Washington: A top private US varsity has named its first business school after an Indian American real estate tycoon in the Midwest. Rockford University announced the creation of the Puri Business School in recognition of a USD 5 million contribution to the varsity by First Rockford Group Founder and President Sunil Puri, 1982 alumnus and 2013 recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university. Puri Business School is the first named school at the University. "It is important to my family and me, that the Puri Business School offers not only an exemplary space where students, faculty and the community can interact and innovate, but where significant programmatic and curricular advances that will deepen the University's commitment to advance the university and partner in the economic revival of this region," Puri said.
"The liberal arts education I received at Rockford College significantly contributed to my success and the Puri Business School is my way of paying it forward," he added. The event was attended by Senator Dick Durbin, last week. "I am pleased to honor my friend Sunil Puri for his commitment to Rockford University as we dedicate the Puri Business School," he said. "In 1979, Sunil came to Rockford University with virtually no money or proper transcripts, but he did come with hope and tenacity.
Rockford University gave him a chance and today on his birthday no less—he’s made it clear that he hasn't forgotten the role the school played in his success," he added. University President Robert L Head said, "from the minute he stepped on this campus as an undergrad more than 35 years ago, a fire sparked inside him that still burns bright." Expressing his utmost gratitude, Head said as a dedicated Trustee and tireless advocate for Rockford University, Sunil has had occasion to and has proudly promoted and protected the interests of the university.
"Sunil's is a shared vision with the University to establish a school of business that will not only be envied but provide our students with a superior educational experience that prepares them for success," he said. The new business school will include Economics, Business and Accounting (EBA) programs, along with ancillary business related activities of the University, a media release said. Born in Mumbai, Puri immigrated to the US in 1979 to attend what was then called Rockford College, where he graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
