Western Michigan University Receives $17 Million Donation for Business School

The Haworth College of Business will use the funds to expand financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship programs.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:26am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of business textbooks, a laptop, and a pen arranged elegantly on a clean, white seamless background, conceptually representing the academic and professional development focus of the Haworth College of Business donation.A transformative $17 million gift will bolster experience-driven learning and career readiness at Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business.Kalamazoo Today

The Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University has received a $17 million donation, the largest gift in the school's history. The funds will support 'experience-driven learning' initiatives, including financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship programs, as well as innovation-focused programming in Silicon Valley. The donation comes from the estate of California commercial real estate developer Stan Lucas, who had no prior affiliation with the university.

Why it matters

This transformative gift will significantly impact business students at Western Michigan University, providing them with enhanced opportunities for hands-on learning, professional development, and entrepreneurial experiences. The donation reflects the Haworth College of Business's strong reputation and its ability to attract support from outside the local community.

The details

The $17 million donation will fund several key initiatives at the Haworth College of Business, including financial literacy programs, a career readiness program that supports students throughout their time at the college, and expanded entrepreneurship offerings. The funds will also provide scholarships for first-generation students and expand dual-enrollment opportunities.

  • The donation was announced on April 8, 2026.
  • The gift had been under wraps for months as it moved from the Stan Lucas Trust to the university.
  • The total donation is expected to grow to $20-21 million as more of Lucas' properties are sold.

The players

Satish Deshpande

The dean of the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University.

Dan Grady

Co-trustee of the Stan Lucas Trust and a Western Michigan University graduate.

Russ Kavalhuna

The president of Western Michigan University.

Dick and Matthew Haworth

The family after whom the Haworth College of Business is named.

Stan Lucas

A California commercial real estate developer who died in January 2025 and left $600 million to be divided among four charities, including Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business.

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What they’re saying

“This gift will significantly impact our business students through several initiatives like expressions-driven learning, student support services and professional development programming.”

— Satish Deshpande, Dean of the Haworth College of Business

“(Lucas) believed deeply in supported state-sponsored institutions and the students who attended them. Western Michigan checked all the boxes that Stan wishes: strong entrepreneurship program, a belief in capitalism … (and) a clear vision to develop students as future leaders. Western Michigan's truly a special place — one of higher education's best-kept secrets, I believe.”

— Dan Grady, Co-trustee of the Stan Lucas Trust

“Whether it's your student arriving here and paying tuition, whether it's your business employing our graduates, this is a $17 million investment from someone who didn't even know Western Michigan University, who is from the West Coast and is an entrepreneur. That is how successful the Haworth College of Business is.”

— Russ Kavalhuna, President of Western Michigan University

What’s next

The university plans to use the donation to expand its financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship programs, as well as innovation-focused offerings in Silicon Valley. The total donation is expected to grow as more of Stan Lucas' properties are sold.

The takeaway

This transformative gift to Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business demonstrates the school's strong reputation and ability to attract support from outside the local community. The funds will provide enhanced opportunities for business students to gain hands-on, experience-driven learning in key areas like financial literacy, career development, and entrepreneurship.