The University of Hawai'i's Shidler College of Business has attracted three professorship endowments totaling $2 million in its drive to make the school one of the top public university business programs.

The college received $500,000 from First Insurance Co. of Hawai'i's foundation, $250,000 from Outrigger Enterprises Group executive Jean E. Rolles, and another $250,000 from John and Sue Dean, a couple with strong ties to the state. These contributions will be matched by $1 million of funds already earmarked for endowments by real estate investor Jay Shidler.

The matching funds are part of a $25 million gift made by Shidler in September.

About $3 million of Shidler's donation is reserved for matching donations endowing new professorships, fellowships and scholarships.

Shidler and business school dean V. Vance Roley hope to build on the gifts as part of a drive to make the UH program one of the top business colleges in the country and its MBA program one of the top 50 in the U.S. The business school now carries Shidler's name, calling attention to his overall donation.

Roley said the endowments are crucial to building the school's reputation by attracting top scholars. He said the new endowments bring to 25 the number of endowed professorships.

He said he'd like to see at least two-thirds of the school's 53 professors with an endowed seat.

"Our goal is to build up our faculty endowments," said Roley. "It's essential to recruiting and retaining faculty. We hope to continue this. This is not a one-time deal."

He said the scholars who have the professorships can use the money for a variety of purposes, including travel, research, hiring of assistants and other support.

The school last week announced it was receiving the $500,000 gift from First Insurance Co. of Hawai'i's foundation that will be matched on a one-to-one basis with the funds provided last September by Shidler. The $1 million will be used to establish a First Insurance Co. Distinguished Professorship.

Another $250,000 gift announced this week is from Rolles, an Outrigger executive who serves on the school's advisory council. With matching funds from Shidler, a $500,000 Jean E. Rolles Distinguished Professorship was established.

The Deans contributed their money earlier this year for what will become the $500,000 John and Sue Dean Distinguished Professorship when the matching funds from Shidler are added. John Dean, former chief executive officer of Silicon Valley Bank, is the managing general partner of Startup Capital Ventures, a private equity fund.

"We've never had so many people give money before," said Dolly Omiya, a spokeswoman for the business school, speaking about recent contributions.

"People probably feel we're headed in the right direction."

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.