Fulfilling a vision

Peter J. Shaw grew up in New York; his wife, Elaine, in New Jersey. Both came from humble backgrounds, attended different state schools and became the first in their families to earn a college degree.  

After getting married, the couple lived in Connecticut where Peter worked in the technology field and Elaine thrived teaching high school anatomy and physiology.  

Eventually, work brought them to San Diego where Peter’s business career continued to expand as well as their family. Throughout their marriage, they would support various charities to help where they could.  It just seemed to make sense for the community-minded couple to get involved with San Diego State University, an ongoing connection that has now led to a $3 million endowment for experiential learning.

“Had we been from San Diego, San Diego State would have been the school the two of us would probably have attended,” Elaine said. The couple became supporters of the university’s athletics teams and Peter got involved with the Fowler College of Business (FCB) through a student venture competition.

“He remembered what he had when he was growing up,” Elaine explained. “He wanted to help better the lives of these students because a lot of them are first-generation college students and that was important to him.”

Peter’s FCB involvement expanded to include service as executive in residence, Lavin Entrepreneurship board member, dean’s advisory board member, and director of the Fowler Scholars Program. He was an advisor and mentor to students through initiatives including the Aztec Mentor Program, ZIP Launchpad, and the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center.

For nearly four years until his death in 2024, Peter was a board member of The Campanile Foundation, SDSU’s philanthropic arm. Elaine calls Peter’s SDSU involvement a “second career” that brought him tremendous joy.

“When he started working with those kids, he wanted to help them learn and he loved it,” she said. “He loved working with the students, loved working with the deans, and enjoyed all the committees he was on at The Campanile Foundation.”

Elaine describes her husband as a good listener who was tough, but fair. He encouraged his students and his own children, Jennifer and Jeremy, to closely examine all aspects of an issue before making a decision or a plan.

On several occasions during his time at SDSU, Peter arranged for local professionals to meet with FCB students to discuss topics ranging from business strategies to ethics and values. He once led a group of students on a tour of Israel.

“He had come up with this vision because he felt hands-on experience was really important, no matter what your field was,” Elaine recalled. “He felt it was something that would really help these kids to have this real-life experience and not just from books.”

The blueprint

Peter was also a detail stickler who took copious notes. Elaine has his lined yellow notepad to prove it. Among its doodles and scribblings is an outline for a hands-on, learn-by-doing initiative he had long envisioned for FCB. 

There is also a chart. “That's his blueprint,” Elaine said. “He had this all figured out.” 

Now Peter’s vision is coming to pass: Elaine, Jennifer and Jeremy, have announced a $3 million endowment to create the Peter J. and Elaine R. Shaw Family Center for Experiential Learning. The center will  be a hub for innovative, hands-on learning opportunities across all FCB academic programs.

“It will provide resources, guidance, and support to help faculty and staff intentionally embed real-world, applied activities into curricular and co-curricular activities,” said Dan Moshavi, Thomas and Evelyn Page Dean of the college. “While many experiential opportunities already exist throughout the college, this named center will allow us to expand those efforts, ensuring that students benefit from cohesive, high-impact learning experiences.” 

Peter had spoken with Moshavi many times about supporting experiential learning resources through the FCB. Elaine credits the dean with understanding what the Shaws hoped to achieve and helping to align their goals with the college’s.

“We want to expose these kids to as much real-life experience as they can get while they're on campus,” Elaine said. “How we see this is helping them become more successful in their individual endeavors.”

Peter J. Shaw’s legacy also lives in the students, now business professionals, whom he taught, advised and mentored. His family’s gift helps ensure it will be extended well into the future.

“It was important to me and my kids that we fulfill this vision of his,” Elaine said. “This is what he did. I still wanted it to be his pride and joy and now that he's not here, I feel I can step up and continue that support of San Diego State.

“He knew exactly what he wanted it to do for the benefit of however many students use it. Hopefully, they all will.”