CEO’s Classroom Experience, Family Legacy Fuel $10M Gift For Hunter Hall

CEO's Classroom Experience, Family Legacy Fuel $10M Gift For Hunter Hall

By Debby Clark

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Greg Hunter never wears a suit to his abstract algebra class at Cal State San Marcos. So when he walked in dressed up one evening, his classmates teased him for being "all dolled up."

Few would guess that he is the CEO of Hunter Industries, a global organization and the largest private employer in San Marcos - or that the company is also a longtime philanthropic partner to CSUSM and is recognized on the campus founders' seal.

To them, he's just Greg, a student who slips into class with the ease that comes from sharing four semesters with his classmates.

"Greg is effortlessly humble, which is so refreshing," fellow student Travis Bourdon said. "We knew he was a professional but had no idea of the scope. He fits right in, has made friends and encourages us to think about complex concepts differently."

A lifelong learner and Cornell University graduate, Hunter enrolled at CSUSM to challenge himself and strengthen his analytical skills. But the experience quickly became something more as he found himself inspired and motivated by the students around him.

"Their grit, backgrounds and excellence impress me, as does the passion and engagement of the faculty," Hunter said. "CSUSM is a special place with a clear commitment to advancing social mobility and student success across the region. It means a great deal to continue my family's legacy of support."

This experience, combined with the family's long-standing commitment to CSUSM, inspired a transformational $10 million gift to fund a new STEM facility. Recently approved by the CSU Board of Trustees, the building will be named Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering and is scheduled to open in fall 2027. Hunter Hall will boost engineering enrollment from 500 to nearly 2,000 students, strengthen the region's workforce pipeline and support economic growth.

"We are deeply grateful to the Hunter family and Hunter Industries for this extraordinary gift," President Ellen Neufeldt said. "Greg's experience in the classroom gives him a unique perspective on our students, many of whom are the first in their families to graduate from college. Hunter Hall will be a landmark addition to campus, providing state-of-the-art STEM facilities, fueling regional innovation and strengthening pathways for future graduates."

The Hunter family has helped shape CSUSM's history for three generations - including Greg's grandparents, parents and aunt, Ann Hunter-Wellborn, who served on CSUSM's University Council before the campus was founded and has continued to advocate for many student success programs. Over the years, Hunter Industries has supported several pivotal projects, including the Clarke Field House, University Student Union, Hunter Design Lab and state-of-the-art physics laboratories. The company also provides internships, mentorship and faculty support, and employs many CSUSM alumni.

As for balancing coursework and running a global company, Greg approaches his studies with the same focus and dedication that define his leadership.

"Greg is an exceptional student," mathematics professor Hanson Smith said. "He even makes time for office hours, which is remarkable for someone who is also a CEO. Students are typically career-focused. Greg already has an extraordinary career, yet he's here because he loves learning, which is likely what makes him such an effective leader."

With this gift, CSUSM's "Blueprint for the Future" campaign - the university's most ambitious fundraising effort - has raised nearly 80% of its $200 million goal. The campaign reflects the university's continued growth and its commitment to advancing social mobility across the region. Explore Blueprint for the Future to see how CSUSM is different by design.

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