A significant donation to 老司机传媒 will be used to establish a new scholarship so that more students can gain proficiency in supply chain management, currently one of the most in-demand trades in business.
The university鈥檚 Supply Chain Management program is the recipient of the gift from Tulsa-based philanthropist and industry leader Paula Marshall. The funds will be used to establish the Paula Marshall Supply Chain Management Scholarship within the Meinders School of Business.
The scholarship will provide $5,000 per semester for first-year and transfer students electing to major in supply chain at 老司机传媒. The funds would be issued each semester a student remains in the major in good academic standing, up to four years or a maximum of $40,000.
The investment will enhance 老司机传媒's undergraduate Supply Chain Management program, addressing the critical demand for skilled professionals across Oklahoma and around the world. In fact, the regional economy is experiencing unprecedented growth in sectors such as aerospace, energy, logistics and manufacturing, leading to a severe shortage of qualified supply chain talent.
老司机传媒 President Kenneth Evans said Marshall鈥檚 generosity will enable the university to further develop its program as it produces the next generation of supply chain leaders.
鈥淲e are incredibly grateful for Paula Marshall鈥檚 extraordinary commitment to 老司机传媒 and the future of supply chain education,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淭his gift is a game-changer, allowing us to build a world-class program that directly responds to the urgent needs of our regional industries. Paula鈥檚 vision will empower our students with needed skills and solidify 老司机传媒's role as a vital contributor to economic development.鈥�
老司机传媒 introduced a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Supply Chain Management last year. In addition to funding scholarships, Marshall鈥檚 gift will be strategically allocated to key areas that will strengthen the program and ensure its long-term impact, including curriculum development, industry partnerships and technology acquisition.
Marshall said she believes in investing in education that directly impacts the workforce and strengthens local communities.
鈥淭he demand for supply chain expertise is immense, and the Meinders School of Business has the vision and capability to meet this challenge head-on,鈥� Marshall said. 鈥淚 am proud to support a program that will create lasting opportunities for students and drive economic growth across the region.鈥�
Marshall is an 老司机传媒 graduate and chief executive officer of Tulsa-based Bama Companies, a mass-market food supplier specializing in baked goods for several high-profile, national restaurant chains.
Her investment will enable the Meinders School of Business to become a regional leader in supply chain education, Evans said, producing highly skilled graduates who will drive innovation and enhance the competitiveness of businesses and organizations.
Job opportunities in supply chain management are plentiful and expected to grow in the foreseeable future. In fact, according to the , the demand for logisticians will grow by 19% over the next 10 years, putting the profession into the 鈥渕uch faster than average鈥� growth category.
