Penn gym namesake addresses students

David Pottruck is a Wharton alumnus, a director of Intel and a former chief executive officer of Charles Schwab -- though he may be best known to Penn students as the namesake of the gym and fitness center at 37th and Walnut streets.

Discussing his experiences, which range from working as a vice president at Citicorp to teaching in various graduate schools, Pottruck shared insight in an event held by the Fox Leadership program.

An audience of about 70 students listened as Pottruck spoke of the responsibilities of a CEO.

The most important thing, Pottruck said, is to "galvanize employees' interest ... to inspire."

He cited Wal-Mart's organization mission as an example of trying to inspire. Instead of simply aiming to sell things, Pottruck said, Wal-Mart sees itself as allowing people of modest incomes to live like the rich.

Pottruck also discussed the ways in which his time at Penn impacted his business career.

"I don't think I learned any skills at Penn ... no offense to the professors," Pottruck said.

As the audience laughed, Pottruck proceeded to add that rather than technical skills, the most important things he learned at Penn were "how to problem solve, to think and to set higher goals" for himself.

Aiming higher, Pottruck said, was what he learned from looking back at his athletic career in college.

Considering Pottruck's donation to build the health center, it is not surprising that he was a successful athlete -- the most valuable player of both the Penn football and wrestling teams. Though successful in the Ivy League, he regrets that he did not aim to compete at a national level.

"I did not believe in my own potential," Pottruck said, encouraging students to be confident and to always strive higher.

"The world is a competitive place. ... There's no place to be complacent," he said.

As a trustee of the University, Pottruck remains close to Penn, even more than 30 years after his Wharton graduation in 1972.

Comparing Penn now to when he was a student, Pottruck said that "nothing is the same."

"The quality of students has gone dramatically up," Pottruck said. "I don't think I would have gotten in [if I applied now]."

Pottruck believes current Penn students have "much more precise ... goal-orientation," whereas his generation were "children of the '60s who lived for the moment."

"I was a lifeguard for my summer job," Pottruck said. With their internships, "I don't think the students now would even call it a job."

College senior Madeleine Resnick, whose father was on the wrestling team with Pottruck at Penn, came to the event to support him. She also found Pottruck's presentation relevant for her impending graduation.

"He gives a wonderful starting point" for entry into the business world, Resnick said.

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