SRU unveils Haverlack College of Business
SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University on Thursday unveiled the Haverlack College of Business. The college was made possible by a $5 million gift — the largest in university’s 136-year history — from Elliott Haverlack, an alumni who is also a current student, and his wife, Rhonda.
The Haverlack College of Business, the first named college at the university, is located in the Eisenberg Classroom Building.
An audience gathered outside to hear from Haverlack, SRU president Karen Riley, State System of Higher Education Board of Governors chairwoman Cindy Shapira and Haverlack College of Business dean Prasad Vemala. The Butler County commissioners were among the officials who attended the unveiling.
Haverlack, 67, graduated in 1980 with a degree in environmental science and lives near the university. He is enrolled in SRU’s Master of Business Administration program. His son is also an alumni.
He is a retired executive in the consumer packaged goods industry and a three-time bestselling author. He spoke at last year’s commencement. An event that included the first graduating class of the Haverlack College of Business.
“Today is about opportunity. Today is about education. Today is about education’s singular ability to lift people beyond their circumstances,” Haverlack said. “This story began with hard work, with faith, with belief in opportunity and with the understanding education is one of the most powerful forces for changing the trajectory of a life.”
He said business is about more than the bottom line.
“Business, when practiced correctly, is not merely about profit. It’s about stewardship. It’s about service. A business education carries responsibility to lead ethically, to treat people with dignity and to build organizations that endure; and to measure success not only by earnings, but by impact,” Haverlack said.
He said teachers, parents, mentors and the community help students achieve success and students’ character and willingness to serve others will define their future.
“Today we dedicate more than a building. We dedicate a doorway. A doorway to opportunity, a doorway to discovery, a doorway through which generations of students will walk, uncertain when they enter, but capable when they leave,” Haverlack said.
He said he hopes the gift will advance the image of SRU and he wants the university to be known as a great business school.
Riley recalled a day in October when the Haverlacks visited the campus for a tour and told her they were going to honor Elliott Haverlack’ father Frank’s memory with the gift.
“That day, like a spark ignited a flame that will burn into the future in perpetuity,” Riley said. “Elliott and Rhonda are fire starters, ironically the name of one of Elliott’s books.”
She said Haverlack told her she now has the responsibility to prepare students to have purposes in life in addition to careers.
“In front of this audience, I agree to uphold that responsibility,” Riley said.
Vemala described the Haverlacks’ gift as “transformational” and said it elevates SRU to a first choice institution.
“The return on this investment will be measured in lives changed, careers launched and leaders developed over decades,” Vemala said.
Shapira said philanthropy is critical for public universities and expanding opportunities for students. State System of Higher Education universities receive most of their revenue from a state allocation and tuition, but philanthropy can play an important role, she said.
“Philanthropy is the essential third leg of support for our students and for the vision of our universities,” Shapira said.
She said philanthropy is the desire to create opportunities for the next generation and the spirit of giving back is essential to the universities.
