Remembering the generosity, commitment of Ted Spak

College of Law Dean R. Alexander Acosta (left) with Ted and Rosalind Spak (right)

For Theodore “Ted” Spak, director emeritus of FIU Foundation Board, what began as being one of the first donors in FIU history – giving to the university before it officially opened – grew into a lifelong passion of giving and helping FIU through thick and thin.

Spak, who passed away Jan. 20 at the age of 83, leaves a legacy of generosity and commitment – still vivid in the memories of the university community.

“Ted will be greatly missed and remembered for his tremendous contributions, and the legacy of his leadership,” said Howard Lipman, executive director of FIU Foundation and senior vice president for University Advancement, in a letter to the FIU Foundation Board of Directors. “His passion and his commitment to bettering his community lives on.”

Spak was an attorney, a CPA, and an accomplished insurance executive who headed his own Chicago public adjusting firm that became known as Theodore Spak and Associates. He gave back to his alma mater, Chicago’s Northwestern University School of Law. But there was always a special place for FIU in his heart, too.

He was a founder of FIU football, medicine and law; helped establish the Albert Morrison Jr. Scholarship Endowment for students in the School of Accounting; contributed gifts and donations to numerous programs; as well as serving as the director of the FIU Foundation Board of Directors for 25 years.

In addition, Ted and his wife of 31 years, Rosalind, began the Theodore and Rosalind Spak Scholarship Endowment in 1997. In 2013, the Spaks expanded their original endowment, donating $1.2 million to the College of Law, which was then the college’s highest non-matching donation.

“The Spaks are an integral part of the FIU fabric and two of our most enthusiastic supporters,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg at the time. “Ted had a vision for FIU very early on. The Spaks’ many contributions of time and treasure have helped us advance and improve our students’ educational experience.”

The first floor of the Law Library is named Theodore and Rosalind Spak Information Commons in honor of their generosity.

“Ted Spak was a true leader for FIU,” says accountant and alumnus Tony Argiz ’74, chairman and CEO of Morrison, Brown, Argiz and Farra LLC. “One thing that I remember most is just what a great person Spak was, and someone that really cared.”

Argiz recalls when his dear friend and mentor Albert Morrison Jr. passed away. “Spak called me immediately and said, ‘We need to start a $100,000 scholarship in the name of Al Morrison.”

Spak donated $50,000 for the Albert Morrison Jr. Endowment at FIU, and asked Argiz to donate $25,000 and help fundraise the rest. Argiz immediately agreed, and never forgot Spak’s gesture of kindness.

“That’s who Ted was. He really cared about FIU, almost as if it was his family. FIU is better today because of people like Ted Spak.”

Spak is survived by Rosalind and his children, Marcee Spak Albertario, Robert I. Spak, Joseph W. Pallot and Melissa Slocum.