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Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) made a $90,000 donation to the Western Illinois University Supply Chain Management Program Sept. 16. Pictured, from left, are WIU Interim Provost and Academic Vice President Kathleen Neumann, WIU Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Brad Bainter, Vice President of the American River Transportation Company (ARTCO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADM, Kim Ekena and WIU Interim Dean of the College of Business and Technology William "Bill" Bailey.
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ADM Announces Donation to WIU Supply Chain Management Program

September 23, 2015

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The Western Illinois University College of Business and Technology (CBT) accepted a significant donation to the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Program from Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), one of the world's largest agricultural processing companies.

Kim Ekena, vice president of the American River Transportation Company (ARTCO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADM, presented a $90,000 check to the SCM Program to advance recruiting efforts for veterans, community college and high school students and for an SCM Case Competition, which helps students demonstrate their classroom knowledge in real-world business situations.

"The contribution from ADM enables the Supply Chain Management Program to engage current and prospective students in significant and meaningful ways," Department of Management and Marketing Chair Craig Conrad said. "The Department of Management and Marketing is grateful for the ongoing support for the Supply Chain Management Program and appreciative of the trust this valued industry partner has extended to our faculty and students."

"With one of the most far-reaching transportation networks in the world, managing supply chain logistics is a critical role at ADM. We are very fortunate to have one of the top supply chain programs right here in our backyard in Illinois so that we can recruit the best of the best," Ekena said. "We appreciate the industry experience, enthusiasm and passion WIU's faculty members bring to the classroom, and we look forward to enhancing our recruiting efforts even further as WIU's Supply Chain Management Program continues to grow."

The donation was given during a presentation as part of Supply Chain Management Day (Sept. 16), an event hosted at WIU that features a career fair for students and employers, a student/employer dinner and a keynote address by MHI Vice President of Education and Workforce Development Daniel Stanton.

On hand were two WIU alumni and current ADM employees, Andrew Van Thyne, who graduated in 2011 with a bachelor's in supply chain management, and Chelsea Wilson, who graduated in 2014 with a bachelor's in supply chain management, as well as WIU students who have completed an internship with ADM, Zac Waterman, senior (Taylorville, IL); Haley Calvert, senior (Sciota, IL); and Abby Wilson, senior (Rock Island, IL). Waterman and Calvert recently accepted full-time positions with ADM, as well, while Wilson has been offered a second internship at the MBA level.

Previous ADM funding has helped the CBT strengthen the SCM program and recruit students through the efforts of the annual SCM Day, electronic resume list and funding for the SCM Student Association.

WIU's Supply Chain Management Program was established in 2005 and is one of Western's Signature Academic Programs. The program is one of 39 programs nationally that is accredited by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

The donation was given through ADM Cares, the company's social investment program that directs funds to initiatives and organizations that drive meaningful social, economic and environmental progress worldwide. The program is comprised of three distinct focus areas: supporting the responsible development of agriculture, improving the quality of life in ADM communities and fostering employee giving and volunteer actives.

About ARTCO
American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADM. ARTCO operates lineboat vessels, hopper barges, harbor and fleeting services, a fueling terminal, ship buoys and a full-service shipyard. This transportation network allows ADM to deliver products to destinations in the most efficient and productive manner. More than 1,000 people work for ARTCO, primarily in the Upper and Lower Mississippi River and Illinois River regions, as well as throughout secondary river transportation corridors like the Ohio, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Red rivers and related waterways.

About ADM
For more than a century, the people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) have transformed crops into products that serve the vital needs of a growing world. Today, we're one of the world's largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, with more than 33,000 employees serving customers in more than 140 countries. With a global value chain that includes more than 460 crop procurement locations, 300 ingredient manufacturing facilities, 40 innovation centers and the world's premier crop transportation network, we connect the harvest to the home, making products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses. Learn more at www.adm.com.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing