Thomas Cornacchia '85CC – 2022 Alumni Medalists
Channel: Columbia Alumni
Date: 06/10/2022

Thomas W. Cornacchia ’85CC was a four-year member of the heavyweight rowing team in the early 1980s, and had an impressive career in finance, rising to become a partner at Goldman Sachs before retiring in 2017. Throughout his years as an alumnus, Cornacchia never forgot his alma mater. He was on the College Board of Visitors for over 13 years, including serving as Vice Chair for two years and Chair for three years. Cornacchia was part of several key initiatives on the Board including Columbia College’s Strategic Plan. Cornacchia currently serves as a member of the Core to Commencement Committee, a fundraising committee that has helped to raise $700M for the students of Columbia College and the faculty who teach them. He is a generous supporter of the College, including establishing the Thomas and Nancy Cornacchia Family Scholarship. In 2013, the College presented Cornacchia with a John Jay Award for his distinguished professional achievements. He also serves as a member of the King’s Crown Rowing Association and the Rowing Advisory Committee and established a key program endowment for Columbia Rowing in 2011. That endowment supports all three rowing programs: heavyweight, lightweight, and women’s team. Cornacchia made significant gifts to establish the Leadership Fund for Student-Athletes, vital to the holistic 360-degree approach Columbia Athletics takes to support success through wellbeing. He also serves on the Athletics Leadership Committee, and was honored as a Varsity C Alumni Award winner in 2014. Cornacchia is also a member of the Cancer Advisory Council at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and has been a tremendous supporter of their efforts. Cornacchia and his wife Nancy live in Darien, CT and have five children, two of whom are Columbia graduates, William ’17CC, and Victoria “Tory” ’19CC.