Gary Brinson ('66) may be one of the most influential investment managers in the world, but he has not forgotten those who influenced him. Specifically, he has not forgotten Dr. Khalil Dibee, his former professor of finance at Seattle University. His appreciation of Dibee's teaching recently prompted Brinson to donate $3.5 million to establish the Dr. Khalil Dibee Endowed Chair in Finance at the Albers School of Business and Economics. This is the largest individual donation in Seattle U history.
Brinson, founder and retired chair of Brinson Partners, Inc., is considered one of the "living legends" of the investment profession. "At one point, Gary Brinson was overseeing the management of $1 trillion in assets," said Joe Phillips, dean of Albers. "But his most significant contribution is his work in asset allocation and global investing. He has had a major impact on the investment practice." Brinson now heads his own private investment firm, GP Brinson Investments and is involved in philanthropic activities with his wife and two daughters through The Brinson Foundation.
Brinson attended Seattle University from 1962-1966, receiving a B.A. in finance. A self-confessed "so-so" student, Brinson got a push from Dibee, a teacher with a reputation for challenging his students to work to their full potential. Dibee encouraged Brinson to go on to graduate school (SU did not have an MBA program at the time) and helped him get an assistantship at Washington State University. "A significant part of my success in life is attributable to Dr. Dibee's teaching and encouragement during my formative years at Seattle University," said Brinson. Dibee taught at SU for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1994. Dibee says he was stunned and honored by the donation. Dibee, who has followed Brinson's career in the Wall Street Journal, recalled when Brinson would come to class in the morning after working all night at the Oberto sausage factory: "There'd still be traces of meat on his shoes, but he came to class and accepted the challenge, becoming an A student."
"The Dr. Khahil Dibee Endowed Chair of Finance will greatly enhance what is already an outstanding finance department," said President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. "We are tremendously appreciative of this generous contribution and the honor it confers to a talented and caring teacher."
From Broadway & Madison, 1/5/2003