Named fund from Board of Governors leaves dean ‘humbled, honored’

Michael Hartline, center, dean of the College of Business, is congratulated by college Board of Governors member Scott Price, right, and new board chair Jamie Harden.
Photo by Robin Doyle Click to enlarge

The Florida State University College of Business Board of Governors (BOG) on Friday saluted and stunned Michael Hartline, dean of the college, with the announcement of an endowed fund in his name that board members say will strengthen the college’s standing as a preeminent business school.

The Dean Michael D. Hartline Leadership Endowment for Dean’s Discretionary Funding – a long-held secret largely among board members until Friday’s joint board meeting – will allow Hartline flexibility to invest in needs at his discretion. The endowment comes as the college prepares to move into Legacy Hall, a world-class facility that officials expect to launch an era of increased national and global recognition. 

While many philanthropic investments stipulate strict limitations on their use, this fund allows Hartline and successors an array of investment options, including emergency financial or travel support for students; professional development for faculty and staff members; equipment purchases for Legacy Hall; or new and timely programs for the college.

As of early Wednesday, the fund totaled $491,000 from 41 donors, all members of the college’s Board of Governors and departmental boards. 

“I’m not often speechless, but I’m ... speechless,” Hartline told board members. “Thank you all so much. I am humbled. I am honored.”

Scott Price (BS Accounting ’97; MAcc ’97; College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame ’22) announced the endowment near the beginning of Friday’s joint board meeting, the first under new BOG chair Jamie Harden (BS Finance ’90). Price told fellow board members the fund honors Hartline for his leadership in the funding and building of Legacy Hall, a $160 million facility two decades in the making, and for leading the college to unprecedented status.

As Price spoke and as Hartline stood nearby, a large graphic on a boardroom screen declared:

“With deep appreciation for your leadership, vision, and unconquered spirit in guiding the College of Business and the opening of Legacy Hall – we present the:

“Dean Michael D. Hartline Leadership Endowment for Dean’s Discretionary Funding”

Price noted the endowment comes as the college continues to climb in the national rankings, including No. 3 among public schools by Niche and multiple programs ranked in the Top 10 by U.S. News & World Report.

“Dean Hartline has led the college to this preeminence, and he has been focused on the specific purpose of elevating the entire college,” Price said after the board meeting. “And we wanted to band together to show how much we appreciate him.”

Price said the idea emerged during the board’s 2024 spring meeting to honor Hartline this year as the college celebrates its 75th anniversary. Donna Abood (BS Marketing ’81; College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame ’13), the chair at the time, supported the idea, as did Harden, her successor. Price said the board spent weeks soliciting support and funding from members of boards throughout the college.

Now that the fund has launched, anyone can contribute to it, Price said. Interested donors can contact Thomas Guthrie, FSU’s senior director of development for principal gifts, at thomas.guthrie@advance.fsu.edu.

“This has been the best-kept secret since March of last year,” Price told board members. He turned toward Hartline and added, “And this group wanted to recognize you.”

Addressing Hartline and Price during the board meeting, Harden said: “Mike, you have done a fantastic job for our college, and, Scott, I appreciate your leadership in putting this together.”

Hartline, who has served as dean since 2016, told board members that in addition to being humbled and honored, he felt “a little embarrassed” by the named endowment because the college’s success isn’t about him.

“It has never been about me,” he said. “It’s about these students; it’s about the team – the faculty and staff -- that we have in place.”

Moments later, Hartline added: “We set out on this journey 10 years ago to become preeminent. I think we are a preeminent business school.”

-- Pete Reinwald