New program, Reagan Giving Circle, honors longtime APSU marketing prof
In the late 1960s, soon after earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in business, Dr. Carmen Reagan began making her mark in higher education, teaching business courses at a time when opportunities for women were not as plentiful as they are today.
鈥淭he situation for women has definitely improved,鈥 Reagan said. 鈥淭here are many more opportunities for women today than when I went to college.鈥
In the late 1960s, soon after earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in business, Dr. Carmen Reagan began making her mark in higher education, teaching business courses at a time when opportunities for women were not as plentiful as they are today.
鈥淭he situation for women has definitely improved,鈥 Reagan said. 鈥淭here are many more opportunities for women today than when I went to college.鈥
After teaching in colleges and universities throughout Mississippi and at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Reagan came to Austin Peay State University in 1988 as associate professor of marketing. In the years since, she has built a legacy of wisdom 鈥 exemplified through her prowess in higher education and her recognition as a sought-after leader by numerous agencies and corporations, including Delta Dental of Tennessee, Gateway Medical Center, Centerstone-Tennessee, Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA and the United Way, of which she served as board chair. She also has been active on the First Federal Savings Bank board, having served several years when it was under a different structure.
That鈥檚 why in November, APSU will unveil the Reagan Giving Circle to honor the entrepreneurial spirit Reagan has bestowed upon APSU and the business community. The new giving program will ensure the success of future female business leaders enrolled in the APSU College of Business.
It was something Reagan did not expect.
鈥淚 am honored, but I also was shocked when I was told of this,鈥 she said.
On July 31, Reagan will retire as professor of marketing, although she will enter post-retirement status in order to teach a couple of courses in marketing and communication.
鈥淭o me, it鈥檚 not retirement. It鈥檚 a redesign,鈥 Reagan said.
Reagan received a Doctor of Business Administration at Mississippi State University in 1985. She has nearly 30 years experience in higher education.
In addition to teaching post-retirement, Reagan, a former board chair of both the local Chamber of Commerce and Gateway Medical Center, said she would remain active in the Clarksville-Montgomery County community.
鈥淚 plan to continue serving our community, on boards and committees and look for new opportunities to help the area grow,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat is something I feel called to do.鈥
For more information on the Reagan Giving Circle or to make a monetary contribution to the effort, notify the APSU Office of Advancement, 931-221-7127. - Melony Shemberger