After receiving a $25 million endowment, San Diego State University renamed its College of Business Administration, the Fowler College of Business Administration. The new name is in honor of local philanthropist and San Diego Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler and his wife, Alexis, who pledged the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the university. The gift will go toward providing scholarships and professorships as well as toward developing a lecture series, offering international experiences, and expanding the programming for SDSU business students.
As for the naming, it’s the first time in SDSU’s history that a college has been named.
“In naming our first academic college, we recognize that the Fowlers’ legacy will benefit students, faculty and staff for generations to come,” said Elliot Hirshman, SDSU’s President, in a press release. And the gift isn’t done giving. It was established as a matching gift, which challenges university supporters to raise an additional $25 million for the college. More than $2 million has already been matched.
For the Fowlers, the contribution was the right move. Alexis Fowler was a graduate of SDSU’s College of Business Administration, and Ron Fowler had already helped various other SDSU programs including entrepreneurship, hospitality, tourism management, scholarships and more. All the couple had to do was look at the business school to see why it deserved their donation.
“I think the business school needs a boost. And what does it need? It needs funds for scholarships. It needs money to help attract and retain quality faculty. And we’re doing it in the form of a challenge,” Fowler said.
Students can expect a myriad of opportunities to arise thanks to the gift. One such opportunity includes The Fowler Scholars Program, which will provide scholarships and programmatic opportunities for business students with interest in entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development.
“Ron and Alexis’ gift will transform our College of Business Administration,” said Hirshman. “All of us at San Diego State are blessed to have the Fowlers’ friendship, support and guidance.”
Other experiences that will come as a result of the gift include:
- The Fowler Professorships, which will recruit faculty members who bring innovative perspectives.
- The Fowler Lectureship Series, which will bring a visiting faculty member to campus for an interactive experience.
- The Fowler International Experience, which will assist students who are interested in international business with international internships and study.