Honoring Former Trustee Chair Lawrence J. Ramer ’50

ON FEB. 2, the Lafayette Board of Trustees adopted a memorial resolution honoring Lawrence J. Ramer ’50, who died Nov. 2 at his home in Los Angeles. Elected to the Board in 1976, he served as chair from 1991 to 2001, when he became trustee emeritus.

Just one day earlier a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the American Jewish Committee Berlin’s Lawrence and Lee Ramer Institute for German-Jewish Relations was held.

During the ceremony, attended by AJC’s Board of Governors, together with top German government officials and civil society leaders, the Ernst Cramer Award for Outstanding Contributions to American Jewish-German Understanding was presented to Lawrence and Lee Ramer. Lee accepted the award.

In addition, the first ever Ramer Award for Courage in the Defense of Democracy was announced. The recipient was Ahmad Mansour, who, with his “Heroes” NGO, works with youth, particularly of Palestinian background, to confront one-sided narratives of Israel and anti-Semitism in the Muslim community.

Ramer was chair of the Marquis Society from 1978 to 1980. Ramer History House, dedicated in 2006, is named for Larry and Lee Ramer in appreciation of their dedication to academic excellence at Lafayette. It is the second campus building named in their honor. Ramer Hall, a student residence, opened in 1991. The Ramers were inducted into the Société d’Honneur in 1991. The College awarded Larry Ramer an honorary degree in 1992.

Ramer, an economics graduate, earned his master’s in business administration from Harvard. Among other business ventures, he served as chairman of Ramer Equities, an investment firm focused on developing manufacturing concerns in Los Angeles.