Hebels Give $6 Million to CIIS

CIIS Trustee Michael Hebel began his path to CIIS when he ventured into the Cultural Integration Fellowship on Fulton Street in 1966 in search of a deeper understanding of Eastern philosophy, culture, and religion. There, he would meet Haridas Chaudhuri, CIF Founder and a man who would inspire Hebel through the next four decades, especially when he returned to continue his studies at CIIS some 40 years later.

This experience would also propel Hebel and his wife, Gityjoon, to make one of the largest gifts - $6 million – in the university’s history. It is a gift that will extend the path for many more students to attend and thrive at CIIS for decades to come.

“When I decided to go back to CIIS, I looked around at other institutions," says Hebel, “but CIIS still had the magic for me – it was connected with the founder, Haridas Chaudhuri. It’s the love and respect that I have for him that motivates me to keep active and interested in CIIS.”

Hebel feared for the University’s financial viability and its ability to keep the doors open for future students. That has changed, he explained, because of new leadership and the positive direction CIIS has taken over the past year and a half.

“I no longer feel as a member of the Board of Trustees that we are tenuous, that we may not be around in a few years. There were four or five other colleges (in the area) that did not make it and we felt like we weren’t going to make it either.”

Hebel said that the gift he and Gityjoon made to CIIS was given in part because of the new direction CIIS has taken, especially with President S. Brock Blomberg at the helm.

“Our gift inspires confidence in me that the money will be well-spent and well-used. I feel honored and privileged to put in the monies my wife and I have given into an institution that, when we are gone, is still going to be thriving.”