Gifts in Action - Anthony Petullo

MEET ANTHONY PETULLO

Ask businessman, art collector, and community leader Anthony Petullo (B.S., ’61) about the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He’ll tell you it not only prepared him for a successful professional life, but also inspired him to work with people and “give back” to the community.

After graduating, Petullo founded successful temporary-help firm Olsten Staffing Services. He is now one of Milwaukee’s most respected community leaders. He’s also one of the University’s most active volunteers. Petullo is a distinguished member of the Chancellor’s Advancement Cabinet, a member of the University of Illinois Foundation Presidents Council and a past member of the Krannert Art Museum Board.

WHY HE GIVES

An avid, long-time collector of the work of self-taught European and American artists, the dedicated alumnus enjoys sharing his love of art with UIUC. “I am pleased to be able to help the Ricker Library acquire additional resources to supplement their outstanding programs in architecture and art,” he says.

HOW HE GIVES

In 2006, he established the Anthony J. Petullo Endowed Library Fund, which supports the acquisition and preservation of materials in the area of fine arts. The gift will benefit collections in the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art, providing desperately needed resources.

Petullo also recently gave the Library Graham Clark’s History of England an exceptional and beautiful portfolio containing 18 copper-plate etchings.

In 2000, Petullo’s generosity established the Illinois Leadership Program, extending opportunities for students in all colleges on campus to learn leadership skills.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Jane Block, head of the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art, says, “We are so grateful for this endowment, which will allow us to purchase materials that have exceeded our grasp. We have a backlog of requests from faculty and students for rather pricey items. The Petullo gift is inspirational because it will allow us to acquire many of these exceptional resources.”