RTM Restaurant Group provides $1 million gift to CLEC
When RTM Restaurant Group was established in 1973‚ one of the things founder Russ Umphenour set out to prove was that a business could be successful without bending the rules or taking advantage of people. That continuing commitment to core values such as integrity‚ truthfulness and fairness was highlighted recently when the company pledged $1 million to the Center for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character over the next five years.
Georgia
(Feb 17, 2003) — When RTM Restaurant Group was established in 1973‚ one of the things founder Russ
Umphenour set out to prove was that a business could be successful without bending
the rules or taking advantage of people. That continuing commitment to core values
such as integrity‚ truthfulness and fairness was highlighted recently when the company
pledged $1 million to the Center for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character over the next
five years.
Umphenour‚ RTM’s president and CEO‚ announced the gift at fall commencement ceremonies
in December‚ explaining to graduates that educators‚ like businessmen‚ "share the
common goal to instill leadership‚ ethics and character as everyday standard operating
procedures‚ not just as a shallow slogan. From the classroom to the boardroom‚ from
report cards to annual reports‚ from textbooks to book value‚ educational institutions
and businesses alike share accountability for developing future leaders who are grounded
in ethical and decent behavior."
A commitment to strong ethical values hasn’t harmed RTM’s bottom line. To the contrary‚
the company operates more than 1‚000 restaurants‚ employs 20‚000 people and boasts
annual sales of $800 million – all while striving to meet a higher standard.
"We are very much focused on bottom−line results‚" Umphenour told his audience‚ "but
we value honor most – for profit without honor is a bankrupt philosophy that produces
hollow results."
Dennis Cooper‚ RTM chairman and a member of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees‚
was one of the driving forces behind the contribution and views the gift as the beginning
of a long−term relationship between RTM and Kennesaw State University. This relationship
will include annual instructional visits by RTM senior management‚ as well as the
expansion of RTM’s leadership development program to include working with faculty
at the center and engaging students in leadership programs.
"Kennesaw State has long been committed to making lasting contributions to the larger
public good‚" said KSU President Betty L. Siegel. "With this generous and long−lasting
support from RTM Restaurant Group‚ we are able to further our commitment through the
Center for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character."
This is the largest gift the center has received to date. According to Dr. Judy Stillion‚
center director‚ it will be used to fund two endowments; one will support projects
and programs at the center‚ while the other will finance a Distinguished Chair in
Ethical Leadership to be named for Dr. Siegel.
"This is a dynamic partnership‚ marrying an academic center with a large for−profit
corporation‚ for a long−term relationship‚" said Dr. Wesley Wicker‚ interim vice president
for university advancement at KSU. "Furthermore‚ it is a wonderful gesture‚ honoring
Dr. Siegel with a Distinguished Professorship in Ethical Leadership in her name."
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
