From his days spent on Homewood Field to his established career in the business world, Peter Strome has always appreciated the importance of investing in mental health resources. Now, through the Gilliand Foundation, Strome and his family are supporting Hopkins student-athletes through gifts to the Department of Athletics’ Sports Performance and Wellness program. The program involves all 24 varsity teams and focuses on the intentional development of the whole person while fostering successful and competitive student-athletes.
“The Hopkins community is near and dear to my heart,” says Strome, A&S ’13. “The fact that Hopkins is placing a high emphasis on developing the student-athlete — not only academically, but mentally and emotionally — is critical for their future.”
Jennifer Baker, associate vice provost for student affairs and director of athletics and recreation at Johns Hopkins, says the sports performance program gives the more than 600 student-athletes the tools to help them discover the best of themselves and calls Strome’s consistent support remarkable.
“Peter understands the vision, and it’s special. He’s making a commitment to the whole student-athlete,” she says, adding that the sports performance and wellness program focuses on three areas: biology, psychology, and social.
The biology highlights sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and recovery. The psychological provides support in mental health and mental performance, while social develops the student-athletes as leaders within their student groups, empowering them to connect with the broader campus and Baltimore communities.
The emphasis on academics, athletics, and well-being is why the Gilliand Foundation chose to support the sports performance program. The foundation was established in honor of Strome’s late godparents, Merle Gilliand, former chairman and chief executive of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., and his wife, Olive Lee Gilliand.
“Merle strongly valued both academic and athletic excellence, inspiring the Gilliand Foundation to contribute to the Hopkins athletics program and support its mission,” Strome says.
Strome’s teammates while at Hopkins and Head Football Coach Jim Margraff also had a positive influence on him. Margraff, who passed away in January 2019, was the all-time winningest coach in Hopkins’ football history.
“Coach Margraff embodied everything a coach should be whether it’s in life or sport,” says Strome. “He was devoted to shaping groups of 18-year-olds into adults able to do great things in life.”
Through the Gilliand Foundation, Strome and his family have also supported the coach’s legacy by giving to the Jim Margraff Endowment for Hopkins Football. James F. Margraff Head Coach of Football Dan Wodicka credits the family’s generosity to the endowment in sustaining and elevating the football program.
“The fund supports the essential technologies and resources needed to run an elite football program that competes at the national level,” says Wodicka. “Their contributions ensure that we can continue to build a strong, competitive program while creating lasting memories for our student-athletes.”
In addition to the lifelong bonds formed from Hopkins football, Strome remembers the mentorship he received from the Hopkins community as he navigated the early days of his career. Strome is now a vice president at Continuim Equity Partners in Pittsburgh, and he’s passionate about helping the next generation of Blue Jays.
“The Hopkins football network opened the door to my first job out of college in investment banking. I always want to repay the favor,” says Strome. “Hopkins has played such an instrumental role in my life, both professionally and personally.”
Strome is dedicated to celebrating the legacy of his godparents while embracing the strategies of the sport performance program. Baker says his commitment is already being felt on the Homewood campus, helping to power the Hopkins Athletics mission of developing the whole student-athlete.
“In order for our athletes to perform and have the most rewarding Hopkins experience, we need to get the best from them, and we need to position them to get the best from themselves,” she says. “If we give them tools now, they have a great opportunity to move forward into the world and continue to help others.”
Topics: Alumni, Faculty and Staff, Parents, Students, Blue Jays Unlimited (Athletics), Strengthening Partnerships, Support Scholars