Danheissers Adds Strength to International Business Program

Matt (BSBA 1980; JD 1982) and Tammy (BSBA 1980) Dannheisser and the Picard-Dannheisser Family Foundation donated $100,000 to support the Master of Arts in International Business (MAIB) program at the Warrington College. This gift will create the Dannheisser Endowment, and will benefit the program’s research-based final project, which can be done in lieu of a thesis.

The Warrington College of Business is one of a few schools in the country to offer the MAIB degree. The one-year graduate program is open to recent graduates possessing a bachelor’s degree in or who minored in business. It is uniquely tailored to prepare students for a variety of career paths in the global job market. The final project requires MAIB students to analyze a multinational corporation or organization of their choice, gaining experience applicable to their careers. Many MAIB students report discussing their research results in job interviews with the company or one of its competitors.

The gift is eligible to receive state matching funds from the State of Florida Trust Fund for Major Gifts and will be recognized as part of UF President Bernie Machen’s Faculty Challenge initiative.

Etheridges Just Keep on Giving

George (BSBA 1979) and Lisa (BSBA 1980) Etheridge recently endowed another professorship with a six-figure gift to help UF attract and retain top faculty members by providing research money and stipends. Over the years, the Etheridges have also donated money to provide two full scholarships to UF undergraduate business students, as well as a professorship honoring Jack Faricy, a beloved faculty member in marketing. They did not want the amount of their donations listed.

“The size of the gift doesn't matter,” Lisa said, “it’s the idea." George added, “When I am given the gift of money, we do our best to share. If Florida is going to be a top university, they have to have the top professors and we feel it’s part of our own obligation to give back to those who have helped us achieve our goals.”

One of those goals was opening a business. The Etheridges own Precision Orthopedics Inc. The Tampa company distributes high-tech orthopedic supplies.

“Our whole message is to do all that we can and to inspire others to do all that they can," George said. "The more you invest and give, the more you get.”

Walgreens

Mr. Jeffrey Rein, president and Chief Operating Officer of the Walgreen Company, presented a generous contribution of $250,000 to the David F. Miller Center for Retailing Education and Research at its Executive Advisory Board dinner in June. This financial support secures the Walgreens Certificate in Retailing Leadership program presently managed by the Center. The Certificate honors students who complete retail related courses that help to develop strong retail management skills while completing their studies.

"It’s exciting to be part of your retailing certificate program, which is a major breakthrough in developing retail as a career,” says Bruce Zarkowsky, Walgreens vice president of Marketing Development and advisory board member of the Miller Center. “We appreciate the opportunity to help students learn more about retailing at one of our top recruiting schools in the country.”

The Miller Center places more summer interns into companies than any other Retail Center in the country. And, its annual Retailing Smarter Symposium, which attracts hundreds of retail executives and prestigious speakers on contemporary issues, has grown to be the largest retail conference in the nation hosted by a university.