CBA’s New Vision Campaign
exceeds overall goal in donations

But there’s more work to be done

In its ongoing efforts to strengthen the College of Business Administration’s already exceptional business programs, the New Vision of Excellence campaign exceeded its target goal of $6.8 million, putting the grand total at over $7.2 million.

“The campaign progress to date is a great success for CMU and the many volunteers and donors involved,” said Michael A. Leto, CMU vice president for development and alumni relations. “The ultimate goal for the campaign is to meet all of the individual college and program goals. Only three of 10 college and division goals have been met and only eight of 32 program area goals have been met to date.”

Here’s a closer look at CBA’s various donor opportunities:

Student scholarships

CBA has made it a top priority to become more competitive in recruiting and providing support for top students from Michigan and elsewhere. By expanding the college’s undergraduate and graduate scholarship programs, more students will have access to CMU education and will bring their energy and leadership to campus.

“A priority must be placed on increasing endowment for scholarships and also for endowed chairs, professorships, and lectureships. We must build on the great strengths that the university has already built and strengthen further our commitment to academic excellence with the strongest possible professors and students,” said Michael Rao, CMU’s president.

Faculty development

CBA’s success relies on the quality of its faculty members. They shape future business leaders and their research fosters student learning and helps the community at large.

In recent years, donors have provided generous gifts for the endowment of the J. Edwin Towle Dinstinguished Professorship to support faculty positions in both the College of Education and Human Services and CBA. The CBA professorship is held by Roger Hayen, professor of business information systems.

“Additional faculty endowment funds will ensure that CMU continues to recruit and retain the very best professors while deepening its commitment to supporting excellence in teaching, research, and creative work,” Leto said.

Programming endowment

CBA business programs are committed to keeping up with rapidly changing times to best serve students and Michigan businesses. The LaBelle Entrepreneurship Center endowment supports an institute where entrepreneurship majors and their faculty mentors can serve the needs of the region by consulting with existing small business owners and advising new entrepreneurs.

CBA also has developed several applied research centers such as the Center for Supply Chain Management, Center for International Trade and Economic Research, Marketing Research and Planning Council, and the Institute for Management Consulting.

Ongoing and special program support
Annual giving of both restricted and unrestricted dollars supports innovation in programming and gives CBA flexibility to respond to the emerging needs of its students, faculty, and the community. Annual donations can leverage other gifts by serving as matching gifts for technology and equipment purchases.

“Clearly, there is a lot yet to do, and we want all alumni and friends to have an opportunity to participate,” Leto said.

CBA’s campaign committee members are: Michael Bowen (Heritage Westwood Development), Lee Dow, Robert Easterle, James Fabiano II (Fabiano Brothers Incorporated), Jackie Goforth (PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP), Bart LaBelle (LaBelle Management), Remos Lenio (Hartwick Capital LLC), Jack Poindexter (East Jordan Ironworks Incorporated), Michael Sappington, W. Sid Smith (Smith Equities Corporation), Michelle Szymczak (IBM), and Michael Tierney (Comerica Incorporated).