Former Trustee David S. Pottruck, C’70, WG’72, is reinforcing his half-century of engagement with Penn Athletics with a $6.3 million gift to create an endowment in an area he’s passionate about—leadership development. That passion clearly runs in the family, as Pottruck’s daughter, Stephanie Pottruck Goldman, C’99, and son-in-law, Aaron Goldman, W’99, were so inspired by this philanthropy that they too made a financial commitment to Penn Athletics in honor of Pottruck, bringing the total to over $7.1 million between the two gifts.
Leadership through Teamwork
New gifts will empower student-athletes with support for the Penn Wharton Leadership Academy
Published: January 27, 2021
Pottruck’s gift, part of the Penn Athletics Set The Future In Motion: The Final Year of the Game Onward Campaign, will provide funding in perpetuity to the Wharton Leadership Academy that has shaped Quaker student-athletes since 2017 and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy falls under the purview of the Center for Student-Athlete Success (CSAS), which will be renamed the Pottruck Center for Student-Athlete Success.
“I am extremely grateful for Dave Pottruck’s leadership and philanthropy,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “His generosity has spanned the decades and touched countless members of the Penn community. With this landmark gift, Dave is providing critical support for student-athletes that will benefit them in their athletic and academic endeavors, as well as far into their careers. The Pottruck Center for Student-Athlete Success is a testament to Dave’s visionary leadership and profound recognition in the importance of investing in future thought leaders. My thanks, as well, to Stephanie and Aaron for following Dave’s lead in this important area.”
Dr. M. Grace Calhoun, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr., W’69, Director of Athletics and Recreation, underscored the importance of Pottruck’s loyal support and investing in student-athletes and Penn Athletics programs. “Penn will be better positioned to provide an unrivaled academic and athletic experience, while developing our student-athletes into our leaders of tomorrow,” she said.
An emeritus member of the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics Board of Advisors, and a former Global Chief Executive Officer at Charles Schwab, Pottruck decided to support an area that played a major role in his professional success. He credits his athletic experiences as providing him with the skills necessary to head a global financial business.
Leadership is a quality that can be taught. The stamina, discipline and team spirit that Penn’s athletes show consistently demonstrates their enormous potential as world leaders. The Leadership Academy program will help them move seamlessly and successfully into the future.”Former Penn Trustee David S. Pottruck, C’70, WG’72
Pottruck’s gift will also provide his two former teams, the football and wrestling programs, with annual financial support. Pottruck hopes to motivate others to join him to ensure that Penn Athletics has proper operational funding now and in the future.
Five million dollars of Pottruck’s gift will establish an endowment that will ensure a baseline of funding for the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy, while enhancing the offerings of the Center for Student-Athlete Success. Student-athletes will develop the mental, spiritual, and social skill sets that will ultimately position them to make significant contributions to the world long after graduation.
Pottruck’s daughter, Stephanie, speaks proudly of her and her husband’s financial commitment to CSAS. “Athletics has always been important to our family,” said Stephanie. “We love competition, but we have always been strong believers in the skills that being part of a team teaches young people.”
“I’m thrilled that my philanthropic interest in Penn has been passed down a generation and has motivated Stephanie and Aaron to make a significant contribution to Penn Athletics,” said David Pottruck. “To know that our family name will forever be aligned with the shared areas of importance to Penn and the Pottrucks and Goldmans, is extremely gratifying and humbling.”
The impact of these gifts, and the ripple effect of this support for student-athletes through expanded cross-disciplinary opportunities, is a key component of the University’s overall The Power of Penn Campaign. The Pottruck family’s generosity has the potential to transform lives.
