New Endowment Honors Business Dean, Promotes Faculty Excellence

Public institutions of higher learning like the University of Mississippi often struggle with hiring and retaining esteemed faculty members who understandably choose to work for more competitive salaries offered by private schools.

UM alumnus Michael Cohan hopes his $50,000 gift, establishing the Cohan Family Endowment, will help the Ole Miss School of Business Administration overcome that challenge.

“I want Ole Miss to continue recruiting the best and brightest faculty from around the country,” said Cohan, a 2007 graduate who majored in banking and finance. “I’ve seen the School of Business Administration continue to climb in the national rankings and I hope my gift can help that trend continue.”

Cohan also said he hopes his gift will honor his professor — now dean — Ken Cyree in the year of his retirement.

Cyree said he is humbled and honored to be remembered by his former student and this gift will help transform the lives of hundreds of students every semester.

“Having a stellar faculty is crucial to providing the incredible educational opportunities we offer our students,” the dean said. “The formal part of education is performed by the faculty, and the extent to which we can attract and retain world-class faculty greatly determines our future as a university.

“On behalf of the school, I want Michael to know that his gift is greatly appreciated.”

A resident of Columbus, Ohio, Cohan is a managing director at Cliffwater, a New York-based investment adviser that focuses on alternative asset classes. Prior to joining Cliffwater, he worked eight years in the investment department of Nationwide Insurance and previously at Huntington Bank in a variety of middle-market banking roles. He was also awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

At Ole Miss, Cohan was an active member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

“I loved my time at Ole Miss. The Ole Miss Business School gave me the foundation to advance throughout my career. I truly don’t think I would be where I am today, personally or professionally, without my four years at Ole Miss,” Cohan said. “It feels appropriate to give back to a school that has given me so much.”

The Cohan Family Endowment is open to support from businesses and individuals. Gifts can be made by sending a check to the University of Mississippi Foundation, with the fund’s name noted on the memo line, to 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655 or by giving online at https://give.olemiss.edu.

To make a gift to the School of Business Administration, visit https://give.olemiss.edu or, for more information, contact Angela Brown, executive director for development, at browna@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3181.