College mourns passing of major benefactor, widow of longest-serving dean

In 2023, Mary Solomon, seen here with Dean Michael Hartline, committed $1 million to establish the E. Ray Solomon Family Floor in Legacy Hall, the college’s future five-story home. She made her philanthropic investment in honor of her late husband and his dedication “to the institution to which he joyfully gave so many years of service, energy and heart," she said.
Photo by Kallen M. Lunt/College of Business Click to enlarge

The Florida State University College of Business sadly announces the passing of Mary W. Solomon, a major benefactor of the college and the widow of E. Ray Solomon, the college’s longest-serving dean to date. She was 97. 

In 2023, Mary Solomon committed $1 million to establish the E. Ray Solomon Family Floor in Legacy Hall, the college’s future five-story home. She made her philanthropic investment in honor of her late husband and his dedication “to the institution to which he joyfully gave so many years of service, energy and heart," she said. 

Ray Solomon’s career at FSU spanned 35 years, beginning in 1962 when he joined the teaching faculty at the College of Business. He became dean of the college in 1974 and stepped down in 1991 to become the college’s first Midyette Eminent Scholar in Risk Management and Insurance. He retired in 1997 and passed in 2019. 

Mary Solomon’s gift named Legacy Hall’s third floor, which will house the Dean’s Suite. 

“We in the College of Business mourn the passing of Mary Solomon and offer our condolences to her family, including her daughter, Susan, and son, Earl Jr.,” said Michael Hartline, dean of the college. “We’ll always warmly remember and honor Mary for her vision and generosity in the name of her family and husband, whose enormous contributions paved our path to preeminence.” 

She briefly taught home economics at Carrabelle High School and Leon High School. 

A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 8, in the Maguire Center at Westminster Oaks.  

Please see her obituary for more details.