Features
BUSINESS MAN: A key supporter of the new business major, Florescue himself majored in business as an undergraduate at Rochester. (Photo: Adam Fenster)When Barry Florescue ’66 was an undergraduate at Rochester, he earned a business degree in a program that was retired in 1972, as the Simon School—then the School of Business Administration—turned its focus to graduate studies.
Now, as Rochester returns to undergraduate instruction in business, Florescue is lending his financial support, and his name, to the newly created major.
He has contributed $5 million to the University to support the business major. In recognition of his generosity, and other contributions he has provided for development of the major, it will be named the Barry Florescue Undergraduate Business Degree Program.
“When I learned that the University was considering reestablishing the business major that I pursued as an undergraduate, I knew this was an important area of the dynamic curriculum that was worth supporting,” Florescue says. “I am pleased to be a part of this new program, knowing that it will prepare our students to become successful players in the world of business.”
Florescue is chairman of the board of BMD Management Company Inc. A charter member of the George Eastman Circle, he is a member of both the University’s Board of Trustees and the Simon School’s Executive Advisory Committee. Through the Florescue Family Foundation Scholarship and the Florescue Fellowship Fund, he has helped both undergraduate and business school students in their quest to study at Rochester.
“Barry’s support ensured that we would be able to launch and sustain the new business major, and we’re very grateful for that,” says Peter Lennie, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering. “Our undergraduates will greatly benefit from his generosity.”
—Melissa Greco Lopes
