McGaw, Foster G., 1897-

Foster Glendale McGaw was the founder and guiding force behind the American Hospital Supply Corporation, a multinational firm headquartered initially in Chicago and then in the adjacent suburb of Evanston. Under his direction AHSC grew during the course of the twentieth century from a small distributor of hospital supplies into a giant dominating a field that, for the most part, did not exist until McGaw invented it. As a result in part of his foresight and energy, AHSC expanded into every facet of the hospital supply industry, from the manufacture of rubber gloves to hospital planning and decorating. Over the years its structure was adjusted in response to new opportunities as AHSC adopted a strategy of market segmentation and vertical integration. The resulting vigorous growth elicited a rationalization of operations, demonstrating the salutary flexibility which was an important factor in the company's success. In addition to his activities as a businessman Foster McGaw was also a lavish philanthropist, bestowing funds on a variety of institutions from Chicago and Evanston area hospitals and Presbyterian welfare organizations to major universities. Along with his concern for education, he was deeply engaged with other social and political issues of the day. As a civic leader he disbursed money to conservative organizations and politicians including President Richard M. Nixon and U.S. Senator Jesse Helms.

McGaw was closely connected with Northwestern University: he was for many years a member of the University's Board of Trustees and a close friend of Northwestern president J. Roscoe Miller. As a young man he was briefly enrolled in an evening class at the Chicago campus of Northwestern; his second wife, Mary Wettling Vail, attended the University for two years; and his step-grandson, James T. Vail IV, was a graduate. McGaw displayed conspicuous generosity to the University with donations through the years totaling over $20 million.

...