John Biddiscombe ’63: A True Pennington Ambassador

John Biddiscombe ’63 has a distinguished history of service to The Pennington School. In 2021 he concluded an eight-year term serving as Pennington’s Alumni Association Board President and was welcomed as a new member of the Board of Trustees. He is fiercely dedicated to engaging Pennington’s alumni community and has served as a class agent, organized reunion programs, and led mentoring workshops with young graduates and students. Already a generous annual donor to the Pennington Fund, John further demonstrated his loyalty to the School when he and his wife, Abigail Gorton, became members of the Francis Harvey Green Society—naming Pennington in their estate plan.

Even more remarkable is that John’s deep gratitude and appreciation came from just one year of attending the School. He came to Pennington for an extra year of education before college. “I went from a B- or C+ student to being first in the post-graduate class, getting academic awards, and being inducted into the national honor society—which was really unusual for a one-year student,” he recalls. “Pennington made a significant difference in how I thought of myself and how seriously I took academics.”

John’s positive experience during that important year was due in large part to the attention he received from faculty members, coaches, and advisors. “It was a whole different experience than I had at my other high school,” John recalls. “Having caring and mentoring teachers makes such a difference to a young person seeking role models and an identity during the teenage years. It was amazing to have someone grab you by the arm and help lead you through the process of growing up.” He is quick to point to Harold Cressman and Paul Hausmann as two such mentors who were instrumental to his personal and academic growth. 

The decision to include Pennington in their estate plan was a natural extension of John’s gratitude for his transformational education. “I’m not exaggerating when I say that Pennington changed my life. This rewarding life of mine would never have happened without that year. This gift is one way I can leave a lasting legacy and show my deep appreciation.”

Thanks to his hard work and the positive course set forth from his Pennington experience, John had a successful career in physical education—serving for 25 years as the athletic director and chair of the physical education department at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. He retired in 2013 and, although active in many volunteer endeavors, enjoys spending quality time with his three children and seven grandchildren (with an eighth on the way).

Ever the spokesperson for his beloved alma mater, John is passionate about getting the word out to other alumni about the ease and impact of planned gifts, “I want other alumni to know how easy it is to make a planned gift at Pennington. Anyone can do it. No matter your age or your income level. These gifts let you give more and have more impact than you could possibly imagine.” 

We are so grateful for all that John has done, and continues to do, for the School and our community—he is a true Pennington ambassador and has left a lasting legacy at Pennington.