Terry Lanni

Message from the President 

July 15, 2011

Dear LMU Community:

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of J. Terrence “Terry” Lanni, a generous benefactor whose leadership helped guide the university. Terry passed away July 14 at the age of 68.

Terry served on the LMU Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1998, including serving as chairman from 1993 to 1998. He was on the Board of Regents from 1978 to 1990, of which he was chairman from 1982 to 1983. He also served on the Campaign Steering Committee. His LMU connections include his wife, Debbie, who has been an LMU trustee since 2006 and serves on the College of Communication and Fine Arts Council and the Trustee Academic Affairs Committee. The J. Terrence Lanni Family Foundation Scholarship was established in 2004 to benefit deserving and talented middle income students in the fine and performing arts in the College of Communication and Fine Arts. In November 2007, the Lannis were honored with the President’s Award and the Medallion of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Loyola High School of Los Angeles.

Terry had a long, successful career as a businessman, serving as chairman and chief executive of MGM Grand and MGM Mirage for 13 years until he retired in November 2008. He was also a board director of KB Home. Before he joined MGM Grand, Terry was a senior executive for 18 years with Caesar’s World in Las Vegas. Terry’s leadership skills were also utilized as a director of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; a trustee of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation; an overseer of USC’s Keck School of Medicine; and a trustee of Santa Clara University. Terry earned a bachelor of science in business from USC in 1965.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, at Holy Family Church, 1527 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030.

Please keep Terry, Debbie, their sons Sean and Patrick, and the entire Lanni family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

David W. Burcham
President