Gordon Marshall embodies school’s values

Sunday marked the 94th birthday of renowned businessman and philanthropist Gordon S. Marshall, the namesake of the USC Marshall School of Business.

In 1997, Marshall donated $35 million to the USC School of Business. At the time, it was the largest endowment ever made to a U.S. business school and the second largest donation in USC’s history.

 

The school was renamed the Gordon S. Marshall School of Business in light of his donation.

A Los Angeles native, Marshall attended the university in the early 1940s, graduating in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree from what was then the USC College of Commerce. During college, he served as a bomber pilot in World War II.

“Gordon had an exceptional experience here at USC,” said James Ellis, dean of the Marshall School of Business and close friend of Marshall’s. “He loved it, he loved every minute of it, and it was just a great part of his life.”

Following his time at USC, Marshall sought a career as an airline pilot. He failed the aptitude test, however, which stated that he was better suited for a career in business.

“[The airline] said I should be an executive and a salesman. I said, ‘A salesman? That’s the last thing in the world I want to be,’” Marshall said in a video released by USC honoring the philanthropist’s birthday.

The aptitude test would prove correct. Marshall became a manufacturer’s representative and founded his own electronic supply distribution company, Marshall Industries, in 1954. It rose from humble beginnings into a $3 billion company, Ellis said.

“In my opinion, when you decide what you’re going to do, whatever that happens to be, try to be the best at it,” Marshall said.

Following the donation, the spotlight on the businessman grew. He was named one of the country’s top 10 leading philanthropists in Slate magazine’s 1996 list.

“I’m overwhelmed with all of this attention. I was just hoping I could give a little money to the school and go back and do my thing … I guess it’s not going to work that way,” Marshall told the Los Angeles Times.

In the video, Marshall spoke of the extreme honor he had in being able to contribute to and be a part of the university.

“I feel so fortunate, I’ve been so gratified by the success that I’ve had and I’m so glad that I was in a position to do what I did for USC and give them the money for the business school,” Marshall said. “It’s a very worthwhile undertaking and I know I’ve been so grateful having had the opportunity and having fulfilled it. I couldn’t be happier.”

Marshall still stays in touch with the school that bears his name, and he and Ellis meet regularly.

“I have lunch with [Gordon Marshall] on a pretty regular basis, and talk about what we’re doing [at Marshall] and the kinds of things he does,” Ellis said.

Ellis spoke about how Marshall’s characteristics made him the perfect embodiment of the Marshall School’s values.

“He was an entrepreneur, was a philanthropist, he has very high values and standards and is the perfect guy to have the school named in his honor. His life was lived the way we would love our students to live it,” Ellis said. “He is a wonderful visionary, leader, clear thinker and truly has been a mentor to me and the many others.”

 

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