Even in these challenging economic times, company leaders clearly are thinking about their future hires, if their support of the inaugural UT Dallas School of Management Scholarship Breakfast is a guide. So far, 20 companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have purchased tables to the April 8 event.
“We are using this event to expand the number of scholarships we can offer to our best and most deserving students,” said Dean of the School of Management Hasan Pirkul, Ph.D., Caruth Professor of Management. “The support we are getting from alumni, friends and the North Texas business community – including Gary Kelly and Southwest Airlines – makes this possible.
“I am always humbled by the broad support I see in North Texas for higher education. These business leaders clearly understand that their future is tied to having an educated, sophisticated pool of talent to draw from.”
The event’s featured speaker is Gary Kelly, the CEO, president and board chairman of Southwest. Kelly will talk about the airline’s success despite industry challenges; the company’s culture and how it impacts the bottom line; and the company’s strategic objectives and most notable successes. Kelly will also take questions from the audience.
Kyle Edgington, the school’s director of development, says each table purchased will fund a $1,000 scholarship that bears the donor’s name.
“We are really pleased by the show of support we have received for this first-ever scholarship breakfast,” said Edgington. “These scholarships will be awarded to academically deserving undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Management.”
United Supermarkets, based in Lubbock and owners of the Market Street stores in six suburban Dallas locations, has promised $15,000 toward the scholarship drive. Edgington says he can already count on helping dozens of additional students next year.
“In economic times like these, students are desperate for any additional financial support they can get to further their education. I’m delighted to see so many people think this is a worthwhile goal,” said Edgington.
The event’s goal is three-fold:
- Raise scholarship funds.
- Give area business leaders an opportunity to hear and question a dynamic, influential business leader.
- Raise awareness of the quality of the University’s business school graduates.
As an added value, many guests have agreed to sponsor School of Management students at their tables. Represented at the breakfast will be some of the school’s signature student groups, including those from the Management Honors Program, the Full-Time MBA Program, the Internal Audit Program and students from the Professional Program in Accounting.
“I’m glad we found a way to integrate our corporate sponsors with our students,” said Edgington. “I know our students will benefit from hearing Gary Kelly speak. I hope the students and corporate representatives have time to visit so they can learn more about one another – including why our students are so proud to be at UT Dallas.”
A few tables still are available for $1,000 each, and $35 individual tickets are also available. Each table seats 10. The April 8 event at the Westin Galleria Dallas begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration; the breakfast and program begin at 8 a.m. Contact Lauren Shaddox at 972-883-5836 for information or reservations.
Media Contact: Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, newscenter@utdallas.edu
Companies participating in the scholarship breakfast to benefit students in the School of Management are as follows:
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