University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

Page 13 text:

Extracts from Minutes of the Board of Trustees on the Death of William Thaw. K. THAW was richly endowed with varied and remarkable gifts. I le possessed unusual powers of discernment, sound judgment and rare executive ability, which enabled him to prosecute with phenomenal success the various enterprises in which he engaged, and n ample means, as well as a high and honorable position in the business community, lie was by nature generous: and this inherent disposition, sanctioned by Divine Grace, made him keenly alive to the appeals of the suffering and the unfortunate. In his daily experience he found it more blessed to give than to receive. Realizing that wealth was a trust committed to him by his Creator. his life was characterized by the most liberal and wide-spread philanthropy. Rverv enterprise calculated to advance the interests of religion, to elevate and purify human society, to widen and improve the sphere of human knowledge, to relieve the unfortunate, or to mitigate suffering, found in him an energetic and munificent benefactor. From the time he became a trustee of the University, more than twenty-eight years ago, until the day of his death, he was constantly active and liberal in promoting its welfare. Amid his many cares and anxieties, and the ceaseless demands upon his time and attention, he was seldom absent from our meetings. To the University he gave freely of his lime, of his thought, and of his means; and it is only just to say that but for his earnest efforts, his wise counsel, his unfailing liberality, it would not have attained its present prosperity, or have the bright prospects of future usefulness now opening hopefully before it. In the death of William Thaw our country has lost an honorable and patriotic citizen; our community an honorable, enterprising and useful member; our religious and charitable institutions an interested, unfailing and generous friend; the University a wise counselor and liberal supporter; and the cause of science one of its most zealous and unselfish benefactors. 7