Alumnus Makes $2M Gift to IU Kelley School of Business
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMore IU Kelley School of Business students will be able to study abroad after a $2M gift from alumnus Jim Perschbacher. The Mableton, Georgia resident, and avid world traveler, says he wanted to improve the study abroad programs to leave a legacy at the university where he earned two accounting degrees.
"I have enjoyed my extensive international travel experiences and cherish the friendships I have made over the years," Perschbacher said. "I continue to find travel beneficial to my understanding of the world and would like students to experience other business cultures and be impacted by international travel as I have been. This gift allows me to make a positive impact on students who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities."
The 2018 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange has IU Bloomington sixth among U.S. institutions for the number of students studying abroad, with 62-percent of Kelley School students currently graduating with international experience. University data suggests students who study abroad are more likely to graduate on time, have higher GPA’s and engagement with faculty.
Pershbacher, who serves as chief financial officer of North American operations for Birla Carbon, earned his IU Bachelor’s degree in 1976 and a MBA in 1977. His gift is included in the $3 billion For All: Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign, and the gift will be doubled by IU’s International Scholarship Matching Program.