Slippery Rock University officially marked a historic moment on campus today with the naming of the Haverlack College of Business, following a $5 million gift from alumni Elliott Haverlack and his wife, Rhonda Haverlack. Students, faculty, alumni and state leaders gathered to recognize what is now the largest donation in university history and the first named college at SRU.
The ceremony, held on campus, blended celebration with reflection. While the naming itself is significant, speakers throughout the event made it clear that the impact of the gift goes far beyond signage or recognition. Instead, it represents a long term investment in students and in the future of the university.
Dr. Prasad Vemala, dean of the college, opened the ceremony by calling the moment a turning point for Slippery Rock.
“We are here to celebrate a defining milestone for Slippery Rock University,” he said. “Today, we formally name our college of business, the Haverlack College of Business. The academic home for the next generation of leaders.” He described the donation as “a transformational five-million-dollar investment in our students,” emphasizing that it reflects trust in the university’s direction.
Vemala focused heavily on what the gift will mean in practice. “Today, we are not simply placing a name on a building. We are establishing a legacy,” he said. That legacy, he explained, will show up in expanded opportunities for students. “This gift expands access to hands-on learning. It strengthens connections with industry. It increases the opportunities for internships, applied projects and professional mentorship.”
He pointed to the long term effects as the true measure of the moment.
“The return on the investment will be measured in lives changed, careers launched, and leaders developed over decades,” Vemala said.
The ceremony also highlighted the college’s academic standing. Only 6% of business schools worldwide are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and SRU’s accreditation was reaffirmed in 2026. The combination of national recognition and private investment positions the college for continued growth.
University President Dr. Karen Riley described the day as one of the rare moments that define an institution.
“Today is a special day in the history of Slippery Rock University. These types of days don’t happen often,” Riley said. “They’re mile markers. They’re measuring sticks. They are visible symbols of progress, of excellence, of legacy.”
Riley reflected on her first meeting with the Haverlacks and how that relationship developed into the gift being celebrated. She described them as “fire starters,” emphasizing that their role was to begin something that the university must now sustain. “It is now our responsibility to both grow the flame and to protect the flame,” she said.
She also addressed the responsibility that comes with the investment. “The responsibility to ensure that the Haverlack College of Business prepare our students not only for a career, but also for a life of purpose.” Riley noted that the gift not only honors Elliott Haverlack’s father, Frank Haverlack, but also sets a new standard for what is possible at SRU.
Dr. Cynthia Shapira, chairwoman of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors, placed the moment in a broader context. She spoke about the increasing importance of philanthropy in public higher education and how gifts like this can shape the future of institutions.
“I like to think of it in terms of how critical philanthropy is to public universities. How it expands opportunities, and truly has the power to change the trajectory of student lives,” Shapira said. She acknowledged that while public universities have traditionally relied on state funding and tuition, philanthropy is becoming an essential part of sustaining and advancing their missions.
“Philanthropy truly changes lives. It’s not just about incredible buildings and programs… but also simply scholarships that help students be able to enroll in college and stay in college and graduate,” she added.
The most personal perspective of the event came from Samantha Johnson, a Slippery Rock student and Elliott Haverlack’s goddaughter. Her remarks shifted the focus from institutional impact to individual experience.
“When I think about my godfather, I do not just think of that title. I think of a role model, a mentor, a strong leader,” Johnson said. She spoke about the influence he has had on her life and connected it to the broader significance of the day. “That is why today is so special, because now, that same impact will extend far beyond me and my family.”
When Elliott Haverlack took the podium, his speech centered on opportunity and the role education plays in shaping lives. He began with the story of his family name, explaining that it was created “quite by accident” when an immigration officer recorded it incorrectly. Rather than viewing it negatively, his grandfather embraced it, a mindset that continues to define the family.
“Today is about opportunity. Today is about education. Today is about education’s singular ability to lift people beyond their circumstances,” Haverlack said. He emphasized that education provides the tools to change the direction of a life.
He also spoke about the responsibility that comes with a business education. “Business, when practiced correctly, is not merely about profit. It’s about stewardship. It’s about service.” His message encouraged students to think beyond traditional measures of success and focus on impact.
One of the defining moments of his speech reframed the significance of the naming itself. “Today we dedicate more than a building,” Haverlack said. “We dedicate a doorway: a doorway to opportunity, a doorway to discovery, a doorway through which generations of students will walk.”
Following the ceremony, Haverlack spoke about his decision to give in more direct terms. “It felt like the thing to do. This university created so many opportunities for me,” he said. He pointed to the support he received from faculty as a key part of his experience, explaining that professors “made [him] feel like I mattered” while also pushing him to improve.
Looking ahead, Haverlack made his goal for the college clear. “My dream is, when I say, ‘I went to Slippery Rock,’ they say, ‘that’s a great business school.’ That’s what I want. Because it is a great business school.”
He also spoke about the need for greater awareness of what SRU offers. “There’s something going on here that nobody knows about,” he said. “I want people to come here because it’s the best education.”
The naming of the Haverlack College of Business represents both recognition and responsibility for Slippery Rock University. It acknowledges the strength of the program while setting a higher standard for what it can become.
As the event concluded, one idea remained consistent across every speaker. This moment is not the end of a story. It is the beginning of a new one, shaped by the students who will carry the Haverlack name with them long after they leave campus.
