Upholding a Tradition of Giving Back
There is a long history of Ohio State graduates in Tom Murnane's family. Equally notable is the strong family tradition of giving back to the university.
Tom graduated from Ohio State with a degree in Marketing in 1970, and subsequently returned to earn his Masters of Business Administration in 1977. He later leveraged his Ohio State education to enjoy a very fulfilling and prosperous career as a Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, consulting with many of the firm's largest and most recognizable clients in the U.S. and around the globe.
"After enjoying a very busy and thriving professional career, I was motivated to draw on my experience and utilize my time to give back to others," said Tom.
In keeping with his family's tradition of giving back to Ohio State, Tom reached out to the university to find ways to get involved. "I wanted to find opportunities where I could support the university financially, but also use my skills and experiences to help make a difference," he said.
Tom currently serves as Chair of the Dean's Advisory Committee for the College of Arts and Sciences. He is also a member of the Alumni Advisory Council, where he previously served a one-year term as Vice-Chair. In addition, he serves as a member of the Board of Trustees-appointed University Brand/Marketing Work Group.
Tom and his wife, Kandy (BSBA '79), continue to support a scholarship in honor of his sister, Kate, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident while working toward a graduate degree in History of Art at Ohio State.
"Kate was a strong believer in traveling the world to study great pieces of art. Upon her passing, my parents set up this scholarship to fund travel for graduate students in History of Art, allowing them to conduct the research necessary to complete their dissertations. Once my parents passed, Kandy and I felt that it was important to continue the Murnane tradition of funding this scholarship."
They have also committed to funding a scholarship for students in the Marching Band. "The Marching Band is a highly visible and important symbol of the excellence of Ohio State and its brand. It's also a source of enjoyment and entertainment for generations of Buckeyes, carrying on many of the traditions of our beloved university."
"I'm proud to be a graduate of Ohio State and am immensely appreciative of the opportunities it has afforded me and generations of my family. I also recognize that the university relies on the generous support of alumni and others to continue on its path of greatness, and I'm grateful to be able to do my part to help," Tom said.
Tom and Kandy support the university with annual gifts, but have also designated the above funds as beneficiaries of their estate. In doing so, they can ensure that future students will be able to benefit from the scholarships and experience the life-changing opportunities that Ohio State provides.
There are many ways you, like Tom, can make a lasting impact on Ohio State, our students and the programs you are passionate about. Contact the Office of Estate and Gift Planning at giftplan@osu.edu or 614-292-2183 to learn more.