by Amy K. Lavender
On May 6, the local branch of BB&T Corp. renewed its commitment to the University of West Georgia Center for Ethics and Free Enterprise and the BB&T Lectures in Free Enterprise Series with the presentation of a $100,000 check to the Richards College of Business to support these educational endeavors.
Richards College of Business Dean Dr. Faye McIntyre, far left, and UWG President Dr. Kyle Marrero, far right, accept a check from BB&T's Senior Vice President for Corporate Banking Tammy Hughes and Market President Abdul Labi. The $100,000 check provides funding for the UWG Center for Ethics and Free Enterprise and the BB&T Lectures in Free Enterprise Series.
Senior Vice President for Corporate Banking Tammy Hughes said her bank is proud to support UWG’s initiatives.
“The key point of our mission statement is to make our community a better place,” said Tammy. “We truly believe that the University of West Georgia helps to make our community a better place. So we’re happy to support them.”
The Center for Ethics and Free Enterprise generates faculty and student research and new business courses. In addition, the lecture series focuses on core values and ethical foundations of free enterprise and issues facing business management and policy makers. Two speakers a year are invited to UWG’s campus to provide a talk on these topics. Events are free and open to students and the general public.
Richards College of Business Dean and Sewell Chair of Private Enterprise Dr. Faye McIntyre said the center and the series would not be possible without BB&T.
“Richards College of Business is in the business of transforming lives through education, engagement, and experiences, and the BB&T donation helps us accomplish all three components of that mission,” she said. “It helps us educate our students by providing them with information they wouldn’t otherwise have access to; it engages them with the business community so the can talk with community business leaders before and after the event in addition to hearing the speaker; and it provides an experience that a lot of college students don’t have access to.”
UWG President Dr. Kyle Marrero said he was impressed with the caliber of speakers the lecture series has brought to campus.
“The level of speakers has been a who’s who in business and industry and creates an active learning environment and experiential learning opportunity for our students beyond the classroom to understand what it will take to succeed in the marketplace today,” he said. “It’s a great partnership because it not only embodies BB&T’s mission but also our mission to be the best comprehensive university in North America, sought after as the best place to work, learn, and succeed. So their partnership helps us create that environment.”
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