Million Dollar Gift

This week, I had one of the great privileges in my personal and professional life to reach a goal that has been forty years in the making.  As a college sophomore, I was inspired to write down my life goals.  They included starting my own company, becoming a millionaire, writing a book, becoming a platform speaker, and making a movie.  Each of those goals, I’m thankful to say, has been reached and exceeded, but the only other goal I wrote those many years ago didn’t become a reality until now. 

 Forty years ago, I set a goal to find a worthwhile cause or purpose and give them a check for one million dollars.  It’s important to note that as I wrote that goal down, I was going blind, in debt, and had a grand total of seven dollars in my pocket.  For many years, I didn’t have a million dollars to give away, and for the last few years, I’ve been looking for the right cause.  Last spring, I was in a two-day advisory board meeting at my alma mater, Oral Roberts University, which is where I originally set my goals.  During the meeting, we discussed things the university should be doing in the year 2030.  One of the many ideas that was presented was to have a School of Entrepreneurship. 

 Throughout last summer and into the fall, I couldn’t get away from that idea.  So around Thanksgiving, I called the president of the university and asked him to come to our home.  We sat for several hours as I described to him my vision for The Stovall Center for Entrepreneurship which involves a four-year degree as well as a Master’s degree in entrepreneurship along with launch pads, an incubator, and an accelerator of entrepreneurial ventures, and a museum of entrepreneurship.  Entrepreneurial training will be available on-line and supported around the world.

 The president of the university presented my idea to the university trustees, the dean, and the professors within the business school.  They added their ideas to mine, and it began to take shape.  I had to take a deep breath when they informed me that my vision could not become a reality for a million dollar donation.  It would take a 1.5 million dollar commitment on my part.  Entrepreneurship has given me everything I ever imagined and more.  I decided it was worth 1.5 million dollars to give young people around the world and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to make their dreams come true and see their goals realized. 

 I have long believed and said, “The most fun you will ever have with money is giving it away.”  I believe it more now than ever before. 

 As you go through your day today, set goals for what you want to be, have, do, and give away.   

Today’s the day!