October 26, 1999

Contact: John Scarffe, KU Endowment, (785) 832-7336.

KU BUSINESS SCHOOL RECEIVES $50,000 FOR STUDENT LOANS

LAWRENCE -- A $50,000 bequest from a late Topeka executive is providing loans for business students at the University of Kansas, School of Business Dean Tom Sarowski announced today.

The bequest from H. Bernerd Fink was added to the H. Bernerd Fink Student Loan Fund, which he established at the Kansas University Endowment Association in 1967.

"We are deeply indebted to H. Bernerd Fink, a valued member of the school's board of advisers for many years, for his generosity in providing this fund to support our students," Sarowski said. "Financial support is a critical factor in attracting and retaining high potential students for the school as we pursue our plan for excellence. The School of Business is celebrating its 75th anniversary of providing excellence in business education throughout the 1999-2000 academic year."

A native of Topeka, Bernerd Fink was born on Oct. 30, 1909. He graduated from the KU School of Business in 1931. While at KU, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Fink worked in banking and insurance before becoming president of CGF Grain Company in 1955. Later he served as the company's chairman and as chairman of the newly formed CGF Industries Inc., a Topeka holding company. He served as vice president of the Neon Tube Light Co. from 1963 to 1991, the Fink Foundation from 1962 to 1997, and the Topeka Railway Equipment Co. from 1980 to 1986. In 1959 he established the H. Bernerd Fink Award for excellence in teaching at KU. He also served on the KU School of Business advisory board for many years and was a member of the Elizabeth M. Watkins society, which honors donors of planned gifts. Bernerd Fink died on March 22, 1999.

Bernerd and Ruth Fink had five children, three of whom attended KU. The Finks contributed to the Williams Educational Fund, and were active members of the KU Alumni Association and the Chancellors Club, KU Endowment's major-donor organization.

The KU Endowment Association is an independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fund-raising and fund-management foundation for the University of Kansas. Founded in 1891, the KU Endowment Association is the oldest foundation of its type at a public university in the United States and one of the largest.

Story by Lynn Humphrey