College of Charleston to Receive Major Gift From Beemok

A transformational gift from Beemok, the family office of Ben and Kelly Navarro, will allow the College of Charleston to expand its School of Business in one of Charleston’s most iconic locations.  

The gift will enable the construction of a new, world-class business school near the entrance of Union Pier, which is poised to become the city’s most exciting and vibrant new neighborhood. The School of Business will be a centerpiece of its future.  

“We are inspired by the Navarro family’s act of generosity and stewardship,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “This new site will allow us to build a best-in-class business school where students enjoy direct access to Charleston’s dynamic business environment.” 

Ben Navarro’s relationship with the College of Charleston goes well beyond this gift. He was inspired to act after teaching a course in the School of Business called Intentionality, now in its third year. Through that experience, he saw the drive, curiosity and potential of students, as well as the opportunity to create a learning environment that matched their ambition. 

“This is a game-changer for the School of Business,” says Paul Schwager, dean of the School of Business. “Strategically placing our School in the center of what will be one of Charleston’s most visible corridors will reinforce the College’s position as an integral part of the city and offer students more unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning, internships and community engagement.” 

The new School of Business will serve as a gateway to both the College and the city. The school has experienced a remarkable 39 percent increase in enrollment, growing in four years to 2,557 students in 2024. Its new home will position it to meet that momentum with state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative spaces and unprecedented access to local and global business leaders. 

“This gift from Beemok will mark a new chapter for the College and the School of Business,” says Dan Frezza, chief advancement officer for the College of Charleston and chief executive officer for the College of Charleston Foundation. “With its close proximity to the future Union Pier development, we can’t think of a better location for a new School of Business facility than the Carroll Building site, and we are excited to be on the forefront of the first large-scale downtown development in this century.” 

Additionally, Frezza notes, “this transformative gift from Beemok will be the beginning of a formal process to ensure all the necessary board and state approvals are in place in order to finalize the acquisition of the Carroll Building site and lead the way to a new home for the School of Business.” 

Read Ben Navarro’s OpEd to learn more about his vision for downtown Charleston.