Marathon Petroleum Corporation Makes $1 Million Gift to UF

The University of Findlay is honored to announce that Marathon Petroleum Corporation has presented a $1 million gift to fund the creation of a new business analytics academic program.

“UF is proud of our cooperative partnership with Marathon Petroleum Corporation, as we educate Oiler graduates to become valuable employees and active young professionals in the community and around the world,” said Christine Denecker, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs.

“Business analytics is a prime skill in demand among employers in the workplace of today and the future,” she continued. “Our goal is for every student graduating with a business major to be able to organize, analyze, and socialize data and findings in meaningful and actionable ways.”

“Many Marathon employees have benefited from a University of Findlay education over the years, and we’re excited to contribute to the buildout of its business analytics program,” said Brian Partee MBA ’05, chief business transformation officer at Marathon and UF Board of Trustees member. “There is a growing need for this type of degree in the workforce, and we know that UF will provide students with rigorous coursework that develops valuable expertise in this important field.”

Marathon’s generous gift will support a professorship, attract students, provide scholarships, purchase computer lab equipment, and offer opportunities for students to participate in national and international conferences and competitions.

Kirby Overton, Ed.D., dean of the UF College of Business and Humanities, said the program will offer more opportunities for UF students to add a business analytics credential to their program of study, beginning in academic year 2026-27. An intro to business analytics course recently was incorporated into the business core, giving students necessary foundational knowledge.

“We are inspiring students to take on the challenges of asking the right questions of the data, selecting how best to collect data, evaluating its accuracy, and then presenting data so the content is clearly received with actionable conclusions,” she explained.

Courses include Data Storytelling, Statistical Methods and Data Mining Methods of Business Analytics, Database Applications, along with SQL and Business Intelligence Tools for Decision Making, among others. The Data Storytelling course will be recommended as a “core-plus” class that is open to students in all majors.

Courses also will assure that students can transform raw data into interactive reports and dashboards using Tableau, Power BI, and other tools; analyze data using R, Python, Excel, and other tools; organize findings into a well-ordered presentation; and act on learnings with practical business sense, Overton said.

With the University’s emphasis on experiential learning, students also will participate in business analytics conferences and a campus business analytics club, as well as competitions to interact with industry professionals and other students.

In addition, UF will offer non-degree educational opportunities to assist working professionals who want to shift gears mid-career or desire to add business analytics to their skill set. These options will include a business analytics certificate.

“This is designed for professional adults already working at area corporations who are interested in enhancing their skills through this credential,” Overton said. “The courses will attract those with an aptitude for continuous improvement, innovation, and entrepreneurial action and who want to learn more about decision making and creating viable solutions to problems.”

Pictured above:

UF business analytics students, from left: Ryan Thompson, Brayden Weis, Kaylee Pajor, and Sang Tran show off their Oiler pride while competing at the National Business Championships hosted by Baylor University held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Marathon’s gift will allow more students to have the opportunity put theories into practice in a competitive environment with college students from around the nation.