What does a Miami Beach resident and a west coast university have in common? $17.5 million. That’s the amount Miami Beach resident Andrew Barowsky gave to Dominican University of California last month – a record endowment for the 124- year-old school.
The gift will establish the Andrew P. Barowsky School of Business, create the Françoise O. Lepage Center for Global Innovation, which will help expand the University’s international programming, and introduce a series of long-term upgrades to the campus through the Acacia Project. When fully realized, the gift will mean $25 million in new revenue to the University.
“Andrew Barowsky’s gift is unique, as it is not funding just one building or one program,” said University President Mary B. Marcy. “He is investing in creating an important new vision that will ensure that every student’s education leads not simply to a successful career but to a purposeful, effective life.”
The gift also will enable Dominican to engage the entire campus in supporting the personal and career development of their students. Dominican will open an Integrated Advising Center to establish a holistic system of intellectual and professional support. Faculty, staff, and advisors will be cross-trained to guide students from the day they first make contact with Dominican and continuing throughout their professional lives.
Currently, Mr. Barowsky serves as the chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, a position he has held since 2004. He decided to help make a difference by joining the board after his business partner’s sister and Dominican University professor Françoise Lepage, encouraged him to get involved.
“I wanted to lead Dominican to a special place within higher education,” he said. “With President Marcy at the helm, I knew we would have a great opportunity that I couldn’t squander. President Marcy has great vision and is a great leader. Dominican will provide students with an education they deserve and an education that is urgently needed for students who represent our hope for the future.”
Formerly, Mr. Barowsky served as president, treasurer, and CEO of Auburn, Maine-based Lepage Bakeries, Inc. from 1977 until 2012 when the company was sold to Georgia-based Flower Foods. Lepage Bakeries continues to operate under its current name as a part of Flowers Foods’ DSD segment and Barowsky serves as both co-chairman of the board of Lepage Bakeries and as vice chairman of innovation for Flowers Foods.
