Recent donations from two Oregon companies to the Lundquist School of Business will put the school past the halfway point in fundraising for its $40 million Lillis Business Center expansion project.
The $1 million gift from JELD-WEN, one of the largest manufacturers of windows, doors and millwork, will aid in the building of a new career service center for both undergraduate and master of business administration career assistance. A $500,000 donation by Dick and David Boyd, co-CEOs of Boyd Coffee Co., will be added to the general fund, and the Boyds will assist in naming a dining area that will act as a meeting place for students and faculty.
“These gifts were true leadership gifts, bringing outstanding momentum for this project,” said Michael McKelvey, director of development at the Lundquist School of Business.
Rather than donations going to the business school in general, funding will be matched according to company interests in the school.
McKelvey said the renovation is unique because it “allows faculty and students to walk the talk of the new curriculum,” which assumes students spend 40 percent of their time in the classroom and 60 percent in working internships or participating in projects with companies.
The target date for beginning the expansion project is late August or early September.
JELD-WEN placed its money into the career service center because “we were interested most in recruitment and hiring graduates from the business school,” said Bob Turner, JELD-WEN executive vice president and a Lundquist School alumnus.
Although the business school currently offers career services to both undergraduates and MBAs, the two services are located in separate areas in the school and tend to operate independently of each other. The new center will house both groups together and allow the services to share resources.
“Having space dedicated to career exploration and job search gives students something tangible to use as a launching pad for career futures,” said James Chang, assistant director of University Career Services.
Chang said the new center will give students access to computer stations, a resource room containing company information and a student work area for researching potential employers.
Dick Boyd of Boyd Coffee Co. said his company has had an “ongoing” relationship with the business school. In the past donations have been made both in the corporation’s and individual employees’ names.
“It is our corporate philosophy and creed to contribute to better community, which includes continuing education,” said Boyd. “Supporting education at various levels is part of what we want to give back to the community.”