4/4/2003 Donald Bren Honored For Endowing Two Academic Chairs at Marine Corps University in Quantico, VA Donald Bren, chairman of The Irvine Company, will endow two new academic chairs, one in “Ethics and Leadership” and one in “Innovation and Transformation,” at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, VA. “I feel especially fortunate to be in a position to provide resources that will enhance and enrich the professional military education at Marine Corps University,” Bren said at a reception held in his honor Feb. 28 at the university’s Breckinridge Hall. “These new professorial chairs will help Marine officers explore two strategically important subjects as the mission of the Marine Corps grows more difficult, complex and challenging.” While much of his personal philanthropy occurs without publicity, Mr. Bren said he had been asked and encouraged by several Marine Corps University Foundation members to announce the gift during the current Iraq conflict as a demonstration of support for the Marine Corps, and to encourage support for the university from others. Bren underwent officer training at Quantico in 1957, and later served as a Marine officer based at Camp Pendleton, California. “The education I received as a Marine transformed my life,” Bren told officers at the reception. “I learned leadership techniques that were applicable to business -- how to organize, plan and achieve results. And I learned the fundamental importance and value of teamwork. To the extent that I have been successful I am pleased to say that it started here, in Quantico.” Bren’s gifts of $1 million will provide funds for two civilians professors-in-residence to teach the new courses. The chair in Ethics and Leadership will foster a better understanding of the moral component of leadership, including an exploration of moral reasoning and its impact upon the obligations of a military professional. The chair of Innovation and Transformation will teach how the rapid pace of technological developments, socioeconomic changes, and increased dependence on joint, interagency, and coalition operations will augment the way the Marine Corps conducts military operations in the future. Both chairs will have far-reaching benefits for officers and enlisted men and women alike, university officials said. “The knowledge Marines acquire from these new areas of study will broaden their understanding of the ever changing, unique and important role they play as Marines,” Lt. Gen Edward Hanlon, Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command said. “Just as important, it will deepen their pride as they grow intellectually in service to their country.” Bren was also the recipient of the foundation’s most prestigious award this year, the General Leonard F. Chapman Medallion named in honor of the 24th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. This award is presented to selected individuals who have shared General Chapman’s commitment and dedication to professional military education. Past Chapman Award recipients have been General Anthony C. Zinni, Vice President Dick Cheney and United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor among others. In 1998, Mr. Bren also received the Marine Corps University Foundation’s Semper Fidelis Award. The foundation presents the award periodically to a distinguished American leader whose commitment to excellence embodies those qualities of leadership and character uniquely associated with the United States Marine Corps. Bren is chairman of the board of directors of The Irvine Company in Newport Beach, California. His 40-year career has encompassed all aspects of real estate, and he has achieved a national reputation as an expert in the interrelated fields of planning, design, construction, marketing and finance. In addition, he is a strong supporter of academic excellence. Bren has made numerous charitable gifts for educational enrichment to local kindergarten through 12th-grade schools on the Irvine Ranch, and has endowed more professorial chairs at the University of California and Cal Tech than any other single donor. |
