A substantial donation from alumnus and successful business executive Dennis Martin (Class of 1981) will support the development of an 80,000-square-foot facility that will advance the University’s commitment to innovation and maximizing graduates’ return on investment.
The University of New Haven announced April 7 it has received a $10 million gift from a 1981 graduate that will serve as the leadership donation to create a new on-campus building for the Pompea College of Business.
The gift was made by Dennis Martin ’81, chairman of the board of Federal Signal Corporation, a manufacturer of public safety, security, and emergency systems and equipment. Martin achieved great success as a business executive, helping to turn around struggling companies. He described the development of the new building and its vision as a “game changer.”
“I am very passionate about the mission of the university and the springboard it provided my career,” said Martin. “Combining a commitment to innovation, hands-on and interdisciplinary learning, and workforce development with a strong educational curriculum is where the university excels. Just getting a degree is not enough. It is essential for students to gain real-world experience, to create a network, and to build their confidence and leadership skills. This approach will be at the heart of the space, and the larger innovation hub it will be part of, and I couldn’t be happier to help support such an exciting project.”
“Dennis is a remarkable individual who has enjoyed an extraordinary career,” said University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen. “He is the definition of a self-made success story and is a true philanthropist. His generosity is helping to propel our vision of becoming a global powerhouse for preparing the next generation of elite talent to excel in the workforce of the future. In the current climate of higher education, the stakes could not be higher. As a successful business executive, Dennis is keenly aware of the importance of differentiating the university and our value proposition. His commitment will make a lasting impact on generations of students, and I am confident it will be a catalyst for raising more than $150 million over the next three years to support campus enhancements.”
Reflecting the University’s commitment to maximizing students’ return on investment, the 80,000-square foot facility will prominently feature suites dedicated to career development, mentorship, recruiting, and advising. The space will also feature a simulated financial trading room, a business analytics/AI lab, a learning lab for student research, and a student-run cafe operated by hospitality and tourism management students, as well as state-of-the-art classrooms, faculty offices, a theater-style lecture hall, and an executive seminar room. In addition, the building will include casual spaces throughout that foster collaboration and teamwork, promoting the principles that are essential for a successful college of business.
The new building enables the university to transition its Pompea College of Business back to its main campus in West Haven from its campus in nearby Orange, which was once home to the worldwide headquarters of Hubbell Electronics.
“This space will truly embody our commitment to being a leader in preparing our students to excel and achieve successful career outcomes as graduates,” said Brian Kench, dean of the Pompea College of Business. “This is one of the most important signals we can give to our students and their families. By creating a hub for supporting initiatives that put the focus, from day one, on building career pathways, we are re-envisioning and re-imagining business education and how students are prepared for the workforce of the future. The facility’s prominence will transform the ‘front door’ of the university, creating a premier environment for attracting top-tier students, faculty, and industry partners.”
The Pompea College is accredited by AACSB, placing it among the best business schools in the world, and the building will embody the AACSB focus areas of economic empowerment and sustainability. The building is being planned for the south side of the University’s main campus. It will be across the street from a 130,000 square foot commercial space on Campbell Avenue the university recently purchased to develop into a pioneering research and development center.
“One of the comparative advantages of the university is at the intersection of engineering, technology, cybersecurity, AI, advanced manufacturing, and business,” said President Frederiksen. “This focus and the innovation hub we are developing places us at the forefront of capitalizing on where the Connecticut economy excels, enabling us to be a leader in maximizing the investment and outcomes of our graduates.”
Martin, who enrolled at the university in the late 1970s, was drawn to its focus on hands-on learning. He already had a full-time job, a wife, three children, and two years of college under his belt, along with a desire to complete his bachelor’s degree. He went on to hold leadership roles as Ingersoll-Rand and Illinois Toolworks, where he rose to become president of one of its $1 billion divisions. He was recruited to lead the successful turnaround of the General Binding Corporation. After leading a consulting practice, he joined Federal Signal and served as president and CEO for five years, before transitioning to a leadership role on its board.
Martin who previously donated to the university’s makerspace, providing support for new equipment, earned a B.S. in industrial engineering and management from the University of New Haven in 1981 and was conferred an honorary doctorate in 2005. He lives in Florida with his wife, Barbara.