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Ford Motor Co. contributes $2.5 million to Indiana University
March 6, 2001
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Ford Motor Co. announced today (March 6) that it will contribute $2.5 million to Indiana University to support a longtime partnership with IU and further its investment in the university's success.
Elizabeth S. Acton, vice president and treasurer of Ford Motor Co., presented the contribution to Kelley School of Business Dean Dan Dalton in a ceremony today in Indianapolis. Acton is a 1976 graduate of the Kelley School and a member of the Dean's Advisory Council.
"Ford Motor Company and IU have been partners for many years," said Acton. "The IU Kelley School has been a tremendous source of business leaders. This investment will help the school in preparing future generations of graduates for equal, if not greater, success."
Acton is one of more than 300 IU alumni working at Ford, many in top leadership positions. IU graduates also include former Ford Chairman and CEO Harold "Red" Poling, who serves on the school's Advisory Council and has established an endowed chair of business and government.
"This gift will make a substantial difference to IU students and the quality of education we can offer them," said Dean Dalton. "The gift affects practically every area of the school, and every student will somehow benefit from Ford's generosity. As important as Ford's financial investment is the continued commitment Ford and its leadership are making to be involved in recruiting, mentoring and teaching our students and faculty."
The $2.5 million over five years will assist the Kelley School in creating a new high-tech auditorium, support recruitment and retention of faculty and students through fellowships and scholarships, and help the school to maintain cutting-edge curricula through departmental grants.
Funds also will support programs that attract and retain women and under-represented minorities and provide students with skills to manage the future workforce.
IU is one of 31 schools included in Ford's College Relations Sponsor Program (CRSP). As a CRSP school, IU will receive annual contributions supporting an approved five-year business plan. Additionally, Ford has assigned an executive liaison -- Elizabeth Acton -- to work closely with IU and the Kelley School. Ford established its CRSP activity in 1998 to develop a closer working relationship with key colleges and universities across the country.
IU's Kelley School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate education programs to approximately 4,600 full-time students on its Bloomington campus and approximately 1,200 students on its Indianapolis campus. For more than 75 years, the Kelley School has stood at the forefront of curriculum innovation in management education. U.S. News & World Report ranks its full-time undergraduate program among the nation's top 10 and Business Week ranks its full-time MBA program among the top 20. Information about the Kelley School is available at http://www.kelley.iu.edu
Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) is the world's second largest automaker, with approximately 335,000 employees in 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. With world headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., Ford Motor Co. had 2000 revenues of $170 billion.
(Margaret Garrison, Kelley School of Business, 812-855-3369, magarris@indiana.edu or Gwynne Irvin, Ford Motor Co., 313-323-0646)