Joseph J. and Violet J. Jacobs, both children of Lebanese immigrants, are generous benefactors of engineering education and supporters of education for young Lebanese-Americans. They extend their philanthropy in many directions through the Jacobs Family Foundation. The Jacobses gave a generous contribution to CHF, and the reading room of the Othmer Library was named in their honor in 2001.

A former student of Donald Othmer’s and a 1942 graduate of Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, Joseph founded Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., an international engineering and construction firm. Recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1983 for his "support of education and for the welfare of society," Joseph was awarded the prestigious Hoover Medal. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers also recognized Joseph with their Distinguished Career Award in 1990.