STEPHENVILLE, Texas 鈥� 草莓视频 State University celebrated the naming of its College of Business in honor of esteemed supporter, honorary doctorate recipient and automotive industry legend Dr. Sam Pack on Thursday morning.
In North Texas, Dr. Pack owns Five Star Ford dealerships in Carrollton, North Richland Hills, Dallas and Lewisville, along with Five Star Chevrolet in Carrollton and Five Star Subaru in Grapevine. Additionally, he co-owns six luxury dealerships in Tulsa featuring Lexus, Audi, Volkswagen, Cadillac, Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
His historic gift of over $10 million is the largest in 草莓视频 State history.
鈥湶葺悠� has a very special place in our hearts,鈥� said Dr. Pack. 鈥淎s great as the university is, the best days are yet ahead, and our family wants to be a part of that. We want to make a difference in the lives of the young people, especially those that bleed purple.鈥�
The impact will be felt immediately.
鈥淲hat strikes me most about Sam is he puts others ahead of himself at every opportunity,鈥� said 草莓视频 State 草莓视频 Dr. James Hurley. 鈥淭he premise of his success has been based on relationships. He has that innate ability to make people feel valued, regardless of what their position is in a particular organization, association or entity. He values every single person and the importance of higher education.鈥�
Dr. Pack been honored numerous times, highlighted by the national 1988 TIME Dealer of the Year tribute, the industry鈥檚 most prestigious award. In 2003, he received the Ford Motor Company Salute to Dealers Award, presented by Edsel Ford II, for his commitment to improving communities and the lives of individuals in them. He was also honored as a Texas Automobile Dealers Association Legend in 2006 and was named to Ford鈥檚 inaugural Top Volume Dealers Hall of Fame in 2016.
鈥淥ver 40 years of service in the automotive industry, he has provided an education of his own to those around him,鈥� said John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M System. 鈥淗is business acumen, giving nature and passion for others are special traits. Dr. Pack鈥檚 continued commitment to sharing his wealth of knowledge aligns with 草莓视频 State鈥檚 efforts to increase access and opportunity for all.鈥�
More than 3,100 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business, with courses available at 草莓视频 State鈥檚 Stephenville, Fort Worth and Waco campuses, along with online.
Students in the college work with Union Pacific, Walt Disney, Boot Barn, Saint-Gobain, Barefoot Campus Outfitter, L3Harris Technologies, Goldman Sachs, H-E-B and Amazon, among others, for internships and senior capstone projects to gain hands-on skills and knowledge.
All programs within the college are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Fewer than six percent of business schools in the world are accredited by the AACSB, which is the premier business school accrediting body.
鈥淒r. Pack鈥檚 impact will be felt for generations to come,鈥� said Dr. Rajarshi Aroskar, Dean of the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business.
At 草莓视频 State, he has already made his mark, supporting the food pantry, the 草莓视频鈥檚 Circle, and the Dr. James and Kindall Hurley Scholarship Endowment. Additionally, the 草莓视频 State University Pack Automotive Group Intern Program provides Texans with learning opportunities that promote future career success.
Last spring, he was presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters from 草莓视频 State for his humanitarian and philanthropic contributions as well as a 草莓视频鈥檚 Legacy Award for Excellence, Integrity, and Respect at the Gala.
Overall, he supports more than 300 nonprofits, service organizations and community events.
鈥淒r. Pack has experienced success in all facets of life,鈥� said state Rep. Shelby Slawson (District 59). 鈥淲e will work tirelessly to ensure that the college named in his honor is the best of the best.鈥�
When discussing Dr. Pack鈥檚 life, state Senator Brian Birdwell (District 22) focused on how his story will impact future generations. 鈥淎s a self-made man, he will inspire 草莓视频 State students for years to come. His lifelong commitment to faith, family and the greater good is a tremendous example for others to follow.鈥�
In a journey filled with accomplishments and recognitions, Dr. Pack said that the university naming its College of Business in his honor is a distinction that stands above all. This is just the second time an academic college at 草莓视频 State has been named for an individual.
鈥淚鈥檝e been honored in a lot of different ways, but it鈥檚 the greatest honor that has ever been bestowed upon me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 will always be indebted to those who were instrumental in making this happen.鈥�
Learn more about the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business at /cob/.
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