Robert Kogod’s remarkable life has followed one guiding principle.
“What people do for the public good, enables others’ success.”
How do you honor the life of someone who has ineffably changed your city, your country, and your world? At the Kogod School of Business, we hope to shine a light on the incredible impact one person can make in the lives of many.
A builder, risk-taker, visionary, and philanthropist who reshaped Washington’s skyline—and who, with his wife Arlene, funded advancement in education, the arts, architecture, healthcare, and community organizations.
Why Bob Kogod?
When the Kogod School of Business decided to launch its Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, the choice for its inaugural inductee was a no-brainer. Our school’s namesake, Bob Kogod, is not only a successful entrepreneur and unmatched business leader; he is also—and always has been—a stalwart champion for good.
Decades after his time at AU as a student himself, Bob Kogod is known throughout the region and the country as a visionary changemaker and consummate philanthropist. He is the living embodiment of entrepreneurial students’ dreams, and he is an inspiration for students across AU’s schools and programs.
The Kogod name signifies an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals and communities, including our own here at AU. Learn more about the impact Bob and Arlene Kogod have had at AU over the years.
Early Days
Robert P. Kogod's family fled Poland in 1905 due to persecution and antisemitism. Born in 1931 during the Great Depression, he grew up in Washington, DC, attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, and graduated from American University in 1962.
Kogod joined his family's real estate business and played a significant role in providing housing for over 35,000 families in the DC region and the Midwest. In the 1960s, his company took a bold step by purchasing a dilapidated property, including a junkyard and abandoned brickworks, in Crystal City, which now houses Amazon's HQ2.
Beyond Business
Beyond his business success, Kogod is a philanthropic force, helping thousands of young people access education and supporting numerous causes. He established a research center on aging at the Mayo Clinic, contributed to various art spaces, and played an active role in the Jewish community, supporting institutions like the Hartman Institute in Israel, the Jewish Federation, and the Holocaust Memorial Committee.
The Kogod School of Business at American University
American University’s Kogod School of Business is a shining monument to Bob Kogod’s generosity.
A modest check of $100 more than half a century ago in 1971 launched a four-decade philanthropic hitting streak that has left an indelible imprint on AU, Washington, D.C. and international business education.
“They were very good to me,” Kogod says of AU. “I wanted to give back to them to give others the same opportunity which I had.”
