Q&A with Bob Hernandez, WG’68: Forwarding Success and Enriching Society through Student Aid

Bob Hernandez, WG'68 and Bill Hernandez, W’70 — Bob Hernandez, WG'68, (right) gave $1.25 million in his name and his late brother's — because he wants to help students pursue their goals "and not worry about affording the tuition," he said.

Bob Hernandez, WG’68, gave approximately $1.25 million to the Wharton School to establish two endowed funds to provide financial aid support to Wharton students: the Bob Hernandez, WG’68, Endowed Fellowship Fund and the Bill Hernandez, W’70, Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of his late brother.

Bob answered our questions about his Wharton experience, what giving back means to him, and his hopes for the fellowship and scholarship recipients.

How would you describe your Wharton experience? Do you have any advice for current and future generations of Wharton students?

My Wharton experience was hard work, but also interesting and fulfilling. I finished first in my class, but I had to really work to accomplish that. The classes were not easy of course, and deadlines and exams often fell on the same dates. This was one way that Wharton prepared me and my classmates for life after graduation.

I have three pieces of advice for future generations of Wharton students. First, give your all to any job or responsibility you receive in your career. Not only will the results be amazing, but this will also relieve you of a lot of anxiety about how things will turn out. Second, think for yourself. Don’t go along with things just because everyone else is — even when it’s hard to be a lonely voice. Lastly, when you achieve financial success, give back like I am doing.

You’ve been a loyal donor to The Wharton Fund for years. Why do you champion the School?

It’s my way of giving back to a place that gave me an incredible education. When I attended the Wharton School, it was the third best business school in the country and the best finance school. Now, it’s number one all around — period. I want to help keep it that way.

You generously set up a fellowship in your name and a scholarship in honor of your brother, Bill Hernandez, W’70. What are your hopes for the Wharton students who benefit from these fellowships?

My hope is that recipients can pursue academically whatever it is they have chosen and not worry about affording the tuition. That is what the Catharine D. Sharpe Merit Scholarship did for me during my Wharton journey.

Wharton was founded on philanthropy when Joseph Wharton made his gift in 1881 to establish the first collegiate business school in the world. What does philanthropy mean to you, personally?

First and foremost, philanthropy is a critical means of forwarding success and enriching society. In America, we don’t rely on government to completely fund the arts, research, and top-notch education like many other countries do. So, those of us who have attained some level of success in a capitalist society should be philanthropic. Since our funds do not go through government channels, we get to pick and choose what is most important to us and support it. Plus, there is no denying that being philanthropic makes me feel enriched.