Recently, the Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University announced some exciting news that I’ve been looking forward to sharing…

In honor of my father’s legacy, my family and I are proud to play a role in furthering the careers of the future leaders of franchising with the endowment of the Don Dwyer Franchise Scholarship, now available to eligible students of the Titus Center. My family and I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate our father than through supporting students who are motivated by the same entrepreneurial spirit he was revered for. I look forward to watching the scholarship pave the way for the success of the individuals who I anticipate will one day make some impressive impacts on our franchising community.

To learn more about the Don Dwyer Franchise Scholarship, you can read the following, taken directly from a press release from the Titus Center:

The family of the late Don Dwyer, Sr., a Waco, Texas, franchise entrepreneur who established several international service brands, has donated $100,000 to support an annual scholarship at the University’s Titus Center for Franchising.

Since the Titus Center opened in 2017, three students have earned a concentration in franchising, and another 30 students are registered in the franchise courses.

“Our family is excited to support students with motivated, entrepreneurial spirits as they pursue excellence at this fine Christian university,” said Dina Dwyer-Owens, daughter of the late Don Dwyer, Sr. and brand ambassador of Neighborly. “We cannot imagine a better way to carry on the Dwyer legacy than by helping to pave the way to success for the future leaders of franchising.”

Prior to his death in 1994, Dwyer established The Dwyer Group, franchisor of several home-service businesses including Mr. Rooter, Mr. Electric, Rainbow International Restoration and others. Recently, a private equity firm acquired The Dwyer Group, and its name changed to Neighborly. The company now supports 22 franchise brands.

“Don Dwyer loved franchising and especially loved teaching people how to use franchising to build wealth and create happiness,” said Dr. John P. Hayes, Titus Chair for Franchise Leadership and director of the Titus Center. “We are honored that the Dwyer family chose to extend Mr. Dwyer’s legacy at the Titus Center where we teach the same principles that he valued as a franchisor.”

For many years, Hayes was a member of The Dwyer Group’s board of directors and an advisor to Dwyer.

Because of the family’s generosity, one student will receive the Don Dwyer Franchise Scholarship each year to study franchising at PBA, Hayes said. Endowed scholarships allow PBA to remain competitive by offering additional funds above and beyond those available through government grants, loans or merit awards. The principle funds invested in scholarship endowments remain intact. Only investment earnings are used for student scholarships, thus creating a legacy that continues far into the future.

The Titus Center in the Marshall E. Rinker Sr. School of Business is one of the few places in the world where students can prepare for a career in franchising. The program was endowed with a $1.5 million contribution by franchise entrepreneur Ray Titus, founder of United Franchise Group in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The Titus Center is one of the University’s six Centers of Excellence. The others are The Gregory Center for Medical Missions, LeMieux Center for Public Policy, Rinker Center for Experiential Learning, Center for Integrative Science Learning and Center for Biblical Leadership.