A group of prominent Vanderbilt University alumni and supporters has committed more than $13 million toward an extensive renovation and expansion of Management Hall.
By designating the group as the “Owen Century Partners,” Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente notes how the investment marks an important milestone in moving forward with Owen’s plans to upgrade its facilities to meet the needs of growing programs.
“Vanderbilt is committed to providing world-class facilities across our campus for excellence in teaching and scholarship,” Wente says. “This group of Owen Century Partners is instrumental in growing the Graduate School of Management into one of the top business education programs in the world. I am once again inspired by their devotion to Vanderbilt.”
Management Hall has been home to the Owen School since its 1982 construction, thanks to leadership gifts at the time to Vanderbilt’s Centennial Campaign. Along with the Walker Management Library, incorporated into the building is historic Mechanical Engineering Hall—known as “Old Mechanical”—a Victorian structure built in 1888 to house the university’s engineering program.
M. Eric Johnson, the Ralph Owen Dean of the Owen School and Bruce D. Henderson Professor of Strategy, explains that the Owen School originated because a core group within the Nashville business community developed a vision in the 1950s and 1960s to launch a new graduate school at Vanderbilt focused on the study of management. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary during the past year.
“The Owen School today stands as a proud testament to the ideals laid out by that group of founders as a highly collaborative institution with a global impact,” Johnson says. “The Owen Century Partners represent a new chapter, focusing on what the Owen School can accomplish during the next 50 years.”
To help recognize the generosity of the Owen Century Partners, Wente has unveiled a new, one-to-one challenge match by the university to help meet or exceed the Owen School’s fundraising goal of $20 million.
The estimated $55 million building renovation and expansion project will include a total of 48,000 square feet, extending the size of Management Hall by 50 percent to better accommodate the wider Vanderbilt and Nashville business communities.
Members of the Owen Century Partners include:
Maria Renz Barr, MBA’96, and Tom Barr, MBA’98
She is executive vice president for consumer banking at SoFi and a member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board. He is president and CEO of Sono Bello and a former member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board.
John Brock and Mary Brock
He is the former CEO and Chairman of Coca-Cola Enterprises and a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors.
Bruce Brockenborough, EMBA’01
He is president and CEO of Hannan Supply and a member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board.
John P. Eckstein, MBA’87
He is president of Marquette Transportation Co.
Adena Friedman, MBA’93, and Mike Friedman, JD’93
She is president and CEO of Nasdaq, a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors, and a member of Vanderbilt University’s Board of Trust.
John Hawkins, MBA’92, and Renee Hawkins
He is a partner at The Sterling Group, L.P. and a former member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board.
James Herring, BA’88, MBA’89, and Carol Herring, BS’94
He is managing director at Goldman Sachs and a former member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board.
David B. Ingram, MBA’89, and Sarah Ingram
He is chairman and president of Ingram Entertainment and chair of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors.
Paul Jacobson, MBA’97, and Mara Jacobson
He is chief financial officer of Delta Air Lines and a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors.
Ted Lazenby, BA’54, and Gigi Lazenby, BA’67, MBA’73
He is president, CEO and chairman of LNC Corp. and former CEO of Southlife Holding Co. She is chairman and CEO of Bretagne LLC, a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors, and a former member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board.
Doug Parker, MBA’86, and Gwen Parker
He is chairman and CEO of American Airlines, a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors, and a member of Vanderbilt University’s Board of Trust.
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Peterson, MBA’94
He is CEO ancillary and individual/chief administrative officer at UnitedHealthcare Commercial and a member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board.
Neil Ramsey, BE’82, MBA’83
He is president and CEO of Ramsey Quantitative Systems Inc. and a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors.
Bob Rolfe, EMBA’88
He is commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Julie Carell Stadler
She is CEO of the Dance Network and Skyway Studios, and is a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors.
Jon Stevens, MBA’95, and Susan Stevens
He is president of JLL Digital and a member of the Owen School’s Alumni Board.
Cal Turner Family Foundation
Cal Turner Jr., BA’62, founder of the foundation, received the Vanderbilt Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1998 and is an emeritus member of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trustees.
Underwood Family Foundation and John Underwood, MBA’98
John Underwood is managing director at Goldman Sachs, a member of the Owen School’s Board of Visitors, and a former member of Owen’s Alumni Board.
David Zinsner, MBA’96
He is senior vice president and chief financial officer at Micron Technology Inc. and a member of Owen School’s Alumni Board.
The Owen Century Partners also include one donor who wishes to remain anonymous.