Retired Raytheon Chair Donates $10 Million To Cal Poly SLO Golf

He played golf at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has funded scholarships, but a $10 million gift from retired Raytheon Chairman Bill Swanson and his wife Cheryl is the largest in school history. And perhaps in college golf history?

David Middlecamp reports.

Swanson was a member of the Mustangs golf team and earned his degree in engineering, which he put to use during a 40-year career at Raytheon. Raytheon is a “technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the world,” with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, according to the release.

The endowment provided by the Swansons will fund new scholarships, focusing on engineering and first-generation student-athletes. It also will “support participating in better national tournaments, more robust travel and recruiting budgets, and improved equipment and gear for the men’s and women’s teams,” according to the release.

Comments

[Bob...]

War has been very very good to Mr. Swanson.

He should have donated that $10 million to wounded warrior help.

[Ted B. (Charging Rhino)]

Congrats and many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Swanson for their generous gift to Cal Poly's golf program.

Don't feed the trolls...

[so]

Seconded Bob. To each his own. Everyone has to learn their lessons.

[PGATOURSMartin]

As a Cal Poly alum who had a brief and unfruitful career for the Mustangs, I am extremely excited. Scott Cartwright deserves the NCAA Coach of the Year award for securing such a transforming gift.

[digsouth]

Good call, Bob.

+++2+++

[Evan Pur]

Congrats to the SLO Mustang Golf Program.

[pasaplayer]

Raytheon does more damage than good. $10m to the Mustang's golf program does more good than damage. Apples and oranges.

[DTF]

"He should have donated that $10 million to wounded warrior help."

How much has he donated to the Wounded Warrior program?