On March 1, Texas Southern University (TSU) announced a $500,000 pledge of support for its Jesse H. Jones School of Business (JHJSB) from Atlanta, Georgia-based Cadence Bank. The three-year pledge will support the school’s new Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP), set to launch this fall. The new academic program gives students direct exposure to commercial banking. FBLP will introduce TSU business students to the industry through a formal curriculum, interaction with executives and industry mentors, and commercial banking internships. Cadence Bank’s gift includes $250,000 to fund FBLP’s Cadence Banking Scholars program, providing scholarships to business students based on merit and financial need. A second contribution of $250,000 to the FBLP endowment boosted the gift to $500,000.
“We are grateful for partnerships that advance the university and curriculum used to prepare our students for business careers,” says Kenneth Huewitt, TSU interim president. “This generous pledge will ensure the creation of a new generation of strong business and financial leaders.”
“Cadence Bank is proud to expand our support of historically Black colleges and universities within our footprint as we seek to recruit and expand diverse talent,” says Myra Caldwell, chief diversity officer at Cadence Bank. “Supporting the Future Bankers Leadership Program will not only help the Texas banking community, but will provide steps for young, diverse talent to accomplish personal and career goals.”
In addition, Cadence Bank will offer three TSU FBLP students summer banking internships. The internship will allow FBLP students to gain firsthand banking knowledge and experience, setting them up for professional growth and success.
“The Jesse H. Jones School of Business is appreciative for this very generous and transformative gift from Cadence Bank,” says Dr. David Yen, dean of the JHJSB. “This support will help to diversify the workforce, educate future bankers and create a significant impact in metropolitan Houston and the state of Texas.”
“What a wonderful collaboration between Cadence Bank and Texas Southern University,” says Dr. Kendall Harris, TSU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs and research. “These types of partnerships will enhance the industry exposure for our faculty members and students.”
Plans to expand the program will include classes in financial technology, banking compliance and governance, a certificate program and an initiative that will encourage students majoring in other disciplines to develop banking industry interests.
“We are grateful for the generous financial support and acknowledge the investment our partners have made into the growth of the Future Bankers Leadership Program,” says Muriel Funches, executive director of advancement at JHJSB. “Those donors include Allegiance Bank, First Financial Bank, Frost Bank, Texan Bank, Texas Bankers Association Foundation, Woodforest Bank and JHJSB advisory council members.”
Established in 1887, Cadence Bank is a regional banking franchise with $18.7 billion in assets as of December 31, 2020, and 98 branch locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
