UM trustee, philanthropist

Robert Mann, a philanthropist and a University of Miami alumnus and trustee, died Thursday at age 70, the university said. He helped transform the educational experience for students through his fundraising efforts.

His colleagues remembered him for his contributions to the university, specifically to the School of Communications. Mann studied radio and television broadcasting at the university and helped found UM’s student-run radio station, WVUM. He was also its first general manager.

He donated millions to the Athletic Department to support Hurricanes athletes and to a School of Communications scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to undergrads in broadcast journalism each year based on merit, according to the university.

In 2002, his $500,000 contribution helped fund construction of the International Building, which includes classrooms, a theaterstyle auditorium and work rooms for student groups.

“He helped students in all the ways that matter, giving them the space and materials to receive a world-class education and providing the means to pursue that education for students who couldn’t afford to do so on their own,” said Gregory Shepherd, dean of the School of Communications.

Shepherd considered Mann a personal friend, he said. His favorite on-campus memory of him was at a meeting between Mann, other members of the advisory committee and the school’s student-run consultancy.

Mann wanted to know how much the students were charging for various services, such as logo design, he said. When they told him, he said “You should be charging 100 times that much! Your work is better than any professional agency!”

He is survived by his wife, Lauren, his mother, Grace, and his brother, Thomas, the university said.

A funeral service will take place at 4 p.m. today at Temple Judea, 4311 Hood Road in Palm Beach Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made in Mann’s memory to the University of Miami Hurricane Club.