Bromeley to Receive Pitt-Bradford Presidential Medal of Distinction

Thomas R. Bromeley of Derrick City, who has served as the chairman of the Bradford Educational Foundation for nearly 20 years, will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction, the university’s highest honor.

“This award is a fitting tribute to a man who has made monumental contributions to Pitt-Bradford and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford.

“During his 20 years of service as chairman of the foundation, Mr. Bromeley shepherded the distribution of millions of dollars in support of scholarships for students at Pitt-Bradford and in support of construction projects and academic programs. His impact on our campus is immeasurable.”

Bromeley will receive the award during the university’s annual commencement exercises, which will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 2, in the KOA Arena of the Sport and Fitness Center.

Bromeley said of the honor, “I am overwhelmed and deeply honored to be included in the ranks of the other distinguished recipients of this Presidential Medal of Honor.”

Craig Hartburg, chairman of the Advisory Board, said, “Tom’s involvement with Pitt-Bradford is without measure. His commitment to the students, faculty and staff at Pitt-Bradford over the years has been truly inspirational. I am very pleased that we are able to recognize Tom with this special award.”

Thomas Bromeley follows in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Robert Bromeley, who helped found Pitt-Bradford, served as second chairman of its Advisory Board and who received the first Presidential Medal in 1991.

From 1974 until 1986, Thomas Bromeley was chairman of the Advisory Board’s finance committee. In 1993, he became president of the Bradford Educational Foundation, which receives, administers and invests gifts for the benefit of Pitt-Bradford.

In 1995, the Bromeley family generously led the way in support of the Blaisdell Fine Arts Challenge with a contribution of $250,000. The Bromeley Family Theater is named in its honor.

Thomas Bromeley has been a member of the university’s Advisory Board since 1974, and he currently serves on its executive committee.

Like his father, Bromeley is also a business and civic leader. He is the chairman of Allegheny Bradford Corp., a corporation located in Lewis Run with four operating divisions that make stainless steel hygienic products for the pharmaceutical, biotechnical, cosmetic, food, beverage, dairy and electronics processing industries.

He is a past director of Integra Bank, which later became National City Corp., and has been involved in newspaper publishing and radio broadcasting.

In addition to volunteering for Pitt-Bradford, he is a director for the Bradford Hospital Foundation and chairman for the investment committee at the Church of the Ascension.

In the past, he has served as president of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, campaign chairman for the United Way of the Bradford Area, vice chairman of the Bradford Hospital board of directors, president of the Bradford Nursing Pavilion, chairman of the board of trustees of Chautauqua Institution, director for the Chautauqua Foundation and chairman of the board of trustees of Otterbein College in Columbus, Ohio.

Bromeley was born in Chicago in 1930 and graduated from Bradford Area Senior High School in 1948. In 1951, he married Jean Hostetler and the couple has two daughters, Pamela B. Fredeen and Amy B. McCune, who both live in Derrick City.

From 1953 to 1956, he served as a supply officer on a U.S. Navy Atlantic Mine Force repair and supply ship.

Bromeley earned a bachelor of science degree with honors in physics and mathematics from Otterbein and a master of science in industrial administration from Carnegie Mellon University. His alma mater also awarded him an honorary doctor of science in business administration.

He is the 23rd individual awarded the Presidential Medal of Distinction, which is presented to a person who has either volunteered his or her time for several years; supported the university either financially or with expertise or advice; served the university’s service region through community, government, or business affiliation; or has made distinctive achievements in his or her field that have affected Pitt-Bradford.

Previous medal winners were University of Pittsburgh Provost Dr. James V. Maher, Dr. William C. Conrad and the Stackpole-Hall Foundation, Harry R. Halloran Jr. and Harvey L. Golubock, Madeline Miles, Judge John M. Cleland, Dr. Richard E. McDowell, Dennis Lowery, Edwin Clemens, Marilyn Horne, Howard Fesenmyer, Henry P. Pruch, Robert D. Galey, Lester Rice, William F. Higie, Samuel Gregg Jr., Dr. Robert C. Laing, Harriett B. Wick and Sarah B. Dorn, former U.S. Rep. John E. Peterson, Virginia L. Miles and Dr. Robert B. Bromeley.