POTSDAM -- Clarkson University will honor a 1962 Clarkson alumnus and benefactor by naming its school of business the David D. Reh School of Business.

“David Reh has dedicated his professional life to growing enterprises and adapting to evolving opportunities and challenges in the marketplace. While developing a successful technology-based company and global brand, he has helped prepare the next generation of business creators and industry leaders at his alma mater. He is the embodiment of the qualities of leadership, entrepreneurial competence and integrity we expect all students to aspire to in their chosen professions,” said Anthony G. Collins, president of Clarkson University.

“With his wife, Sue, he has engaged our student and alumni bodies in the spirit of goodwill and philanthropy that has propelled our business programs, entrepreneurship outreach into the community and our mission forward for decades to come. We are pleased to recognize his generosity and commitment to Clarkson in this lasting and meaningful way.”

The official dedication will take place on Friday, Oct. 13, in a celebration at the Potsdam campus with his family, the University community, and other alumni donors and volunteers present.

“On behalf of the faculty, we truly thank Dave for his many years of volunteer service to the School and the University’s larger vision. His progressive insights and collaboration with Clarkson faculty, staff, and students in growing the very core of the University’s academic, research and social experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship have been appreciated,” said Dayle Smith, Dean of the Reh School. “The strategic investments he has made in Clarkson’s future have led to our preeminence and national rankings in entrepreneurship, innovation and business education.”

Reh is the founder, past president and owner of the Raytec Group Inc., which he formed in 1971. Raytec consisted of two principal operating companies: Gorbel Inc., which manufactures jib and work station cranes, and Retrotech Inc., which specializes in the design, installation, modernization, and support of automated material handling systems. Today, the Gorbel and Retrotech brands are recognized throughout the world with business operations in New York and China.

In 2011, Reh was inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame. He is the owner and managing partner of the award-winning Ravenwood Golf Club in Rochester.

Reh and his wife, Sue A. Reh, are “passionate advocates for higher education,” school officials said. Their commitment to supporting and shaping business and entrepreneurship education culminated in the establishment of the Reh Center for Entrepreneurship at Clarkson University. The Reh’s have continued their support through an endowed chair and an endowed professorship, which supports permanent faculty positions with a focus on entrepreneurial leadership, research and practice.

Reh sits on numerous boards and has been a Clarkson Business Leadership Council member since 2006. He also serves on the Simon National Council and the Executive Advisory Committee for the Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester.

He holds a bachelor's degree in industrial distribution from Clarkson and an MBA from the University of Rochester Simon School Of Business.

He also was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree at Clarkson's 124th commencement in May. The degree was awarded for "his steadfast commitment to technology innovation and entrepreneurship, the twin engines of progress, and for his dedication to shaping the next generation of business creators and industry leaders."