Campus News 2003-2004 Academic Year

Major Gifts Totaling $8 Million Transform Future of Pitzer College
Young College Comes of Age

Claremont, Calif. (April 12, 2004) The youngest member of the Claremont undergraduate colleges, Pitzer College, successfully concluded the first comprehensive capital campaign in the College’s history with two major gifts.

Ann, Russ and John Pitzer, the grandchildren of the College’s Founder and namesake, Russell K. Pitzer, have given $5 million, which is the largest single gift since the founding of the College.

“This truly generous and inspirational gift signifies the tremendous and continuous support of the Pitzer family,” President Laura Skandera Trombley said.

“Our grandfather taught us a basic value in giving back to make a difference in the world and our grandmother passionately believed in education as essential to individual and societal success,” Ann Pitzer stated. College founder Russell Pitzer was also a key benefactor of such local institutions as Claremont McKenna College and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.

Peter and Gloria Gold, long-time benefactors of Pitzer College and the sponsors of the Peter and Gloria Gold Student Center on campus, gave a milestone gift of $3 million that successfully put Pitzer over the top of the $40 million campaign ahead of schedule. Peter Gold, past Chair of the Pitzer College Board of Trustees said, “Education is paramount to my family and Gloria and I have always supported quality education.”

Gloria Gold lauds Pitzer College for providing an excellent education for her daughter Melinda who graduated in 1974. “Melinda transferred to Pitzer from a large California university and found a real home in Pitzer,” she said.

“The Golds have a deep respect for education and for Pitzer College. Peter Gold was instrumental in the campaign kickoff and so it is fitting that he and his wife conclude the College’s first major capital campaign,” President Trombley said.

Pitzer College Board Chair Susan Pritzker said, “The Pitzer community is grateful to the Pitzers and the Golds for investing in the future of a great liberal arts college. These extraordinary gifts are a vote of confidence in the new leadership of the College.”