By Bob Bonett
A benefactor tends to send a university bounding forward, by making substantial gifts that play a direct role initiatives that better the university’s reputation. Wilbur F. Breslin is a benefactor to the University, his name gracing Breslin Hall and, more recently, the Breslin Center for Real Estate Studies. However, he is more than a benefactor; he is a pioneer.
At the start of his relationship with the University in what he estimated was the mid-1970s, Breslin was impressed with the advancements made by Rochelle Lowenfeld, now a consultant to the University, and James M. Shuart, a long-time University president. With the University moving “out of the muck” under the direction of those individuals, Breslin jumped at the opportunity to join the advisory board.
“Rochelle Lowenfeld, in my opinion, is one of the most important women at Hofstra,” Breslin said. “During the days that Hofstra was on a very low level, she and Jim Shuart were the two main people responsible for the progress that Hofstra has had over the years.”
Lowenfeld approached Breslin and asked him to join the advisory committee, an offer he accepted.
He joined the Board of Trustees in the mid-1980s and remained a member for approximately 16 years, including his fundraising efforts from 1989 and 1992 when, heading the University Capital Campaign, he raised more than $30 million. Breslin retired from the board in 2001, and now holds the title of trustee emeritus.
The real estate mogul’s latest venture at the University came in the form of a project of epic proportions. Breslin, who entered the real estate industry with little knowledge of how to get started, wanted to help aspiring students ease into the business.
“I know when I entered the real estate business, there was no place where I could go or call and ask a question, get an answer; it was hit and miss. For the first time, I see an opportunity for someone to be able to go to some place, a place that you can rely on in terms of getting answers that are reputable,” Breslin said. “So I thought it was a tremendous thing when the idea was approached to me by Rochelle Lowenfeld, and I fell hook-line-and-sinker because I thought it was an excellent idea. It’s something that we don’t have today.”
The University aimed to “bring together the expertise of Hofstra’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business and the School of Law, as well as the Institute of Real Estate at Hofstra University,” according to a statement dated Sept. 19.
Breslin commented on how, as opposed to scarce graduate programs designed to help aspiring students in the field become acclimated with real estate, the University’s new program would finally help undergraduates in a more concise manner.
“To my knowledge, there are no, or very few, places in the whole country that you can go to get a real estate education,” Breslin said.
Breslin’s goals for the center are quite clear. With Long Island being such a competitive real estate region and the industry changing in a manner that prohibits entrance into the industry at a young age-Breslin started in real estate well before he turned 30-he wanted to help students looking to make a splash in the field be better prepared for what they will face.
“This is an opportunity, today, for somebody that wants to look at real estate as a vocation, for them to go out and really know exactly where they’re going,” he said, “to have an umbrella of real estate knowledge where they can look to.”
Regarding reactions to past projects, “The people that are most vocal are the minority, not the majority, so it is very difficult to convince the powers that be, the politicians,” Breslin said. “I meet with these people every month about these issues; real estate value, property taxes and traffic.”
The recent Real Estate Studies Center differs from this idea, as it would be hard-pressed to find any sort of group that would oppose the new educational venture centered on the University’s Hempstead campus.
A stalwart participant in the real estate industry since shortly after World War II, Breslin offered a piece of advice to aspiring real estate agents. “When you have an understanding with clients, when you address their issues, their concerns, and their problems, then all of a sudden, you are going to have an impact,” Breslin said.
Breslin has lived by this mantra; with all of his contributions to the University, he is undoubtedly making a substantial impact. Moreover, his contributions to the University will not only impact the current generation, but perhaps alter-and more importantly, improve-the entire development industry on Long Island.