Peter J. Weiller '56
"Freshman year, early fall: professor baird enters our English One section by climbing through the window of Appleton, throwing his hat in the wastepaper basket and sitting on the desk. We spent the remainder of the class redefining the window as a door, the wastebasket as a hat rack, and the desk as a chair. Lucky me, to have this brilliant and dynamic professor as my English One teacher."
Peter "Tiger" Weiller came to Amherst for the "sensible" fraternity system that offered membership to all freshmen; central dining, which promoted fellowship throughout the College; proximity to Smith and Mount Holyoke; and the core curriculum. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Sphinx, the honorary society, and was the manager or assistant manager of many organizations and activities, including the golf team, the newspaper, and the yearbook. As an alumnus, he has continued to serve the College as class president and secretary, and has been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award and the Medal for Eminent Service.
Last year, Peter retired from a 42-year career with Thompson-Leeds of New York City, a point-of-purchase advertising company where he was one of the original partners and served as vice-chairman of the board. Peter is involved with a host of philanthropic activities, enjoys tennis, hiking, and photography, and is the proud grandfather of Andy, Leslie, and Charles.
Thoughts on giving to Amherst
"Amherst played such an important part in my life that I am motivated to do whatever I can to help give this liberal arts institution the ability to teach people to think and to express themselves. No one gift can accomplish what Amherst needs. It is the continuity and the variety of gifts, through the Annual Fund, endowment, and bequests that make it possible to keep Amherst a superior educational institution."
The Johnson Chapel Associates society recognizes those alumni and friends who have named Amherst in their will and/or provided for the College through a planned gift. For more information contact Timothy A. Neale '70, Associate Director of Planned Gifts, Amherst College, Amherst, MA 01002-5000, (413) 542-8256, taneale@amherst.edu.