Thomas Jefferson University Announces Gift to Launch Thackrah Capital Markets Research Lab

Thomas Jefferson University has received a transformational gift to its School of Business in the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering & Commerce to launch the Thackrah Capital Markets Research Lab from John S. Thackrah, an alumnus of the Philadelphia Textile Institute Class of 1953.

Powered by 12 Bloomberg terminals providing access to the essential computer software utilized by leading business and financial professionals and other advanced systems used for making investment decisions, the Thackrah Lab will not only offer students a state-of-the-art learning environment, but also the competitive advantage necessary to succeed in today’s data- and AI-driven business world. 

“Opening the Thackrah Capital Market Research Lab will offer unparalleled educational and technological resources relating to financial markets and the overall economy,” said Philip Russel, PhD, professor of finance and dean of the School of Business. “This lab will equip our students with competitive skills to thrive in their careers while taking our programs to new heights.”

The Thackrah Lab will enrich the curriculum, empowering students through the availability of live market data, news, analytics and research tools. The Bloomberg terminal data feed will be integrated into other majors within the School of Business to offer all students exposure to the lab. The broader community will also benefit from specialized workshops such as a primer on financial markets, technical analysis and personal wealth management.

“We are incredibly grateful for Mr. Thackrah’s generosity and vision,” said Susan C. Aldridge, PhD, president of Thomas Jefferson University. “His gift will both support our students and strengthen our curriculum in today’s highly competitive business environment.”

Thackrah graduated from Philadelphia Textile Institute in 1953 with a BS in Chemistry and Dyeing. The institute evolved into Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and then Philadelphia University in 1999 and merged with Jefferson in 2017.

Following graduation, Thackrah worked for DuPont for over 41 years in the textile dyes, colored pigments and specialty chemicals businesses. He began his career as a textile dyes technical representative and salesman and retired in 1994 as the business director of the Performance Products Business Division.

Since retirement, Thackrah has taken a keen interest in the stock market and investing. He shares his wisdom and personal portfolio management style with students as a guest lecturer once or twice each year for Jefferson professor Tim Mooney’s “Personal Financial Planning” class. In addition to this transformative gift, Thackrah has also regularly supported student scholarships at Jefferson, and established the Thackrah Endowed Scholarship in 2021.

“I attribute a great deal of my success to my Philadelphia Textile Institute education,” said Thackrah. “I have been an active stock market investor for over 70 years, and when I learned that Thomas Jefferson University wanted to add a Capital Market Research Laboratory, I knew I wanted to contribute and give Jefferson students a competitive edge. I look forward to the opening of the Thackrah Capital Markets Research Laboratory and the knowledge and experience it will provide.”