A furniture consortium made a large donation to The University of Tennessee on March 17 as part of a business deal with the university.
Contract Furniture Alliance donated $28,080 to the university’s development office for the Resident Assistants Scholarship, Jim Grubb, executive director of university housing, said.
The university created the Resident Assistant Scholarship in 2004, but needed $25,000 deposited into the account before the scholarship could be given out, Jerry Adams, assistant director of university housing, said.
“The scholarship is for resident assistants who perform outstanding services,” he said.
The $28,080 donated is a percentage of the amount the university paid CFA for furniture it bought to refurnish Morrill Hall, Adams said.
Adams said he was optimistic about the future amount the scholarship might amass.
“I anticipate it could get over $100,000,” he said.
After the donation, Adams said that the entire fund would amount to around $37,000.
During the reception held at the Copper Cellar, the president of CFA, Byron Smith, thanked the entire housing department and spoke about his company’s dedication to community service.
The CFA developed a business plan at its inception, and “what came from a discussion of ethics came our corporate sponsorship,” Smith said.
In fact, the CFA has a history of giving to the university. When four and a half years ago UT offered a different contract to buy furniture from a competing company, the CFA offered what the university felt was the best deal, Smith said.
The contract stipulated that the chosen company provide an enhancement program, something to contribute to the university in addition to the sale of furniture, he said. Smith told the gathered business leaders and university officials that his associate, Danez Black, said “money is not what we’re about.”
As a result, they proposed a scholarship as part of the enhancement program.
“Who we want to give back to are the students,” Smith said.
Smith expressed his company’s commitment to customer care.
“Our customers want more than just the lowest cost, they want value and service on top of the lowest cost,” Smith said.
Students played a large part in the planning process for the scholarships, Smith said.
“A lot of student input went into the planning process” as to what kind of furniture to buy, he said. Smith thanked the suppliers and manufacturers of the furniture. He also cited the fact that the number of students returning to stay at Morrill Hall is increased compared to previous years.
Grubb expressed his shared pleasure with the scholarship.
“It’s a kind of win-win situation in my opinion. It benefits the business and it benefits the students,” Grubb said.
