Peter M. Nicholas, a Duke alumnus whose volunteer leadership across more than three decades on the Board of Trustees, fundraising campaigns and school advisory boards was invaluable in advancing Duke’s teaching and research mission, died May 14 at his home in Boca Grande, FL. He was 80.
The co-founder and chairman emeritus of the board of Boston Scientific Corporation, Nicholas led for two decades one of the country’s largest producers of scientific and medical equipment. He and Ginny, his wife, were both members of the Duke Class in 1964. They maintained close ties with the university throughout the years.
The Nicholas family provided major financial support to Duke, including the gift of the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. A $25 million gift was also made to establish the Nicholas Faculty Leadership Initiative. This initiative matches gifts given to the university to support its faculty.
“Annette and I are deeply saddened by the news of Pete Nicholas’s passing,” said Duke University President Vincent Price. “From his time as a student to his service on the Board to his visionary support for the Nicholas School of the Environment and so many other initiatives, Pete has forever transformed Duke for the better.
“Perhaps his greatest legacy rests in the many lives he touched along the way—students he mentored, faculty he supported, and colleagues he advised and inspired. It was my great honor last fall to award Pete the University Medal—Duke’s highest honor—a fitting recognition for one of our most distinguished alumni and committed supporters. Our thoughts are with Ginny and his family.”
“Pete Nicholas and the Nicholas Family have left an indelible mark on Duke University and especially the Nicholas School of the Environment,” said Toddi Steelman, dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment. “With great foresight and imagination Pete encouraged and supported Duke to be bold in our vision for environmental leadership. In his memory, we continue to honor that vision as we aspire to even greater climate and environmental impact at a time when the planet is most in need.”
Nicholas was a member of Duke University’s Board of Trustees 1993-2005 and served as its chair from 2003-2005.
“As board chair, Pete Nicholas had a vision for the ways Duke could contribute to the world,” said Laurene Sperling, chair of the Board of Trustees. “His generous and transformational commitment to the Nicholas School of the Environment has made Duke a leader in environmental research, teaching, and policy. Our hearts go out to the Nicholas family as we remember Pete’s special place in the Duke family.”
University leaders said Nicholas’ work and gifts were instrumental in strengthening the university in critical areas where Duke could make valuable contributions to society. Brian Murray, director of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, said Nicholas wanted the institute to “leverage Duke’s expertise and convening power to achieve remarkable impacts at the local, national and global levels.”
“Pete understood Duke University’s potential to accelerate environmental progress, and he was relentlessly committed to realizing it,” Murray said. “We will miss his guidance, even as we continue striving to fulfill his vision.”
Nicholas served the university in many roles. He served on the Board of Trustees and was also co-chair of the Campaign for Duke steering committee, which raised over $2 billion for the university from 1998 to 2002.
He also served a term of office as the Trinity Board of Visitors chair at Duke. He was also an Annual Fund class agent, reunion chair, and a Trinity Board of Visitors chair.
Among the many honors he received at Duke, he was awarded the University Medal – Duke’s highest honor for service – in 2021 and, along with Ginny, the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.
Nicholas was also a fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences and vice chair of its Academy Trust. From 2013 to 2015, he was chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts High Technology Council. He was the chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts High Technology Council from 2013 to 2015.
Nicholas earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a MBA from Wharton School of Business.
“The Nicholases’ three children — Katherine, Peter and J.K. – and granddaughter Katherine all earned degrees from Duke. Anna, another granddaughter, is currently a Duke student.
