Named in recognition of American businessman from Elkton, Maryland, and seasonal resident in French River, PEI, Ralph Hostetter is a former chair and publisher of American Farm Publications Inc., and former president and owner of the 13-community newspapers chain known as TriState Publishing Company in Elkton, Maryland. Hostetter was a columnist for several U.S. internet sites in the areas of education and agriculture. Many of his columns were published in 1999 in a collection called: Publisher’s Notebook. He was elected to the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1990. The New Jersey Agricultural Society awarded Hostetter its highest award, the Gold Medallion, in 2003.

Hostetter has committed over $1 million to UPEI in support of students and their learning environment. In 2008, he established the first scholarship for UPEI’s MBA program in honour of his PEI friend, neighbor, and business colleague—the late George Howatt of French River, PEI. The Hostetter Centre recognizes Mr. Hostetter’s long-standing commitment to the University and the province of Prince Edward Island.