Remembering Phyllis Sandler

We recently received the sad news of the passing of Phyllis Sandler, a dear friend and benefactor to Florida Atlantic. At this time of mourning, we remember Phyllis’ extraordinary philanthropy and honor her legacy at the University and in the community.

In 2010, Phyllis launched the annual Phyllis Sandler Heart of Social Work event to advance the social work profession and raise funds to support scholarships for Florida Atlantic social work students. In 2017, Phyllis and her husband Harvey, who passed away in 2020, donated $7 million to name the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. Their transformational gift provided resources to attract renowned faculty and high-achieving students, funded the expansion of the program’s facilities and paved the way for the Robin Rubin Center for Happiness and Life Enhancement, founded by their daughter, Robin Rubin, MSW.

In Boca Raton, Phyllis also will be remembered for her extensive efforts to establish the Harvey & Phyllis Sandler Cancer Pavilion, the Phyllis Sandler Center for Living Well and the Sandler Medical Plaza at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Additionally, she helped form the Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center at the Levis JCC and the Sandler Family Major Gifts event for the Jewish Federation’s Ketubah Society.

Phyllis’ unwavering commitment to educating social workers and serving the community has had an immense impact at Florida Atlantic and beyond. We are profoundly grateful for her friendship and involvement throughout the years.

During this time of difficulty, I extend my deepest condolences to the Sandler family. We offer our heartfelt support and sincere wishes for comfort amid this terrible loss. Please know that Phyllis’ memory will forever resonate in the hearts of our social work students and throughout the University.