Newswise — Irvine, Calif. – The University of California, Irvine Paul Merage School of Business today announced it has received a monetary gift from the Bixby Land Company to support the creation of a new endowed fund at the Center for Real Estate. The Bill Halford Family and Bixby Land Company Student Award will support merit-based graduate or undergraduate students who have demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing real estate studies and participating in the center’s activities.
Halford, who died earlier this year, was chief executive of the Newport Beach-based commercial real estate developer Bixby Land Co. The fourth-generation member of the Bixby family also served as chairman of the Center for Real Estate Advisory Board at the Merage School of Business during its formative years, starting in 2006.
A passionate supporter of higher education, he was a catalyst for the school’s renewed focus on its graduate-level real estate program, appearing as a guest lecturer in various classes, as well as assembling and moderating educational symposiums at the center and playing a key role in establishing an active committee structure and organization for the center’s advisory board.
“This gift is a tribute to Bill’s memory as a visionary leader who believed in supporting the next generation of real estate professionals,” said Ed Coulson, professor of economics & public policy and director of the Center for Real Estate. “He was a strong advocate of mentorship and worked with our leaders to launch our program. This award is the perfect way to continue his commitment to guiding UCI students.”
“Bill believed in the center’s mission, and was proud of the positive impact it had on seasoned professionals as well as the bright young students,” said Aaron Hill, president of Bixby Land Co. “On behalf of the company and the family, we are pleased to dedicate this gift as a tribute Bill’s life and his ongoing legacy in Orange County. It is the center’s goal to grow this endowment with further contributions from members of the community who wish to honor Bill’s memory.”
Additional donations to the fund are being accepted. Contact Sharon Nakamura-Brown, center associate director, at sharon.nakamura@uci.edu.
About The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine
The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine offers four dynamic MBA programs – plus PhD, specialty masters and undergraduate business degrees – that prepare business leaders for our digitally driven world. Through our programs, students acquire the exceptional ability to grow their organizations through strategic innovation, analytical decision-making, digital information technology and collaborative execution. In addition, the Merage School boasts seven Centers of Excellence and an Executive Education program that provide numerous and varied opportunities for students and the business community at large to enhance their education experience and update their professional expertise. Find out more at merage.uci.edu.
About The Center for Real Estate
The Center for Real Estate is a privately funded Center of Excellence at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business that was created in 2006 to provide the academic and business communities with opportunities for education, professional training and leadership development in the field of real estate. The Center’s mission is to advance best practices and knowledge through activities of teaching, research, and professional outreach. It enables the offering of a comprehensive program in real estate at the Merage School that includes undergraduate and graduate level curricula, co-curricular activities, specialized training through certificate education, and meaningful industry outreach programs. For more information about the Center, please visit merage.uci.edu/go/CRE.
