Alumnus leaves mark on university with statue
Mafrige gives in honor of those he admires
Rebecca Watts
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Campus News
The location for the statute is one of two selected by an art committee formed by the university. Mafrige is pleased with the placement and Lewis said he couldn't be happier about it.
"I think it's a wonderful addition. I'm just pleased it's right outside my office," Lewis said.
Mafrige's affinity for those that have touched his life is matched only by his passion for history and even this can be seen in various places on campus. Mafrige has gifted several collections of memorabilia to the university. The Theatre department received a collection of Gone With the Wind memorabilia, only missing a single piece, and the college of business has a complete set of sports memorabilia on display. Mafrige believes the items offer a connection to the past and has one of the most impressive collections in the state.
Mafrige said, "I'm a history buff and I think that memorabilia gets you as close to history as anything. Pieces of his collections can also be seen at the George Bush Presidential Library.
Mafrige believes learning and knowing the past is an integral aspect of success and as a successful commercial real-estate investor in Houston, he should know. He opened his company, Ron Mafrige Enterprises in 1965. From his first transaction involving two properties, to larger and more complicated investments, the company now leases over one million square feet of office space in Houston and the surrounding suburban areas. The business is now primarily run by Mafrige's only son, Ronald "Rocky" Mafrige.
Mafrige was influenced by his father's success in business and, as a college student, decided to majoring in business was his best chance for success.
"My father was in business, he owned his own business," Mafrige said. "I felt there were more opportunities in business than in any other major."
Mafrige struggled through school, suffering from dyslexia, a little known learning disorder at that time. He first attended Texas A&M University, which he describes as having a "Darwinian approach" of survival of the fittest. Due to suffering grades, he moved to Trinity and then Houston universities at an attempt to bring up his grade point average, before settling at SHSU. The smaller classes and personal care SHSU offered made a huge impact and Mafrige saw his grades rise from failing to A's and B's.
"I think it's a wonderful addition. I'm just pleased it's right outside my office," Lewis said.
Mafrige's affinity for those that have touched his life is matched only by his passion for history and even this can be seen in various places on campus. Mafrige has gifted several collections of memorabilia to the university. The Theatre department received a collection of Gone With the Wind memorabilia, only missing a single piece, and the college of business has a complete set of sports memorabilia on display. Mafrige believes the items offer a connection to the past and has one of the most impressive collections in the state.
Mafrige said, "I'm a history buff and I think that memorabilia gets you as close to history as anything. Pieces of his collections can also be seen at the George Bush Presidential Library.
Mafrige believes learning and knowing the past is an integral aspect of success and as a successful commercial real-estate investor in Houston, he should know. He opened his company, Ron Mafrige Enterprises in 1965. From his first transaction involving two properties, to larger and more complicated investments, the company now leases over one million square feet of office space in Houston and the surrounding suburban areas. The business is now primarily run by Mafrige's only son, Ronald "Rocky" Mafrige.
Mafrige was influenced by his father's success in business and, as a college student, decided to majoring in business was his best chance for success.
"My father was in business, he owned his own business," Mafrige said. "I felt there were more opportunities in business than in any other major."
Mafrige struggled through school, suffering from dyslexia, a little known learning disorder at that time. He first attended Texas A&M University, which he describes as having a "Darwinian approach" of survival of the fittest. Due to suffering grades, he moved to Trinity and then Houston universities at an attempt to bring up his grade point average, before settling at SHSU. The smaller classes and personal care SHSU offered made a huge impact and Mafrige saw his grades rise from failing to A's and B's.
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