The legacy of alumnus Conrad Prebys, BS’55, is present throughout the Kelley School of Business—from the state-of-the-art Conrad Prebys Career Services Center and Conrad Prebys Scholars Program to the Conrad Prebys Endowed Faculty Program that is critical to recruiting and retaining world-class faculty at Kelley. The generosity of the Prebys Foundation has continued to help students who are historically underrepresented in business schools achieve their educational and professional goals.
Since its inception in 2019, the Conrad Prebys Scholars Program has become a hallmark for advancing diversity and providing access at the Kelley School, and it continues to grow. The Prebys Scholars Program supports Direct Admit first-year students who have demonstrated academic excellence.
Muge Tuna, director of employer relations and strategic partnerships in Undergraduate Career Services.
“With the generous support of the Prebys Foundation’s grant, we were able to double our scholarship class size in 2021. This led to the current class of 2025 comprising 55 Prebys Foundation Scholars, marking it as the most diverse group of scholarship students ever admitted to Kelley,” said Muge Tuna, Kelley School director of employer relations and strategic partnerships in Undergraduate Career Services. “This growth not only reflects the program’s appeal, but also its success in reaching a broad spectrum of high-achieving students, including those from underrepresented groups.”
The Prebys Foundation awards have allowed Kelley to offer international study opportunities to a diverse group of students, including women, enhancing their global perspectives and career readiness. Since 2022, dozens of Kelley students have studied abroad thanks to a Prebys Overseas Scholarship.
“This initiative, through scholarships, specialized mentoring, and unique developmental opportunities, has been instrumental in enriching the Kelley student body with a diverse range of perspectives and experiences,” Tuna said.
The Prebys Foundation also supports Kelley students through the state-of-the-art Conrad Prebys Career Services Center. The Prebys Center is a critical hub for students’ career development as well as the bridge between academia and the business world—a place where the 2,000 companies who recruit at Kelley can connect with students.
“This center is not just a facility; it’s a dynamic ecosystem where future business leaders are developed,” Tuna said. “Our ability to connect students with top-tier employers, offer personalized career guidance, and provide resources tailored to diverse career aspirations is enabled by the capabilities and infrastructure of the Prebys Center. It’s a cornerstone of our commitment to preparing students not just for their first job, but for a lifelong, impactful career.”
Students’ express gratitude for alumnus Conrad Prebys, BS’55,
The Prebys Center has transformed Kelley’s ability to collaborate with partners like the Kelley Office of Diversity Initiatives (KODI) and Kelley Student Government. The space fosters an inclusive environment where students and programs can gather for networking events and coffee chats with alumni and friends of Kelley.
“We are able to maintain a strong partnership with and provide space to student organizations to aid their efforts in diversity initiatives and jointly organize events with employers,” Tuna said. One example of that is the Kelley Alumni Fireside Chat focusing on inclusion and diversity, which Tuna said allows for open and honest dialogue with a diverse group of alumni, sharing their experiences and insights in a welcoming and safe environment.
In response to the growing trends of remote recruiting and virtual workplace practices, the center is using funds generously donated through the Prebys Foundation to enhance digital platforms and online resources. These updates help recruiters connect with Kelley talent more efficiently, regardless of their geographical or budget restraints.
“We have upgraded our interview rooms with professional cameras and lighting. Students can reserve space to have their job or internship interviews here, which offers a quiet and professional environment where they feel more confident. This is also a great option for companies who visit campus and want to include students studying abroad in their interview schedule,” Tuna said.
The Conrad Prebys Endowed Faculty Program is essential to building a community of scholars that attracts and retains the best faculty from around the world. The program provides key funding for four professorships and a faculty chair at Kelley.
“Through endowed professorships, we are able to attract established thought leaders and rising stars in academia,” said Kelley School Dean Ash Soni, who is also The Sungkyunkwan Professor. “In turn, talented and dynamic faculty attract top students and improve our reputation, which attracts more world-class faculty and top students – the impact keeps going. It’s a perfect example of how the Prebys Foundation helps fuel momentum at Kelley.”
Contributions from the Prebys Foundation further the ongoing work at Kelley to retain, advise, and support historically underrepresented undergraduate students. As part of a larger strategic plan, the school created the position of associate dean of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and hired inaugural dean Robert Thomas in 2023. Carmund White was promoted from KODI director into the newly created role of executive director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the Dean’s Office to support this work.
Through scholarship and physical space, the Prebys Foundation continues Conrad Prebys’ legacy of business innovation and achievement. As the initial cohort of Prebys Foundation Scholars prepares to graduate, the Kelley School continues this important work innovating new ways to serve and support student communities and to continue the legacy the Prebys Foundation has helped nurture at the Kelley School.
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