UA’s Manderson Names Georgia-Pacific Corporate Partner of the Year

TUSCALOOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business at the Culverhouse College of Commerce will award Georgia-Pacific Corp. with the Manderson Partner of the Year award Friday, Aug. 15 at its annual Speakers Edge luncheon.

The luncheon marks the conclusion of orientation activities for incoming MBA students.

“We are fortunate to have the support of several corporate partners here at Culverhouse and Manderson,” said Dr. J. Michael Hardin, dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce. “This award is a way for us to recognize the commitments and opportunities these companies provide to our students and for their efforts to help our students and faculty achieve greater success. We are proud to honor Georgia Pacific as our Corporate Partner of the Year.”

With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is committed to strengthening relationships with Manderson graduate students in a variety of ways including advancement, growth and development opportunities in various plants across the U.S.

“Georgia-Pacific is honored to be recognized as the Manderson Graduate School of Business Partner of the Year. We greatly value the relationships we have built with the exceptional faculty and students,” said Scott Harper, director of procurement, Georgia-Pacific. “Through participation in on-campus events, student benchmarking projects, internships and full-time hiring initiatives, we have truly created a ‘partnership’ in developing our future leaders.”

In selecting a winner, Manderson considers support of key initiatives inside the school, length of engagement with the College and surprising, extraordinary activities that advance the graduate program experience for students and faculty.

“Georgia Pacific’s proximity to Tuscaloosa has really helped provide opportunities for our students, not only in Atlanta, but across the country,” said Dr. Brian Gray, associate dean of UA’s Manderson Graduate School of Business. “Their approach to management gives authority to employees and then rewards them for making good decisions within their roles. That idea appeals to our students tremendously.”

The Manderson Corporate Partner of the Year award was first initiated in 2009 to acknowledge a company that has had or continues to have a significant impact on the Manderson MBA program and the lives of its students. Previous winners of the award include Procter & Gamble, BBVA Compass, Cigna-HealthSpring and, most recently in 2013, Regions.