A $4.5 million bequest from Jerry Conrey and his wife, Dr. Victoria Shook Conrey, marks a significant milestone for the Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics. In recognition of the couple’s remarkable commitment and decades of dedicated service, the college has named its business startup hub the Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship, a lasting tribute to their commitment to innovation, venture creation and student achievement.
“We are grateful to Jerry and Victoria Conrey for their generosity and enduring service to Cal State Fullerton,” said CSUF President Ronald Rochon. “The Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship will serve as a launchpad for innovation, empowering our students and future graduates to generate ideas into opportunities that will make a lasting impact on the world.”
The Conreys’ investment represents one of the largest single contributions in support of entrepreneurship education at Cal State Fullerton. The couple’s long-standing engagement with the center demonstrates a deeply personal, and sustained, commitment to student success and regional innovation.
“The naming of our center as the Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship is a transformational moment for the College of Business and Economics,” said Dean Sri Sundaram. “Jerry and Victoria’s extraordinary generosity strengthens our mission to empower students and impact the SoCal community through entrepreneurial innovation. Their legacy will inspire future Titans to pursue bold ideas, build impactful ventures and lead with purpose for years to come.”
In addition to their financial support, the Conreys have deeply invested their time and leadership. Through speaking engagements, classroom support and one-on-one mentoring, they have opened doors for students and fostered connections between the university and the business community.
“Cal State Fullerton played a pivotal role in my life, shaping my journey as a student and laying the foundation for my career,” said Jerry. “Over the years, both Vicki and I have seen firsthand — through scholarships, mentorship and engagement — the extraordinary promise of Titan students.
“Our hope is that this gift will help future generations of entrepreneurs pursue bold ideas and create ventures that uplift our communities. We also want to encourage others to consider planned giving. The process is straightforward, and it allows supporters to leave a meaningful legacy — one that continues the university’s mission long into the future — without impacting finances during your lifetime. For us, it is both a privilege and a joy to give back in this way,” said Jerry.
A Titan’s Story: Jerry and Victoria Conrey
Jerry’s professional journey began in the early 1980s, when he studied finance at Cal State Fullerton’s then-School of Business and Economics. Jerry joined the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity in 1983, and served as vice prior and prior of the Gamma Xi chapter. He was also vice chair of the board of directors of Associated Students Inc., Cal State Fullerton’s official student government; a student representative on the Academic Senate and Faculty Council; and vice president of the Inter-Fraternity Council.
Jerry pursued a career in insurance and risk management, serving as the agency principal of Conrey Insurance Brokers and Risk Managers since 2002 and CEO of its corporate parent, SIATT Insurance Corp. His company serves a wide range of businesses in the western U.S., including manufacturing, commercial real estate and medical establishments.
His wife, Victoria, is a retired physician with more than four decades of experience in emergency medicine, internal medicine, family medicine and physical rehabilitation. A USC School of Medicine graduate, she retired as a senior partner of California Emergency Physicians, a member of staff at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and SmartClinic Urgent Care.
A Legacy of Giving Back and Paying It Forward
For nearly 20 years, the Conreys have provided long-standing support to Cal State Fullerton entrepreneurial education through supporting scholarships and student mentorship.
John Bradley Jackson ’77, outgoing director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, has worked closely with the Conreys for more than two decades.
“Jerry and Victoria Conrey have been unwavering champions of our students and of the center’s mission to drive both economic and social impact,” said Jackson. Jerry has demonstrated his dedication by teaching entrepreneurship to MBA students, spending countless hours each semester as an entrepreneur-in-residence and serving as a volunteer mentor for the center since 2003. In addition, they have supported scholarships and engaged with local businesses so they can continue to get involved in the center’s mission.
“Jerry has generously volunteered his time in the classroom, spoken at our Startup Incubator, and funded scholarships for 20 deserving students. He has also been a trusted adviser, offering wise counsel and helping me deepen our ties to the community. On a personal note, I can say with great pride that Jerry and Vicki feel like family to me,” said Jackson.
The Conreys’ gift builds on a strong foundation of entrepreneurial achievement that has helped define the center’s work.
Developing Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs
Established in 2001, the Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State Fullerton has grown to become the entrepreneurial hub for business startups of all kinds in North Orange County. The Startup Incubator program has equipped hundreds of business founders with the skills and insights needed to thrive in the competitive venture capital and startup environment of the 21st century.
Among notable alumni of the program have been Bryan Ruef, founder of emergency response startup 10-8 Systems now used by first responders globally, and Victor Macias ’09 and Kristoffer Quiaoit, founder of keto cookie enterprise Nui Foods. The center has also spearheaded numerous annual events, such as the Titan Fast Pitch Competition and SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship. For more on the achievements of venture alumni and students and center events, read the college’s articles on entrepreneurship.
Feel motivated to give back to the Center for Entrepreneurship as an alum or other professional? From mentoring student teams and advising startups to judging pitch competitions and serving on the center’s advisory board, there is no shortage of opportunities for involvement. For more on these opportunities, visit the center’s website or reach out directly at csufentrepreneurship@fullerton.edu.