The Shah Happiness Foundation, a non-profit founded by Indian American couple Manu and Rika Shah, is set to establish the Shah Family Endowed Chair in Innovativeness at Chapman University’s George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics. This philanthropic initiative aims to advance research, education, and innovation where low-tech industries intersect with high-tech thinking.
The Shah Family Endowed Chair will play a pivotal role in nurturing innovative thinking through a specialized full-semester course titled “Creativity and Innovation — Corporate Entrepreneurship.” Additionally, the endowed chair will actively engage in research and service activities, focusing on applying high-tech thinking to traditionally low-tech industries.
The donation encompasses plans to provide internships, creating a collaborative bridge between academia and industry, offering Chapman students valuable hands-on experience. The Shah Family Endowed Chair will organize events featuring leaders who have effectively applied high-tech thinking to low-tech industries, providing students with opportunities to learn from their experiences. The initiative will culminate in the Shah Family Awards for Innovativeness, an annual program recognizing leaders in this field.
Chapman President Daniele C. Struppa expressed enthusiasm, stating that the university is thrilled to expose students to advanced technology in traditional sectors, equipping them with essential skills and an innovative mindset for success.
This endowed chair serves as a tribute to the Shahs’ commitment to realizing dreams and reflects their significant influence through the Shah Happiness Foundation. Arriving in the US in 1975, the Indian couple established MSI, a leading supplier of flooring, countertops, wall tiles, and hardscaping products in North America, currently operating more than 45 showrooms and distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada.
