$100,000 Gift Honors MU Alumnus, Benefits Finance Students
Gift given by Leucadia National Corporation in memory of Robert P. Brock
July 9, 2007
Story Contact: Katherine Kostiuk, 573-882-3346, KostiukK@missouri.edu
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A $100,000 gift to the University of Missouri-Columbia will honor the memory of an MU alumnus and provide scholarships to students in the College of Business.
The gift from Leucadia National Corporation establishes the Robert P. Brock Fund in Financial Excellence, which will provide scholarships to MU students studying finance. Brock, who passed away in March, graduated from MU in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in public administration. After graduation, he worked for Commercial Credit in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and City Finance Company in Memphis, Tenn. Before retiring, he was chairman of the board and CEO of City Finance Company in Memphis, Tenn., which was owned by Leucadia National Corporation.
Leucadia National Corporation is an investment firm that owns stakes in companies involved in manufacturing, medical products, gaming, oil and gas drilling, and real estate. Thomas E. Mara, executive vice president and treasurer of Leucadia National Corporation, was instrumental in coordinating the gift.
"This gift will be a lasting memorial to Mr. Brock. I hope it will be a wonderful memory of Mr. Brock for his family. In addition, it will provide financial assistance to deserving MU students and help them pursue their dreams," said Bruce Walker, dean of the College of Business.
The corporation's gift honoring Brock will be recognized by the College with membership in its Herbert J. Davenport Society for Brock, in memoriam, and his wife, Helen Brock. The Davenport Society is named for the first dean of the College of Business and provides recognition for major donors to the College.
Brock is survived by Helen Brock and their two children, Keith Brock and Paula (Brock) Panneck, as well as four grandchildren.
This gift is part of the For All We Call Mizzou campaign, which will celebrate raising $1 billion in the spring of 2009. Reaching this goal will enhance MU's ability to compete nationally and internationally for the best students and faculty and will provide broad access for students of all economic backgrounds to Missouri's flagship University.