SDSU Receives $10 Million to Name School of Accountancy

San Diego State University has received a $10 million gift to name the university's nationally recognized school of accountancy the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy. The gift, among the largest in university history, was made by Gertrude Lamden in honor of her late husband who was instrumental in launching SDSU's College of Business Administration.

"The naming of the School of Accountancy is transformational for San Diego State," said SDSU President Stephen L. Weber. "This gift will ensure that Charles Lamden's powerful legacy of high academic and business standards will continue for many generations of students and faculty to come."

SDSU's School of Accountancy was the first accredited accounting program in the state of California. The school's students are frequently among the top performers on the CPA exam nationally and several have the Gold Medal for the top score in the country. With final approval of the naming by the California State University Trustees this September, the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy will become SDSU’s first named school in its 111-year history.

"I am pleased to present this gift to SDSU on behalf of my parents and the entire Lamden family," said Dr. William "Bill" Lamden, son of Dr. Charles Lamden. "It was my father's hope that one day the SDSU School of Accountancy, to which he had dedicated so much of his life and energy, would share in his success by bearing his name and legacy."

Dr. Charles Lamden began his academic career at SDSU in 1946. From 1954 to 1965, he served as professor, chair of the management and accounting departments, and as the college's first dean. Dr. Lamden was largely responsible for the school's accreditation in 1959. After a stint as senior partner at KPMG's Paris office from 1965 to 1977, Dr. Lamden returned to teach at SDSU where he was bestowed numerous honors and awards, including two times as "Outstanding Professor" as voted by SDSU students. Dr. Lamden retired from SDSU in 1991. He died May 9, 1992 at the age of 75. He was survived by his two children, Dr. William Lamden and Dr. Carol Lamden Corby; his wife, Gertrude, whose accomplishments are equally as impressive; and by four grandchildren, including Allison Corby, Michelle Corby, Leah Lamden and Charles "Chaz" Lamden.

"As a scholar, professional and global businessman, Dr. Lamden embraced everything the School of Accountancy aspires to," said Dr. Sharon Lightner, the William E. Cole Director of the SDSU School of Accountancy. "It is only fitting that the school will now be named for the man who has left his mark for excellence at SDSU."

After studying accounting at SDSU, Gertrude Lamden became the first female certified public accountant at Everts and Esenoff, which later merged with KPMG. While Mrs. Lamden was a manager at both firms, she also found time to become a successful real estate entrepreneur. Her achievements in this field were an important element in making the gift to SDSU possible.

"Dr. Lamden's selfless dedication to the SDSU’s School of Accountancy and the College of Business Administration has been instrumental in setting an outstanding set of professional standards for our faculty and our students," said Dr. Gail Naughton, dean of SDSU's College of Business Administration. "It is through this generous gift from the Lamden family that the School of Accountancy will continue Charles Lamden's legacy of excellence in perpetuity."