On Tuesday, May 7, the Kansas State University Foundation announced a $20 million gift from alum Paul Edgerley, class of 1978, and wife Sandra Edgerley. This gift is meant to help the College of Business Administration reach its five-year strategic plan.
The College of Business Administration’s five-year plan aims to increase the four-year graduation rate, grow the college by 500 students with an emphasis on the number multicultural students, increase engagement between students and employers, and other goals centered on increasing student experience and job marketability.
The gift and strategic plan are aimed at making the K-State College of Business Administration a leading school in business thought and education through innovation, according to the press release from the Foundation.
The Edgerleys’ gift will help fund a new Digital Learning Repository, a new Center for Financial Analysis. It will also assist with increases to corporate engagement, student recruitment, branding and marketing of the college, and data-driven decision making.
“Paul and Sandra Edgerley have made a truly transformative investment in the future of the College of Business Administration,” Kevin Gwinner, business administration dean, said in the press release.
Ansley Chua, finance department head, said the $20 million gift will help the college towards its goal of having $100 million in endowments by 2021.
“Currently, the endowment is $50 million. So the $20 million brings it up to $70 million, but the goal is to get it to $100 million,” Chua said.
In a statement made in the press release, Edgerley shared his belief that, through funding, college students will continue to get new educational experiences, jobs and become leaders.
“Sandy and I are great believers in the importance of the business college strategic plan and see this as a unique opportunity to give back to the university that has had such a profound impact on my life,” Edgerley said in the press release. “These students will become tomorrow’s leaders. They will build successful businesses, create good jobs for Kansas residents and be successful alumni who, 20 years from now, will give of their time and money to support future generations of Kansas State students.”
Richard Myers, president of K-State, shared how the Edgerly’s’ generosity exemplified the spirit of the K-State family.
“Their investment in the success of College of Business faculty, students and programs not only elevates the college but brings prestige to the university and helps propel K-State toward being nationally recognized as a top 50 public research university,” Myers said in the press release.
Greg Willems, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation, shared his thanks to the Edgerley’s for this gift and those previously made through the press release.
“The Edgerleys’ generosity and impact will substantially elevate outcomes for our students and companies looking for premier talent. We are truly fortunate to have their friendship and a shared vision for the future of our great university,” Willems said..
The K-State Foundation manages the endowments for the university and will manage the gift from the Edgerleys as well as the College of Business and Administration endowment.
