In an effort to help prepare West Virginia University students in the study and practice of leadership, entrepreneur and philanthropist MilanMikePuskar is funding an enrichment program in the new leadership studies minor in WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
The $2 million endowment is part of the $20 million personal commitment Puskar made in support of athletics and academics at the University.
“Leadership is of great interest to me. For nearly three decades, I have studied great leaders and leadership theory, and characteristics of well led organizations,”said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.”I am proud that through this program WVU will help prepare future leaders create a more prosperous state and nation, and I am grateful to Milan Puskar for supporting us in identifying and nurturing the most promising future leaders.”
This endowment, which will be administered by the WVU Foundation, will support the Milan Puskar Leadership Scholars Program for a group of exceptional students. It will encourage and support a wide range of enrichment activities for the Puskar Scholars in order to enhance their academic and professional careers. Enrichment activities may include workshops and seminars, travel and conference attendance, bringing renowned speakers to campus, special service learning or volunteer activities with a leadership component, capstone experiences, special student scholar events organized around a leadership theme or activity and class trips.
“This enrichment program will not only serve the needs of a talented cohort of WVU students, but it will also strengthen the Leadership Studies minor as it attracts and nurtures our students,”said Eberly College Dean Mary Ellen Mazey.
The Leadership Studies minor is housed in the Division of Public Administration. It is under the directorship of Dr. Larry Cote and is open to students from all disciplines of undergraduate studies at WVU .
Following establishment this summer of the nomination and application process, including the Puskar Scholars Review Committee, Dr. Cote said he expects to be able to announce the first class of Milan Puskar Leadership Scholars during the fall semester.
A maximum of 20 Puskar Scholars will be selected per class of juniors who are pursuing the Leadership Studies minor. Selection will be based on demonstrated leadership abilities and interests as well as academic achievement. Students may remain Puskar Scholars in their senior year provided they continue to fulfill their promise as leadership studies scholars, maintain the requisite grade-point average and prove to be good campus citizens fulfilling the expectations of this program.
Puskar, of Morgantown, is the co-founder and chairman of Mylan Laboratories Inc., one of the largest and most successful generic pharmaceutical companies in the United States. He credits his parents, Serbian immigrants, with teaching him the spirit of giving. He and an associate founded Mylan Laboratories Inc in 1961.
Beginning in 1972, Puskar served as vice president and general manager of ICN Pharmaceuticals in Cincinnati, Ohio, until 1975 when he became a partner in Elan Corp. in Dublin, Ireland. He returned to Mylan in 1976 as its president, took on the additional duties of vice chairman in 1991 and became chairman in 1993. He served on the commission of the Federal Drug Approval Process and is one of the founders of the Generic Pharmaceutical Industry Association.
Puskar has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including induction into the Order of Vandalia, the highest honor WVU bestows on an individual. He also has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from WVU , Duquesne and Fairmont State universities.
The WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University.