John Carroll University Receives Transformative $500,000 Donation from Don (’70) and Pat Korb to Improve Athletic Facilities

Home / Newsroom / John Carroll University Receives Transformative $500,000 Donation from Don (’70) and Pat Korb to Improve Athletic Facilities

John Carroll University’s momentum continues with the announcement of a $500,000 donation from esteemed alumnus Don (’70) and Pat Korb. This generous contribution will significantly impact the University's Athletic Wellness & Event Center project, enhancing support for student-athletes and furthering the University's mission of holistic student development.

Investing in our athletic facilities is a University priority and will augment the campus experience for all of our John Carroll University students for generations. The generous gift will provide a state-of-the-art wrestling room located within the newly constructed Athletic Wellness & Event Center. The Korb Family will elevate our wrestling program's training facilities and help us continue to build on our University’s Wrestling legacy.

Don and Pat Korb, distinguished members of the John Carroll University community, have long been dedicated to advancing the institution's goals and nurturing student success. Their commitment to philanthropy and Don’s alma mater is exemplified through this substantial leadership gift.

"We are deeply grateful to Don and Pat Korb for their exceptional generosity and unwavering support of John Carroll University," remarked University President Alan R. Miciak, Ph.D.

Their commitment to our institution will leave a lasting legacy, enriching the experiences of our student-athletes and enhancing our campus community as a whole.

Don's fifty-year legal career spans both public and private sectors. Don had three stints at the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C., including serving in the Bush Administration from 2004 - 2008 as the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service. In between, Don practiced tax law at Thompson, Hine and Flory in Cleveland. After serving as the IRS Chief Counsel, Don became a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York, where he continues to practice tax law globally. Don and Pat have been married for almost 52 years during which time, Pat taught history at the high school and middle school levels in both Northern Virginia and suburban Cleveland before retiring from the Westlake (OH) City Schools.

The cornerstone of this transformative donation is the naming of the wrestling room within the new Athletic Wellness & Event Center as "The Korb Family Wrestling Room." This dedication pays homage to Don Korb's legacy as a dedicated wrestler during his undergraduate years at John Carroll University. Don's continued engagement with the University, including his steadfast support of the wrestling team, highlights his enduring commitment to his alma mater.

"Don was a member of JCU's first championship wrestling team in 1967 under legendary JCU wrestling coach Tony Decarlo and in 1969-70, he served as a co-captain of the team with future JCU wrestling coach Kerry Volkmann," added JCU Wrestling Coach Mark Hawald.

Recently, Don has served on my JCU Wrestling Advisory Board, and in that role has been quite helpful to me over the past couple of years, particularly in his role as a leader in our effort to add Women's Wrestling to our program.

"We are honored to contribute to John Carroll University's ongoing efforts to foster excellence and opportunity for its students," the Korbs shared in a statement. "Our hope is that this donation will enable future generations of student athletes to thrive and succeed in their academic and athletic pursuits."

John Carroll University’s momentum continues with the support of donors like Don and Pat Korb who demonstrate a commitment to the University's growth and success.

“Our University community extends its heartfelt appreciation to Don and Pat Korb for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to John Carroll University's mission of educating the whole person.” shared Ryan Daly, Vice President of Advancement.

John Carroll University Receives Transformative $500,000 Donation from Don (’70) and Pat Korb to Improve Athletic Facilities

May 7, 2024

Melina Mera ’24 Awarded Fulbright Scholarship

John Carroll University Joins North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)

John Carroll University Names Melissa Cole, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CENP as Inaugural Dean of the College of Health

John Carroll University Receives Transformative $500,000 Donation from Don (’70) and Pat Korb to Improve Athletic Facilities

May 7, 2024

Other Similar Articles

Melina Mera ’24 Awarded Fulbright Scholarship

John Carroll University Joins North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)

John Carroll University Names Melissa Cole, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CENP as Inaugural Dean of the College of Health