Oct 17, 2014 03:15 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Sunil Puri, a 1982 alumnus of Rockford University, has made a gift of $5 million to the Business School. Recognising the contribution and his commitment towards his alma mater, the University has announced the creation of the Puri Business School.

The Puri Business School (PBS), the first named school at the University, will be housed under the University's College of Social Sciences. The School will comprise of Economics, Business and Accounting (EBA) programs, along with ancillary business related activities.

The students enrolled in the Puri Business School will also be involved in student experiential learning, internships, travel courses, service learning and conference presentations among others.

Through the Business School, Puri - a 2013 recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University - aims at generating graduating accountants, business managers, entrepreneurs and business leaders who help in the economic revival of the region.

"It is important to my family and me, that the Puri Business School offers not only an exemplary space where students, faculty and the community can interact and innovate, but where significant programmatic and curricular advances that will deepen the University's commitment to advance the university and partner in the economic revival of this region," said Puri. "The liberal arts education I received at Rockford College significantly contributed to my success and the Puri Business School is my way of paying it forward."

Puri, First Rockford Group founder and President , was born in Bombay, India, and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from what was then Rockford College.

He has also donated the 28,000 square foot building located east of the main campus entrance (5100 East State Street). The building will function as the hub for all related PBS programming at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

"From the minute he stepped on this campus as an undergrad more than 35 years ago, a fire sparked inside him that still burns bright," President Robert L. Head said in a statement. "As a dedicated Trustee and tireless advocate for Rockford University, he has had occasion to and has proudly promoted and protected the interests of our university; for that we are most grateful."

Head said that the School hopes to introduce programs that goes above and beyond standard curriculum.

"Sunil's is a SHARED vision with the University to establish a school of business that will not only be envied but provide our students with a superior educational experience that prepares them for success," Head said.

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