JCPenney plays starring role in Aggies' education - Texas A&M University appoints David Szymanski as JCPenney Chair in Retailing Studies

DSN Retailing Today, July 7, 2003 by Emily Scardino

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS -- Retailing is not just an art, but a science, and JCPenney was honored recently for its involvement in the learning process.

Texas A&M University recently appointed professor David Szymanski as JCPenney Chair in Retailing Studies, a senior position in the school's College of Business Administration. During the ceremony commemorating Szymanski's promotion, JCPenney was honored and presented with a plaque for its strong commitment to supporting retail education, including the creation of Szymanski's post. The director of JCPenney Stores human resources, Rich Macfee, also serves on the advisory board for Texas A&M's Center for Retailing Studies. The university actively partners with retailers, including Target and Neiman Marcus, inviting buyers to lecture students and aiding in recruitment efforts. However, Texas A&M and JCPenney, neighbors in the Lone Star State, work very closely.

"Despite the economy being slow, retailers do some of the heaviest recruiting on college campuses-some of the few companies that still do," noted Szymanski. "I think we are providing an important educational service-thanks in great part to JCPenney--to students who are increasingly aware of retail as a career path early on in their schooling".

JCPenney and the university have a relationship dating back to 1990, when the retailer first endowed a professorship in Texas A&M's College of Business Administration. Gary Davis, JCPenney's chief human resources and administration officer, called Texas A&M "one of our very best schools," and expressed his appreciation to the university for helping the retailer select some of its top students as employees.

In fact, JCPenney currently has 126 Texas A&M graduates working in both its stores and home office in Plano, Texas--the largest amount of students from any school in the country. But it is not simply geographical proximity that has solidified this partnership--It is the joint focus on providing a strong retail education base.

Students are able to earn certificates in retail studies as either undergraduate students or as graduate students. The additional schooling enables business majors or MBAs to get on a career fast track. Many of today's top retail executives started their retail studies as undergrads.

"It's an advantage for both retailers and the students because their strong background in retail enables them to move up the ladder quickly to a position where, at 23 or 24 years of age, a student might be managing a multimillion dollar store," added Szymanski.