Contacts: Babcock Graduate School of Management
Eric Whittington (336) 758-5030 [email protected]
Patricia Divine (800) 722-1622
United Way of Central Carolinas Anne McNeill (704) 371-6239
United Way of Forsyth County John Conrad (336) 721-9311
United Way of Greater Greensboro Alan Smith (336) 378-6600
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Three United Ways in North Carolina and Wake Forest University's Babcock Graduate School of Management have reached agreements that will provide nearly three quarters of a million dollars worth of MBA education to leaders of various nonprofit organizations.
The Babcock School has entered into partnerships with the Central Carolinas, Greater Greensboro and Forsyth County United Ways. Each year, the school will offer one full scholarship for its executive MBA programs to each of the three organizations. The five-year agreements are believed to be the first of their kind in the country.
The first scholarship recipients will come from United Way member agencies, but employees in the three United Ways will be eligible in subsequent years.
A total of 15 scholarships in the two-year executive programs will be provided. The total value of the education will exceed $700,000.
"We expect this initiative to result in a substantial increase in the managerial capabilities and effectiveness of many United Way agencies in the Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greensboro areas," said R. Charles Moyer, dean of the Babcock School. "We are currently working to involve other graduate business schools in this endeavor so that the benefits can be shared nationwide."
Representatives from agencies of United Way of Central Carolinas Inc., based in Charlotte, will be enrolled in the Wake Forest Executive MBA Program ~ Charlotte, a new program scheduled to begin in January. Representatives from agencies in Greensboro and Forsyth County will attend the school's executive program offered in Winston-Salem.
"All of us at United Way of Forsyth County are very excited about this very creative and most generous contribution that the Babcock School is making," said Ron Drago, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Forsyth County. "Over time, this will allow a number of executives to obtain a higher level of executive management training and better serve their agencies and their communities.
"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such initiative of its kind in the country. We hope it will serve as a model for others to follow."
Neil M. Belenky, president of the United Way of Greater Greensboro, said the initiative should help United Way and its member agencies broaden their impact on their communities.
"The United Way of Greater Greensboro recognizes the importance of effective management in solving the health and human service problems of our community," Belenky said. "We are thrilled to have this tangible support from one of the premiere graduate schools in the nation.
"Having this opportunity to participate in the MBA program will ensure a better quality of services and help management achieve the impact we deeply want to produce in our community."
The scholarship agreement will help the United Ways to fulfill educational commitments, according to Gloria Pace King, president of United Way of Central Carolinas Inc.
"One of our commitments to member agencies is to provide educational opportunities and support to the staff of the agencies in being a better community partner and providing the best possible service," she said. "These scholarships will help us and our community tremendously in being able to better manage our programs and services."
United Way executives in Washington, D.C. responded to Babcock's commitment with enthusiasm. "This is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the added value of the United Way system, while enhancing learning opportunities for professionals in the field," said Michael Griggs, regional director of the Southeast region.
###
RSS