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Carson,
CA. (February 22, 2005) — OTS Logistics Group Chairman, Owen Glenn, made a
generous donation of USD 5.4 million (NZD 7.5 million) to fund
improvements to the University of Auckland Business School in New Zealand.
Glenn’s gift to the university is said to be the largest donation given to
any New Zealand school and ranks as one of the largest lump-sum donations
in the country.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, personally thanked Glenn
at the Auckland University Business School Celebration Dinner for his
donation.
"Our donor himself exemplifies what an enterprising New Zealander can
achieve with drive and flair and determination," the Prime Minister said
in her speech, "His gift will help future generations of New Zealanders
gain the skills they need to help them reach their dreams, and for that we
are very grateful."
Owen Glenn shakes hands with Prime Minister
of New Zealand Helen Clark as Dean of Auckland University, Barry Spicer
stands to the left of Mr. Glenn. Mr. Glenn proudly wears a ceremonial cape
of the Te Arawa tribe. Sir Howard Morisson, an elder of the tribe,
presented Mr. Glenn with the cape to wear. The cape is made with feathers
gathered from the Kiwi bird after they molt as the birds are a protected
species.
Glenn also received thanks from Auckland
University's Vice Chancellor for his incomparable generosity.
“This is a landmark in New Zealand. Many overseas institutions,
particularly in the USA and Britain, work in a philanthropic environment
where gifts and bequests to learning institutions are the norm. This
contributes greatly to their success and international status. But
donations on this scale are rare in New Zealand education and Glenn’s gift
sets a new benchmark for this country,” stated Vice Chancellor, Professor
Stuart McCutcheon.
Glenn’s donation elevates the present total amount raised to $58 million,
which will allow the University to begin construction on a new 6-story
building, scheduled to be finished in 2008.
In recognition of Glenn’s generosity, the University dubbed the structure
“The Owen G Glenn Building”.
“Owen is an inspiration to young entrepreneurs. He has built a global
business from nothing through imagination, vision and hard work,”
explained Professor Barry Spicer, dean of the university, “He made his way
in a complex, globally-connected world and has contributed significantly
to the development of logistics internationally. His career is
inspirational in that it shows what is possible with intelligence,
imagination, innovation, perseverance and drive. It is fitting that the
name of a New Zealander who has succeeded in business internationally
should grace the new building.
“The Owen G Glenn Building” is to replace the current facilities, which
are spread across 8 sites on the University’s city campus.
Backing from Glenn doesn't end with this donation. Through the logistics
group he chairs, OTS Logistics Group, Glenn wants to ensure the success
and growth of logistics education. His aim is to support the university in
obtaining a Chair in Logistics along with recruitment of future personnel
and to further research for the future of logistics.
“I’ve been successful in my business career. Now I want to put something
back into New Zealand and specifically into business education., “ said
Glenn, “I firmly believe in what the Business School is doing. I believe
its plans to develop a world-class facility and world-class research and
teaching programs are going to be of huge benefit to New Zealand business
and society. And I hope that my own career might perhaps encourage the
thousands of young people who will seed their business lives in this
building in the years to come.”
Glenn left high school at 16 and went on to found and grow an
international freight business trading on every continent. He has studied
at Harvard as part of the OPM Program and has a history of large generous
donations such as his $500,000 donation in 2003 towards the establishment
of a Chair in Marine Science at the Leigh Marine Laboratory at The
University of Auckland.
Owen Glenn cuts the first slice of his
birthday cake presented to him by Dean of Auckland University, Barry
Spicer.
About Owen G Glenn
Mr. Glenn, a graduate of Harvard University’s Owner/President Management
Program (OPM), is known for his major support of several charities and
non-profit organizations in New Zealand and overseas. Mr. Glenn left
Auckland’s Mt Roskill Grammar School to work in Sydney and London and
eventually in the United States where he built his logistics business. He
formed his first international freight company, Direct Container Line, Inc
in 1978 and this U.S. company eventually merged with other industry
operators into NACA Logistics (USA) Inc. This year Mr. Glenn formed OTS
Logistics Group Limited, a global provider of freight consolidation
services, and this company took over the international agency management
for NACA Logistics (USA) Inc. The OTS Logistics Group operates through
multiple brands worldwide including AFS, Brennan, Conterm, DCL, Export
Freight Services, GPS and Vanguard Logistics and has 177 offices and
agencies worldwide in over 105 countries. For further information visit
http://www.otslogisticsgroup.com
Disclaimer: The USD equivalent amount in this
release has been calculated using the foreign exchange rates listed on
www.oanda.com.
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