Daniel L. Goodwin, an active Benedictine University Board member since 1991, passed away this weekend at the age of 80. The inspiration for the Goodwin Hall of Business, he was considered one of the University’s greatest contributors.
Goodwin was Vice Chair of Benedictine’s Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Board Development Committee. He was also a member of the Compensation Committee, Executive Committee and Finance and Audit Committee.
Goodwin’s 25 years of service to Benedictine was considered invaluable by a wide ranging audience there including the University’s current and past presidents and board members. His positive impact on Benedictine was monumental, both for the people who worked there and on the institution itself.
Goodwin was instrumental in the design and financing of the major buildings on the Lisle Benedictine University campus, including the Birck Science Building, the Kindlon Hall of Learning, the Goodwin Hall of Business, and the Founders Woods Student Residences.
He was the lead Trustee in managing financial issues, and played a major role in development of Benedictine’s Mesa, Arizona campus. The University considered Dan an invaluable resource with regard to strategic planning, financing, and problem solving throughout his time with the University.
Among the honors bestowed upon him is his name on the Lisle campus’ school of business: The Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business is a 125,000 square foot four-story building that includes a 600-seat auditorium for presentations and lectures, and a 6,000 square foot “Global Hall” that includes a digital stock ticker and a billboard-sized high-definition video screen. The building was designed to promote a learning environment of collaboration and encourages engaging student-faculty interactions.
According to Benedictine University’s new President Dr. Joseph Foy, you can feel Goodwin’s impact on the University the moment you step on campus. “I learned about Dan’s contributions to the University before my first visit here, but I was overwhelmed by his sheer presence when I toured the grounds and stepped into the buildings he helped develop,” said Foy. “And his contributions were so much greater than design and architecture. For example, consider that the Goodwin College of Business has served students from across the world with programs in Lisle, Mesa, online, and in China and Vietnam. The University owes much to Mr. Goodwin’s leadership, vision, and abundant generosity.”
Benedictine’s previous President, Charles Gregory, said he lost a valued friend and mentor. “Dan was an exceptional man who was appreciated, respected and dearly valued by everyone he worked with at Benedictine. Before his life in business, Dan was a teacher and I believe that ability to teach and inspire never left him. One of the things I loved most about him was that he never told you what to do or think, he told you how to think and approach both problems and opportunities. In this way, he was the greatest teacher in my life. And I know others at Benedictine would tell you the same. We will all miss him so much.”
Kathleen Donofrio, current Benedictine board member, mourns the loss of a respected, long time Board member and friend. “Dan was truly an inspiring man who challenged us to greatness. His business acumen and dedicated spirit added significantly to the development of Benedictine University over his extensive tenure on the Board. His generosity was greatly responsible for the Goodwin Building. Helped by his support, the School of Business has provided a bright future for many students. Dan’s thoughtful presence will be deeply and profoundly missed.”
William Carroll, President Emeritus, Benedictine University, said, “A successful university does not happen in a leaderless vacuum. It is made up of talented faculty, seasoned administrators, and a dedicated board of trustees that steers the institution to the realization of a shared vision. In my 20 years as president, Dan Goodwin enabled Benedictine to be the best it could be. His wisdom, philanthropy, and friendship were omnipresent. He exemplified what a board member should be. He will surely be missed, but we are all better because he shared his time with us.”
Goodwin served on the boards of more than one dozen nonprofit charities and civic organizations and has, over the years, received 65 awards for his civic and charitable work. He was the CEO of The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies Inc., a multi-billion dollar real estate and financial organization located in Oak Brook. He lived in DuPage County with his wife and two daughters.
Services for Mr. Goodwin will be held on February 3, 2024 at 11:30 am at St. Mary of Gostyn Church in Downers Grove, with visitation held on February 2, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 pm at Knollcrest Funeral Home in Lombard.
Photo taken at the opening of the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business
