MANHATTAN — Shamrock Trading Corporation, a leader in trucking logistics and a parent company for a family of brands in transportation services, finance and technology, has invested $1 million in Kansas State University's College of Business Administration to name the Shamrock Student Success Suite and establish an endowment to sustain the National Strategic Selling Institute.
"Shamrock is excited to be part of this Kansas State College of Business initiative," said Bill Ryan, founder and CEO of Shamrock Trading Corporation. "This is an investment in the future of our students, the future of the school and the future of our business community."
Wildcat fans are probably familiar with family-owned Shamrock of Overland Park, thanks to its leadership gifts to K-State Athletics. This spring's investment in the College of Business Administration is the first philanthropic gift Shamrock has made to a K-State college, and it's dedicated directly toward student success.
The new Shamrock Student Success Suite is where undergraduate business students will have access to tutors, meet with academic and career advisors, work with peers and identify — and reach — their academic goals. It is also the home for the college's diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging programming to build community and enhance cultural competence.
"Notable partners like Shamrock Trading Corporation who invest in K-State do more than help our university become the foremost next-generation land-grant institution in the country," said K-State President Richard Linton. "Shamrock's substantial investment in student success helps Wildcats develop as business innovators who propel Kansas forward."
Shamrock, ranked among the top three of Kansas City's "Best Places to Work" in six of the last seven years, has also invested in one of the best places in the nation to learn strategic selling: the National Strategic Selling Institute at K-State. K-State won first place in the 2021 Collegiate World Cup of Sales.
What's strategic selling? It focuses on people and their needs. It is a collaborative approach to business that connects people with opportunities and solutions rather than focusing on the sale of a product or service. K-State's National Strategic Selling Institute celebrated its 10-year anniversary during the 2021-2022 academic year.
During a visit to campus in fall 2021, Shamrock CEO Bill Ryan envisioned how a partnership with K-State's College of Business Administration would be a good investment — for Shamrock and for the future of business. The company's gift will elevate both the Shamrock Student Success Suite and the National Strategic Selling Institute while familiarizing upcoming industry leaders with the business principles Shamrock is known for: strong ethics, dedication to customers and employees and close attention to the marketplace.
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