Gene Carter

Changing Lives by: establishing the E. Eugene Carter Foundation for Excellence Women in Engineering Fund for K-State’s College of Engineering to support the retention and recruitment of students of Latino or immigrant backgrounds in the Women in Engineering and Science Program (WESP).

K-State connection: Apart from almost attending K-State as a teen, Carter, a Wichita native, said his only other connections to the university were that his father liked K-State and two of his cousins attended the university. Carter, a professor of finance, began his teaching career at Harvard. He served as a visiting professor at MIT, professor at the University of Illinois and associate dean and professor of finance at the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, Gene has given more than 20 years of service as a director of A.G. Edwards and Sons Inc.

Why he gave to K-State: “K-State is a good school where I can make a difference,” he said. “Publicly supported universities are a national treasure when they are well-run, and Midwestern ones tend to be pretty solid. Today, most public universities have less than 30 percent of their budget from the state. Hence, private giving is critical for them.”

Why WESP: The inspiration to support women from Hispanic and immigrant backgrounds came from his wife, Rita Rodriguez, a Cuban immigrant, who has led a successful career as an Ivy League professor and as a public servant at the national level. Inspiration also came from his friends Jane Sjogren and the late Richard Cohn. Co-trustees of the E. Eugene Carter Foundation, Jane and Richard helped Gene develop innovative ways to impact the lives of students.

Impact: Carter’s foundation has arranged to pay off loans for scholarship recipients after they have graduated. The intent is to help these students complete their degrees and have increased professional and academic options after graduation.

What people are saying: “Gene Carter is truly an inspiration,” said Kimberly Douglas, director of WESP. “It is extraordinary to have someone with his academic credentials believe in our programs and invest in the future of women engineers at K-State. Dr. Carter is touching lives and making a difference for our students, but he is also making K-State engineering and Kansas better for everyone. Gene may not have a K-State degree, but he is definitely a member of the K-State family.”