Andy and Barbara Taylor: Opening Doors to Opportunity

University of Denver's Daniels College of Business announces $5 million Taylor gift to enhance undergraduate diversity

DENVER, Nov. 17, 2011  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Denver's Daniels College of Business today announced that Andy and Barbara Taylor made a gift of $5 million—which will be added to the already-established Taylor Scholarship endowment of $1 million—supporting scholarships to foster diversity among undergraduate students attending the Daniels College of Business. The University of Denver has matched the new gift bringing the total Taylor Scholarship fund to $11 million.

For the upcoming 2011-2012 academic year, Daniels has awarded 35 Taylor scholarships with plans for additional scholarships later this year.

"The generous gift of the Taylor scholarships will help Daniels recruit top students from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their financial need, helping many deserving students achieve their educational goals." said Daniels Dean Christine Riordan.

"The Taylor's gift will not only help educate the next generation of ethical business leaders, but will help Daniels further develop as a community of choice where ideas, diversity, and strong relationships enhance lives. Andy and Barbara share our belief that providing tomorrow's business leaders an ethics-based business education is important—now more than ever."

Andy Taylor, the chairman and CEO of Enterprise Holdings, parent company of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands, and his wife Barbara are both alumni of the University and are long-time supporters of the College.  Enterprise Holdings has provided internship opportunities for Daniels students, supported service projects and sponsored events.  In addition, Andy Taylor presented at the Daniels College of Business 2010-2011 Voices of Experience season, a signature speaker series that features C-level executives and business leaders.

With annual revenues exceeding $14 billion and more than 70,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings operates more than 1 million cars and trucks, making it the largest car rental service provider in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet. Enterprise Holdings currently is ranked No. 16 on the Forbes "Top 500 Private Companies in America" list.

The University of Denver is committed to improving the human condition and engaging students and faculty in tackling the major issues of our day. DU ranks among the top 100 national universities in the U.S. For additional information, go to www.du.edu/newsroom.

As the eighth-oldest collegiate school of business in the country, the Daniels College of Business is dedicated to educating ethical business leaders, advancing the theory and practice of business, and making a positive global impact. In November, 2011, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked the Daniels College of Business Professional MBA program No. 25 in the U.S. and No. 5 in the Southwest Region. In October 2011, Daniels was named No. 15 in the world for teaching business ethics by the Aspen Institute. Also in October 2011, the Daniels College of Business Executive MBA program was ranked in the top 100 in the world by the Financial Times – the sole Colorado school to be ranked. In May 2011, Daniels was ranked the second-best in the U.S. in ethics; No. 15 in accounting; No. 23 in international business; No. 43 in sustainability; and No. 47 in financial management in the Bloomberg Businessweek's annual ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs by Specialty. In March 2011, Businessweek placed the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business at No. 64 in their undergraduate programs ranking. In April 2010, U.S. News' part time M.B.A. ranking placed the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business program in the top 70 in the U.S.   For more information, visit: daniels.du.edu.

SOURCE University of Denver