Why We Soar: The foundation

To Bill Howard ’69, his time at the University of Dayton has remained one of the most important experiences of his life. It’s one of the reasons he decided to give back to his alma mater, contributing to the success of the University's We Soar fundraising campaign.

“[UD] is the foundation. I mean, they are a huge part of why I was able to be what I considered to be successful,” said Howard.

Since his graduation in 1969, Howard has seen how being an alumnus has allowed him to have career success and create important connections. After leaving the family business in 1978 to start a marketing and catalog company in Louisville, Kentucky, Howard called his UD roommate of all four years, Jim Finewood ’69. After that call, the two became business partners until 1991. They also employed a friend from their floor in Stuart Hall their freshman year.

“When I look at the success we had in business, [it was in part] because of my affiliation with UD and the strong personal relationships [from the University]. Your college is usually your foundation for the rest of your life. There is a special connection with being a UD [alumnus]. I’ve had a [Dayton] hat on in New York City and someone will say ‘go Flyers.’ UD just has that special alumni group.”

Howard also learned the importance of giving back from his years in Dayton, in addition to his degree in management from the School of Business Administration.

“I realized that when I was there, from 1965 to 1969, someone there paid a bill that I didn’t have to pay.”

He saw the benefits of donors to the school firsthand and knew he had to give back what he could.

“When you’re a student, you may not be thinking about how great your philosophy or theology classes are, but the reality of it is that they are planting some seeds that are going to live with you for the rest of your life,” he said, “and I ended up picking up that I should give back.”

Since his first donation of $100 to the school, Howard has been a proponent of challenging others to give back.

“I want to encourage people to start to gain the habit of giving, and you’d be surprised at the return of that investment,” he said.

“I want to encourage people to start to gain the habit of giving, and you’d be surprised at the return of that investment.”

For several years, Howard has offered a challenge gift during One Day, One Dayton to encourage new donors — and, in essence, double the impact of his gift.

The businessman in Howard realizes that everyone wants a return on their investment. That can come in multiple ways.

“[For me], it’s important to think [about] what you can do with that money to help something that is important to you,” he said.

By offering a challenge, Howard says he feels he has planted the seed of giving for younger folks who haven’t gotten the chance to donate before.

With the We Soar campaign, Howard has committed to his largest single donation yet — $250,000 over five years to support initiatives of the School of Business Administration as well as the larger University.

And he looks forward to others joining him.