Allan Bailey, professor, administrator, alumnus and loyal friend of San Diego State University, passed away Dec. 21. Bailey retired this fall after more than 40 years and three separate careers at SDSU.

"Allan gave his life to education; I can think of no better, more noble vocation," said SDSU President Stephen Weber. "That it was also a labor of love and joy for him makes his memory all the more special. We have lost an exceptional friend and colleague."

Bailey completed a degree in accounting at SDSU in 1964 and earned his MBA and doctorate in accounting from UCLA. He returned to San Diego State University as a faculty member in 1968. Professor Bailey won respect for his collegiality, teaching and mentoring skills and, most importantly, his leadership and vision. Advancing SDSU, as well as the profession of accounting, and contributing to student growth and development, were Bailey's mission and passion.

In 1979, he became dean of the College of Business Administration, a post he would hold for 18 years. As dean, he helped build a highly regarded undergraduate business program, which included creating one of the country’s largest international business programs. In addition, the nationally renowned Entrepreneurial Management Center was established during Bailey’s tenure, and SDSU's School of Accountancy became the first such accredited school in California.

Awards and accolades

Stellar performance in these roles garnered Bailey accolades. As an educator, he was honored with two outstanding professor awards from the California CPA Society, one for contemporary achievements in 1979, and another, a lifetime achievement award, in 1993. While serving as dean, Bailey was appointed president of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, a distinguished position of national recognition and leadership.

Fortunately, Bailey was persuaded to postpone his retirement to become interim vice president for University Advancement, and then, chief financial officer of The Campanile Foundation (TCF), an auxiliary he helped to establish in 1999 to foster and advance private support for San Diego State. Of Bailey’s many contributions, none was more vital to ensuring the university’s prosperous future than his work to design and implement TCF, according to Weber.

Building a culture of philanthropy

"We needed an organization dedicated to building a culture of philanthropy at SDSU — one that could generate and manage private support," Weber said. "Allan worked diligently to birth TCF, to guide its first steps and steer its subsequent success. His relationships within the local community, and the credibility he conferred, were invaluable."

Bailey understood that endowment growth was key to the realization of SDSU's vision to become a top urban research university. Working with the TCF investment committee, he helped the foundation's assets grow from $55 million to $170 million. And, in spite of stock market challenges, the endowment investment pool’s average, five-year return has been 10.4 percent, placing SDSU among the top-earning 23 percent of similar endowments nationwide. This success recently earned Bailey the CFO of the Year Award (for nonprofits) by the San Diego Business Journal.

"We have been incredibly fortunate that Allan committed his career, indeed his adult life, to SDSU. He passionately believed in the importance of a public, urban research university and recognizes the value of a successful philanthropic program to our students and community," said Weber. "Allan's high level of productivity, combined with his wisdom and professionalism, make him a hard colleague to replace. Although he is gone, his many contributions have become an indelible part of our university’s continued success, leaving an enduring legacy at San Diego State."

Honoring Bailey's legacy

Earlier this month, in recognition of Bailey's legacy, chairman and CEO of The Corky McMillin Companies, Mark McMillin, donated $500,000 to name the library at the SDSU Alumni Center in Bailey's honor. McMillin serves on the board of The Campanile Foundation and is an alumnus of the College of Business Administration.
Bailey is survived by his wife, Nancy; two children, Todd and Erin; his sister, Pat; his father, Ace; son-in-law, Brenton; daughter-in-law, Jen; and five grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the A.R. Bailey Dean's Endowment Fund at SDSU, and sent to The Campanile Foundation, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA  92182-8035.

A public memorial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 in Don Powell Theatre.