When E.J. Ourso College of Business dean Richard White began drafting a corporate partnership initiative for the college two years ago, he envisioned five business alliances by the end of the first year. After surpassing that goal by 16, the college’s latest partner Regions Bank shucked a $100,000 donation for the college’s new energy program, which he considers a “perfect example” of the initiative.
Established last semester, White’s initiative aims to foster deeper relationships with corporate partners who would potentially employ graduates. White said the gift will fund adjunct professors in classrooms, guest speakers, conferences, field trips and travel stipends for internships, among a hodgepodge of other aspects of the energy program.
The energy program gives students a broader understanding of the growing energy field and offers them a “leg up” in the interview process, he said. As one of his “budget-neutral” initiatives, White said it does not require state funding because there is no state funding.
“We’re in it for the long haul — no matter what the price of oil is, no matter what the state budget is,” he said.
Spearheading the corporate partnership initiative, Meredith Cothern, director of the college’s Office of Advancement, worked to make the Regions Bank partnership a reality.
Since she began recruiting in the fall, Cothern said Regions Bank wanted to have a presence on campus to connect with prospective employees. There has been an ongoing conversation with the bank for the past year.
“Regions really represents a huge part of the South,” Cothern said. “Because of where we’re located, they wanted to invest in a new program that’s really going to affect how they serve the industry well.”
White said he measures the college’s success not by students getting jobs, but by students getting the optimal job to fit their personalities and meet industry needs. Rather than making a few false steps in their careers, he said he hopes business graduates maximize their degrees to their fullest potential.
As job opportunities such as those from Regions Bank “open doors” for graduates, White said the college also revises its curriculum to better meet industry needs and allows corporate partners to sit on the dean’s advisory council. Through this mutually beneficial relationship, the program builds funding that will eventually help students undertake significant internship opportunities.
Cothern said the energy program is going to be completely based off philanthropic donations from alumni and partners.
From his work recruiting companies, White said he learned the fundraising process involves integrity, mutual trust and “selling” the business college to potential donors.
“It’s much more than fundraising,” White said. “It’s about relationships with these industries.”