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A Lasting Impact

Michael T. Piotrowicz ’78, P’05, an Ursinus College alumnus, parent, and trustee who has displayed exemplary generosity to the college community and beyond for decades, will be honored this spring with the Bear2Bear Impact Award for Leadership and Service.

The award recognizes distinguished individuals or organizations who have had an extraordinary impact on their local, national, or global communities through leadership and service and have been unparalleled supporters of Ursinus and its mission. Piotrowicz will be presented with the award during the fourth annual Bear2Bear Benefit & Bash on Friday, April 1, 2022, at RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve.

The Bear2Bear Benefit & Bash supports the Bear2Bear Student Emergency Fund, which provides assistance for students facing temporary financial hardship because of an emergency or crisis. It provides special grants for students who have exhausted all other sources of funding.

“I am humbled to be selected as the Bear2Bear honoree this year,” Piotrowicz said. “I have supported this great cause since it was established by Will and Joan Abele. Funding a college education in current times is challenging to say the least. The Bear2Bear Emergency Fund has been able to support students in need during their darkest hours. This financial relief has been life-changing, providing these young people the opportunity to continue their quest to be productive members of society. I look forward to a successful event so Ursinus can continue to help provide for those in need of a financial lift to keep their dreams alive.”

Upon graduating from Ursinus with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Piotrowicz entered the financial services industry with a primary focus of working with the owners of privately held family businesses. Today, that focus remains the same. He founded Legacy Advisors, LLC, which has become a premier planning advisory firm serving highly successful business owners and executives.

Piotrowicz has demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the success of Ursinus and its students, supporting a variety of priorities for the college. He established the Piotrowicz Family Scholarship, and has given back for the Annual Fund, faculty development, capital projects on campus, and athletics programs and initiatives. He most recently backed the creation of a new “best in class” team room for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. He was previously recognized for his service to Ursinus with the Glenn Eshbach Award and, in 2011, was also inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame for Athletes, receiving its Blanche B. Shultz ’41 Award.

Since 1989, he has also served as a trustee for the Williamson College of the Trades and in 2006, he received the Isaiah Vansant Williamson Award, Williamson’s highest award presented to the person that best exemplifies the ideals and values of the founder. In 2013, Piotrowicz was recognized by the National Philanthropic Foundation with the Legacy Award for his extraordinary passion, generosity, personal commitment, and dedication to charitable causes throughout the Philadelphia community. He serves as the development committee chair of the Independence Mission Schools and is the vice chair of the Union League of Philadelphia Legacy Foundation.

Piotrowicz and his wife, Pam Kelley Piotrowicz ’80, are proud parents of five children and nine grandchildren.

“Mike is my classmate, so I have known him and his wife, Pam, for decades,” said President Jill Leauber Marsteller ’78, P’18. “I always have been struck by Mike’s integrity, commitment to serving others and society, and for saying what he means and meaning what he says. He is an extraordinary reflection of what is best about Ursinus, and I am grateful to him as a trustee and true friend.”

Previous winners of the Bear2Bear Impact Award were Will Abele ’61, Joseph DeSimone ’86, and Nancy Opalack ’71.

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