91��Ƭ�� Emeritus Professor of Marketing Donates $2 Million to University

Eric Shaw

By lisa metcalf | 12/8/2021

91��Ƭ�� has received an estate gift pledge of more than $2 million from College of Business emeritus professor Eric Shaw ’72, ’73, Ph.D. This generous gift will benefit various athletics, business, arts and letters, and other university programs, and makes Shaw the largest 91��Ƭ�� faculty or staff donor in the university’s history, after former assistant professor Dick Schmidt ’71.

“Dr. Eric Shaw has actively mentored and inspired students at 91��Ƭ�� for more than 40 years,” said Chris Delisio, vice president for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the 91��Ƭ�� Foundation. “In making this gift, he continues his legacy of caring and inspiration by supporting the excellence of 91��Ƭ��’s students in perpetuity through his planned endowments. We are incredibly grateful for his kind generosity.”

To reward and recognize meritorious 91��Ƭ�� student-athletes, as well as other students who demonstrate academic excellence in various fields of research, business, and other areas throughout the university, the gift will fund the creation of the following awards and endowments:

Eric H. Shaw Student Athlete Excellence in Academic Performance Award
Eric H. Shaw – 91��Ƭ�� Wave Excellence in Innovation Award
Eric H. Shaw 3MT® Championship Award Endowment Fund
Hersker, Shaw, Gosser Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship Award
Eric H. Shaw OURI Symposium Excellence Award
Eric H. Shaw Concerto and Aria Excellence in Performance Award
Eric H. Shaw Veterans Florida Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
Eric H. Shaw Ph.D. in Business Dissertation Award

“My 50 years at 91��Ƭ��, first as an undergraduate student and now as emeritus professor, make me feel like I’ve grown up with the university,” said Shaw. “I am forever grateful to 91��Ƭ�� for providing me an excellent education, providing terrific mentors and talented colleagues to work with, exceptional students with bright eager minds to share knowledge, and offering me so many opportunities for personal and professional growth. It is a privilege and my great pleasure to give back by making a small contribution to this great university in its ‘race to excellence.’”

An alumnus of 91��Ƭ��, Shaw received his B.B.A. in 1972 and M.B.A. in 1973, and then was invited to join the 91��Ƭ�� faculty as an instructor of marketing. Shaw earned his Ph.D. at Temple University and has taught on the faculties of Rutgers University and the University of Miami. After returning to 91��Ƭ�� in 1982, he served as associate dean of the College of Business, acting director of the School of Industry Studies and as the chairman of the marketing department for 15 years. Shaw also served five years as the faculty athletics representative to the NCAA. He is a past president of the faculty senate, and a former board member of the 91��Ƭ�� Alumni Association, as well as the 91��Ƭ�� Foundation Board and 91��Ƭ��’s Board of Trustees.

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