How a $4.5M Gift is Fueling the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs at Cal State Fullerton

A Transformational Gift for Entrepreneurial Education

Each year, the Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics hosts the Titan Fast Pitch competition. In this high-energy event, student entrepreneurs have just 90 seconds to present their business concepts to a panel of professional and academic judges.

This competition celebrates the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that drives positive community impact—core values of the Conrey Center.

Student Innovations Shine

Recent winners include:

• Julie Yun and Dhara Panchal (computer science and engineering students) who took second place for developing Novvhex, an AI-powered home security platform that detects suspicious behavior before theft occurs.
• Daphnay Pino (entrepreneurship student) who placed third for creating Blink Clean, an eco-friendly, refillable double-sided stain remover pen.

These students exemplify the ingenuity, purpose, and vision that define the Conrey Center’s mission.

The $4.5 Million Legacy Gift

The exceptional work of these students inspired Jerry Conrey and his wife, Dr. Victoria Shook Conrey, to bequeath a $4.5 million gift to the College of Business & Economics. This generous contribution—one of the largest single donations for entrepreneurship education at Cal State Fullerton—along with the couple’s decades of service, led the college to rename the center in their honor.

In July, it officially became the Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship.

Jerry Conrey’s Vision

Jerry Conrey, founder and agency principal of Conrey Insurance Brokers and Risk Managers, attended Cal State Fullerton as a finance and political science major from 1981 to 1987. At the naming ceremony in October, he shared his vision:

“Our hope with this gift—and with the naming of the Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship—is that it becomes a launchpad for bold ideas. We want this to be a place where students are encouraged to take risks, to learn from setbacks, and to create ventures that make a difference in our communities.”

Conrey credits Cal State Fullerton with shaping his career path and sees this donation as a way to “pay it forward” for future generations of entrepreneurs.

Mentorship and Hands-On Engagement

Conrey emphasizes that entrepreneurship is about turning ideas into opportunities that generate profit while creating lasting impact. He views entrepreneurial education as essential for innovation and preparing students to thrive in competitive environments.

Mentorship and hands-on engagement are critical to student success, according to Conrey. “Our hope is that this gift will help future generations of entrepreneurs pursue bold ideas and create ventures that uplift our communities,” he said.

Building a Lasting Relationship

The university’s gratitude for the gift opened a meaningful dialogue between Conrey and Cal State Fullerton. Conrey and his wife felt welcomed like family, gaining deeper insight into the university’s diverse programs—from its music department to holiday concerts.

“They treated us really well and engaged with us and showed us all things that are going on that maybe the public doesn’t always see,” Conrey noted.

A Transformational Moment

Sri Sundaram, dean of the College of Business and Economics, called the gift and renaming a transformational moment for the college.

“Jerry and Victoria’s extraordinary generosity strengthens our mission to empower students and impact the Southern California community through entrepreneurial innovation. Their legacy will inspire future Titans to pursue bold ideas, build impactful ventures, and lead with purpose for years to come.”