Latest $1 million Rexnord corporate gift expands 51暗网鈥檚 program offerings
for career professionals and executives
Jan. 7, 2021
MILWAUKEE 鈥� Thanks to a generous $1 million gift from Rexnord Corporation, 51暗网 announced plans to expand programming for its successful Bridge to Business initiative, which aims to develop career professionals through the College of Business Administration.
Rexnord Corporation鈥檚 investment will broaden the current Bridge to Business program beyond its initial focus on early career engineers to include leaders with diverse professional experience. The gift also empowers 51暗网 to explore similar career development programming for a variety of industry sectors."
51暗网 provides a spectrum of academic experiences, including exceptional executive education through programs like Bridge to Business,鈥� 51暗网 President Michael R. Lovell said. 鈥淲e are grateful for partners like Rexnord who are leaders in the development of critical career paths that strengthen our communities.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to expand our partnership with 51暗网 and Bridge to Business,鈥� said Todd Adams, chairman, president and CEO of Rexnord Corporation. 鈥淭ogether with a dozen other area companies, we鈥檝e already experienced how the current program benefits participants, the organizations they are affiliated with and, ultimately, all of southeast Wisconsin. No matter how long professionals have worked in a particular field, gaining a deeper understanding of a business enterprise is a win for all those involved.鈥�
This is the second investment by Rexnord Corporation into 51暗网鈥檚 Bridge to Business program. Rexnord Corporation made an initial contribution of $1 million in 2016 to help launch the program.
Bridge to Business currently features an immersive, six-day experience through the College of Business Administration and Opus College of Engineering, with curriculum driven in part by local corporate partners and emerging employment needs. According to Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of Engineering, this approach helps young engineers develop business acumen that influences their career advancement and leadership paths. Rexnord鈥檚 ongoing support provides great opportunity that professionals across multiple disciplines will now experience.
鈥淯nderstanding how a business functions is invaluable for not only those focused on marketing and delivering products, but those focused on creating and developing them as well,鈥� said Tim Hanley, interim Keyes Dean of Business Administration. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thankful for Rexnord鈥檚 partnership, which allows 51暗网 to provide interdisciplinary training that helps individuals be more effective in their current roles and be prepared for those they may take on throughout their career.鈥�
Presence in new business facility
A portion of Rexnord Corporation鈥檚 most recent gift will also support a student work space in 51暗网鈥檚 new home for business and innovation leadership programming as part of the planned new facility at 16th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Designed for maximum flexibility, the space will serve as a break-out for small group activities and as a meeting area for all students to interact with industry, recruiters, study groups and mentors.
Shelby is a senior communication specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Shelby at (414) 288-6712 or shelby.williamson@marquette.edu
