New Support for College of Business Administration
Former San Diego Gas and Electric Chairman Thomas Page has endowed the college deans position.
A gift from San Diegan Thomas Page will create the first endowed position for an academic dean at San Diego State University.
The endowment supports the dean’s position at SDSU’s College of Business Administration, established in 1955 and still one of the largest business schools in Southern California.
“This generous gift will enable us to be more competitive in attracting a top-notch candidate as we search for a new dean for the College of Business Administration,” said Chukuka Enwemeka, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
“Work-ready” graduates
The Thomas and Evelyn Page Dean of the College of Business Administration Endowment is the second major gift from Page to SDSU. In 2014, he donated funds to construct the Page Pavilion, a suite of meeting and conference rooms within the newly remodeled college.
Although Page is not an SDSU alumnus, “I feel like I am,” he said. During his years as chairman, president and CEO of San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E), the company hired hundreds of Aztecs skilled in engineering, accounting and communications.
“SDSU graduates are work-ready, and that’s important to an employer,” said Page, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in industrial administration from Purdue University.
Positive trajectory
Page, a long-time member of the College of Business Administration advisory board, said naming endowments supporting faculty and dean positions signal that donors value the university’s academic mission. Endowments build long-term strength and financial stability to secure SDSU’s future growth.
“San Diego State and its College of Business are on a positive trajectory with the potential to achieve even greater results and recognition,” Page said. “I hope my gift will be a catalyst for attracting additional endowments.”
Mary Ruth Carleton, vice president of University Relations and Development, said supporting faculty and deans has always been a top priority of The Campaign for SDSU.
“We are grateful that Tom Page has endorsed our strategy to build an even stronger College of Business Administration," she said.
The Campaign for SDSU began in 2007 as an effort to generate philanthropic support for SDSU students, faculty, staff and programs. More than 165,000 donors have contributed to The Campaign for SDSU, including 126 who have given $1 million or more.
