R. John Chapel Jr. '67 Pledges $1 Million to Drexel LeBow
R. John Chapel Jr. ’67 has made a pledge of $1 million to Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business to name the R. John Chapel Jr. Dean’s Suite in the new academic center opening in 2014.
Chapel, a mergers and acquisitions specialist, is president and CEO of White Hall Capital LLC and the former president and CEO of AVIEL Systems, Inc. Chapel made the pledge in partnership with his wife, Jinnie. The couple also donated $2.5 million to Drexel LeBow in 2008 to endow the dean’s chair, making Drexel the second private university in the nation to have an endowed dean’s chair.
“John and Jinnie are exceptional friends of the College and invaluable advisors to me as we continue on our trajectory toward being one of the best business schools in America,” said George P. Tsetsekos, Ph.D., the R. John Chapel Dean of Drexel LeBow. “It is an honor for me to hold a deanship that bears John’s name, and it is fitting that my senior staff will help me lead from a suite of offices that is named for John, as well.”
“George’s leadership at Drexel LeBow is impressive,” Chapel said. “Under George’s leadership, Drexel LeBow programs have vaulted into the national rankings, and the new academic center will become a gathering point for executives, faculty, students and alumni to share knowledge and create new ideas. Jinnie and I are happy to support his great work.”
Chapel originally enrolled at Drexel in 1961 to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Financial difficulties forced him to postpone his studies, and seek employment for a couple of years. He began working as a design draftsman, but soon realized he would like to return to college and earn a degree in business and engineering. He returned to Drexel, joined the football team, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1967 after carrying 23 credits during his last term.
Chapel incorporated the Virginia-based AVIEL Systems, Inc., in January 2006. He recently sold the company, which serves federal government agencies in areas critical to national security, transportation, and defense. He now is the founding president and CEO of White Hall Capital LLC, a private equity company that invests in government services companies.
Chapel’s tremendous gift is the latest is a series of commitments that have followed Bennett S. LeBow’s announcement of his $45 million gift to build a new academic center at Drexel LeBow. The momentum continues!
