$238 million gifted to date by alumnus Jay H. Shidler to business college celebrating its diamond anniversary
This year holds special significance as the Shidler College of Business (Shidler) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa celebrates its 75th diamond anniversary.
Over the decades, and under the current leadership of Dean Vance Roley, the college has become a symbol of innovation, excellence and leadership in business education and has transformed lives, driven economic growth and nurtured business and community leaders who have made significant contributions across the globe.
The college was named in 2006 after alumnus Jay H. Shidler, founder and managing partner of The Shidler Group. Since his initial gift of $25 million in 2006, Shidler has given approximately $238 million to the college in cash, land leases and in-kind donations. His contributions represent both the largest individual donation in the university’s 110-year history and the second-largest known gift to any U.S. business school at a public university.
In reflecting on the college’s rich history, success is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment of our students, faculty and staff, alumni, and business and community partners.
“I’m most proud of the success of our alumni — that’s number one. Number two, the success of our faculty,” Roley said. “Our alumni have had a great impact in the community here in Hawaiʻi. And the single biggest event for the college in the last 75 years, I believe, has been Jay Shider’s transformative gifts. That has just changed the college forever.”
Boasting over 45,000 alumni across the globe, with large concentrations in Hawai‘i and the West Coast, as well as abroad in Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Alongside Jay H. Shidler, some of the prominent members of the community include: Chamber Commerce of Hawaii President and CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara, L&L Drive-Inn and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue restaurants founder and CEO Eddie Flores, Jr., aio Group Chairman and CEO Duane Kurisu and UH regent and Hawaii Dental Service President and CEO Diane Paloma.
In 2024, ranking among the top 20 in the nation in international business programs and in the top 100 for the full-time Master of Business Administration category by U.S. News & World Report. Shidler is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and is the only AACSB graduate business program in Hawai‘i.
Providing over $1 million annually in merit-based scholarship monies to deserving students.
Placing approximately 500 student internships in Hawai‘i, the continental U.S. and internationally, annually.
Placing over 88% of graduates within their desired industry within three months of graduation, or pursuing an advanced degree.
Since rejoining the college in 2019, the School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) has:
Ranked 18th in the U.S. and 49th in the world for Hospitality and Tourism Management by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy in 2023.
Ranked 15th in the U.S. and 46th in the world in 2024 by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
Raised over $1.5 million in new student scholarships and $500,000 for study abroad.
Shidler is also home to the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE), which is operating entrepreneurship and innovation programs at UH, including the newly opened Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. PACE highlights and programs include:
Expansion to the new Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center — a live-learn-work community for changemakers and entrepreneurs in Hawai’i — which opened in 2023. The state-of-the-art facility houses over 370 students, with access to co-working space, meeting rooms, maker spaces and educational programs that include mentorship, startup training, skills development and funding.
Since RISE opened, PACE inspired 100+ startup ideas, granted over $250,000 in awards and scholarships, provided over 750+ hours of mentorship, engaged 180+ volunteers and offered 130+ events and activities.
Under PACE, The Family Business Center of Hawai‘i (FBCH) is dedicated to equipping and educating families in business. The center supports over 65 family businesses, with chapters on Oahu, Maui and Hawai’i Island.