To call Linda Shapiro, J74, A06P, E09P, an enthusiastic Tufts supporter is a bit of an understatement. Shapiro has two Jumbo collections that showcase her loyalty to the university: Tufts and Jumbo memorabilia. “When my daughter was accepted to Tufts, I decided to get her some university things, like a mug, sweatshirt, etc. I looked on eBay and found a reproduction of a whole set of college items, like banners and little cards with the universities seals, including a reproduction of an old Tufts college seal,” she explained. Over the years, she’s added to her collections, finding treasures in antique stores and on the Internet, including commemorative Jumbo coins and spoons, a reverse glass painting of Barnum Hall, Wedgewood plates and even vintage Tufts table cloths, which she used while representing the university at college fairs as a member of the Tufts Alumni Admissions Program.
Shapiro is a senior attorney in a Washington, DC law firm, specializing in intellectual property law, including patent and trademark preparation, as well as prosecution and copyright registration. She met her husband, Steven Shapiro, A73, while she was working in the computer center and he went to work on programs there for a computer programming class at Tufts. Steven went to MIT’s business school and became a corporate executive in the electronic and communication industries for many years, until he returned to school to become a math teacher in Fairfax County; he is now co-chair of the math department at Falls Church High School. Their daughter, Nicole, graduated from Tufts in 2006 with a child development degree and is currently working towards her Masters. Their son Jesse is a junior in the School of Engineering and a baseball player.
“Our ties to Tufts extend even further,” Shapiro said, stating that her husband’s sister went to Tufts, as did her cousin’s daughter. “Both my kids looked at other schools, and Tufts was the last school Nikki looked at. When she got home from her college tours, Tufts was way ahead. She knew she wanted to be a child development major and the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development here is wonderful,” Shapiro said. Nikki’s plans include working with foster care and adoption. She went to New Orleans with fellow students from Eliot-Pearson as part of a service trip. “That’s the kind of wonderful experience we’re thrilled to support,” she added.
Shapiro is equally enamored with the School of Engineering, noting that the environment is a nurturing one. “Dean Abriola has created an atmosphere that is supportive and caring,” she said.
Visiting campus as a prospective parent was an interesting journey for Shapiro. “It was an odd feeling going to Dana Hall where we had the information session. When I go back for Parents Weekend, there are so many memories. In many ways, I think it should be the same as it was 30 years ago—and some things haven’t changed. The cannon was there, though it wasn’t the same center for graffiti as it is now, but we went sledding on the hill, did our papers in the library, and the academic quad looks the same. But I think my kids are getting even more from the university than I did,” she said.
As an undergraduate, Shapiro said professors were readily available. “We took it for granted that we could always walk into a professor’s office and talk about class, or the future. With email, professors are even more available; my kids frequently contact them. I know my son is getting more than his tuition’s worth.”
Giving to Tufts is natural for the Shapiro’s. “I’m glad I supported it all these years. Giving as a parent and as alumni is doubly meaningful for my husband and me. What we are today we owe to our undergraduate experiences,” Shapiro said, noting that she benefited from the generosity of donors while she was a student.
“The university is responsible for instilling in us the need to give back. That philosophy—repairing the world and taking care of it—is very important to us and we are very pleased that Tufts continues in that direction,” she continued.
Shapiro’s philanthropic spirit extends into her community as well; she has been involved with her children’s high school PTA, volunteered with the athletic boosters, as well as her synagogue, organized luncheons at a homeless shelter, and does data base management for the girl scouts.
“One of the things Tufts does so well, is that it teaches you to be involved in your own education,” she said.
