Georgia State University College of Business Administration Named After J. Mack Robinson
ATLANTA - Georgia State University's College of Business Administration has been named in honor of J. Mack Robinson, an Atlanta banking and insurance executive who has been a supporter of the College for more than 40 years.
Mr. Robinson will contribute $10 million to the college -- the largest cash gift to Georgia State in the university's 85-year history. The designation of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business Administration was unanimously approved in September by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
Approximately 20 percent of Mr. Robinson's gift will be used in support of scholarships and fellowships for students; 40 percent will endow professorships to attract and retain key faculty; and 40 percent will support initiatives of the College's several outstanding research centers.
"It is an honor for me to bestow my name on the College of Business Administration at Georgia State University," Mr. Robinson said. "I am confident that the College will use this gift to prepare current and future students with the knowledge and skills needed to remain effective in a global environment and enhance what is already a very strong business program," he said.
"I am delighted to have Georgia State University associated with someone of Mr. Robinson's integrity," said Dr. Carl Patton, president of Georgia State University. "The Robinson name is a welcome addition to the inaugural college of the university. His successes in business and in his personal life are ones that we want our students to emulate."
Dr. Sidney E. Harris, dean of the College of Business Administration agrees. "There are few moments in the career of a dean that are this meaningful," he said. "This donation from one of the nation's great business leaders sends a very positive signal to the Atlanta community and marks a historic moment in what is already a distinguished history for this College," Harris added.
"Given Mr. Robinson's long association with the College of Business Administration, we feel that naming the College for him is appropriate. In the mid 1950s, Mr. Robinson was instrumental in helping former Dean Kenneth Black Jr. found the College's insurance program, considered to be one of the finest in the nation. The College will enter the 21st Century with a top-ranked MBA program and much needed funds to underwrite nationally recognized research centers and attract top faculty and students," Harris said.
Mr. Robinson, chairman of insurance conglomerate Atlantic American Corporation, was inducted into the College's Business Hall of Fame in 1995 for his business accomplishments and outstanding service to the community. The Georgia State Business Hall of Fame, established in 1985, is the highest recognition given by the College of Business Administration to distinguished business leaders for their efforts in advancing the principles of the free market system while serving the Atlanta community.
Mr. Robinson's long and successful business career began after he returned to Atlanta from a three-year tour of duty during WWII. He left his job at The Atlanta Journal to sell used cars full time, and developed several car lots in Atlanta, Macon and Columbus. He subsequently formed several finance companies -- Dixie Finance Co. and Gulf Finance Co. -- to complement his business. After growing these businesses to 100 offices throughout the Southeast, he sold them to First National Bank of Atlanta (later known as First Atlanta) in 1972.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Mr. Robinson became one of Georgia banking's top mentors with his acquisition and development of more than 20 community banks. His investments during this period included underwriting the French fashion house of Yves St. Laurent. In 1974, he purchased the publicly held Atlantic American Corp. insurance conglomerate. Some of Mr. Robinson's past investments have included Rhodes Furniture Stores, one of Georgia's largest sawmills, and companies in pest control and outdoor advertising. In recent years, his acquisitions have included Bull Run Corp., DataSouth Corp. and Gray Communications.
Mr. Robinson and his wife, Nita, were named Philanthropists of the Year in 1994 by the Georgia Chapter, National Society of Fund Raising Executives for their charitable work. Mr. Robinson has served as director of the Atlanta Arts Alliance (now known as the Woodruff Arts Center). Currently, Mr. Robinson is director emeritus of Westminster Schools and Wachovia Corporation. He also serves on the board of directors of the High Museum of Art.
The J. Mack Robinson College of Business Administration's part-time MBA program is ranked 4th in the nation by U.S.News&World Report. The College has a nationally recognized Executive MBA Program and one of the top "Techno MBAs" in the country. Additionally, the College had six alumni included in Forbes' most recent list of the 800 most powerful CEOs, a record matched by only a few universities in the Southeast.
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For more information, contact: President Carl Patton, 404-651-2560 Dean Sidney E. Harris, 404-651-2604
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