Feinstein Estate Endows $1 Million Scholarship Fund

April 12, 2007

Genevieve Feinstein

A $1 million bequest from the estate of the late Genevieve Grotjan Feinstein, former World War II cryptanalyst, Mason mathematics professor and widow of Mason chemistry professor Hyman Feinstein, will establish the Ellis F. Feinstein Scholarship Endowment in memory of the Feinsteins' son.

It is the largest cash gift ever to Mason from a former faculty member.

In 1940, Genevieve Grotjan was instrumental in breaking a critical Japanese code, which led to the decryption of key Japanese diplomatic messages throughout World War II. She was awarded the Exceptional Civilian Service Award in 1946 for her breakthrough, considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of American code breaking.

Before his death in 1995, Hyman Feinstein established an award in cryptology within the Department of Mathematical Sciences in honor of his wife, who died last year at the age of 93. An award is also given annually by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry honoring Hyman Feinstein.

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