University of Findlay receives $1 million from Marathon Petroleum Corporation

The University of Findlay has received a $1 million gift from Marathon Petroleum Corporation to develop a new academic program. The new business analytics program comes on the heels of the university introducing a new intro to business analytics course into its core business classes, and the introduction of the academic program will provide the opportunity for even more students to learn these essential skills.

According to an article on the University of Findlay’s website, Christine Denecker, Ph.D., who serves as the vice president of academic affairs, was quoted as saying of the gift, “UF is proud of our cooperative partnership with Marathon Petroleum Corporation, as we educate Oiler graduates to become valuable employees and active young professionals in the community and around the world. Business analytics is a prime skill in demand among employers in the workplace of today and the future. Our goal is for every student graduating with a business major to be able to organize, analyze, and socialize data and findings in meaningful and actionable ways.”

The gift will support several aspects of the business analytics program’s development, including the creation of a professorship, the purchase of computer lab equipment, the development of scholarships, and opportunities for students to participate in conferences and competitions.

Courses in the new program will include Data Storytelling, Statistical Methods and Data Mining, Methods of Business Analytics, Database Applications, SQL and Business Intelligence Tools for Decision Making, and more. Students will learn to utilize Tableau, Power BI, R, Python, Excel, and other analytics tools.

Kirby Overton, Ed.D., the dean of the UF College of Business and Humanities, explained, “We are inspiring students to take on the challenges of asking the right questions of the data, selecting how best to collect data, evaluating its accuracy, and then presenting data so the content is clearly received with actionable conclusions.” 

She also noted that the university is planning to introduce a certificate in business analytics for individuals who are already working in a professional capacity and want to upskill or switch careers. Overton said, “This is designed for professional adults already working at area corporations who are interested in enhancing their skills through this credential. The courses will attract those with an aptitude for continuous improvement, innovation, and entrepreneurial action and who want to learn more about decision making and creating viable solutions to problems.”

Brian Partee MBA ’05, who serves as the chief business transformation officer at Marathon and a UF Board of Trustees member, said, “Many Marathon employees have benefited from a University of Findlay education over the years, and we’re excited to contribute to the buildout of its business analytics program. There is a growing need for this type of degree in the workforce, and we know that UF will provide students with rigorous coursework that develops valuable expertise in this important field.”

For more information about the University of Findlay, visit the school’s website.