The California State University Board of Trustees made it official last week: Cal State San Bernardino’s School of Entrepreneurship and Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship will now bear the name of Randall W. Lewis, recognizing his transformative $6 million gift to these vital programs. The newly named Randall W. Lewis School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship represent more than just a naming opportunity—they embody Lewis’s deep commitment to fostering innovation and opportunity in the Inland Empire.
A Vision Rooted in Experience
As executive vice president for marketing with The Lewis Group of Companies, Randall Lewis has spent his career witnessing the transformative power of entrepreneurial thinking. His decision to support Cal State San Bernardino’s entrepreneurship program stems from this firsthand understanding of how innovative ideas, when paired with determination and proper support, can create jobs, strengthen communities, and change lives.
Lewis’s connection to CSUSB deepened when he received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the university in 2021. While he was already impressed by the institution’s commitment to serving the region, it was their comprehensive vision for entrepreneurship education that ultimately captured his philanthropic interest.
Beyond Traditional Business Education
What distinguishes Lewis’s investment is his recognition that entrepreneurship extends far beyond traditional business creation. His gift supports a program that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset applicable across every discipline—from engineering to education, from healthcare to the arts. This interdisciplinary approach aligns with Lewis’s belief that innovation emerges from the intersection of different fields, perspectives, and experiences.
“I’ve always believed that the best investments we can make are in people and ideas,” Lewis explained. “Supporting the School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Cal State San Bernardino is an opportunity to help empower the next generation of creative thinkers and doers—individuals who will shape the future of our region and beyond.”
Commitment to Access and Equity
Lewis’s investment reflects a particular appreciation for Cal State San Bernardino’s commitment to access and equity. The university’s dedication to serving diverse students regardless of their background or economic starting point resonates with Lewis’s belief that entrepreneurial opportunity should be available to everyone with the drive to pursue it.
This philosophy is operationalized through the Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship’s three Entrepreneurial Resource Centers located in Palm Desert, San Bernardino, and Temecula. These locations serve as community hubs where aspiring entrepreneurs can access resources, mentorship, and support throughout the Inland Empire.
Strategic Impact for Regional Development
Lewis views his gift as an investment in solutions to challenges that haven’t yet been identified. The endowed gift and irrevocable estate gift are designed to empower the newly named school to broaden its transformative impact across the university and throughout the region. The program will continue championing interdisciplinary approaches that engage all of Cal State San Bernardino’s academic colleges and administrative divisions.
This comprehensive approach excites Lewis because it reflects his understanding that meaningful innovation requires collaboration across traditional boundaries. The school’s culture of innovation and opportunity aligns with his vision for developing entrepreneurs who will address climate change, develop new technologies, solve healthcare challenges, and build more inclusive communities.
A Partnership for the Future
Lewis expresses particular honor in partnering with an institution that shares his values around entrepreneurial spirit, community access, and educational equity. His investment represents confidence in both the university’s mission and in the students who will benefit from enhanced entrepreneurship education.
The real measure of success for this investment, from Lewis’s perspective, won’t be financial returns but rather the dreams realized, problems solved, and positive impact created by the entrepreneurs the program helps develop. His gift positions Cal State San Bernardino to continue developing creative thinkers and doers who will shape not just the Inland Empire’s future, but contribute to solutions on a global scale.
Looking Forward
As the Randall W. Lewis School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation begins this new chapter, Lewis’s investment stands as a testament to the power of strategic philanthropy in higher education. His gift ensures that Cal State San Bernardino can continue fostering innovation while maintaining its core commitment to access and opportunity for all students, regardless of their background or economic circumstances.
This partnership between a successful business leader and a forward-thinking public university creates a model for how private philanthropy can amplify public education’s impact, particularly in developing the entrepreneurial talent that will drive regional and national economic growth in the decades ahead.
Rosie Lewis is the Corporate Marketing Manager at The Lewis Group of Companies. She is a Claremont native who enjoys hiking, yoga, and developing her green thumb.