Georgia State Receives $1 Million Gift From Bank of America

ATLANTA - Georgia State University has received a $1 million gift from Bank of America that will help provide for business scholarships and a lecture series in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. In addition, the gift will serve as financial support for the university's Helen M. Aderhold Learning Center, now under construction in downtown Atlanta's Fairlie Poplar district, and the university's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

Bank of America's endowment will establish a Bank of America MBA Scholars Program in the Robinson College of Business that will provide financial assistance to women and underrepresented graduate business students who show potential as business leaders. The funds also will be used to establish a Bank of America Distinguished Lecture Series in International Trade, Finance and Economics. The series will bring to Atlanta internationally recognized speakers in these areas.

"The College of Business and the university have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Bank of America, and we are very grateful for this generous gift," said Dr. Sidney E. Harris, dean of the Robinson College of Business. "It will have a significant impact on providing opportunities to many students for academic growth and enrichment who otherwise may not have the opportunity. The gift also will provide a unique opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to hear first hand from the nation's top experts in the very key areas of international trade, finance and economics."

"Bank of America firmly believes in the quality education being provided at Georgia State University," said Gene Godbold, president of the Bank of America Georgia.

"We are especially pleased that part of our $1 million gift will be used to provide financial assistance to women and those underrepresented in graduate business schools. Inclusive meritocracy is one of our core values at Bank of America, and this grant will help educate and bring more diversity and talent into the business world."

In the 1960s, then NationsBank, forerunner of Bank of America, provided support to the business school's Department of Finance. In 1992, NationsBank donated to the university the former Citizens and Southern Bank building at 35 Broad Street, which is now the permanent headquarters of the Robinson College of Business. In addition, several top executives from Bank of America are graduates of the Robinson College, including President Ken Lewis and former Georgia President Jim Lientz. Last year, Lewis was inducted into the College's Business Hall of Fame to honor his outstanding business and civic leadership in the community.

For more information, contact:
Steven W. Strickland, Director of Development and External Affairs,
Robinson College of Business, 404/413-7056

Bank of America, Mary Welch, Director of Media Relations,
404/607-5318

____________
The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is one of the most heralded business schools in the Southeast and nation. The College's part-time MBA program has been listed in the top ten by U.S.News & World Report for five years. In addition, Business Week listed the College's Executive MBA program as one of the top 20 programs in the country; and Forbes has named the College as one of the best business schools for return on investment. With approximately 8,200 students, the College is one of the nation's largest accredited business programs.