LEWISBURG, Pa., Jan. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bucknell University announced today that in recognition of a commitment of more than $25 million in support of the University's newly established College of Management by alumnus Kenneth Freeman '72 and his wife, Janice, the college will be named the Kenneth W. Freeman College of Management, the first named college in the University's history.
"This historic gift will have a tremendous impact, and it deserves our deepest gratitude," said Bucknell President John Bravman. "Ken and Janice's vision and leadership will greatly strengthen our ability to recruit the best faculty and students and deliver an unparalleled undergraduate management education at the Freeman College of Management."
Freeman, who is serving his third term as the chair of Bucknell's Board of Trustees, began his career at Corning, and went on to serve as chairman, president and CEO of a medical testing business which was spun off by Corning in 1996 as Quest Diagnostics. Under his leadership, Quest Diagnostics was transformed from a deeply troubled business into the leader in diagnostic testing services. He joined the private equity firm KKR in 2005 where he served as a managing director and partner. In 2010, he turned to higher education, becoming dean of Boston University's School of Management, now the Questrom School of Business.
Freeman has been named among the top 100 performing CEOs by Harvard Business Review in 2010 and 2013. He credits much of his success to his experiences at Bucknell and its approach to management education built on a foundation of the liberal arts.
"As a first-generation college student with broad interests, Bucknell provided an excellent education and a solid foundation for pursuing a rewarding career and personal life with a focus on making a difference," Freeman said. "Management education at Bucknell is at an exciting inflection point. By giving in support of the recently established College of Management, we believe we can help accelerate progress and hope to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of students for generations to come."
Bucknell established the College of Management last July after many years of study and preparation. In anticipation of that moment, the Freemans provided funding to establish the Kenneth W. Freeman Professorship and Dean of Management position, which is held by Raquel Alexander. The Freemans' latest gift will enable the hiring of additional senior management faculty and the expansion of interdisciplinary educational opportunities.
"We are beyond grateful for this exceptional gift, not only for the many ways it will enhance what we do for our students, but also because it forever links management education at Bucknell with this extraordinary family," Alexander said. "Ken's success is something our students can aspire to emulate, and having the Freeman name attached to the college will be a regular source of inspiration for all of us."
"We have been very fortunate in life," Freeman added. "Janice and I believe strongly that giving back is a responsibility and a privilege, and what better cause than investing in the education of future leaders."
The Freemans' gift adds momentum to the University's goal of raising $100 million for management education within the next 10 years. The support will enable the college to expand its academic programs, both for majors and non-majors alike; add additional faculty to support those programs; and build a new facility to house the college, with spaces conducive to innovation and collaboration.
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SOURCE Bucknell University
