[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/GEgift.announce.jpg” caption=”Peter George, Bob Gillespie”]The General Electric Fund has generously contributed $125,000 ($75,000 US) to establish graduate bursaries in the MBA electronic commerce stream in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business.

“This gift to establish bursaries for the e-commerce
stream of the MBA program will certainly provide more opportunities for students entering the Michael G. Degroote School of Business,” said Vishwanath Baba, business school dean.

Under terms of the gift agreement between the U.S.-based foundation and the University, there will be 10 annual graduate bursaries of $3,000 for three consecutive years awarded to students in the electronic commerce stream.

The actual number of bursaries granted annually may vary due to fluctuations in the U.S./Canada exchange rate.

Students must demonstrate leadership at McMaster or in the community at large and must demonstrate financial need according to the terms of the bursaries.

The bursary program will begin in the 2001-2002 academic year, and will be known as “The GE Fund Graduate Bursary in Electronic Commerce.”

A reception was held May 22 to celebrate the announcement of this gift. On hand were Bob Gillespie, chairman and CEO of General Electric Canada, Terry Peach, manager of organization and staffing General Electric Canada, Ron Osborne, vice-president of General Electric Nuclear and Laurie Rogers, manager of GE Medical Systems IT. Rogers has been appointed to sit on the advisory board for the McMaster E-Commerce Research Centre.

GRADUATE GIFTS: McMaster President Peter George and Bob Gillespie, chair and CEO of General Electric Canada hold the $125,000 gift that will be used for graduate student bursaries in the School of Business MBA e-commerce program.

Photo: Bob Hodgson