Bob and Teri Pruger of Bowling Green, Ohio started contributing to The Fund for American Studies in 2003. The Prugers said they were initially intrigued by the organization’s mission to identify young adults interested in public policy and to give them an in-depth grounding in liberty and free-market ideas.
A longtime fan of the Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto, Mr. Pruger’s interest was piqued when the topic of the inaugural “Fundamentals of Freedom Asia Essay Contest” for young professionals in Asia was on the economist’s work in the area of property rights. The contest was developed to expand TFAS’ reach in the region in addition to its summer institute in Hong Kong.
TFAS continuously teaches young adults to think critically and appreciate that there are certain universal truths and aspirations that transcend cultural differences,” said Mr. Pruger.
Later that year the Prugers traveled with TFAS to Greece to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the International Institute for Political and Economic Studies (IIPES), the TFAS program held each summer on the island of Crete. “We were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the students and faculty and came back to the U.S. singing the praises of The Fund.”
The Prugers live a busy life but have remained actively engaged in TFAS. Born and raised in New York, Bob is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of The Rudolph/Libbe Companies Inc. Mrs. Pruger, originally from Lynchburg, Ohio, is a retired public relations officer for Bowling Green State University. Today she works part-time for the Toledo Museum of Art in its marketing and public relations office.
The Prugers have been married for 39 years and have one son, Roger, 32. Mr. Pruger enjoys skiing, biking and reading about politics and history in his spare time, while Mrs. Pruger volunteers on numerous local community boards, including Friends of the Library and the City of Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Fund. Mr. Pruger is on the Pension Board for the United Way of Greater Toledo and a director for the Toledo Chapter of Financial Executives International. He is also a former member and vice chairman for the Ohio Arts and Sports Facilities Commission.