Through his philanthropy, AMS Secretary Todd Glickman is helping invest in the future of the weather, water, and climate community. His support includes the Glickman Family Scholarship, established in honor of his parents to help students pursuing careers in the atmospheric and related sciences, as well as the Investing in PEOPLE, Strengthening Our Community Fund, which helps students and early-career professionals overcome financial barriers to participating in the AMS Annual Meeting and other professional development opportunities.
AMS Headlines spoke with Todd about the mentors who shaped his career, why he believes in giving back, and the lasting impact AMS has had on his professional journey.
What inspired you to become a donor?
My undergraduate meteorology advisor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the late Fred Sanders, told me that if I wanted a successful career in meteorology, I needed to join AMS. He believed the Society’s professional development, networking, and lifelong learning opportunities were essential, and he was right.
Over the years, I served on several AMS boards and committees, including Broadcast, Private Sector, Continuing Education, and Aviation, Range & Aerospace. Whether I was working in the private sector, on the AMS staff, or later in corporate relations at MIT, AMS opened doors to professional connections, leadership opportunities, and lifelong friendships. The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist program also played an important role in supporting my 45-year career as a part-time radio meteorologist.
Looking back, it’s easy to see how much AMS shaped my career. Giving back is my way of supporting the organization that has given me so much.
Why did you establish the Glickman Family Scholarship?
My parents, the late Dr. Franklin and Leatrice Glickman, were unwavering in their support of my education and career. Creating a scholarship in their memory was a meaningful way to honor them while helping future generations.
I hope the scholarship provides opportunities for students who share a passion for the atmospheric and related sciences and helps launch rewarding careers, just as others helped launch mine.
Why do you support the PEOPLE Fund?
AMS President Alan Sealls has said that AMS begins and ends with people, and I couldn’t agree more. The PEOPLE Fund reflects that philosophy by helping students and early-career professionals attend the Annual Meeting when financial barriers might otherwise prevent them.
I’ve attended every AMS Annual Meeting since the 1980s, and I know firsthand how valuable those few days can be. Beyond learning more about your own specialty, you discover new ideas, explore other disciplines, and build relationships that often shape your career in unexpected ways.
How has AMS shaped your career?
AMS has supported my career in countless ways. Its peer-reviewed journals remain the gold standard in our science, and AMS Headlines continues to be an excellent way to stay informed about developments across the weather, water, and climate enterprise.
But the greatest value has always been the people. Annual Meetings and specialty conferences create opportunities for conversations, collaborations, and friendships that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.
What excites you most about the future of AMS?
AMS has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of its members and our profession. What excites me most is that the Society remains committed to advancing scientific excellence while investing in the people who make that science possible.
In an increasingly complex world, strong professional societies are more important than ever. AMS plays a vital role in supporting collaboration, fostering innovation, and preparing the next generation of leaders.
Who has been an important mentor in your career?
Fred Sanders had an enormous influence on my career. Through him, I was matched with then-Ph.D. candidate Rick Rosen, whose research I helped support as an undergraduate.
Decades later, Rick served as AMS secretary before I did and remains a trusted colleague, friend, and source of advice. It’s a reminder that mentoring relationships can come full circle, and I hope to provide that same support to the next generation of AMS volunteers.
What advice would you give to other AMS members?
Get involved. One of AMS’s greatest strengths is its dedicated volunteers. Join a committee or board, attend meetings, and say yes to opportunities.
You’ll build lasting professional relationships, broaden your perspective, and help strengthen both the Society and our profession.
What would you say to someone considering making their first gift to AMS?
Every gift matters. You don’t have to make a large donation to make a meaningful difference. When many people contribute, even modestly, we create scholarships, expand professional development opportunities, support students and early-career professionals, and strengthen the entire weather, water, and climate community.
Giving is really an investment in people. If AMS has made a difference in your career, it’s a meaningful way to help create those same opportunities for others.
Looking ahead…
I hope my support encourages others to give back in whatever way they can. Together, we can create opportunities for students and early-career professionals who might otherwise face financial barriers to participating in AMS programs.
Investing in people today helps ensure a stronger Society, and a stronger profession, for years to come.
