Notre Dame teams with Baird to provide academic opportunities

The University of Notre Dame and Baird, an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm, have announced a new partnership to provide graduate and undergraduate students with fellowship and scholarship opportunities for the next five years.

The relationship, which is part of the Notre Dame Corporate Partners for Ethical Global Leadership program, annually includes an MBA fellowship, two undergraduate need-based scholarships and funding for a University organization.

Jay You, a first-year MBA student concentrating in finance, has been chosen as the University’s first Baird Fellow. Under the fellowship, You will receive $20,000 for his second year of study and the opportunity to work with Baird mentors.

“Jay is an outstanding choice for the Baird Fellowship,” said Brian Lohr, director of MBA admissions at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. “He’s a first-class individual committed to academic excellence, ethical leadership and a sense of giving back to the greater community – all foundational values of Notre Dame and Mendoza College. Jay already has accomplished many things in his life, and I’m confident that he will continue to do so with grace and compassion.”

In addition to the MBA fellowship, the partnership includes two undergraduate, need-based scholarships worth $2,000 each, with preference given to under-represented populations and first-generation college participants. This year’s undergraduate scholarships were awarded to Andria Seneviratne, a junior accountancy major from Rockville, Md.; and Jason McClain, a junior finance major from St. Louis, Mo.

The final component of the partnership is a $1,000 funding commitment to a University organization, with preference given to organizations that work with or target under-represented populations. For the first year, the University’s Undergraduate Women in Business Association has been selected to receive the funding.

“As a Notre Dame alumnus, I’m particularly pleased for Baird to partner with Notre Dame and provide educational assistance and professional experience to dedicated, aspiring students,” said Paul Purcell, Baird chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Both the University and Baird have a vested interest in developing and supporting our future leaders.”

The Notre Dame Corporate Partners program includes a select consortium of corporations that share the University’s commitment to ethical global leadership. As part of the program, companies support Mendoza College in meeting its educational priorities while benefiting from its ethical insights, global initiatives and access to future leaders of the global economy. Participants receive preferred registration for MBA on-campus recruiting and a number of other benefits.

Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has more than 2,300 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird oversees and manages client assets of $62 billion. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked number 14 on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For”® in 2009 — its sixth consecutive year on the list. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s Web site at www.rwbaird.com.

Contact: Anne Crago, public relations coordinator, Baird, 414-298-6081, acrago@rwbaird.com.

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