Southeastern Louisiana University is getting support in multiple areas thanks to a $250,000 donation from Smitty’s Supply Inc. Located in Roseland, La., Smitty’s Supply is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of lubricants and greases in the world today.
The contribution will benefit four specific areas of the university – business, supply chain management, accounting, and the professional sales program.
“This generous donation demonstrates Smitty’s Supply Inc.’s commitment and partnership with Southeastern,” said Senior Director of Development and Advancement Services Katherine Rose. “Smitty’s investment in Southeastern is an investment in transforming the lives of students.”
Rose said that four endowments were created as a result of the donation – the Edgar R. Smith, III Endowed Professorship in Business, the Christina Smith Leto Endowed Scholarship in Supply Chain Management, Smitty’s Supply Inc. Endowed Scholarship in Accounting, and the Christina Smith Leto Sales Program Endowment. Part of the donation also includes funds to build the Smitty’s Supply Inc. Executive Conference Room in Southeastern’s Professional Sales Training Center.
“Supply chain management is one of our fastest growing programs at Southeastern, and it offers students excellent career opportunities,” Rose said. “Our accounting program has a long history of providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the needs and challenges of today’s businesses. Smitty’s has a long history of hiring accounting students as interns and employs numerous accounting graduates.”
The funds for the Professional Sales Program, Rose explained, will be used to complete the construction of the executive conference room in the Professional Sales Training Center and
create annual funds to support unexpected program needs. Additionally, two of Smitty’s management team members have volunteered to serve as sales student mentors.
For more information about the endowments, contact the Southeastern Office of University Advancement at 985-549-2239.
