Washington, DC. — Less than a year into his position as volunteer chair of Penn State’s new capital campaign, Peter Tombros and his wife, Ann Tombros, have announced they’ve made a $10 million commitment to the campaign.
For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students began January 1, 2007, and is now in its early leadership gifts phase. A dollar goal will be determined at a later date.
“Ann and I are making this initial commitment because we want other Penn State alumni and friends to consider their own participation in the campaign,” said Peter Tombros. “We haven’t yet made any final decisions about what types of programs we wish to support, but intend to give that careful consideration as the campaign emphasizes areas where private support is most critically needed.”
For the Future campaign priorities will include securing additional private funds for scholarships, enriching the student experience, and building the strength and capacity of the faculty.
Penn State President Graham Spanier noted that the Tombroses are carrying on a tradition made by the volunteer leaders of the University’s previous Grand Destiny capital campaign, which concluded in 2003 after raising nearly $1.4 billion.
“One of the most inspirational traditions of that initiative was the announcement and celebration of leadership gifts in the early phases of the fundraising effort,” Spanier said. “Peter and Ann’s wonderful commitment helps to set the tone for this new campaign and sustain its already strong momentum. They understand that their personal commitment has the potential to influence many others as we move through this campaign.”
Prior to the Tombroses’ commitment, the For the Future campaign had received five gift commitments of $10 million or more.
“The early success of the campaign also is due in no small measure to the incredible amount of time and energy that Peter is devoting to it, and now he and Ann have now made this act of extraordinary generosity,” added Spanier. “We are deeply grateful.”
Peter and Ann Cullen Tombros grew up in State College and maintain close ties to the community. They currently reside in New Canaan, Conn.
Peter Tombros earned baccalaureate and master’s degrees from Penn State and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. He later joined Pfizer Inc. in New York City, where he began a 25-year career that included such leadership positions as senior vice president and general manager of Pfizer Roerig Pharmaceuticals, vice president for corporate strategic planning, and executive vice president of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. In 1994 he began an eight-year stint as CEO of Enzon, a developer of therapeutics for life-threatening diseases, and led it to become one of the nation’s largest biotech firms.
In 2005 he was appointed professor and distinguished executive-in-residence in the Eberly College of Science. He donates his time helping to guide students through the completion of the new Science BS/MBA program, which includes graduate work in the Smeal College of Business. The program is designed for science majors who wish to embark on business careers.
Ann Tombros graduated from Keuka College and taught in public and private elementary schools in Pennsylvania and New York City. After moving to Connecticut, she left teaching to pursue other interests including the creation of a property management and design consulting firm. In the New Canaan community, she supports and volunteers for such organizations as the New Canaan Library, Norwalk Hospital and the Waveny Care Center.
At Penn State, she serves on the University Libraries and Palmer Museum capital campaign committees.
The couple’s previous philanthropy to Penn State has included support for the University Libraries, intercollegiate athletics, the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, the Palmer Museum, and the sciences.