Ithaca College has been awarded the largest single gift in its 103-year history, a $14 million bequest from James B. Pendleton, an interior designer and antiques dealer with a keen interest in the arts. Widely known as the "decorator to the stars," Pendleton died August 30 at the age of 90. In accordance with his wishes, the money will establish at least one chair in the Department of Cinema and Photography, fund continuing scholarships from a permanent endowment, and provide general support to the department and to other areas within the Roy H. Park School of Communications.
"This is truly a generous bequest, and we will remain forever grateful for Jimmy Pendleton's friendship and for his confidence in us," said President James J. Whalen. "Jimmy wholeheartedly believed in the value of education and in investing in the next generation of talent. We are deeply honored by his decision to make such substantial resources available to support students for generations to come."
"This is an act of incredible generosity by a very special man," noted Thomas Bohn, dean of the Park School. "Jimmy's gift will help the Park School to achieve even greater levels of prominence and excellence."
Born in Oregon in 1904, Pendleton left home at the age of 18 to train as a dancer, first in Los Angeles and then in New York. After a career on the stage he operated a very successful antiques and design business in New York. During World War II he moved to Los Angeles, where his business continued to flourish. He retired shortly after the death of his wife in 1963 but continued to support a variety of charitable and educational causes through the James B. Pendleton Foundation.
Pendleton's interest in Ithaca College began in 1976 when he met then cinema and photography professor Gustav "Skip" Landen and his wife while vacationing on the Greek island of Kos. Amid the ruins of an ancient amphitheater, the fellow American tourists discovered a mutual interest in education and the dramatic arts. "Jimmy told me that his foundation had helped a number of students get through school, and he suggested I come up with a proposal to assist worthy Ithaca College students," recalled Landen.
Landen's proposal led to the James Pendleton Award in Dramatic
Filmmaking, a competitive cash prize presented annually to a junior
to assist in producing a film. "The winning students have
uniformly expressed their sincerest gratitude for the opportunity
the award provides for them to learn about their chosen craft,"
said Landen. "And we made sure to give Jimmy a copy of each
year's student film so he could see the results of his good deed."