Promoting talent, creating knowledge
This philanthropy column by Donald Tillman was first published in ETH Zurich’s Globe Magazine in March 2025.
An active champion of highly gifted but financially disadvantaged students, Peter Josef Wild has long been a strong supporter of ETH Zurich’s Scholarship & Opportunity Programme. After graduating from ETH in Electrical Engineering, he went on to play a pivotal role in the development of LCD-based flat screens. He also contributes to knowledge in other ways. As an avid Wikipedian, Wild has penned some 300 entries for the online encyclopedia – entirely on a voluntary basis, as is customary on the collaborative platform. Thanks to his efforts, the ETH Foundation and the Rössler Prize, administered by the Foundation, both have their very own Wikipedia page.
In the course of a long career, Wild’s drive and innovative spirit have twice taken him to the US – first to Silicon Valley and later to San Francisco, both times for a spell of several years. Despite these international sojourns, his bond to ETH has remained steadfast. Loyalty of this kind can take many different forms, and we truly appreciate all the creative ways in which our benefactors show their commitment to our cause!
