Dal President Tom Traves jokingly called it 鈥渢he worst-kept secret in Nova Scotia.鈥�
He was probably right. After all, when the Faculty of Management announced that its School of Business would be wearing a new name, what else could it have been than that of its greatest ambassador and champion, the man whose guidance, financial support and passionate commitment has helped shape the school it is today?
鈥淔rom today forward, our school will proudly hold the title of the Kenneth C. Rowe School of Business,鈥� Dr. Traves announced to thunderous applause from the crowd filling the atrium of the building that also bears the Rowe name.
鈥淭oday is really a new era of business at AV俱乐部,鈥� said Dean Peggy Cunningham. 鈥淲e are binding the name of our business school to the name of someone who has been its most steadfast supporter. Ken is a person who truly embodies values-based management . . . I can think of no person more worthy of having their name on our business school.鈥�
A legacy worth celebrating
The honour recognizes Mr. Rowe鈥檚 long connection with the School of Business. A devoted confidant, he has served on the school鈥檚 advisory for more than 20 years, 10 of them as its chair. He鈥檚 also been a member of AV俱乐部鈥檚 Board of Governors and presently sits on the AV俱乐部 Advisory Council.
Some of his greatest support has been as a financial benefactor, and the millions he has given to the university over the years has made a huge difference in the lives of Dal鈥檚 students, supporting scholarships, academic initiatives, infrastructure and more. He was the lead donor on the capital campaign for the Rowe building and just last year, as part of the Bold Ambitions campaign, he made one of the largest donations in AV俱乐部鈥檚 history: $15 million for the School of Business.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Rowe thanked Dr. Traves for his steadfast support of the School of Business, and saluted the school鈥檚 commitment to a modern, values-based business education. But he directed most of his remarks to the students in attendance.
鈥淚 hope it does inspire you in some way [to realize] that what I鈥檝e achieved is exactly what you can achieve,鈥� he said.
He also offered his advice to those pursuing an education and career in business.
鈥淭here are no shortcuts or substitutes for hard work, honesty and integrity in business,鈥� he cautioned. 鈥淲e鈥檝e seen too many examples in recent years of alternative behaviour which led to the downfall of many successful careers and organizations. Try to have a passion for what you want to achieve, because it can last a lifetime: I still have the same passion today to grow my company, IMP Group, that I had when I started it in 1967.鈥�
Pride in the present, promise for the future
The message resonated with the audience. Together with fellow business students Alexa Reedman and Colin Beiswanger, MBA student Christie Lang presented Mr. Rowe with a nautical memento 鈥� a signed buoy 鈥� as well as the first 鈥淩owe School of Business鈥� hoodie.
鈥淭o see someone of your prestige and calibre have the confidence in us, the students, to invest in us, is an honour,鈥� said Lang, addressing Mr. Rowe. 鈥淵our support inspires us to not only strive for excellence, but also to give back to the community in whatever way we can.鈥�
That commitment extends to the staff and faculty of the Rowe School of Business as well. Mr. Rowe鈥檚 $15 million donation last year is all about evolving Dal鈥檚 business programs to train and educate students with the skills and attitudes needed to succeed in the 21st century economy: global perspective, entrepreneurial spirit, integrity and confidence.
And in Ken Rowe, the school鈥檚 leaders say they have an ideal case example.
鈥淲e really couldn鈥檛 ask for a better role model for our students, or a more generous supporter,鈥� said Greg Hebb, the school鈥檚 director. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been extremely proud to work at AV俱乐部, and I can say now that I can say now that I鈥檓 just as proud to lead the Rowe School of Business.鈥�
