Mihaylo College leaders and APICS officials, including chair of the Department of Management Gerard Beenen (left), Interim Dean Morteza Rahmatian (second from left) and president-elect of APICS Nick Testa (center) met to finalize the Roly White Scholarship.

The Orange County chapter of the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) has established an endowed scholarship to honor the late Roly White, a local supply chain educator and leader. The award will be given to one or more Mihaylo College student recipients studying operations and supply chain management.

In December 2016, Roly White passed away after a brief illness. White was a supply chain professional who had advanced the industry for more than 40 years through the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), one of the world’s premier professional and certification organizations.

White, who was 73, is remembered by many students and professionals as the driving force behind their decisions to pursue careers in the rapidly growing supply chain field.

In honor of his legacy, friends and colleagues established the Roly White Scholarship, which will benefit one or more high-achieving Mihaylo College students with concentrations in operations and supply chain management. The $25,000 endowed award from APICS will be distributed to students according to the discretion of the Department of Management over a multiyear period.

Nick Testa, president-elect of the Orange County Chapter of APICS, notes that White was supportive of education. “He’s always been very enthusiastic about getting the material out and getting students certified,” he says. “We have a warm spot for the business school, because we believe it is an important way to educate leaders.”

Gerard Beenen, chair of the Department of Management, sees a connection between the scholarship and the opportunities in this industry. “The digital economy is revolutionizing how goods and services are configured, selected and ultimately delivered to consumers. This is true in both online and physical retail venues,” he says. “The Roly White Scholarship will help us identify and reward our most promising operations and supply chain management students, who are ready to lead in this new hyper-competitive business environment.”

APICS has long had a close relationship with Cal State Fullerton’s business program, first partnering with the college to develop a supply chain certificate program. The 43,000-member global society, which relies largely on volunteers, offers three respected certificate programs – CPIM, CSCP and the new CLTD – providing endorsement and education for professionals in the field.

For more information on Mihaylo College’s operations and supply chain concentration, visit the Department of Management online or at SGMH 5313.