Video Big Apple Badgers – Jerome and Simona Chivian Chazen

New York City is home to some of the world’s greatest art museums, and two University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni have brought some of that renown to UW–Madison.

In the fourth installment of the five-part video series “Big Apple Badgers,” we meet Jerome Chazen (BA’48) and Simona Chivian Chazen (x’49), who made a landmark $20 million gift to the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison.

Even though they both grew up in the New York City area, they first met as students at UW–Madison, and have fond memories of their time in Wisconsin. Both were attracted to the university’s reputation for academic excellence and the beauty of its campus. The two met through a mutual friend, eventually marrying and beginning a life together that has led to extraordinary accomplishments in the worlds of business, art, and philanthropy.

Jerome was one of four founders of Liz Claiborne Inc., becoming chairman. Simona is a clinical social worker specializing in family issues. She is co-chair of the Collections Committee and board member of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.

Video produced by Justin Bomberg of University Communications.