Robert E. Price, Business Leader and Community Advocate, to Deliver USD Graduate Commencement Address

Robert E. Price, the well-known entrepreneur and community advocate, will deliver the 2016 University of San Diego Commencement address for the Graduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. Mr. Price will be receiving an honorary degree from USD, a Doctor of Humane Letters.

A native San Diegan, Mr. Price began his career working with his father, retail entrepreneur and philanthropist Sol Price, in the family’s retail company, the FedMart stores. In 1975, Mr. Price and his father cofounded The Price Company, the owners and operators of the Price Club membership warehouses. More than fifteen years later, the 94-store company merged with Costco Wholesale Club, and in 1994, Mr. Price became chairman, president, and CEO of Price Enterprises.

As president of Price Charities and Price Philanthropies Foundation, Mr. Price oversees the foundation’s partnerships with nonprofit agencies in San Diego, providing low-income San Diego youth and families with greater opportunities. Working mainly in City Heights, the Price Philanthropies Foundation approaches quality of life improvements through holistic methods, primarily through residential and retail development. The program also helps residents to access health and social services, quality education, jobs, and legal representation while making the neighborhoods safe and supportive environments for growth.

In addition to his philanthropic work, Mr. Price is the Chairman of the Board of PriceSmart Inc., the largest operator of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean, and he holds honorary degrees from San Diego State University, and his alma mater, Pomona College. Mr. Price lives with his wife, Allison, and their family in San Diego.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is among the Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact according to The Princeton Review. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.