When alumni and industry representatives learn about the Securities Analysis Center and the Sustainable Supply Chain Management Center at the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business, their enthusiasm is unambiguous. In fact, several high-profile business leaders were so motivated by the Securities Analysis Center they hosted luncheons in Portland to share the center's vision with other investment management and securities firms. The Sustainable Supply Chain Management Center, meanwhile, held several industry forums to solicit input on its mission and objectives. As Lundquist Professor of Sustainable Management Mike Russo noted, "The breakout sessions at these events were super. The feedback and interest of companies clearly demonstrated the program's resonance with the business community."

Now, both centers are parlaying that excitement into support to help transform vision into reality. The Securities Analysis Center, for example, has garnered several founding members from the business community to serve on its advisory board. Included in that group is Eli Morgan '59, founder of M Financial, who recently made a lead gift to the center. Morgan's gift and those of additional founding partners will enable the center to commence operations and curricular developments. One of the most important ways it will accomplish this is through research support. "Research is not the caboose on this train," explained Professor Larry Dann, the Securities Analysis Center's academic director. "Research funding will enable us to attract and retain the top-tier faculty to create this leading-edge center."

The Sustainable Supply Chain Management Center has also successfully secured a founding donation of $125,000 from JELD-WEN, a window and door manufacturer with whom the college has long-standing connections. The college's relationship with JELD-WEN has provided superb experiential learning opportunities for students, and their gift will help the center scale those learning experiences to more students and industries.

With all these advancements, the college is now seeking permanent managing directors to take both centers to the next level. "Managing directors will be the key to facilitating business community partnerships and experiential opportunities for students," explained Russo. Those interested in finding out more about these positions should contact Russo, academic director for the Sustainable Supply Chain Management Center, or Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs Wendy Mitchell, who is serving as the Securities Analysis Center's interim managing director.