What's In A Name? UVic's New Peter B. Gustavson School of Business

In recognition of his philanthropy and support, the University of Victoria is renaming the Faculty of Business to the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business. This is the first time in UVic’s history that a faculty is being named after an individual.

“Peter Gustavson’s support over the years has had a tremendous impact on our ability to attract the most promising students to our business program,” says UVic President Dr. David Turpin. “Peter’s name is synonymous with integrity and entrepreneurial excellence. We’re very proud to be able to thank him for his generosity by naming the Faculty of Business after him.”

Gustavson has been involved with the Faculty of Business since 2003 as an employer, member of its advisory board, executive-in-residence and chair of the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award event that he helped establish in 2004.

“I am extremely honoured and humbled to have my name associated with a business school that has such an outstanding reputation,” says Gustavson. “It’s my hope that my association with the Faculty of Business at UVic will help inspire graduates to aim high, dream big and, when they’re in a position to do so, give back to both to the university and society.”

Head of Gustavson Capital Corporation, a private equity firm that invests in small businesses, Gustavson recently acquired a majority stake in clothing manufacturer Marv Holland Apparel. Gustavson is the founder of Custom House, a Victoria-based global foreign exchange payments company. He sold the company in 2009 to Western Union.

“Peter Gustavson is a highly successful entrepreneur with an international mindset, a leader and visionary,” says Dr. Ali Dastmalchian, dean of business. “With our unique brand of business education, and Peter’s name and ongoing support, we will take this school to a new level of excellence.”

Gustavson’s March 2010 gift of $10 million is among the largest received by the university and the most substantial received by the 20 year old business school. The funds will be used to finance scholarships, professorships and research, and to support innovation in student programs, all of which will help to ensure the Gustavson School of Business remains competitive with schools across Canada and internationally.

The Peter B. Gustavson School of Business delivers a cohort-based, experiential and international education specializing in entrepreneurship, international business and service management. It offers a BCom degree, an MBA, a Master of Global Business, a PhD in International Management and Organization, and a Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Entrepreneurship. More information is available online at www.gustavson.uvic.ca.

•  See video highlights from the naming announcement visit

 

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