Investing in the Future of the Libraries

Eliav Barr and his husband Paul Koulogeorge (AB ’88), recognize the role that the Libraries play at the heart of academic life, and have consistently offered support for WashU Libraries’ mission to advance student learning and research excellence. Koulogeorge is the current chair of the Libraries National Council, providing input and guidance to library leadership. The couple have also made significant philanthropic contributions to WashU Libraries.

A Generous Legacy

Koulogeorge began giving to the Libraries in 1992. And in 2014, he and Eliav endowed the Paul Koulogeorge and Eliav Barr Fund to provide ongoing collections support. Koulogeorge, who retired from a marketing executive role at The Goddard School, has been a member of the Libraries National Council since 2015 and has served as chair since 2020.

Eliav Barr has come to know WashU through his husband. Together, he and Koulogeorge, who also chairs the Philadelphia Regional Cabinet, have hosted events for alumni and friends in the area. And Barr has worked with many School of Medicine alumni during his career at Merck Research Laboratories, where he is head of global clinical development and chief medical officer.

In fall 2022, the couple endowed a new position, the Miriam Barr Librarian for Jewish and Near Eastern Studies. The position honors Eliav’s mother, Miriam Barr (1937–2021), who was born in present-day eastern Ukraine, escaped from a train headed to a Nazi death camp in Poland, and eventually found asylum in Israel, where she went on to earn a nursing degree. Sam Glauber has been hired as the inaugural Miriam Barr Librarian, and a formal installation ceremony is planned for this spring.

Nourishing Future Growth

Recently, Koulogeorge and Barr made a five-year, $500,000 commitment through With You: The WashU Campaign in support of the Libraries Annual Fund. The spendable funding allows the Libraries to address emerging and urgent needs and ensures that library staff are equipped to effectively support students and faculty. The gift establishes them as sustaining charter members of the Danforth Circle Chair Level of the Eliot Society, reserved for donors who make a multiyear commitment to the Annual Fund of $100,000 or more.

To inspire broader support for the Libraries, the couple designated a portion of their gift for a university wide Giving Tuesday challenge, with the goal of encouraging at least 1,200 donors to participate. The challenge exceeded expectations, resulting in gifts from more than 2,600 donors!

“I’m grateful for the generous support Paul and Eliav have provided to WashU Libraries,” says Mimi Calter, vice provost & university librarian. “Their partnership enables the Libraries to continually evolve our services and collections to advance transformative research and increase student engagement. And a gift that inspires others to give is truly special.” 

Determined to build on their first challenge, Koulogeorge and Barr designated a second portion of their gift to establish the WashU Libraries Annual Fund Challenge, which will match all gifts to WashU Libraries dollar for dollar. The challenge will also provide a 2-to-1 match for all new or increased gifts to the Libraries at the Eliot Society level of $1,000 or more.

“I give to WashU Libraries because, as a crucial resource for student learning and research excellence, they are the heart of academic life. My contribution helps ensure they stay up-to-date and accessible for future generations. My hope is that this challenge encourages others to support the libraries. Please join me!” – Paul Koulogeorge, AB ’88

Support the Heart of Academic Life

It’s never been truer that Libraries are the heart of the WashU campus. As a critical component of academic life, the Libraries must continually evolve services and collections to serve the changing needs of the WashU community. This is only possible through donor support.

Click on the link to participate in the WashU Libraries Challenge and help your gift go further, unlocking additional resources to support the future of the Libraries.