Inside Business February 2006

New Year Donations Bring Real Estate Program Gifts Total to Over $2 Million

In January, the college announced that its Real Estate Program was the recipient of two $100,000 pledges from local real estate developer Ure Kretowicz of Cornerstone Communities and the San Diego Foundations H.G. Fenton Company Fund. The gifts will go toward attracting and retaining high quality faculty in the Real Estate Program.

“Donations like this are essential to bringing the Real Estate Program to its fullest potential,” said Gail Naughton, dean of the university’s College of Business Administration. “As the program continues to grow and improve, so will the quality of education our students receive, continuing the College’s standard of excellence and reputation as one of San Diego’s leaders in education.”

Chairman of the Board and CEO of Cornerstone Communities Ure Kretowicz said, “It has been said that “To acquire knowledge one must study.... to acquire wisdom one must observe.” Understanding the important balance of study with observation, Dianne and I, on behalf of Cornerstone Communities are committed to improving San Diego's living environment through the creation of well planned neighborhood and housing alternatives. With that commitment comes the responsibility to support the knowledge base of our young entrepreneurs who may enter our industry's talent pool. Cornerstone is pleased to provide a portion of the sponsorship necessary for San Diego State University's Real Estate program to answer that challenge.”

Cornerstone Communities covers the full spectrum of the homebuilding field. With homes throughout California, its commitment to customer warranty, innovative product design, and fiscal efficiency has made Cornerstone a leader in California’s residential industry. Supporting community activities designed to bring back neighborhood pride, it is committed to only building the best.

Mike Neal, president of H.G. Fenton Company, says he considers SDSU to be a major and positive influence in the direction of San Diego through its exceptional educational focus on the business and community leaders of tomorrow.

“H.G. Fenton Company believes that as a leader in the San Diego real estate industry it has a responsibility to create business and residential communities thoughtfully and with a focus on preserving San Diego’s quality of life for future generations,” said Neal, a graduate of SDSU’s College of Business. “To ensure that our industry has the knowledge, talent and resources to accomplish these goals, H.G. Fenton Company is helping to prepare the future leaders of San Diego County through its investment in educational programs that build employment-related skills as well as critical thinking and leadership abilities. Under the direction of dean Gail Naughton, the SDSU Real Estate Program will play a key role in the economic future of our region through its education of our community’s future leadership. We encourage other companies to join us in supporting SDSU’s commitment to educational excellence.”

Several corporate partners have made substantial contributions recently to the SDSU Real Estate Program bringing recent total gifts to $2 million. Contributors include The Corky McMillin Companies, Grubb & Ellis/BRE Commercial, the Warwick family, Barratt American, Inc., Stephen and Michele Coslik and Cornerstone Communities.

Invitrogen Distinguished Lecture Series to Feature Renowned Management Expert Dr. C.K. Prahalad

This year’s Invitrogen Distinguished Lecture Series, to be held on March 21, will feature Dr. C.K. Prahalad as its guest speaker.

Prahalad, a Harvey C. Fruehauf Professor of Business Administration & Professor of Corporate Strategy and International Business at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, is a globally known figure and has consulted with the top management of many of the world's foremost companies. His research specializes in corporate strategy and the role and value added of top management in large, diversified, multinational corporations.

In 2005, Prahalad was named on Suntop Media’s “Thinkers 50” list, which ranks the most influential living management thinkers around the world. Prahalad came in third, between Microsoft founder, Bill Gates and management guru Tom Peters.

He is also the author of a number of well known works in corporate strategy, including the international best seller The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits, which has been hailed as one of the most important business books in recent years.

The annual Invitrogen Distinguished Lecture Series highlights Invitrogen Corporation’s investment in the local community and its commitment to higher education in the life sciences and business.

In 2004, Invitrogen Corporation of Carlsbad joined with SDSU to establish the first joint Ph.D.-MBA program in the nation that focuses both degrees in the life sciences and features direct involvement with biotech companies. Teaming up with Invitrogen Corporation and other biotechnology industry giants, the program curriculum prepares life scientists for careers in a swiftly advancing biotechnology industry.

The Series will be held Tuesday, March 21 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Aztec Athletics Center Auditorium. For additional information, please call 619-594-2308.