State Farm gives $36,000 to student programs

· 3 min read

State Farm gives $36,000 to student programs

A $36,000 gift to UNL from State Farm includes $13,046 to fund a K-12 program focusing on driving safety. The program will be led by the Nebraska Transportation Center.
Craig Chandler | University Communications
A $36,000 gift to UNL from State Farm includes $13,046 to fund a K-12 program focusing on driving safety. The program will be led by the Nebraska Transportation Center.

Teen driving safety, business ethics, educational achievement and more are the focus of a nearly $36,000 contribution from State Farm to UNL.

The State Farm gifts to the University of Nebraska Foundation include:

  • The Nebraska Transportation Center was awarded $13,046 to fund a K-12 program focusing on driving safety and to encourage students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

“It’s an important area — reaching out to our K-12 students — and State Farm’s donation will allow us to reach out to more students than we would have otherwise been able to influence,” said Larry Rilett, director of the Nebraska Transportation Center. “We’re very appreciative.”

  • The College of Business Administration was awarded $12,755 to support its Ethics for Business Leaders of Tomorrow program. The donation enables the college to host a professional ethics presentation this fall and provides support for the program’s curriculum materials.

“The funding provided by State Farm continues to enhance CBA’s efforts in providing our students with the opportunity to learn about ethical business practices and the importance of ethical decision making in all facets of their lives,” said Kathleen Farrell, senior associate dean and State Farm Professor of Finance.

  • The Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, a program supporting low-income and first-generation college students, was awarded $10,000. The funding supports its Summer Stars, a no-cost summer school in Grand Island for academy scholars.

“Without the financial commitment of companies like State Farm, the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy would not have the opportunity to offer extra academic programs, such as NCPA Summer Stars,” said Amber Williams, director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy. “The company’s support is critical as UNL and the state work to close the education inequality gap for Nebraska students.”

About the company’s support, State Farm public affairs specialist Kelly Pargett, said, “State Farm is committed to supporting advances in each of the focus areas where these UNL programs are making a difference. We appreciate the work being done at the university to enhance safe teen driving, business ethics and educational achievement.”

The gift from State Farm also provides support for the University of Nebraska’s Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities, a comprehensive fundraising initiative that has raised more than $1.5 billion for the university and concludes Dec. 31. For more information, visit http://www.campaignfornebraska.org.

A longtime partner with the University of Nebraska, State Farm previously announced a gift in 2012 that provided support for the UNL College of Business Administration’s business ethics program and the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization raising private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for more than 77 years. In 2013, donors provided the university with $236.7 million for scholarships, medical and other research, academic programs, faculty support and facilities.

Recent News