I donated $4 million to Columbia and all I got was this lousy plaque.

A dozen or so important looking people gathered in the Butler lobby yesterday to announce/celebrate(?) Norman E. Alexander’s gift of $4 million to Columbia. The cash supports Jewish Studies collections and funds a new Jewish Studies librarian position, filled by Michelle Chesner.

Bwog initially thought that the new Jewish Studies library would be in Butler lobby, but that didn’t seem quite right. Manly pride was swallowed, and we asked for help. Karen Green happily explained that the new Jewish Studies wasn’t going to be placed in Butler lobby (phew), and that a new library wouldn’t really exist at all. Instead of a “discrete, free-standing library,” the gift supports a Jewish Studies collection with volumes housed in the appropriate libraries scattered around campus. For example, a book on Jews in the Far East would go to Kent. Kinda neat, huh?