The Fowler Challenge

Ron and Alexis Fowler see the potential on Montezuma Mesa. The potential of a successful football program to transform an athletic department. The potential of a top-ranked academic program to transform a university. And, the potential of San Diego State to transform lives.

Their vision of SDSU’s potential has been the impetus for more than three decades of the time, talent and treasure they have dedicated to San Diego State.

Most recently, the Ranch Santa Fe couple pledged $5 million over five years to SDSU’s Athletics Excellence Fund. The pledge comes in the form of a challenge: to realize the gift, SDSU must raise a corresponding $5 million during those five years. The matching gifts can support any area of athletics, including scholarships for student-athletes.

As of Jan. 15, 2011, the Athletics Excellence Fund had raised more than $1.7 million in challenge funds, a sure sign that the Fowlers’ gift is unifying the community in support of athletics and academic excellence at SDSU.

“It’s a proven fact that a winning football team returns revenue to the university, not only in increased giving to athletics, but also in the form of academic and scholarship support,” Ron Fowler said.

The Fowlers’ philanthropic support of SDSU, including this latest gift, is close to $10 million. In 1986, Ron founded SDSU’s acclaimed Entrepreneurial Management Center, a program consistently ranked as among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Other gifts from the couple have supported the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center and scholarships for student-athletes.  

Along with their passion for San Diego State, the Fowlers share a keen sense of business savvy.

They have an uncanny ability to
step forward at the perfect moment and
make a gift where it will have the greatest impact.

A successful businessman and philanthropist, Ron has served as chairman of Liquid Investments — a local beverage holding company since 1980. During this time, he’s also chaired the Padres Task Force for a new ballpark and the 2003 Super Bowl Host Committee, both of which brought millions into San Diego.

In 1999, SDSU President Stephen Weber asked Ron to become the first chair of the Campanile Foundation, SDSU’s philanthropic auxiliary. Fowler helped shape the new board into an effective fundraising organization, which has secured more than $600 million in private gifts over the past decade.  

Alexis is a successful CPA who earned a Masters of Accounting from SDSU in 1993. She served as an adjunct faculty member, teaching undergraduate classes in the areas of financial and managerial accounting.  

Additionally, she has served as a consultant to the San Diego Padres Ballpark Task Force which resulted in the public approval and construction of PETCO Park. Known for her support of education at all levels, she is a board member of SDSU’s Campanile Foundation.

The strong feeling of appreciation between the Fowlers and San Diego State is mutual. In 2006, the Fowlers were awarded “Monty” awards for their distinguished service to SDSU. Also for his many contributions, Ron received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) from SDSU in 2005.

“Few people can say they have transformed a university,” said Weber. “That is exactly what Ron and Alexis have accomplished here at San Diego State. They have an uncanny ability to step forward at the perfect moment and make a gift where it will have the greatest impact. We are indebted to them for their creativity, vision and support.”

To learn more about SDSU’s Football Excellence Fund and other ways to support SDSU with a private gift, visit  www.sdsu.edu/giving.