$5 million gift to business school makes new real estate center possible – The Champion Newspaper | 404-373-7779

Emory University’s Goizueta Business School recently announced the receipt of a gift that school officials said ushers in “a new era of excellence in real estate education, thought, leadership, and practice at Goizueta.” With the $5 million gift from alumnus Billy Harbert, the business school will establish the BL Harbert Real Estate Center.
Harbert, chairman and CEO of BL Harbert International, has long been recognized for his innovation and leadership in construction and real estate, according to the announcement from Goizueta Business School.

“I am proud to support the launch of the new center and hope to continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of real estate education and practice,” Harbert said. “I look forward to seeing how Goizueta will inspire and prepare the next generation of industry leaders.”

Calling the gift “transformational,” Emory officials said the new center “will capitalize on Atlanta’s thriving real estate market, which is rapidly expanding with commercial and residential developments. With 75 percent of Fortune 1000 companies holding offices in the city, Atlanta is also home to 16 Fortune 500 company headquarters. The world-class real estate program will not only shape the future of the industry but also fuel innovation and economic development across Atlanta and the entire region.”

An analysis of national real estate data conducted by industry periodical Commercial Construction & Renovation shows that Atlanta has during the past 50 years risen to 14th place nationally in real estate development “vaulting the city into the ranks of powerhouses like Dallas, Austin and Miami,” the publication states.

“We are deeply thankful to Billy Harbert for his extraordinary generosity. This gift represents a significant milestone for Goizueta and the entire Emory community,” Gareth James, John H. Harland Dean for Goizueta, said in announcing the gift. “The BL Harbert Real Estate Center will enhance our ability to educate the next generation of real estate leaders, create a robust talent pipeline for leading firms, and strengthen our connection to the industry. It is a testament to the strength and influence of our alumni network.”

The plan for the BL Harbert Real Estate Center, Goizueta officials said, is to develop “a hands-on curriculum that equips students to excel as real estate entrepreneurs and practitioners. The center, supported by three key pillars—research, community engagement, and curriculum—will advance innovations in the field by increasing Goizueta’s influence as a hub for engagement, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.” The center also will facilitate internships, case competitions, conferences, and real-world projects with industry partners, they reported, adding that a national search is now underway for a distinguished industry professor to guide the new real estate program.

The business school already had been taking major steps in accelerating its real estate program, according to the announcement, which said an alumni group had established a $3 million endowment “to fuel additional leadership for the program” and the school’s annual real estate conference “has quickly gained recognition as one of the Southeast’s premier industry gatherings, attracting top professionals and decision-makers.”

“The energy and excitement surrounding real estate at Emory and Goizueta Business School are unmistakable,” stated Robert C. Goddard III, chair of the Emory Board of Trustees. “With Goizueta’s expanding real estate program, the school is poised to become a premier hub for real estate education and thought leadership. Given Atlanta’s position as a thriving commercial and investment center—serving as the economic engine of the Southeast—our students and faculty have unparalleled access to a dynamic market, influential industry leaders, and a wealth of opportunities. We are building something truly extraordinary.”

“Industry innovation will not happen in a vacuum; it will be driven by research and a curriculum that brings real world problems and cutting-edge research to the classroom,” observed Sergio Gárate, director of the Goizueta Real Estate Program. “This generous investment by Billy Harbert will significantly enhance our students’ educational experience.”