UAA College of Business and Public Policy

WPM+RE Program Receives a $500,000 Pledge for Student Scholarships as It Celebrates the Five-year Anniversary of the Weidner Center

October 27, 2022

Weidner Apartment Homes has pledged $500,000 over ten years to support academic and travel awards for UAA students in the College of Business and Public Policy’s Weidner Property Management and Real Estate (WPM+RE) program. The pledge is the most recent investment Weidner has made toward supporting CBPP’s efforts to develop a robust and knowledgeable generation of real estate professionals.

Five years ago, Weidner Apartment Homes funded the creation of a collaborative and inspiring space for WPM+RE students: the Weidner Center for Real Estate Management, located on the first floor of Rasmuson Hall. With its bright orange entrance, the Center attracts instant attention and evokes bright futures ahead for students who complete the program.

The Weidner Center is the physical nexus for the WPM+RE program, with classroom sessions, professional speakers and summer workshops all hosted in the space.

“So many students have benefited from the ongoing generosity of Mr. Dean Weidner,” said Terry Fields, Program Director and associate professor of management. “The initial $4 million investment in the WPM+RE program, the building of the Weidner Center, and the ongoing academic and travel awards have allowed us to build a comprehensive program that is unique and recognized nationally.”

WPM+RE students balance classroom learning with real-world experiences like job shadowing, paid internships and participation in industry events.

“Students often receive job offers before they graduate due to the connections they make throughout their education, networking events and exposure to such a diverse industry,” Fields said. “They end up with a good idea of the area they want to pursue – which could be anything from managing apartments to commercial properties, to brokerage and investments.”

“This program and contributions from Weidner Apartment Homes helped me find my career path,” said Megan (Barrett) Mills, BBA ‘20, who is currently a Real Estate Manager and Commercial Associate for Colliers International. “The program truly benefits the community and provides numerous students a strong foundation for post-graduation.”

Aurora (Landau) Herndon, BBA ‘21, states, “[Mr. Weidner’s] continuous donations have made it possible for so many students, including myself, to pursue and achieve their real estate goals.”

Since the WPM+RE program began in 2013, more than $350,000 in financial aid has been awarded to students for academic success and travel opportunities to experience industry conferences around the nation. Additionally:

• Over 900 students have gained a new perspective and awareness for the industry by completing the Introduction to Real Estate Management course.
• 76 students have graduated from the program and are making meaningful contributions to their organizations and communities through Alaska, the “Lower 48,” Canada, and Europe.

108 students are currently declared in the program – a historical high and indication of the program’s growth and continued success.