Honoring Janice and the Late Robert C. McNair

For more than a decade, the late Janice and Robert C. McNair generously supported the McNair Center for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise at Northwood University. Their transformative investment reflected a lifelong commitment to education, innovation, and the American spirit of free enterprise.

Best known as the founder and longtime leader of the Houston Texans NFL franchise, Bob McNair was also a visionary entrepreneur who built Cogen Technologies into the world’s largest privately held cogeneration company. Alongside Janice, he gave more than $500 million to charitable causes through their foundations, focusing on education, medical research, and civic advancement.

The McNairs launched McNair Centers at universities nationwide to cultivate a deeper understanding of entrepreneurism and market-driven solutions. Their generosity and belief in the power of individual initiative have left a lasting legacy at Northwood and beyond.

Northwood University proudly honors the McNairs’ enduring belief in freedom, opportunity, and the limitless potential of the next generation of leaders.

“We are excited to invest in a university that has a passion for entrepreneurism, free enterprise and the future success of its student body.” — Robert C. McNair