Press Releases:
COLLEGE CREATES GARTH ALLEN DISTINGUISHED CHAIR
(2009-04-01 00:00:00.0)
The Monfort College of Business and the UNC Foundation announce the creation of the Garth Allen Distinguished Chair with a $200,000 donation from two donors.
A chair is the most prestigious named faculty position at the University of Northern Colorado. The Garth Allen Distinguished Chair has been created to recognize the countless contributions of Allen, director of finance and professor of business law and finance who has been at the College of Business for 35 years.
The goal is to build a $1.5 million endowment, to be managed by the UNC Foundation. The first gifts have come from Brandon (BS Finance, 1981) and Donna Barnholt of Hinsdale, Ill. ($100,000), and John (BS Finance, 1984) and Angela (BA Speech Communications, 1989) Schmidt of Castle Rock, Colo. ($100,000).
“We are grateful for the generosity of the Barnholts and Schmidts,” said Virgil Scott, president of the UNC Foundation.
Brandon Barnholt and John Schmidt remember Allen’s impact on their education at UNC.
“Garth Allen was the kind of professor that pushed you to be better than you thought you could be,” Barnholt said. “He is the reason I have a finance degree. Donna and I are proud to be part of establishing a professorship in his name.”
“Allen has had a long and distinguished career,” Schmidt said. “Along the way he’s made a positive difference in the lives of so many students, including me.”
The Chair will be used to attract and retain a nationally recognized scholar to teach at the college.
Distinguished chairs have traditionally honored colleagues, friends, loved ones and cherished educators, whose names become a permanent part of the institution while at the same time advancing the cause of knowledge and the education of students.
Allen joined the UNC business faculty in 1974 after earning a juris doctorate degree at the University of Iowa. During his tenure at the college, he has held many positions, including chair of the finance department and acting dean of the college. He teaches business law and risk management courses. He is also a frequent lecturer for continuing legal education courses for attorneys and has a growing national reputation for his expertise in insurance.
Contributions to establish the endowed chair will either supplement state funding assigned to the position or, if the gift is sufficient to sustain adequate prudent spending, create a new faculty position. Income from the endowment is intended to sustain the position and may cover costs for salary, travel and support.
“One of the Monfort College’s most important resources is its faculty. Professor Allen has made and continues to make a tremendous impact on our students,” said college Dean Don Gudmundson. “This is a fitting way to recognize Garth for his impressive accomplishments and contributions.”
For additional information or to contribute to the Garth Allen Distinguished Chair, contact Barry Benson at barry.benson@unco.edu or 970 351-4338.
About the Monfort College of Business
The Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado focuses exclusively on excellence in undergraduate business education. This unique focus has led to national and international recognition for the college including becoming the first and only business program to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from the Office of the President of the United States, and the only undergraduate-only program worldwide to be accredited by AACSB International in both business and accounting. Over five successive years Monfort’s graduating seniors have scored in the top 5 to 10 percent on nationwide standardized exit exams. Students earn a degree in Business Administration with emphasis options in accounting, computer information systems, finance, general business, management, or marketing. For more information, visit Monfort’s Web site at mcb.unco.edu.
About the University of Northern Colorado Foundation
The UNC Foundation is a private non-profit organization devoted to soliciting and managing private gifts and grants to support the mission and goals of the University of Northern Colorado.