Rowan University benefactor and multimillionaire Henry Rowan died Wednesday night. He was 92. Watch video
GLASSBORO -- Rowan University benefactor and multimillionaire Henry Rowan died at the age of 92 Wednesday night.
Rowan and his wife Betty, who died in 1997, donated $100 million to Glassboro State College in 1992 and the school was renamed in his honor at that time. His family donated another $15 million endowment to the school's college of engineering in 2014.
At the time, the $100 million pledge was the largest ever made to a public university.
It was also a catalyst for the future growth of what would eventually become Rowan University, prompting millions of dollars in donations from other benefactors and leading to additional building, majors and eventually the university's expansion and many new partnerships it has today, including two medical schools.
The large contribution helped transform the university from a small teacher's college into the sprawling campus that stands today.
Henry Rowan's gifts to Rowan University. (Rebecca Forand | for Nj.com) Rowan University President Dr. Ali Houshmand said Thursday afternoon that he was deeply saddened to hear about Rowan's death.
"[Rowan] had a massive impact for this region," Houshmand said. "He had a global impact, he has a massive legacy, and we are so grateful for his gift and the generations of students who will benefit in the future."
"I am happy he lived such a wonderful, dignified life and I am very sad he is gone, but I am so proud to have known (him)," he continued.
The founder and chairman of Inductotherm Group -- a Westampton-based manufacturer of metals and materials -- Rowan spent his career working in metals.
A statement from Inductotherm announced Rowan's death, saying he passed away peacefully, and praised his lifetime of work and humanitarianism.
"Mr. Rowan's dedication has greatly influenced others, and his personal challenge to make a difference has been highly successful," the statement reads.
His work in metals made "the foundry industry safer, more productive and technologically advanced," Inductotherm added, while also saying his "innovation, humanitarianism and courage have served as the catalysts that transformed many aspects of our everyday lives."
Originally from Ridgewood, Rowan studied at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology and served in the Army Air Coprs during World War II before starting his own business. He also participated in the 1992 Olympic sailing trials in Miami, was a member of the Aviation Hall of Fame and published his autobiography "The FIre Within" in 1995.
Local and state elected officials remarked on Rowan's life and generosity Thursday afternoon.
Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert Damminger said the impact he Rowan left will be "forever felt" in Gloucester County.
"The generosity he has shown our county by gifting more than $100 million to what is now Rowan University transformed our community and helped so many of our residents pursue their educational goals," he continued. "We are sorry for the loss of such a great man."
"Mr. Rowan was one of the great philanthropists of our time. There were many ways in which he could have invested in the future," Gov. Chris Christie said, according to Rowan University. "His vision for and commitment to higher education has had and will continue to have a profound impact on the state of New Jersey. He has made a difference in the lived of individual students and in our state."
Staff writer Rebecca Forand contributed to this report.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
