AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas Business School’s new 10,290-square-foot interviewing facility will be named the Ford Career Center, reflecting a $1 million dollar pledge toward its financing from the Ford Motor Co. Fund. Completed in February, the 42-room suite will be dedicated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday (Sept. 3).
“Ford is one of the world’s most respected and most philanthropic corporations,” says Texas Business School Dean Robert G. May. “This gift marks a very important step in our relationship with the company. UT Austin is one of the select group of schools that Ford concentrates on to supply the best students worldwide and targets for significant long-term educational partnerships.”
Ross Roberts, Ford Motor Co. vice president and president of the Ford Investment Enterprise Corp., will be on hand for the dedication ceremony. Roberts is a member of the advisory council for the UT Austin College and Graduate School of Business.
“Ford Motor Co. believes education is paramount to the success of any company, and we’ve been very proud to recruit students from the University of Texas for many years,” says Roberts. “We’re particularly happy to have our name on this new career services center, representing the successful partnership we have with the Texas Business School.
“There are more than 65,000 living alumni of the Texas Business School — men and women who are making valuable contributions to American and international corporations — and we’re proud to be associated with these fine graduates. The donation from the Ford fund is going to enrich the students coming out of this school and the corporations to which they are heading.”
Rolf Russart and Nancy Nagle, Ford’s team leaders for on-campus recruiting, believe the new Ford Career Center will enhance the entire recruitment process. Nagle is a UT alumni.
“Not only are the interviewing rooms comfortable, private and inviting, the center also offers a recruiter lounge and work area with private restrooms and phone booths, a kitchen and vending area, fax and copy machines, and computer ports,” says Russart. “Construction of the suite answered the most desperate wishes of recruiters and students who had hoped for many years the school would build a world-class facility.”
The $1 million gift from the Ford Motor Co. Fund is being supplemented by smaller contributions from other companies to provide about half of the center’s funding. The students voted for a fee increase last year to pay for the other half.
The mission of the UT Austin Graduate School of Business is to be a premiere institution for business education in the world. Both the undergraduate and graduate programs are consistently ranked among the top 20 business programs — public or private — in the nation.
Schedule of Events -- Thursday (Sept. 3)10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Ford Vehicle DisplayLila B. Etter Alumni CenterThe University of Texas at AustinCorner, San Jacinto and 21st Streets10:30 a.m.Press Briefing regarding Ford's $1 million gift to the Texas Business School to fund the newFord Career Center. This is a state-of-the-art interviewing suite opened in the Graduate Schoolof Business in February, gearing up for recruitingseason right now.Speakers: Ross Roberts, Ford Motor Co. vice president and president of the Ford Investment Enterprise Corp., and Robert May, Texas Business School deanFord Career Center4th floor, Graduate School of BusinessThe University of Texas at AustinCorner, 21st and Speedway6 p.m. - 9 p.m.Dedication Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting of the new Ford Career CenterFord Career Center4th floor, Graduate School of BusinessThe University of Texas at AustinCorner, 21st and Speedway
