Note from Steve Sloan, W77
Jim Nolan, initiated into Penn Theta in 1957, prior President of the Chapter and long-time Chapter Advisor in the 1970s to 1982 passed away on August 5, 2025.
Jim was the Chapter Advisor during my active years as Penn Theta Brother 1975-1977. He lived behind the House on Delancey Street. Jim was a constant presence at the House and joined in a lot of our joyful activities while keeping us out of serious trouble and guiding us to become True Gentlemen. After his Chapter advisor tenure, Jim remained an active and generous alumni culminating in the $15,000 gift his will directed to the Chapter.
If you have specific memories of Jim’s service to University of Pennsylvania and Penn Theta SAE, I would appreciate hearing from you at [email protected]. I will publish these remembrances in a future newsletter and pass on to Jim’s descendants.
I have made a separate donation in Jim’s memory to the Chapter through the University of Pennsylvania fund earmarked for Penn Theta. Making donations in this manner make them tax deductible but there are for the exclusive use of the Chapter. I hope that you will consider making your own donation in Jim’s memory emulating his generous example.
To view information on how to give, as well as Jim’s full obituary, please keep reading below.
Any donation made to a Penn gift fund would receive a tax receipt upon payment via email. As a 501c3, Penn’s tax ID is ID/EIN: 23-1352685.
- Ways to give:
- https://pennfund.upenn.edu/give/ways-to-give/ is the main giving site. It has various options highlighted including Wire Instructions.
- A check written out to “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” can also be sent and mailed to 3933 Walnut (OFSL office), Philadelphia, PA, 19104 (ATTN Jon Bell)
- Please include the following reference on any donation: “Sigma Alpha Epsilon Preference, SAE fund #600624, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, 850-8579-1-600624-6508-0000″
- “Please also be sure to provide specific reference to the Donor Name and clearly articulate the purpose of the payment to permit our office to identify the wire and to apply proper credit to the ultimate designation.”
- Tax Advantages of Giving to Penn
- Donations to Penn, during your lifetime or through your estate plan, are tax deductible in accordance with IRS guidelines and supported by a receipt from Penn’s Treasurer’s Office. We encourage donors and their financial advisers to explore the significant tax advantages of planned gifts by contacting our Office of Gift Planning.
- Tax receipts are made out to the individual or company making the donation. For example, if a group of people collect funds together but one individual makes the gift on everyone’s behalf, only the individual making the donation would receive the tax credit.
Nolan, James A., 87, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025 encircled by the love of family and friends. Son of the late Helen and Henry Nolan, Jim is survived by first cousins Sue Ann Belina, Kathleen Smrcka, and Aurora Manuel, along with a community of numerous cousins and friends.
Born in Queens, New York, on June 28, 1938, Jim attended St Paul’s School in Garden City, emulating his cousin Charles Wagenseil, who preceded him in death. He went on to study history at the University of Pennsylvania, completing BA and MA degrees. He served as president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and, much to his surprise, became coach of the university polo team. His move to college initiated enduring affection for UPenn and the city of Philadelphia, which became the place where he built a life rich with people and culture.
After college, Jim became Director of Admissions at Penn and then founded, with several others, the Independent Educational Consultants Association. He was held in high esteem and regarded as a trendsetter in the educational field. After forming his own company, Jim Nolan & Associates, he spent the rest of his career guiding students and families, only recently winding down his business. Several clients in later years were children of students he had helped decades earlier. Tireless in ardently prioritizing students’ needs, Jim was committed to helping every young person he worked with find an educational environment where they could thrive.
Jim lived life to the fullest. His passion for family, friends, good food, fine wine, books, theater, music, and his beloved Phillies, was legendary. He was loved with gusto and will be greatly missed. The family expresses deep gratitude to all who cared for Jim in his last days, including the staff of Pennsylvania Hospital, whose care, provided with dignity and compassion, eased his journey. A celebration of life will follow. Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Jackie Robinson Foundation (75 Varick Street, 2nd Fl, NY, NY 10013), United Negro College Fund (1805 7th St, NW, Washington, DC 20001), or another group you and Jim valued.