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The Faculty of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University has established a new EMBA Alumni Professorship in honour of the late William Rowe.

Rowe, who worked for nearly 40 years at Air Canada, including its senior leadership team, passed away earlier this year. He earned his Executive MBA from SFU in 1972 and established a long-lasting relationship with both SFU and SFU Business.

It’s the second EMBA Alumni Professorship created at SFU Business. The other is named after the late Dennis Culver, a fellow alumnus from the same EMBA program.

“In the spirit of the individuals for whom they are named, the EMBA professorships recognize professional excellence,” says SFU Business Dean Daniel Shapiro. “The faculty members chosen for this honour are accomplished scholars and teachers.

"The William Rowe Professorship is an important milestone for the Executive MBA program, and business education generally at SFU. We are grateful for the work and generosity of our EMBA alumni, who have been integral to establishing this professorship."

The Executive MBA program at SFU Business – the first of its kind in Canada – was established for working professionals in 1968. Since then, more than 1,500 executives have risen to leadership positions across a range of sectors in organizations locally, nationally and internationally.

The EMBA continues to be a flagship program for the school, and is ranked among the top 50 EMBA programs in the world by CEO Magazine.

About William (Bill) Rowe, 1933 - 2010

William Rowe was a longtime advocate of business education who will be remembered for his enormous contributions to Simon Fraser University. He credited his experience at the university for helping him receive a number of promotions throughout his impressive career, and for giving him the opportunity to experience life in most of Canada's major urban centres.

Born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Rowe worked 39 years for Air Canada, spending many of those years with the airline’s senior leadership team -- all the while engaging the community through his contributions to numerous organizations.  He was known by friends and colleagues for being inquisitive and having an outgoing personality and caring disposition.

At Simon Fraser, he held an Alumni Order-in-Council position on the university's Board of Governors from July 1999 – 2005. He served for two years as the Deputy Board Chair and seven years as the Chair of the 26-member External Advisory Board for the Faculty of Business Administration.

He also served as the Chair of SFU’s finance and administration committee, and on the audit, nominating and governance committees.

In 2000, Rowe chaired the search committee for a new President for the university. He also played a valuable leadership role in Bridge to the Future, the university’s first major fundraising campaign.

He was a recipient of both SFU’s Chancellor's Distinguished Service Award and the Outstanding Alumni Award for his service to the university.

SFU Business remembers Rowe for his unwavering enthusiasm for, and commitment to the business school, the university, and the community.

“For decades, Bill was an admirable advocate for the business school, and for higher learning generally,” said Daniel Shapiro, Dean of SFU Business. “He leaves with us a valuable and important legacy.”

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