News and Progress
University of Missouri-Columbia Announces Historic Gift and College Naming
Business school named after alumnus Robert J. Trulaske, Sr.
Oct. 19, 2007
On October 19, 2007, the University of Missouri-Columbia announced that its College of Business is now officially named the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. The college was renamed in recognition of a series of generous gifts, including a new commitment today, from Geraldine Trulaske. The gifts were made in honor of Mrs. Trulaske’s husband, Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. Mr. Trulaske, who earned a business degree from the University of Missouri in 1940, passed away in September 2004. Recently, the University of Missouri Board of Curators approved the renaming of the business school.
Two years ago, Mrs. Trulaske made another donation to MU, providing funding for six endowed named faculty positions in the College of Business and a campus-wide scholarships program. Earlier, Mr. and Mrs. Trulaske had made a series of gifts that created three endowments – one for undergraduate scholarships in MU’s business school, a second for scholarships for MBA students, and a third for a new scholarships coordinator position in the College of Business. Currently, 36 students have Trulaske Scholarships.
The College of Business will use the latest gift from Mrs. Trulaske to advance the priorities contained in its strategic plan. The priorities include: professional development of undergraduate business students, the School of Accountancy, the Crosby MBA Program, scholarly research, doctoral education, entrepreneurship and economic development, financial services, information technology, diversity, collaboration with the business community, and quality learning. In line with Mrs. Trulaske’s wishes, the amount of the gift is not being disclosed.
“Mrs. Trulaske’s very generous gift, combined with a measure of flexibility in applying the new funding, is beneficial to the College of Business at an unprecedented level. With added financial resources, we can assure that our students receive a world-class education in business and accounting. In addition, I am confident that we will fulfill our vision of being a top-twenty public business school,” said Bruce Walker, dean of the college. “I am also extremely pleased that our college will be forever associated with Robert Trulaske, Sr., who I found to be an ethical, caring, and highly successful business owner.”
Following graduation in 1940, Mr. Trulaske was employed at Procter & Gamble until the start of World War II. He served as a combat pilot and took part in D-Day and other battles. Upon returning from the war, he and Geraldine were married, and he started his own company with his brother and father in 1945.
“My father credited the University of Missouri for giving him the tools to success. He was a dedicated alumnus of its business school for many years,” said Robert Trulaske, Jr. “Knowing of his deep, abiding love for the University, I’m proud that my mother has chosen to continue their tradition of support.”
The College of Business is only the second academic division to be named at the University of Missouri-Columbia; the other is the Sinclair School of Nursing. In various national rankings, such as The Wall Street Journal and U.S. News & World Report, approximately 75 percent of top-tier business schools are named.
“A named and nationally recognized College of Business at Missouri’s flagship university will help to keep the ‘best and brightest’ students who have an interest in business and accounting in the state of Missouri and will attract other talented students to our state,” said MU Chancellor Brady Deaton. “This gift will enable the college to greatly advance key strategic priorities in its plan, which will benefit both students and faculty members, and also will contribute to the future vitality of the economy in the state of Missouri.”