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Robert M. Levy, WG'74
By Kelly J. Andrews
Robert M. Levy always planned to give
to Wharton through estate planning,
in addition to annual donations to the
Wharton Fund. He still does. But he had
a breakthrough several years ago when
a friend asked him why he was waiting.
"The point was that I could also give in a way that I can
enjoy now. That changed my perspective," he says. "I've
found that being personally involved has been wonderful—
I have the ability to expand access to Wharton and make a
difference in people's lives today."
That epiphany inspired Levy not only to accelerate
his giving, but to become a leader and ambassador for
Wharton and Penn. He is currently a Penn trustee and a
member of the Wharton School Board of Overseers, and he
has served as member of the Midwest Regional Advisory
Board and the Wharton Graduate Executive Board. For
his next challenge, he has signed on as chairman of
Wharton's upcoming capital campaign.
Based in Chicago, Levy is partner, chairman, and chief
investment officer of Harris Associates, L.P., which manages
$63.4 billion in the Oakmark Funds and in equity, balanced,
and international portfolios for individuals and institutions.
Levy is also president of the Robert M. Levy and Diane v.S.
Levy Family Foundation, as well as a director of the Bill
Nygren Foundation. He is committed to helping others—a
commitment that goes back to his student days, when he
taught evening school classes for community members and
volunteered in a community education program to help small,
minority-owned businesses develop business plans.
Says Levy of the foundation he began with his wife Diane,
"Our charitable giving is split between short-term and long-
term solutions, and we consider education a long-term solution.
By making sure that the best candidates have access to
the education at Wharton, our gifts have a domino effect. We
are helping to educate people who will give back to the community
as leaders and role models."
The Levys have already impacted the School with
major contributions to Jon M. Huntsman Hall (where the
Levy Lobby on Walnut Street is named in their honor)
and the endowment of the Diane v.S. and Robert M. Levy
Fellowship. The fellowship is designated for students with
less than three years' work experience or women or under-
represented minorities.
"I feel so passionate about what Wharton is trying to accomplish,"
explains Levy. "A key to the continued success
of the school is to be sure that top candidates choose the
school. If the only impediment a potential leader has is economic,
I want to help remove that barrier."
Levy makes the point that fellowships not only provide
greater access—they also allow recipients to follow their
own passion instead of choosing careers primarily to pay
off their student loans. He experiences this firsthand when
he meets fellowship recipients for breakfast or lunch when
he's in town for Overseers meetings, and finds their energy
invigorating.
"It's very rewarding to connect with the school and get to
know students," he says. "It reminds me that my gifts are
providing access to those who will be the next generation
of leaders."
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