Allegheny College alumnus Lance Zingale and his wife, Karen, have made a $590,000 gift to support Allegheny’s Center for Business and Economics (CBE) and student scholarships at the college.
The Zingales’ commitment will establish a $500,000 endowment to fund initiatives at the CBE, which provides business-related internship, research and other experiential-learning opportunities for students.
Lance Zingale, a 1977 Allegheny graduate who majored in economics, is executive vice president and general manager, major markets, at Sykes Enterprises Inc., in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida. He has served as a judge and funded prizes for the CBE’s Big Idea Competition for the last four years. Students participating in the annual contest prepare and present proposals to fund concepts for businesses, nonprofit social ventures, research and community engagement initiatives.
“Lance Zingale personifies alumni who give of their time, talent and treasure to their alma mater,” said Chris Allison ’83, Allegheny trustee, CBE co-director and entrepreneur in residence. “As important as this significant gift is, Lance’s years of commitment to our students as a judge for the Big Idea Competition and mentor is perhaps even more significant. He is truly changing lives, and the Allegheny community is deeply grateful for his involvement and support.”
In recognition of the Zingales’ generosity, the CBE has renamed the Big Idea Competition in their honor. Beginning next year, the contest will be known as the Zingale Big Idea Competition. This coming spring, Lance Zingale also will join the CBE Board of Visitors, which advises faculty and staff in the Department of Economics on industry trends and other opportunities.
“Allegheny, next to my family, has had the greatest influence in my values and in how I think and how I approach life,” Zingale said. “I give Allegheny a lot of credit, 40 years later, for that … and I want to do a lot for the school.”
Zingale said he considers himself to be an “early-stage investor” in the CBE, which was established in 2015. The return on this investment, he added, is seeing Allegheny and its students gain more prominence for creativity and innovation in business.
Continuing to develop a strong business education program is critical for Allegheny and for preparing students to succeed in business careers, Zingale said. And he hopes the gift will spur other Allegheny graduates, particularly fellow economics majors from his era, to join him in investing their time and financial resources in the CBE.
“I wanted to give back and encourage and challenge other alumni to be engaged with the Center for Business and Economics,” he said. “At this launch stage of the Center, I don’t know of another place where you can have such a big impact so quickly and see the results of your support.”
In addition to their gift to the CBE, the Zingales will provide Annual Fund Grant Scholarships for two Allegheny students in each of the next five years.
The Zingales’ commitment supports the College’s “Our Allegheny: Our Third Century Quest” comprehensive fundraising campaign. As of Oct. 31, the campaign has raised $149.3 million toward its $200 million goal. Learn more at allegheny.edu/campaign.