Passing of Williams Alum and Zilkha Center Benefactor Selim Zilkha, class of 1946

On September 16, at the age of 95, Selim K. Zilkha died peacefully at his home in southern California. Selim and his family were instrumental in establishing the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives in 2007. The Center grew out of student and employee climate activism in the early 2000s, which also resulted in the college adopting its first greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal. But it was the generous donation from the Zilkha family that enabled the establishment of a permanent home for campus climate and sustainability action, reflecting in many ways the energy and determination with which Selim pursued his many business and personal interests. The Zilkha Center team is grateful to Selim and his family for supporting climate and environmental education, research, and practical actions and thereby helping ensure that both the College and its graduates can make substantial contributions to solving these defining challenges of our time.