St. Thomas University announced that prominent businessman and philanthropist Gus Machado recently pledged $5 million to the university, the single largest gift to date for the Catholic school, that would provide the cornerstone of the construction funding for the new state-of-the art School of Business building.
St. Thomas alumnus and trustee and business executive Jorge Rico helped jumpstart the university’s ambitious project with a $1 million pledge.
The school will recognize Machado for his contribution and business leadership by naming the new building Gus Machado School of Business at St. Thomas University.
For more than 30 years, Machado has been a recognized entrepreneur, successful executive and philanthropist in the South Florida community. A former member of St. Thomas University’s Board of Trustees, Machado came to the United States from Cuba in 1949 and attended military school in North Carolina.
A visionary businessman, he owned a series of car dealerships until he acquired his first franchise in 1982, Gus Machado Buick. Today, he is president of Gus Machado Ford and continues to lead his company to multi-city success. Machado, and his wife Lilliam, are a major force in Florida philanthropy, supporting many charitable organizations.
"Supporting our future business leaders means the world to me," said Machado. "Being able to make that happen at St. Thomas University, a university that has a reputation for providing an excellent educational experience and developing the next generation of ethical business leaders - is an opportunity I am very pleased to be a part of."
The 21st century facility will house the institutes of Global Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity Management, Trade and Logistics and Sports Administration, as well as other business programs.
Interactive Smart Classrooms with specialized software, audience response technology, networking and audio and visual capabilities, as well as a Trading Room, a Global Conference Auditorium, the Student Business Incubator, and a Communications and Media Lab, are among other innovative spaces.