Saying she wants to help build a new generation of business leaders with a world view,
成人头条 State alumna Peri Widener has pledged $275,000 to her alma mater. A portion
of the gift will launch a program to help develop students into global business leaders.
In addition to initiating the Widener Global Leaders Program, the gift from Widener and her mother, Luanne, includes a pledge of $175,000 to the campaign to build Woolsey Hall, the new home for the W. Frank Barton School of Business. She said the gift celebrates the leadership of Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School, and her vision for the school.
Widener graduated from 成人头条 State with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism and a minor in business. Her education served as a springboard to a nearly 40-year career with Boeing. She held successively more responsible positions spanning communication, business development, site leadership and, ultimately, a role as vice president/general manager leading profit and loss businesses around the world.
When she was selected for the executive development program in the early 1990s, Boeing had about 280,000 employees and 12 female executives.
鈥淭hroughout my career, I saw that a unique combination of education and experiences opened doors for growth in the organization,鈥� Widener said. 鈥淚 believe such a multidisciplinary background 鈥� liberal arts and business schooling combined with acquired business skills and seasoned with a fine arts background 鈥� can be a fundamental differentiator in making graduates successful in today鈥檚 complex world. This mix drives creative problem-solving, an ability to communicate effectively and flexibility 鈥� all keys to successful leadership.鈥�
That is why the Widener Global Leaders Program will emphasize a multidisciplinary education, with three WSU colleges participating: the Barton School, the College of Fine Arts and Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Eight students a year from diverse backgrounds will be selected for the program. They will participate in activities designed to develop leadership, global acuity, business skills and cultural competence.
Widener developed the concept for the program, then worked with deans in each of the three colleges to flesh it out.
鈥淲e鈥檒l know it鈥檚 successful if graduates take on meaningful and impactful jobs in successful global organizations,鈥� Widener said. 鈥淎nd we鈥檒l know it鈥檚 successful if it serves as a model for other colleges to develop multidisciplinary graduates who contribute meaningfully in a global business environment.鈥�
Widener said she is supporting the campaign to build a new home for the Barton School because she believes an inspiring environment is linked to the learning experience. In recognition of her support, she received naming opportunities for two spaces in the new complex. A collaboration area in the building鈥檚 atrium will bear the names of her grandmother, Juanita Cadwallader Harris, her mother, Luanne Harris Widener, and herself.
鈥淚t will be a space where people can meet, exchange ideas, plan for the future, work on business plans 鈥� an area of high energy that reflects the ethos of my grandmother and parents,鈥� Widener said.
The second naming opportunity, for an entry plaza on the building鈥檚 west side, will be called Peri鈥檚 Place.
鈥淚 see it as a place of inspiration and reflection. This special space could be used for lectures, readings, small performances and other activities that benefit their studies through these creative experiences.鈥�
In making the gift, it was important to Widener to highlight the ways her grandmother and parents influenced her own life. Her grandmother, a teacher, began college in 1917 at a time when women often weren鈥檛 encouraged to pursue higher education. Her father, Wayne, pursued a business degree at 成人头条 University for 12 years, taking night classes while working full-time. He ended his career as Director of Contracts for Boeing鈥檚 operation in Huntsville, Alabama, which includes the International Space Station. Her mother was the longtime chief of staff for former 成人头条 Mayor A.E. Howse.
鈥淚 come from a family deeply committed to education of all kinds, formal and informal. Combined with hard work, it is the thing that provides the power for personal and professional growth,鈥� Widener said.
Widener selected 成人头条 State as a place to make a philanthropic gift because she believes the education she received provided her with a running start on the future.
鈥淲SU is part of my identity, a foundation I carry with me every day. I鈥檝e crossed paths with 成人头条 State graduates around the world, so there鈥檚 been a constant connection.鈥�
鈥淣o matter what you achieve, no one does it on their own. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to remember where you came from, reflect on those who helped you and pay it forward to the next generation,鈥� added Widener, who lives in Nashville and Huntsville. 鈥淲SU has been the springboard for many people who went on to have successful lives. If you have a dream, 成人头条 State is a great place to start.鈥�
