TSU supply-chain program tops $500,000 in funding

Filed in archive Research on February 12, 2006

Financial support for the e-business supply chain management program at Tennessee State University's College of Business passed the half-million dollar mark in January.

Nashville Business Journal reported that For the next three years the program will operate with $510,000 in funding from Dell, Fleetguard, Genesco, Corning, Lexmark International, Ingram Micro and Digital Connections. Dell was the first to contribute, with a gift of $150,000. The other companies will provide $20,000 each per year over a three year period.

Dr. Festus Olorunniwo, head of TSU's department of business administration, says the money will supplement state funding to make the program nationally and internationally competitive.

"The funding provides TSU supply chain management program with the capability to supplement state funds to hire more first class faculty in order to develop world-class programs that can compete internationally," he says.

In addition, members of donor companies help steer the program and mentor students through a governing board. The board provides guidance on curriculum, works with faculty to make sure the program is up-to-date with industry needs, and provides internships and jobs for students.

Supply chain management, the strategy through which goods are developed, created, distributed and purchased in the wholesale and retail markets, is one of the fastest growing business sectors in the world.

TSU launched the undergraduate e-business program in the fall of 2004; the graduate program, in which students earn an MBA with a concentration in supply chain management, began the following year. Currently, 24 and 10 students are enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively. Olorunniwo projects that there will be 100 undergraduate and 30 graduate students enrolled by the fall of 2007.

Current graduates from the program have gone on to positions at companies such as Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Boeing and Fleetguard.