Continental establishes endowed chair for operations and supply chain at the University of South Carolina
December 11, 2017
- Grant will support professor position in operations and supply chain at the Darla Moore School of Business
- University and industry partnership are key to future of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina announced a new endowed chair position at the Darla Moore School of Business Monday (Dec. 11). The endowed chair will be funded by a $2 million grant.
University President Harris Pastides announced the Continental Endowed Chair in Global Supply Chain Management and Management Science during 
the Fall 2017 Industry Summit of the Operations and Supply Chain Center, held at the university’s Alumni Center.
“The role of the research university is not symbolic. We actively provide the workforce for emerging economies,” Pastides said. “In announcing the establishment of the Continental endowed chair we reaffirm not only this essential role but also the importance that corporate partnerships, like Continental, play in creating an impactful program that benefits the employers of our state and nation. We are most appreciative of this generous grant.”
The endowed chair will support the growing demand for teaching and research in operations and supply chain. The position will begin as early as 2020 following a national search.
“The addition of an endowed chair is invaluable to any academic institution, and the Moore School is gratified to add the Continental endowed chair to its educational portfolio,” Dean Peter Brews said. “This new chair is notable because it supports faculty leadership in both research and practice, in line with the world-class researchers and teachers that sustain the top-ranked Global Supply Chain and Operations Program at the school.”
Continental began working with the center in 2013 when seeking input on where to locate a warehouse for its tire business. Since, Continental and the center have worked on a number of projects together, with students seeing their analysis implemented by the company.
The Operations and Supply Chain Center was formed in 2005 to help companies improve performance and provide students with real-world experience and application of operations management skills learned in the classroom. A driver of South Carolina’s $32 billion logistics industry, the Moore School center has completed 235 student and faculty-led projects that have saved partner companies upward of $200 million.
“At Continental, we saw the center as a cutting-edge educational program that would benefit both students and the company,” said Todd Pearce, vice president of controlling for the passenger and light truck business unit at Continental Tire the Americas.
Todd Pearce from MidlandsBiz on Vimeo.
Pearce, who earned his International Master of Business Administration degree in 1997, serves as the chairperson for the center’s advisory board, alongside other corporate partners with global and regional operations.
“The center enables the very best students from a top supply chain program to partner with world class companies to solve real business problems,” Pearce said. “Continental decided to endow the Continental chair because we believe in the cutting-edge research this professor will do and in the mission of the Operations and Supply Chain Center.”
Endowed chairs are established to attract and retain outstanding faculty who have distinguished themselves through teaching, research, scholarship and outreach.
George Jurch, general counsel for Continental the Americas, a leader of three global legal expert teams and a graduate of the university (’88 B.S., ’93 MBA, ’93 J.D.) said the endowed chair reflects Continental’s commitment to the Palmetto State.
“Today’s announcement strengthens our commitment to South Carolina and to the University of South Carolina. We look forward to our continued partnership and to welcoming the Continental endowed chair soon.”
The Continental chair will further bolster the Moore School’s national profile. The program has ascended in the Gartner global supply rankings, currently at No. 7 and No. 15, respectively for undergraduate and graduate education. Since 2008, more than 850 students have earned industry-certified Lean Six-Sigma Green Belts, a prestigious professional accreditation that distinguishes Moore School graduates from others entering the workforce.
About the Operations and Supply Chain Center
The Operations and Supply Chain Center was established by the management science faculty in the Darla Moore School of Business in 2005. Its mission is to provide cutting-edge education and training to the students of the business school; to provide innovative and value-added solutions to client organizations in the areas of process improvement and global supply chain design, coordination and implementation; to provide an opportunity for client organization to connect with one another and with students who could be potential future employees; and to encourage practice-based research and knowledge creation.
About the Darla Moore School of Business
The Darla Moore School of Business is among the highest-ranked business schools in the world for international business education and research. Founded in 1919, the school has a history of innovative educational leadership, blending academic preparation with real-world experience through internships, consulting projects, study abroad programs and entrepreneurial opportunities. The Moore School offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as distinctive executive education programs. In 1998, the school was named for South Carolina native and New York financier Darla Moore, making the University of South Carolina the first major university to name its business school after a woman. www.moore.sc.edu
About Continental Tire the Americas
Based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Continental Tire the Americas, LLC manufactures and distributes a complete premium line of passenger, light truck and commercial tires for original equipment and replacement markets. Our ultra-high, performance tires include award-winning technologies that focus on safety, help save money and are #ForWhatYouDo. Continental’s premium products are available at leading independent tire dealers, car dealers and mass retail companies across North America. Continental Tire is a proud supporter of International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), Major League Soccer (MLS), College Basketball, West Coast Customs, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Petty’s Garage and Roush Performance. www.continentaltire.comhttp://www.continentaltire.com
About Continental AG
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transport. In 2016, Continental generated sales of €40.5 billion and currently employs more than 233,000 people in 56 countries.
