2005 ACS Award

Thomas McConomy, E 1955 and Eileen McConomy, MM 1956

Thomas (Tom) and Eileen McConomy's five decades of commitment to Carnegie Mellon was celebrated with their selection as the 2005 Andrew Carnegie Society Recognition Award recipients.

Tom (E 1955) and Eileen (MM 1956) are among the university's most loyal volunteers and donors. Today, Tom serves as a vice chair of the new capital campaign, while Eileen is the chair of the Margaret Morrison Centennial Celebration (2006). Tom is also an emeritus life trustee and former chairman of the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Mellon.

The McConomys remain passionate about Carnegie Mellon, displaying incredible generosity toward the students, faculty, facilities, and many other aspects of the Tartan community. Their loyal contributions have impacted many areas of the university, providing laboratory, professorship, scholarship, building, and unrestricted operating support. Their philanthropy has touched the student body and the Andrew Carnegie Society through the establishment of the “Thomas A. and Eileen (Cerutti) McConomy Andrew Carnegie Society Endowed Scholars Award in Fine Arts.” The funds from this scholarship are awarded yearly through the ACS Scholars program to two of Carnegie Mellon's best and brightest undergraduate students who embody high standards of academic excellence combined with multi-dimensional characteristics.

Eileen enthusiastically served as an ACS Board member from 1990 to 1997 and as chair of the ACS Scholars Committee in its formative years, establishing the early criteria for the program. Eileen is a teacher and served as chair of the Carlow University Board of Trustees. In 2004, an honorary doctorate was conferred on her by Carlow University. She previously served as a trustee at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Tom, now a private investor, is chairman of the board and a founder of Calgon Carbon Corporation—the world's largest manufacturer of granular activated carbon. He has been a member of the board and active with the company's management since it was established in 1985. He served as chairman of the board, president and CEO from 1985 to 1994 and again from 1998 through 1999. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Equitable Resources.

Tom and Eileen share a legacy with three generations of family members who attended Carnegie Mellon. Their daughter, Karen McConomy, and son-in-law, John Bugos, are 1992 graduates of Carnegie Mellon's Graduate School of Industrial Administration, now known as the Tepper School of Business. Eileen's father graduated from Carnegie Tech in 1927 and Tom's father attended the Carnegie Technical Schools in the 1920s.

The Andrew Carnegie Society is proud to honor Tom and Eileen McConomy for their long-standing dedication, leadership, and benevolence toward Carnegie Mellon.