximately 
$17,000 worth of school supplies 
are purchased for the filled back-
packs to be created.
For details or to make donations 
call (248) 355-3300, ext. 0, or go to 
ncjwmi.org. ■

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