David A. Tepper Continues Legacy of Philanthropy at CMU

Tepper recognized with naming of David A. Tepper Arena in the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics

The Tartan community gathered for a special celebration on Oct. 23 during Homecoming Weekend to recognize the generosity of longtime supporter and alumnus David A. Tepper and the naming of the David A. Tepper Arena in the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics.

Tepper, who earned his MBA from CMU in 1982, is one of the university’s greatest benefactors, and through his philanthropy has transformed the Pittsburgh campus, strengthened collaboration among CMU’s schools, colleges and community, and helped position the university and its students to tackle some of the world’s most challenging issues.

His latest gift creates a space for students to come together, build positive relationships and develop a strong community through sport and shared experiences. The David A. Tepper Arena, which features a performance and competition court and seating for nearly 1,000 spectators, will also be host to athletics competitions and campus events, bringing the entire CMU community together for years to come.

During the naming celebration, President Farnam Jahanian expressed gratitude for Tepper’s longstanding support and dedication to furthering the student experience at CMU.

"David has always understood that investing in Carnegie Mellon is fundamentally about investing in people — in their talents, their aspirations and their extraordinary potential," said Jahanian. "His vision and generosity, reflected in the Tepper School, the Tepper Quad and now this remarkable arena, will equip generations of Tartans with the spaces, resources and opportunities to pursue their passions, build community and thrive in every dimension of their lives."

Tepper expressed his gratitude for being part of the CMU community and spoke about the importance of sports as part of the university’s strong interdisciplinary culture.

“There’s a power in sports and bringing people together,” said Tepper. “And I think Farnam touched on it, and he touched on [how] it was important to me when we did the Tepper Quad, to bring people from different disciplines [together]... Bringing people together, there’s nothing like it. Sports is a great connector of people.” 

“Just as we strive to be the best in the world academically, as well as in the Tepper School of Business, we strive to be the best in intercollegiate athletics,” said Joshua Centor, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation. “We are on our way toward that goal, and Tepper Arena will help make it possible. We are deeply grateful, and we are incredibly proud that this extraordinary space will carry the Tepper name.”

A long time generous donor to Carnegie Mellon, Tepper has supported CMU’s continued investment in developing students through world class facilities, both academically and athletically. He has provided intentional programmatic and annual support to many initiatives and directly supported students through scholarships and fellowships. In addition to his most recent gift to name the arena, he has made other additional transformational gifts to the university, including $55 million in 2004 to name the David A. Tepper School of Business, and the $67 million lead gift for the David A. Tepper Quadrangle.

Tepper’s generosity has made a remarkable impact on CMU. Since it opened in 2018, the 315,000-square-foot Tepper Quad has served as a central hub of campus, fostering the interdisciplinary collaboration for which CMU is renowned. Thanks to Tepper’s ambitious vision, it has brought the university community together in new ways, helped promote a new paradigm of learning on campus and served as a catalyst for the future of higher education.

In addition to his philanthropic support, Tepper serves on the Carnegie Mellon Board of Trustees and the Tepper School of Business Board of Advisors, providing vital guidance and strategic input to help further both the school and university’s mission. He also received an honorary Doctor of Business Practice degree and served as the keynote speaker at Carnegie Mellon’s Commencement in 2018. His new gift will now further his impact by strengthening the student-athlete experience at CMU.

Tepper is widely considered one of the most successful investors of his generation. His investment firm, Appaloosa Management, has consistently outperformed industry peers and the broader global market since its inception in 1993. He is also the owner of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and the MLS team Charlotte FC.

A major philanthropist, Tepper’s giving philosophy is grounded in the belief that every person should be empowered with the tools they need to reach their full potential, helping break the cycle of poverty and allowing families and communities to thrive. He champions philanthropic efforts nationally, including in the greater Pittsburgh area, New Jersey, the Carolinas and Florida.