Florida Tech Names College of Business in Honor of Nathan M. Bisk
MELBOURNE, FLA.—Nathan M. Bisk, one of the nation’s leaders in continuing education and online learning, today presented Florida Institute of Technology with a $5 million gift designed to enhance business offerings and strengthen online education. In appreciation, Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese announced that the university would rename its College of Business the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business.
“Mr. Bisk’s generosity comes at an extremely opportune time for Florida Tech,” said Catanese. “As we conclude our $50 million Golden Anniversary capital campaign next month, we are looking for new and innovative ways to offer nationally respected business and online learning opportunities. We are deeply thankful for this important gift.”
“I am pleased to support Florida Tech and add my name to its outstanding business program,” Bisk said. “The university’s commitment to a quality educational experience that better prepares students to compete in an ever-changing workplace is very much in keeping with my philosophy of learning. It is my intent to help make the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business one of the nation’s premier business colleges, as well as one of the largest.”
The $5 million gift will be used to support the College of Business in three primary ways: 1) establishment of an endowed Chair of Business to be named the Max, Edith and Robert Bisk Distinguished Chair of Business; 2) marketing and branding of the college; and 3) growth of the online business programs.
“Mr. Bisk is well-known as a visionary in continuing education and online learning,” said T. Dwayne McCay, Florida Tech provost and executive vice president. “His generous support will help provide new resources for our faculty as they continue to deliver outstanding programs.”
While most often associated during its 50-year history with excellence in engineering and science programs, Florida Tech is gaining new attention for its business curriculum. Since the online undergraduate degree and MBA degree programs launched in early 2008, enrollment in these business programs has grown to approximately 4,000 students today.
This online increase is in step with the fact that more and more adults are considering online undergraduate and more specialized business master’s degrees, according to a recent report by the academic research firm, Eduventures. Also, because most adults are full-time employees, online degree programs have become more popular than ever.
“We’re excited that we’ve expanded our business offerings online to meet the changing needs of students,” said College of Business Dean Robert Niebuhr. “With this additional support from Mr. Bisk, we have every expectation that this growth is only the beginning.”
About Bisk Education
Nathan M. Bisk JD, CPA (FL) founded Bisk Education in 1971 to provide continuing education programs for working professionals. Since its inception, Bisk Education has grown to become the nation’s largest exclusive facilitator of online degree and certificate programs from the nation’s leading universities, offering end-to-end, lifelong-learning solutions that allow working adults to reach their personal and professional goals through education. Bisk Education’s University Alliance (UA) division, in which Florida Tech is a member, facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation’s leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA’s technology and support services, our university partners have surpassed 300,000 online enrollments—making UA the largest exclusive facilitator of e-learning in the nation. For more information, visit www.bisk.com.
PHOTO: Dean Bob Niebuhr, Board of Trustees Chairman Dale Dettmer, Provost T. Dwayne McCay, Mr. Nathan Bisk and President Anthony Catanese at the Aug. 27 dedication of the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business.
