Fowler College of Business Establishes Shaw Family Center for Experiential Learning with $3 Million Gift

San Diego State University’s Fowler College of Business (FCB) has received a $3 million gift from the family of the late Peter J. Shaw to establish the Peter J. and Elaine R. Shaw Family Center for Experiential Learning. The new center will serve as a hub for innovative, hands-on learning opportunities that connect classroom instruction with real-world business experience.

Peter Shaw, a long-time FCB executive in residence, dean’s advisory board member, and former director of the Fowler Scholars Program, was a beloved mentor and advocate for student success before his passing in 2024. His wife, Elaine Shaw, and their children, Jennifer and Jeremy, made the transformative gift to honor his legacy and continue his lifelong commitment to education and mentorship.

The Shaw Family Center for Experiential Learning will coordinate and expand experiential education across all academic programs within the college. Its mission is to empower faculty to integrate applied learning into their courses, enhance student engagement, and build skills that prepare graduates to thrive in today’s dynamic business world.

“The Fowler College of Business meant so much to Peter — it was a place where he could share his experience, inspire students, and watch them grow into confident business professionals,” said Elaine Shaw. “It was his vision to establish an experiential learning hub where both students and faculty could learn and advance in their respective fields. Our family is honored to continue that mission by helping ensure every student has the chance to learn by doing.”

Complementing the college’s existing Partrick-Clayes Center for Career Development, the new center will focus on curating project-based and community-engaged learning opportunities, and facilitating collaboration with industry partners, further cementing FCB’s reputation as a leader in preparing students for meaningful, real-world impact.

“The Shaw Family Center for Experiential Learning will serve as a center of gravity for experiential education within the college, providing resources, guidance, and support to help faculty and staff intentionally embed real-world, applied activities into curricular and co-curricular activities. While many experiential opportunities already exist throughout the college, this named center will allow us to expand those efforts, ensuring that students benefit from cohesive, high-impact learning experiences,” said Fowler College of Business Dean Dan Moshavi.