Saint Louis University’s School of Business will be renamed the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. The university announced Tuesday that Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, the founder, chairman and CEO at ComPsych Corporation and his wife, Jill Chaifetz, have contributed $15 million to the school. The change is effective immediately.
Richard Chaifetz, a SLU alumnus and trustee, said while his gift contribution does not have set requirements, he hopes it will boost the reputation of the business school that is ranked ninth nationally in undergraduate entrepreneurship.
“I want to attract the best and the brightest faculty,” Chaifetz said. “I want to broaden the student base across the East Coast, West Coast and have additional cutting-edge programs.”
The school's entrepreneurship center will also be known as the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship. Chaifetz said when he first started, he was not formally trained in business. However, he hopes that business will have an influence in the lives of students regardless if they choose to pursue it as a career.
“I [was] self taught by going to seminars, reading books, etc.,” Chaifetz said, "and I think it’s so important for kids to be able to take business courses whether they want to be entrepreneurs or go into business or not; I think it shapes their thinking and their ability to be successful in life.”
He said he plans on taking on an active role in the school, including involvement in committees, chairing the business school board and attracting more area business and entrepreneurial leaders to work with the school.
In a news release, Dean Mark Higgins said he’s happy that Chaifetz's financial support will help further the school’s academic efforts.
“Our faculty, staff and students are especially grateful that Richard and Jill Chaifetz want their gift to go to the advancement of business programs in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business,” Dean Mark Higgins said. “Dr. Chaifetz is known around the world for his entrepreneurial successes and business acumen, and this groundbreaking gift will enhance the education of our future business leaders.”
This is the second major gift Chaifetz has made to the university. In 2007, he and his wife gave a $12 million gift to help build the Chaifetz Arena.
The school had been known as the John Cook School of Business since 2000. However, last year, Cook agreed to make the naming of the business school available to encourage other major donations.
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