Randy Lunsford Honors the EMBA Experience with A Gift that Gives Back
Randy Lunsford, a proud graduate in the Executive MBA Class of 2011, is a dedicated, passionate, enthusiastic Anderson supporter. He credits his time in the two-year program to much of his professional and investment success, including a promotion he received one week after graduation. For the past 17 years he has served as the CEO of Southwest Federal Credit Union.
Randy strongly believes the EMBA program is life-changing and wants others to experience its benefits. To help support future students, he has made a legacy gift to Anderson that will create a scholarship fund specifically for EMBA students. Future awardees will be eligible based on financial need and enrollment in the program. When reflecting on his experience, he noted the overall structure, including the class schedule and networking opportunities, the concepts learned in the classroom and the cohort format. With classmates from many different industries, students work together as a team to learn advanced management techniques and leadership skills not only from the faculty but also from each other.
Looking back on it, working with his cohort provided him with many great experiences, specifically creating lifelong friendships. Many of them have collaborated professionally since graduating.
One of his fondest memories is traveling to China for an international residency experience. He met Chinese business executives and saw firsthand the concepts he had learned in the classroom. It was eye-opening for him. He returned the following year and spoke to an auditorium of professors and students about U.S. free market economy.
The value and power of education have been a driving force for Randy. In addition to his career with the credit union, he has followed in his parents' footsteps by also teaching part-time at CNM and UNM for 20 years.
Randy hopes this scholarship will help impact future students' career trajectories. “We don’t know which students are going to change the world because of their experience in Anderson’s EMBA program. It's an incredible experience, and I hope this scholarship will help secure its future for years to come,” he said.
To learn about how your support can make a difference, please contact Melanie Hitchcock, Anderson’s senior development officer, or visit the UNM Foundation website.
