Ford gives $2.5 million to IU school

The Kelley School of Business received a $2.5 million gift from Ford Motor Co. Tuesday as part of its continued participation in Ford's College Relations Sponsor Program.\nThe gift, to be distributed over five years, will help fund the construction of a new high-tech auditorium, support recruitment and retention of faculty and students through fellowships and endow scholarships and departmental grants.\nFord Vice President and Treasurer Elizabeth Acton presented the contribution to business school Dean Dan Dalton Tuesday in Indianapolis. Acton is a 1976 business school graduate and a member of the Dean's Advisory Council. \nGeorge Vlahakis, a University spokesman, said Ford's contribution supports a long partnership with the University.\n"It's a special opportunity," he said. "It's a wonderful gift Ford has given us. It's very consistent with what the company has done in the past."\nGwynne Irvin, Ford's assistant manager for global news, said Ford has had a relationship with IU for more than a decade.\n"This year Ford Motor Co. fund decided to do more with the capital campaign," Irvin said, referring to money designated to the construction of a new auditorium. "This is part of the fund strategy to keep funding universities."\nFord's contribution will benefit every business student, Dalton said.\n"This gift will make a substantial difference to IU students and the quality of education we can offer them," he said in a press release. "The gift affects practically every area of the school, and every student will somehow benefit from Ford's generosity. As important as Ford's financial investment is the continued commitment Ford and its leadership are making to be involved in recruiting, mentoring and teaching our students and faculty."\nMore than 300 alumni work at Ford, including Acton. She serves as an executive liaison between Ford and the business school. Business graduates include former Ford Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Harold Poling, who serves on the school's advisory council.\n"Ford Motor Company and IU have been partners for many years," Acton said in a press release. "The IU Kelley School has been a tremendous source of business leaders. This investment will help the school in preparing future generations of graduates for equal, if not greater, success."\nAs a member of Ford's college relations program, the business school has a unique relationship with Ford, Irvin said.\n"Basically, an executive has usually had a relationship with the University by going there or simply through contacts," Irvin said. "That executive has a team of people who mentor some of the students; many of those students come here and do internships either at this office or other ones, which allows them a real life experience to take back."\nIrvin said the program's goal is to attract students to work at Ford.\n"It's our goal that after being here, working here and interacting with the executives and other Ford employees that we would be the employer of choice when it comes that time," she said.