Daily Aztec Story: School of Accountancy renamed

In life, Dr. Charles Lamden, professor of accountancy at San Diego State, was voted an outstanding professor by his students. In death, he will be remembered as truly transformational.

The School of Accountancy, which owes its accreditation largely to Lamden, will now bear his name, becoming the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy. The school is the first in SDSU history to take on the name of a benefactor.

The Lamden family gave SDSU a gift of $10 million to make the naming possible, which was presented by William Lamden, the son of Charles Lamden. The gift is also among the largest donations ever given to the university.

SDSU President Stephen L. Weber was firmly supportive of changing the name of the school, according to a press release.

"The naming of the School of Accountancy is transformational for San Diego State," Weber said. "This gift will ensure that Charles Lamden's powerful legacy of high academic and business standards will continue for many generations of students and faculty to come."

Lamden's long teaching career at SDSU began in 1954. Over the years, he garnered many awards and honors including the title of "Outstanding Professor" by SDSU students, which he won twice. Lamden died on May 9, 1992 at the age of 75.

The naming of the School of Accountancy has been in discussion for 15 years between the Lamden family and SDSU officials, with the final approval given by California State University Trustees. Only in the last year have discussions escalated, Dean of the College of Business Administration, Dr. Gail Naughton said.

"We had to figure out the right (financial) amount," Naughton said. "It has been a long procedure, and it has been on and off for 15 years. For the last 12 months there have been very active discussions."

According to Naughton, the agreement was reached in part so that the naming of the School of Accountancy could take place within the lifetime of his wife, Gertrude Lamden.

The $10 million will go to supplement the salaries of the School of Accountancy faculty, in order to keep their wages competitive, and also to bolster research project funds. Naughton added that the students will reap the benefits of a stronger program.

"This is absolutely transformational for the school," Naughton said. "It will take us from top-notch to outstanding. This is great news for us."

According to a press release, Sharon Lightner, the William E. Cole Director of the School of Accountancy, said that the naming of the school is a tribute to a great man.

"As a scholar, professional and global businessman, Dr. Lamden embraced everything the School of Accountancy aspires to," she said. "It is only fitting that the school will now be named for the man who has left his mark for excellence at SDSU."