BB&T Donation to Create Center at Richards College of Business

 The University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business has received a pledge of $1 million from BB&T Corp. to establish the Center for Ethics and Free Enterprise and the BB&T Lectures in Free Enterprise Series.

BB&T’s donation, the largest in the history of the Richards College, will create a center that will foster a comprehensive and ongoing discussion of the foundations of capitalism and free enterprise.

“This program will emphasize our shared interest with the University of West Georgia in giving students a hands-on perspective on capitalism and free markets, a better understanding of our economy and an enhanced ability to make meaningful contributions to the world,” said BB&T West Georgia Area executive Tammy Hughes.

The center will generate faculty and student research and new business courses.

The center will also fund the business college’s award-winning Students in Free Enterprise team for campus and community projects on ethics, investment basics, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

The lecture series, which will be open to the public, will focus on core values and ethical foundations of free enterprise and issues facing business management and policy makers.

“This gift will further the mission of the Richards College of Business to educate and prepare students for positions of responsibility and ethical leadership in society,” said Dr. Faye S. McIntyre, dean of the Richards College. “This is truly wonderful news, and this is an exciting time to be in the RCOB and UWG. Our dedicated faculty and staff have done outstanding work in making the college worthy of this generous donation from BB&T.”

BB&T has provided extraordinary support to UWG for many years, including contributions to the university’s new athletics complex and the endowment of a presidential scholarship.

“BB&T has been and continues to be a wonderful benefactor and friend to the university,” said Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, president of UWG. “BB&T’s generosity has enabled us to accomplish much good work over the years. This tremendous gift is yet another example of BB&T’s continuing support and interest.”