A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
March 2003
Successful people often become self-absorbed and forget the roots of their achievements. One of the frequent observations of college athletic administrators is how infrequently successful athletes contribute back to their universities. In this month's article I want to share with you a story of someone who doesn't fit the typical athletic mold, but is typical of the LMU Lion graduate.
Chad Dreier is a 1968 graduate of Loyola University and a baseball player for the Lions. Upon graduation he worked at various companies and climbed the corporate ladder to his present position as the head of The Ryland Group, one of the largest homebuilders and mortgage lenders in the country. Under his leadership, the company has prospered. Indeed, it is my understanding that his nickname within the company is "The Lion."
During my time at LMU, Chad has constantly come by to visit me in my office, attended games whenever possible and has been a consistent supporter of the athletics program. In the causes that he believes in, and there are many, LMU is at the top. We have frequently discussed the LMU experience and the value it has given to his life - he has never forgotten that. This week, the University announced a major gift that Chad and Ginni Dreier have made to the Capital Campaign and $1 million dollars of this gift has been allocated to our proposed new athletic facility. Their generosity is deeply appreciated by all of us associated with LMU Athletics, but especially our student-athletes. I have included one of the many press releases below that describes the nature of Chad and Ginni Dreier's gift.
I will conclude by stating that there are many generous people who over the years have supported LMU and its athletics program. Chad and Ginni's gift is just the beginning step on a journey that when completed will make the full promise of this institution a reality. We are grateful for the past support of all who believe that the LMU experience is a special one. It is now time to create the future environment that will allow our Lion athletes the opportunity to enjoy consistent success.
Go Lions!
A Loyola Marymount University alumnus pledged $3.5 million Monday to endow a program to add accounting ethics courses.
"You can hardly pick up a newspaper today without reading about another business scandal," said alumnus R. Chad Dreier, president of The Ryland Group. "The sheer number of accounting abuses tells us that something more is needed. Without an ethical foundation, organizations collapse."
Dreier, chairman of the university's board of trustees, said the R. Chad Dreier Chair in Accounting in LMU's College of Business Administration will be one of the few in the country to emphasize ethics in accounting.
"Exploring values and the difficulty of applying them consistently in everyday life is an essential part of the education we provide," said John Wholihan, dean of the college at the Roman Catholic university.
Dreier and his wife, Ginni, also pledged $1 million to build a new sports training facility and weight room; $250,000 to buy equipment for LMU's school of film and television; and $250,000 to support current programs.
The Calabasas-based Ryland Group is one of the nation's largest homebuilders and mortgage lenders. Dreier, of Santa Barbara, received his accounting degree from LMU in 1968.
