ackerman

Edward M. Ackerman

Edward M. Ackerman, whose generous support led to the creation of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, died Saturday, Oct. 1, at age 88.

The Ackerman Center serves UT Dallas students and the regional community by teaching both the history and the legacy of the Holocaust. By educating the current generation, the center shapes the ways in which the Holocaust will be taught to and remembered by future generations.

Mr. Ackerman was honored by the University last spring with its Gifford K. Johnson Community Leadership Award.

UT Dallas President Richard Benson said, “Mr. Ackerman’s support of Holocaust Studies at UT Dallas enhanced the entire stature and substance of the University and played a vital role in the remarkable progress enjoyed by our students, faculty and staff during this last decade.”

Dr. Nils Roemer, Stan and Barbara Rabin Professor of Holocaust Studies and director of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies, said Ackerman has been a devoted friend and tireless supporter of the center.

“His favorite question to us, posed at every milestone the center achieved, was ‘What do we do next?’ This mentality was indicative of both his dedication and his vision. Today, the center is and always will be a powerful testimony to his generosity and wisdom. His enormous presence will be truly missed by the faculty, staff and students.”

Dr. Hobson Wildenthal, executive vice president and provost, said, “Nothing during the last 1,000 years of history is more important for civilization to remember than the Holocaust. Ed Ackerman ensured that The University of Texas at Dallas will play a globally important role in this crucial, enduring, task by providing us with a foundational endowment for Holocaust Studies. 

“He fundamentally changed the future by empowering us to remember the past. I am grateful that we earned the confidence of this remarkable man, and that his visionary generosity has ensured the future of our Holocaust Studies program and its mission of teaching and researching the Holocaust. When someone with the wisdom and judgement and values of an Ed Ackerman places his trust in you, you can feel legitimate and pardonable pride. I value every minute of the time that I was privileged to share with him as we discussed our shared vision.” 

Ackerman graduated from The University of Texas, served in the United States Air Force and completed postgraduate work at New York University. He was the general partner and portfolio manager of Ackerman Associates LP, the first hedge fund in Dallas, from 1969 to 2007.

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Mr. Ackerman was honored by the University last spring with its Gifford K. Johnson Community Leadership Award.

Additionally, he founded Ackerman Capital Management LP, an affiliated investment advisory firm serving institutions and high net worth clients. Before establishing his investment enterprises, he was the Dallas regional manager for Salomon Brothers. Ackerman has served as vice chair of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas’ investment advisory committee and as a member of the investment advisory committee of the permanent fund at The University of Texas. In addition, he served on investment committees of the Hockaday School and the Southwestern Medical Foundation, and was a longtime member of the CFA Society of Dallas-Fort Worth.

The Ackermans’ longstanding support of UT Dallas through the Edward and Wilhelmina Ackerman Foundation helped establish the Ackerman Holocaust Studies Endowment; Research on Holocaust Studies from the Perspectives of the American Experience Endowment; and the Stan and Barbara Rabin Professorship in Holocaust Studies. Center highlights also include the Selwin Belofsky Fellowship; the Burton C. Einspruch Holocaust Lecture Series; the Hillel Feinberg Chair in Holocaust Studies; the Jaffe Book Collection; the Leah and Paul Lewis Chair in Holocaust Studies; and the Istvan and Zsuzsanna Ozsváth Research Fund to support graduate students in Holocaust Studies. 

Gifts in Ackerman’s memory can be made to the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, JO31, Richardson, Texas, 75080 or by going to utdallas.edu/ackerman.