Family of Ag Engineering alumnus creates lasting legacy with naming opportunity

For generations, the Thomas family has placed a high value on education resulting in numerous degrees, a great majority of which were earned at Penn State. Now, to give back to the University that so positively impacted their lives, the wife and children of the late Lloyd E. Thomas ('61, Agricultural Engineering) have named the Lloyd E. Thomas Family Department Head Suite in the renovated Agricultural Engineering Building.

Naming opportunities for the building are a way to provide the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering with funding to support the state-of-the-art facility.

Lloyd, the youngest of four in a farm family in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, followed his brothers' footsteps in attending Penn State and earning a degree in agricultural engineering. His children, Terri Thomas Ruch ('87, Agricultural Engineering) and Christopher Thomas ('94, Agricultural Systems Management and Technology), also pursued degrees from Penn State, inspired by their father's and uncles' careers. Lloyd retired in the mid-1990s after an engineering career with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service spanning more than 37 years, including two years of service in the U.S. Army.

In 1991, Lloyd was honored with the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award. When his daughter, Terri, received the same award in 2019 and the Agricultural Engineering Building reopened after its renovation, Lloyd's wife, Shirley, was inspired to make a gift.

“I thought it was the perfect time to honor Lloyd, Terri, Chris and the Thomas family," said Shirley. “The building is awesome. I think Lloyd would be very pleased that the research and teaching facilities are state-of-the-art, and that education focusing on agriculture, land and water use, air quality, flood control and so much more is available to all."

The Thomas family is glad that the department can utilize funds from their naming gift where the support is needed most, whether it's improved infrastructure, upgrading teaching and laboratory equipment, or elsewhere.

“I am pleased to see the continued growth and development of the University, particularly in the agricultural engineering department, which is especially near and dear to my heart considering it produced the fine engineers that my late husband and my daughter became," said Shirley. “Spending time visiting the newly renovated building brought back fond memories of the past and shows the promise of the future."

Philanthropy has always held an important place for the Thomas family, particularly for Lloyd, and they are thankful to be able to make a difference for Penn State and the agricultural and biological engineering department through their giving.

“We're sisters, we're brothers, we're caretakers of each other," explained Shirley. “You give of what you have. It makes my heart feel good to be of service and help to others. This was the way Lloyd was too."

“We are honored to have received this gift from Shirley on behalf of the Thomas family," said Paul Heinemann, department head and professor of agricultural and biological engineering. “Lloyd, Terri and Chris all have contributed greatly to the profession, and it is great to have the family name permanently enshrined in the building. The gift provides significant support to our departmental programs, and we are very grateful for their generosity."

The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences represents the foundation of Penn State and its land-grant mission to serve the public good. To fulfill that mission for a new era of rapid change and global connections, the University is pursuing "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a fast-paced campaign focused on the three key imperatives of a twenty-first-century public university: Open Doors, Create Transformative Experiences, and Impact the World. Through teaching, research, and Extension, and because of generous alumni and friends, the College of Agricultural Sciences is able to offer scholarships to one in four students, create life-shaping opportunities, and make a difference in the world by fueling discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship. To learn more about supporting the college, visit http://agsci.psu.edu/giving. Information about the campaign is available at greaterpennstate.psu.edu.