RADFORD – The Radford University College of Business and Economics (COBE) received $750,000 from BB&T to create a capitalism program at the graduate and undergraduate levels.  RU joins 38 other business schools including Duke, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, NC State and Clemson that offer BB&T funded programs in capitalism.

“BB&T recognizes Radford University’s influence and importance to the Commonwealth of Virginia and its economic impact on the Southwest region of the state,” says Charlie Robbins, Regional President of BB&T.  “We’re proud to partner with the Radford University College of Business and Economics and support its programs.”

The contribution will be used to fund several new courses, a BB&T Global Capitalism Reading Area in McConnell Library and a BB&T Global Distinguished Lecture Series.  COBE dean Faye Gilbert will teach the first of the program’s courses, Culture and Capitalism, during the inaugural session beginning in spring 2009.

“This is especially exciting as it comes at the beginning of a new academic year,” says Gilbert. “We are very appreciative of what we hope is the first of many transformative gifts to our College of Business and Economics.”

(Pictured above are Allan Funk and Charlie Robbins of BB&T.)