St. Mary’s University has received a $1 million gift from alumnus Bill Greehey (B.B.A. ’60) for the newly revamped MBA program, a unique cohort-based graduate program that centers on values-driven leadership and learning.

“I am very excited to support the new MBA program at St. Mary’s University because it goes beyond a typical MBA curriculum. It includes a key focus on ethical leadership, social responsibility and social entrepreneurship, all of which are critical to the development of great future leaders who will care as much about their employees and communities as they care about their shareholders and bottom lines,” said Bill Greehey, NuStar Energy LLC’s chairman of the board and director. “In addition to the already rigorous curriculum that all MBA students follow, the students in St. Mary’s new MBA program will have additional requirements for service, community engagement and leadership.

“I am particularly pleased that a significant portion of the gift will be used to provide scholarships to attract the best and brightest students with high leadership potential, as well as stipends to help attract world-class professors,” he added.

This is another major gift from Greehey to St. Mary’s. In 2006, his $25 million gift resulted in the naming of the Bill Greehey School of Business.

“Mr. Greehey’s continued support of the St. Mary’s business school and its programs is a strong validation of the dedication and commitment of the school’s faculty and staff, as well as the work happening campus-wide to promote excellence in the Marianist tradition,” said President Thomas M. Mengler, J.D. “St. Mary’s strives to develop graduates who have not only traditional hard skills, but also the values that make us more fully human and more effective leaders such as leading as a part of a team, listening and collaborating, and practicing honesty, respect and integrity.”

“We have a goal of increasing opportunities for experiential learning and mentorship, so that our students see firsthand what it takes to become an outstanding professional, and this generous gift will help us do that in the Greehey School of Business,” Mengler added.

Dean Tanuja Singh, D.B.A., led the effort to retool the University’s traditional MBA program into one that focuses on developing ethical leaders seeking to transform themselves and their communities. The 18-month program is in its first year.

“We know we are on the right track with our values-driven MBA when Mr. Greehey, with an outstanding record of a values-driven life, supports us with words and actions,” Dean Singh said.

She noted that the gift would be used for a variety of purposes including the addition of national thought leaders who will add to the unique learning environment of the program.

This is the second significant gift to the Greehey MBA program in recent months. The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation recently awarded a $150,000 grant to fund scholarships for the program.

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