Who are Barbara and Leonard Littman
From the program:
"Ten years ago, Barbara Littman faced one of the greatest challenges of her life--going back to school. After successfully running her own interior design business for 20 years, Barbara decided to explore her life-long interest in architecture by pursuing her Masters Degree at The New Jersey School of Architecture (NJSOA) at NJIT.
Upon graduation in 1994, Barbara obtained an internship with The Hillier Group in Princeton, NJ. Today, she is working as an Associate of the American Institute of Architects in the Healthcare Studio at Hillier and preparing for her professional licensing exam. Barbara feels that the experience of going back to school changed her. "Before beginning my studies, I didn’t understand how the study of architecture would affect my sensibilities and view of the world. Now, I see the responsibility architects have to interpret how people live in a way that’s both beautiful and safe," she says. "I have also acquired an even greater respect for the field and the hard work it requires."
Barbara and her husband Leonard recently presented the school with a major gift to express her appreciation to NJSOA for helping her achieve her goal of becoming an architect. The New Jersey School of Architecture at NJIT wants to express gratitude to Barbara and Leonard Littman for their outstanding commitment and generosity. Tonight, as we dedicate the Barbara and Leonard Littman Library, we pay tribute to their many achievements, their sense of caring and compassion, and their dedication to philanthropy.
Through their generous gift to The New Jersey School of Architecture they have established a number of endowed scholarships, as well as support for other initiatives. We are proud to call Barbara and Leonard not just patrons but friends. Their gift will make a positive impact on many generations of students who, like Barbara, care passionately about architecture."
In 2013 Barbara actively participated in the Library renovation designing spaces for Materials Collection, exhibitions, collaborative work, seminars and quiet reading. Barbara and Leonard generousely sponsored this project. Barbara had many more plans which remained unfinished because of her untimely death. The Littman's family donated to the library a generous gift of 1,000 books that continue to inspire NJIT students as Barbara did.
Leonard continued to support the Library through the generous endowment for establishing and further development of the Digital Scholarship Lab.
Barbara & Leonard Littman demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the School of Architecture Library providing constant support for various initiatives.