A Dream for the College of Business |
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“Our dream is to make it possible for the College of Business to have one of the premier selling and salesmanship programs in the western United States,” shares Frank Mendicino.
Frank and his wife, Barbara, recently committed $550,000 to the College of Business for an endowed chair in professional selling and salesmanship. Like other endowed gifts received during the DISTINCTION Campaign, the Mendicino gift was doubled for a total value of $1.1 million.
“The chair is a tribute to my parents,” says Frank. “My dad received his degree from UW and was a successful small businessman in Wyoming. He taught me that in business nothing happens until somebody sells something to somebody else. It’s not only a tribute to my parents but also a development of a practical
application program that I think is critically important to all students, especially to business students,” says Frank.
“I have spent more time in my professional career in business, and I have been on the business advisory council for a number of years, so it is a pleasure for us to give back to the College of Business,” he says.
Wyoming natives, the couple met at the University of Wyoming. They have committed nearly $854,000 to UW since 2000, supporting many areas on campus, including athletics, the art museum, and the law school.
The couple established the Gilroy Award in memory of Barbara Mendicino’s parents to honor outstanding male and female golfers each year.
“The University of Wyoming and the state of Wyoming have been very good to my family, my wife, and my wife’s family,” Frank adds. “The relationships we’ve built with Wyoming students, alums, faculty, and staff over the years have been a tremendous reward for what we’ve done to give back to the university. We
feel as though we have received much more than we’ve given from the relationships that we’ve built with the university and all the wonderful people associated with it,” he says.
The Mendicinos both have a great love for the university they attended. “A true love for the University of Wyoming is apparent in Frank’s nominations and support letters,” said former UW President Philip Dubois.
In 2004, Mendicino received the UW President’s Best Friend Award. In May of 2005, Frank also received the Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree, the university’s highest award.
Frank Mendicino served on the UW Foundation Board of Directors for eight years (1997 - 2005), holding various officers positions including Chairman of the Board and is currently an Emeritus member. He also serves on UW’s Cowboy Joe Club Board of Directors and the College of Business Advisory Council. Barbara Mendicino was a former Art Museum board member.
Photo: Barbara and Frank Mendicino Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006
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