New endowed fund helps drive data education at Wilson College of Business
New endowed fund helps drive data education at Wilson College of Business
While not in the data industry himself, Jeff Scudder understands the importance of data in today’s business world. The Wilson College of Business recognizes this as well, making a broad effort to integrate more data learning opportunities into its curriculum. Together with other alumni, Scudder has helped create the Data & Technology Business Intelligence Endowed Fund.
The fund aims to enhance data-driven education, ensuring that students have access to cutting-edge tools and resources used in the business world.
To compete for good students and to equip those students with what they need to be successful, you need to provide the tools that are necessary in today’s workplace. That’s a central part of offering a good business education.
Scudder has noticed a general business trend toward greater reliance on data and the technologies for data analysis over the past decade. He has contributed to UNI in numerous ways, including through student scholarships, so when the UNI Foundation approached him with this opportunity, driven by Dean Leslie Wilson and the Executive Advisory Board, he was eager to help meet a clear need.
The cost of supporting a top-tier data education includes expensive software, hardware and certifications. For example, the Bloomberg terminal, with technology essential in the finance world, costs tens of thousands of dollars each year, which isn’t affordable for most colleges, let alone individual students. Students may also be able to use the fund to obtain certain data industry certifications.
“I’ve observed over the past five to 10 years that big data has become a huge deal,” Scudder said. “It spans a broad range of industries, including mine here in law. I’m generally aware that these tools are very expensive, so the goal is to not pass that cost onto individuals at the college if we can help it.”
Scudder is one of the early donors to the fund. For those considering making contributions, whether individually or as an organization, Scudder says it will go a long way toward helping students succeed at the Wilson College of Business and beyond.
“I really do think the data tools we’re providing are critical for the college,” Scudder said. “This fund will help provide sustainability for the college, allowing it to devote resources to these tools well into
the future. I’m excited to see more from this fund and to see students using and benefitting from the tools this fund will help invest in.”
