Building a Home, Building a Legacy

TWO ALUMNI AFFINITY GROUPS SUPPORT JOHN M. PAZ ‘78 ALUMNI & FAMILY CENTER

Two Dickinson alumni affinity groups have made lasting and meaningful marks in Dickinson’s history this past year. By sponsoring suites in the college’s state-of-the-art John M. Paz ‘78 Alumni & Family Center, each plays a part in revolutionizing the ways that generations of alumni, students, faculty, Dickinson leaders and friends of the college come together on campus to learn and connect.

The Challenge

The John M. Paz ’78 Alumni & Family Center was borne out of a desire to bring new life and purpose to the Historic President’s House. The building was home to Dickinson presidents for more than a century, beginning in 1899, but by the second decade of the 21st century, it was in need of extensive repair. In 2018, the college purchased a smaller, more energy-efficient and newer President’s House on Conway Street and shuttered the High Street home. It sat vacant for several years.

When the college floated the idea to transform the former residence into a center that would be fully funded by donations, several Dickinson trustees stepped forward as early contributors.

“Dickinson had a profound impact on all of our lives, and we want to pay it forward,” says Doug Pauls ’80, president of the board of trustees. “It has been a wonderful experience to watch this effort grow to a meaningful level.”

With that core group of donors in place, and with a generous gift from lead donor John Paz ’78, the college broke ground last year for the ambitious renovations. Individuals and groups were invited to get involved.

First to Answer the Call

The Pugs Foundation was first in line to sponsor a Paz Center suite. Formed in memory of Gary “Pugs” Knechtel ’80, a former Dickinson student-athlete, the Pugs Foundation raises funds for a scholarship in Knechtel’s honor and also supports athletics-focused projects, including the Durden Center football locker room, Kline basketball locker room renovation and the Dickinson Park project. The group’s primary fundraiser is a golf outing during the Friday of Alumni Weekend.

In recent years, Pugs Foundation members have gathered at the Historic President’s House before the annual golf outing, and they were eager to see the storied space renovated and put back into use. A core group discussed opportunities with the advancement office, made a few calls—and quickly raised two-thirds of the $250,000 renovation cost. Within a few months, they’d reached their goal.

“The friendships that we made during our college days are still very strong,” says Pete Dooner ’80, a Phi Kappa Sigma alum who co-established the Pugs Foundation with Pauls, Dennis Crawford ’80 and Brian Starkman ‘81. “I know how grateful I am for these friendships, and I also know that many of those in our group feel the same.”

Inspired by One of Their Own

That feeling is echoed by Phi Delta Theta alumni who followed suit with their own suite. Phi Delt, founded in 1848, found an official home at Dickinson in 1899, when the college built a stone lodge for the Pennsylvania Epsilon chapter. (The organization later constructed a new, larger house, now home to Denim Coffee at the Quarry). The Dickinson chapter is now inactive, but it continues to hold significance for alumni members, who cherish their Phi Delt memories and the enduring friendships they forged through the fraternity.

These include Paz, an alumnus member of Phi Delt who, after selling his global business in 2010, launched a new career as a leadership consultant and real-estate company manager. When President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11, approached him with an opportunity to give back to the college as the alumni & family center’s primary donor, Paz stepped up to the plate.

“The fact that he made this generous gift to the college, 45 years after graduating, inspired me to get involved,” said Don Nagle ’76, who appreciates the lifelong friends he’s gained through Dickinson and Phi Delt. “It’s a great way for an affinity group to come together and support the college, and I’m sure there are other groups who’d like to do this.”

‘A New Era’

As the center nears completion, Paz is excited to see its mission come to life. He describes the current moment as “the beginning of a new era at Dickinson.” And he wishes to thank all who’ve contributed to the cause—including the fellow Phi Kaps and Phi Delts who’ve made the suite renovations possible. “I am so grateful for all their support,” Paz adds, “and I look forward to seeing them back at school on many future occasions.”

Published August 1, 2023