FCBA

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The Fosters

 

The Fosters

A few years ago, a major gift to the College of Business Administration was announced. The gift already has and will continue to have a profound impact on the college's quest for national prominence.

Tom and Ellen Foster, both graduates of Bradley University, announced this gift of $7.5 million on October 6, 1994. In honor of their accomplishments and support of the University, the College of Business Administration will bear the Foster name. The formal name change to the Foster College of Business Administration became effective immediately.

Tom Foster received his degree in Marketing in 1951 and M.B.A. in 1952. Tom founded Foster & Gallagher, Inc. while still in college. Foster and Gallagher, Inc. was a pioneer in direct mail marketing that included twelve mail order firms in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, with emphasis in the horticultural field. Ellen Foster '52 has been active in advertising and marketing trade associations, works with a number of charitable and civic organizations in the Peoria area, and is a member of the Bradley University Board of Trustees having served as its chairman from 1997 to 2000.

In making the gift, Tom Foster said:

"Our respect for, and interest in, Bradley University has been of long standing. Both Ellie and I feel that our lives were impacted in a very positive manner because of our exposure as students at Bradley. The education and values received here certainly contributed to enabling us to define goals and to grow in ways that have benefited us greatly over the years. We also have been proud to see the quality of the entire educational process at Bradley become even finer over time. It is our firm belief that education constitutes one of the most important keys to anyone's ability to lead a life which is meaningful to themselves as well as to the world in which they function. This community - in our opinion - is indeed enriched in countless ways by Bradley's presence here - and we are truly pleased to help ensure its future as an outstanding University and as an integral part of what Peoria has to offer."

Bradley University President John Brazil responded to the Fosters' 1994 gift by saying:

"There's a lot of love, a lot of belief in the University, and commitment to the future behind this gift. The Fosters have made an enormous investment in the University and the Peoria area community. In the finest tradition of American philanthropy, they're using the fruits of their labors to improve the world or at least that portion of it where they live and work. Their gift will allow the College of Business Administration to become one of the finest business schools in the country."

Of the colleges which have accredited business and accounting programs, the Foster College of Business Administration ranks as the 21st named college of business administration in the nation, joining such schools as the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania, the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth, and the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. Clearly, having a named College of Business Administration immediately adds prestige to Bradley University in addition to providing substantial funds for use within the college and the university.

The Foster gift is used by the Foster College of Business Administration to:

 

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