June 8, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Former Penn State field hockey and lacrosse standout Karen Bretherick Peetz (`77) was honored at the 2010 Penn State awards ceremony last weekend with a Distinguished Alumni Award. Peetz, who played for legendary coach Gillian Rattray, has made an incredible impact in the banking industry, being named the second most powerful woman in banking by U.S. Banker magazine. She was one of seven Distinguished Alumni honorees.
"[This weekend] was the experience of a lifetime for me and my extended family of Penn Staters," said Peetz. "The 2010 honorees were an impressive group with diverse backgrounds of distinction and a passion for philanthropy. Preparing for the speeches was great fun to think through the impact that Penn State has had on my life. Delivering the speeches to such willing Penn State audiences was even better. It was a humbling and moving experience."
"We're so proud of Karen and in awe of her accomplishments," said current head field hockey coach Charlene Morett, who also played with Peetz. "As a former teammate and the [current] coach of this program, we're so fortunate to have someone like Karen out there representing Penn State. It's a well-deserved honor."
Peetz is now chief executive officer, Financial Markets and Treasury Services, and senior executive vice president of the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. She is responsible for treasury services, corporate trust, depositary receipts, shareowner services, broker-dealer clearing, collateral management and alternative investment services.
A two-sport athlete, Bretherick Peetz played both field hockey (1974-76) and lacrosse (1974-77) under Rattray.
Peetz was a junior when Morett, who also played both field hockey and lacrosse, entered Penn State as a freshman.
"I was always in awe of Karen as a player and person because she really was a great competitor on the field and just a wonderful teammate," said Morett. "[She was] always supportive of the players on the field. Coming in as a freshman, I was always appreciative of her support."
Peetz was a standout off the field as well.
"[Karen was] a skillful player and beautiful passer, but most importantly, the epitome of a teammate," said Morett. "Off the field, she carried herself with such grace. With her being so successful academically, she was the ultimate student-athlete."