Thomas Sovereign Gates (March 21, 1873 – April 8, 1948) was an American investment banker and educator.
Gates was heavily involved in plans for the development of the new Valley Forge campus for the University; however, the idea was eventually dropped in favor of expanding Penn's West Philadelphia campus, not before currying strong support.
[2] Gates seemed to have partially foreseen America's involvement in the Second World War when creating a position of University Committee on National Defense and started a defense training program within the university's engineering school.
[2] Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Gates oversaw the use of the university campus as a training ground for American troops.
He also worked to create a committee to oversee an overhaul of part-time courses and women's education systems.