A Commitment to the Arts

While the Pitt-Penn State rivalry may be alive and well on the playing field for many, in the Lattanzio household, the Nittany Lions clearly have won out. Despite being a third generation University of Pittsburgh graduate, Ralph Lattanzio's alma mater was no match for the Penn State pride exuded from wife Debbie's side of the family.

For the Lattanzios, the Pitt-Penn State rivalry became a family affair back in 1975 when Ralph and Debbie first met, thanks to the matchmaking efforts of Ralph's father's tailor. According to Ralph, the tailor "was good at it." Debbie notes that "while it wasn't love at first sight, we eventually found out that we were right for each other." Debbie, a Carlow College graduate with a degree in music education and a concentration in piano, is the sister of two Penn State graduate brothers. Ralph notes that while "this made for a good family rivalry," when it was decision-making time for son John, "he grew up brainwashed by his uncles" so naturally Penn State came out on top.

After a visit to Penn State Altoona following a Penn State football game, John made his decision to start his Penn State career at the Altoona campus—the decision also reached by sister Kaitlyn who began her Penn State Altoona education this fall. The Lattanzio association with Penn State Altoona now extends to both Ralph and Debbie, as they have made a financial commitment to support the college's arts program.

Supporting the arts was a natural fit for both Ralph and Debbie; as a couple, they share a love of the arts and a belief that "the arts are a vital part of everyone's education." States Ralph, "The arts have always been a love for me. It might even have been one factor in my marriage to Debbie. I grew up in a family that stressed arts as well as, or more than, sports." According to Debbie, "We have always told our children that the arts make you a well-rounded and informed person in society."

Supporting Penn State Altoona came easily to the couple as well—even for Pitt grad Ralph, who attended Pitt's Greensburg campus initially. "I needed the transition and I strongly believe in the branch process," states Ralph. "If I believe in something, and it fits our philanthropic strategy, we support it."

After attending a show by the college's musical performance group Ivyside Pride!, Ralph and Debbie visited with the student performers and the group's directors. "Both Debbie and I saw improvement in the students from the prior year's performance.

"But it was the smiles on the students' faces that clinched the deal. This program gave a great educational opportunity and the students had fun working and learning."
—Ralph Lattanzio

Pleased with the significant contribution that their support of Ivyside Pride! has made, the Lattanzios will be expanding their philanthropic support of Penn State Altoona by underwriting the college's spring theatre production of Damn Yankees. Their upcoming visits to the college provide them with a double source of Penn State Altoona pride—seeing both the results of their support for the arts and the opportunity to visit with daughter Kaitlyn.

Editor's Note: Retired from Exxon Mobil as Global Human Resources Director and Global Director of Recruiting for 128 countries, Ralph currently teaches college-to-work transition classes at George Mason University in northern Virginia. Debbie has taught piano privately since 1989, and continues to do so today.