Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Eric Shaw

It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Dr. Eric Shaw, a beloved member of our Florida Atlantic family. As a pillar of our community for more than 50 years, his extraordinary contributions and exceptional character have left an indelible mark on the University and all who knew him.
 
A celebrated alumnus of Florida Atlantic, Dr. Shaw received his B.B.A. in 1972 and MBA in 1973. He then began his career at the University as an instructor of marketing. After earning his Ph.D. at Temple University and teaching at Rutgers University and the University of Miami, Dr. Shaw returned to his alma mater in 1982 as associate dean of the College of Business and acting director of the School of Industry Studies. He also served 15 years as chairman of the Marketing Department, five years as faculty athletics representative to the NCAA, and one term as president of the Faculty Senate. Additionally, he served on the FAU Alumni Association Board of Directors, the FAU Foundation Board, and the FAU Board of Trustees.

In 2014, Dr. Shaw retired, but was promptly elected professor emeritus of marketing. Because he continued to chair doctoral dissertations and support Ph.D. students, in 2018 he became the first elected graduate faculty emeritus in Florida Atlantic history. In all his years of service to the University, Dr. Shaw displayed unparalleled dedication to his students and his field, striving for excellence and earning a long list of well-deserved accolades along the way. Among them were:

• The Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (3x)
• The Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award in the College of Business (2x)
• The Teaching Incentive Program Award
• The Alumni Hall of Fame Award
• The Faculty Talon Award
• The President’s Talon Award
• The Board of Trustees Chair’s Medal

Beyond Dr. Shaw’s outstanding reputation as an educator, he also established an inspiring legacy of philanthropy. While he sought to advance all areas of the University through his generosity, he focused many of his efforts toward uplifting students in financial need and rewarding their high achievements. For years, Dr. Shaw sponsored awards and events such as the Florida Atlantic Wave Competition for entrepreneurs, Undergraduate Research Symposium, Excellence in Concerto and Aria Performance Awards, Student-Athlete Excellence in Academic Performance Awards, and many more.

In July, Dr. Shaw increased his estate gift in support of the Transcend Tomorrow campaign to $3 million, making him one of the largest faculty or staff donors in University history. Part of this gift included a $1.5 million endowment to fund the Dr. Eric H. Shaw Distinguished Professor of Marketing position. In recognition of his impact, we recently had the privilege of naming the Department of Marketing Office within the College of Business the “Dr. Eric Shaw Department of Marketing Suite” in his honor — a fitting tribute to his enduring influence.

Dr. Shaw’s boundless commitment to Florida Atlantic elevated our community in immeasurable ways. I had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with him while he served as a member of the Board of Trustees and I served in the Florida Legislature, championing key initiatives for Florida Atlantic. Dr. Shaw was a kind, engaging and compassionate man, and I know he will be missed by many.

As we mourn his passing, let us also celebrate his remarkable life, and the countless lives that have been forever changed by his extraordinary impact. My thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all who had the honor of knowing him. With great pride, we will carry forth his memory at Florida Atlantic in the same spirit of unwavering dedication, passion and love that he had for our University.