Gift of $2.2 Million from Caterpillar Foundation and James E. Owens Helps Build a Global Supply Chain Management Program at NC State University

A gift commitment of $2.2 million from the Caterpillar Foundation and James E. Owens, Caterpillar Inc., chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, will enable North Carolina State University to expand its academic, research and outreach activities in supply chain management (SCM).

The gift will establish the Owens Distinguished Professorship of Supply Chain Management in NC State’s College of Management, as well as student scholarships. It will also support the college’s development of interdisciplinary SCM programs with the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the College of Engineering.

In addition, the gift will help fund renovation of a building to provide dedicated space for students, faculty and corporate partners working with the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC), a collaborative industry-academic program based in the College of Management.

The SCRC provides outreach to industry and coordinates the college’s academic programs in SCM. Real world experience – gained through team projects conducted by students in partnership with SCRC companies – is a key part of the college’s approach to supply chain management education. Since the cooperative was established in 2000, nearly 470 students have worked on over 150 projects with SCRC’s national and international partners. Caterpillar has been engaged with the SCRC since 2004.

“Our hope is that this investment, especially with its emphasis on interdisciplinary programs, will provide a diverse student population the opportunity for an education in this important and growing field of study,” Owens said. “NC State, and particularly the College of
Management, has a strong history in supply chain education, research and outreach. Caterpillar and I are very pleased to support its continued growth and development.” The gift announcement was made during Owens’ visit to the College of Management on July 25.

“Jim Owens and Caterpillar are strong supporters of NC State,” said James Oblinger, NC State chancellor. “This partnership has been the foundation of projects and internships that give our students meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. This gift reaffirms the value of NC State’s interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on programs that combine the theoretical with real-world scholarship,” he said.

“Strong student enrollment and career placement in both our undergraduate and MBA supply chain management concentrations reflects not only student interest but also industry demands for talented students in this discipline,” said Ira R. Weiss, dean of the College of Management. “We very much appreciate Jim’s and Caterpillar’s involvement with our supply chain management program over the years. This gift commitment will help us continue to build a world-class program that prepares our students for careers in today’s global marketplace.”

Owens received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from NC State, including his Ph.D. in economics in 1973. He joined Caterpillar Inc. in 1972 as a corporate economist and has held numerous management positions. In 2004, he was named chairman and chief executive officer. He is a native of Elizabeth City, N.C.

For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2007 sales and revenues of $44.958 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.cat.com.

The NC State College of Management is a comprehensive business college with uniquely focused graduate and undergraduate programs that prepare individuals for careers in today’s dynamic, technology-rich, global business environment. The faculty members integrate real-world experiences with classroom instruction, drawing on their research and practical experience. Project-based classes have student teams working with companies to provide solutions to real issues being faced by businesses and industries today. The college’s Undergraduate Programs include bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business management and economics. The Jenkins Graduate School of Management in the college includes the Master of Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Economics Masters’ and Ph.D. programs, and Master of Global Innovation Management. More information is available at: mgt.ncsu.edu.

The Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering has been educating the nation’s best and brightest for over 75 years, demonstrating the kind of consistent, innovative, multidisciplinary excellence that industry and academia demand. It has a distinguished history of outstanding alumni and faculty and is actively engaged in impactful research. More information is available at www.ise.ncsu.edu.