TU opens Dr. Francis S. Soistman Jr. ’79, ’15 (hon.) and Family Athletics Academic Achievement Center
Made possible by the largest gift in school history, the center helps student-athletes thrive in the classroom
By Kyle Hobstetter on February 6, 2023
In 2020, Fran Soistman Jr. ’79, ’15 (hon.) made a $5.6 million gift to his alma mater. It was the largest gift from an alum in TU history and demonstrated his affection and gratitude to the university.
A portion of this gift ($2.415 million) was made to the Towson University Foundation, specifically to the Athletics Capital Projects Fund.
This past December, in recognition of Soistman’s gift, Towson University dedicated The Dr. Francis S. Soistman Jr. ’79, ’15 (hon.) and Family Athletics Academic Achievement Center. Along with Soistman, he shared the honor with his son Stephen and daughter Kendall, who were both in attendance for the ribbon cutting in December, and his daughter Carly, who could not attend.
“There is a great need for it. I didn’t want it to go any longer without being addressed,” says Soistman.
In his 40 years in business, he has successfully hired former student-athletes. “They are wired differently. Competitiveness and discipline live in a student-athlete’s DNA, and both serve them well in business.”
The center will also allow TU student-athletes to continue to thrive in the classroom. During the fall 2022 term:
- Nine teams improved their team GPA from the previous fall
- 15 teams had a 3.0 GPA
- 16 teams had a cumulative team GPA of more than 4.0
- 28 current and former student-athletes graduated in the fall, including four earning master’s degrees
- 175 student-athletes earned a 3.5 or higher GPA
- 32 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA
- More than 61% of student-athletes earned a 3.0 or higher GPA
With an already solid academic showing, the athletic department is excited to see how student-athletes will use the center to improve those numbers. And as Soistman points out, “The fact that the center is alongside Honor Way means it will serve as a reminder of TU Athletics’ values and instill pride and honor in those who came before, on and off the field.”
“This is a game changer for our student-athletes and the impact of philanthropy on TU Athletics,” says Steve Eigenbrot, Towson University’s athletic director. “This project changes the landscape for our students and shows our commitment to their success in the classroom. It also signals to our donors that together great things are possible with their support.”
This is just the latest in Soistman’s long history with Towson University. He has been a proud Tiger for more than 40 years. In 2015, he received an honorary doctorate that read, in part, “He approaches complex issues with the university’s best interests at heart—unfailingly thoughtful, inclusive and focused on the ultimate goal.”
His first gift to TU in the late 1980s was followed by many additional contributions totaling more than $600,000 in support of projects and initiatives across the institution.
“Fran’s exceptional generosity and leadership have been central to the success of the RISE campaign,” says Brian DiFilippis, vice president of university advancement.
Soistman retired as CVS Health-Aetna’s executive vice president and president of government services in 2019 after serving as executive vice president at Coventry Health Care and president and CEO at HealthAmerica. He currently serves as chief executive officer and director at e-Health, Inc., Santa Clara, California.
Throughout his career, Soistman has remained strongly connected to TU. He began his service on the Towson University Board of Visitors in 2002 and as chair from 2016–18. He also served as a director of the TU Foundation—one of his earliest volunteer roles with the university—and currently co-chairs TU’s RISE campaign committee.
Beyond athletics, his record-breaking gift is benefiting the College of Health Professions, the College of Business & Economics and programming to advance equity, diversity and inclusion.