色色啦

KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 19, 2016

For years, Doug and Robin Shore have been making contributions to Kennesaw State University. Now, their names indelibly will be linked to the Michael J. Coles College of Business.

In recognition of a major financial contribution from the Shores, Kennesaw State officially will dedicate the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship Center at a ceremony on Sept. 24.

鈥淒oug and Robin Shore have a real passion for our students and for the entrepreneurial spirit being instilled in those students,鈥� said Kathy Schwaig, dean of the Coles College of Business. 鈥淲e are fortunate that these well-known entrepreneurs have taken a significant amount of their resources and invested in the passion and the mission that we have in the Center.鈥�

The Shores鈥� relationship with the Coles College began in 1999, when then-Dean Tim Mescon asked Doug to serve on its advisory board. The Shores became frequent donors to the College, including an annual scholarship they established eight years ago for deserving students in sales and marketing. The Business Press Educational Foundation (BPEF)/Joseph Shore Scholarship Fund was given as a 90th birthday gift honoring Doug鈥檚 father, whose successful business ventures helped inspire his son鈥檚 passion for entrepreneurship.

Doug joined the Kennesaw State University Foundation Board of Trustees following the first of the couple鈥檚 three visits to KSU鈥檚 educational site in Montepulciano, Italy. Those trips also inspired Robin to start a scholarship to assist students participating in summer programs in Montepulciano.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 have children of our own, and I felt compelled to leave a legacy of some kind,鈥� said Robin, who studied abroad in Germany when she was in college. 鈥淚 was able to set it up so someone else could do what I did, which was a life-changing experience.鈥�

The Shores are continuing to provide opportunities to students through their donation to Kennesaw State鈥檚 entrepreneurship center. The center, which the Coles College began last year, strives to produce innovative students through programs such as Georgia鈥檚 first bachelor鈥檚 degree in entrepreneurship.

鈥淭he more entrepreneurs we can create, hopefully the more jobs we鈥檙e going to create,鈥� Doug said. 鈥淵ou hear a lot of talk these days about what kind of jobs graduates can get after college. Entrepreneurs employ themselves 鈥� they create their own jobs, they create their own companies. And what鈥檚 more, they employ other people.鈥�

Along with helping produce future business leaders through the entrepreneurship center, the Shores hope their contribution helps increase Kennesaw State鈥檚 donor base. Their desire is that as students learn to become entrepreneurs, they will appreciate the importance of philanthropy and will give back to their alma mater and community.

鈥淧eople who create their own businesses, if they got help from a school like KSU, they鈥檙e likely to become donors themselves going forward,鈥� Doug said. 鈥淭o me, it鈥檚 like you鈥檙e starting a farm and you鈥檙e planting these seeds. You鈥檙e going to grow entrepreneurs and you鈥檙e going to grow donors, and it鈥檚 going to multiply itself many times down the road.鈥�

The Shores live in Atlanta, but did not have any direct connection to Kennesaw State prior to Doug鈥檚 joining the Coles College Advisory Board. As Doug and Robin have become increasingly involved with the University through the years, they feel part of the KSU family.

鈥淲e both feel at home here,鈥� Doug said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a fun place to be. Every time I come here, there is something new.鈥�

鈥淚 get so invigorated every time I come here,鈥� Robin said. 鈥淓veryone I meet is friendly and bright and forward-thinking. There is just something really special about Kennesaw State University.鈥�

-News at KSU