During a talk this week at The Catholic University of America, donor Tim Busch noted that people “can always be successful in communion with God and His plans.”

Busch, who along with his wife, Steph, donated $15 million to the University, also shared his personal motto — “God’s got your back” — during his remarks Nov. 15 to an audience of more than 300 students, faculty, and staff of The Tim and Steph Busch School of Business and Economics.

Their donation — the largest gift in the University’s history — is helping to fund the renovation of Maloney Hall, the future home of The Busch School.

Busch is founder and CEO of Pacific Hospitality Group and The Busch Firm, both based in Irvine, Calif., among other companies and charitable organizations. He is also co-founder and chairman of the board of The Napa Institute, which co-sponsors an annual conference with The Busch School.

Speaking in Heritage Hall as part of The Busch School’s CEO Lecture Series, the donor added that he is committed to the University because of its mission to educate the next generation of Catholic leaders who will serve the Church and the nation.

Busch cited as assets the University’s location in Washington, D.C., and its legacy of educating the Church’s cardinals, bishops, priests, and religious.

Busch said that he supports the University because it has the potential to make a difference in the lives not only of its students, but in the lives of all people. “We’re responsible for everybody’s souls,” he said.  

He stressed the importance of nurturing both the intellectual and the spiritual life in order to achieve success. Busch noted that his goal was never to earn money for himself, but to create a life in business that was worthy of God’s will for him.

“Success will be greater with God on your side,” he said.