During the industrial distribution capstone showcase, Ben Keating delivers his keynote speech about his background and why he supports the industrial distribution program. |
Image: Texas A&M Engineering
While visiting the capstone showcase for the industrial distribution program in the fall of 2022, Ben Keating '94 announced a $4 million endowment to support a proposed technical sales minor and technical sales lab in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University.
"I took my industrial engineering degree and went into the car business,” said Keating, owner and president of Keating Auto Group. “There, I have used skills and problem-solving techniques that I learned in my major and applied them to the industry in the form of selling and fixing cars."
Of the $4 million endowment, $1 million will fund a technical sales lab in the new industrial distribution building at Texas A&M-RELLIS, and $3 million will support a new curriculum for the proposed technical sales minor.
"My wife, Kathleen, and I are very excited to be personally involved in the program and contribute our time and knowledge to give back to the university and to build relationships with the students and faculty,” Keating said.
"I took my industrial engineering degree and went into the car business,” said Keating, owner and president of Keating Auto Group. “There, I have used skills and problem-solving techniques that I learned in my major and applied them to the industry in the form of selling and fixing cars."
Of the $4 million endowment, $1 million will fund a technical sales lab in the new industrial distribution building at Texas A&M-RELLIS, and $3 million will support a new curriculum for the proposed technical sales minor.
"My wife, Kathleen, and I are very excited to be personally involved in the program and contribute our time and knowledge to give back to the university and to build relationships with the students and faculty,” Keating said.
Ben Keating (right) stands with Dr. Bimal Nepal (left), associate director of the undergraduate program in industrial distribution, and Dr. Reza Langari (middle), department head of the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. |
Image: Texas A&M Engineering
"This is one of the largest endowments the department has ever received," said Dr. Reza Langari, head of the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. "The assistant director of development at the Texas A&M Foundation, Meredith Brown, was instrumental in facilitating the donation process. And Mr. Keating's donation will benefit our students for years by helping us train the best technical sales professionals produced by any university in the country."
The Keating Auto Group endowment will help strengthen and modernize the technical sales lab, which is part of a required course for all industrial distribution majors and students minoring in technical sales, a minor currently in development.
"The endowment will positively impact the academic experience of nearly 900 industrial distribution students and beyond," said Dr. Bimal Nepal, associate director of the undergraduate program in industrial distribution.
"Keating's investment in the future of industrial distribution is appreciated and needed," said Evan Vestal, senior lecturer in the engineering technology and industrial distribution department. "We look forward to working with him to develop future sales leaders in the industry."
The Keating Auto Group endowment will help strengthen and modernize the technical sales lab, which is part of a required course for all industrial distribution majors and students minoring in technical sales, a minor currently in development.
"The endowment will positively impact the academic experience of nearly 900 industrial distribution students and beyond," said Dr. Bimal Nepal, associate director of the undergraduate program in industrial distribution.
"Keating's investment in the future of industrial distribution is appreciated and needed," said Evan Vestal, senior lecturer in the engineering technology and industrial distribution department. "We look forward to working with him to develop future sales leaders in the industry."
How to give
Endowments supporting students in the college have an immeasurable impact on their education. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering and its departments or would like more information on how you can give, please contact one of our development officers.