Dear Adelphi Community,
I’m saddened to inform you that former Adelphi University Board of Trustees Member Thomas J. Donohue, MBA ‘65, ‘98 (Hon.), passed away on October 14, 2024, at the age of 86.
Tom is remembered as a dedicated family man, friend and mentor who built a widely respected presence in the business and political worlds. After earning his MBA from Adelphi in 1965, Tom went on to serve as vice president of development at Fairfield University in Connecticut before becoming the U.S. deputy assistant postmaster general, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, and president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
While leading the Chamber, Tom transformed it into one of the world’s largest and most effective business organizations and a powerful advocate for the American business community. Although he retired formally in 2021, he remained highly engaged as a member of the U.S. Chamber Board of Directors, driven by his passion for helping others and his country. He also served on the boards of the Hudson Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise and Marymount University.
Tom gave his time and service to the Adelphi University Board of Trustees from April 1999 to June 2000 and was a generous donor throughout many decades. He graciously assisted Adelphi students with internships and hosted alumni events in the past as part of our Momentum tour. I had the pleasure of meeting with him in recent years as he lent his wealth of expertise to our Momentum Campaign Steering Committee. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
The Adelphi University Board of Trustees and I send our deepest condolences to Tom’s sons, John, Thomas and Keith, and all his loved ones during this time of sorrow.
All the best,
Chris