Paul Engler, a University of Nebraska alumnus who died on May 3 at the age of 94, believed the secret to successful entrepreneurship was “having the fire in your belly” to find better ways to do things. was. He credits that mindset for his accomplishments in the livestock industry and wanted to find a way to develop future entrepreneurs at his alma mater.
In 2010, the Paul F. Engler and Virginia J. Engler Foundation donated $20 million through the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish the Paul F. Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. did. Since then, Engler alumni have launched businesses with cumulative revenues estimated at $200 million. Businesses range from robotics to world-class artisans, direct-to-consumer food ventures, and manufacturing companies. Fashion, entertainment, agriculture, marketing and design, and financial services are also among the various businesses established to date.
“Paul Engler’s entrepreneurial spirit was forged in rural Nebraska and served him well throughout his life,” said Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “Paul never forgot his roots. He believed in the American Dream and wanted to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs who would positively impact Nebraska and the world, so he generously created the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. We are grateful for his generosity, but also for his personal involvement as a university volunteer and as a former member of the Foundation Board.”
Mr. Engler was also a director of the University of Nebraska Foundation and a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Institute’s “Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future” campaign committee.
“Paul Engler was beloved for his passionate support of student success and for providing opportunities for Huskers pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams,” said University President Rodney D. Bennett. “UNL mourns the loss of Paul along with all those who loved and cared for him. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to positively impact generations of UNL students. Ta.”
The Engler program, part of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, takes a personalized approach with an emphasis on learning by doing. This gift established a permanent endowment fund to provide student scholarships, faculty support, and other programmatic support, and to establish an endowed chair for the director of the Engler program.
In starting the program, Engler, who lived in Amarillo, Texas, said his vision was for students who graduated from the program to return to their communities and be inspired to build sustainable businesses.
“We need to identify boys and girls who have fire in their bellies at an early age and expose them, when they come to university, to a curriculum that teaches them how to assess and manage risk. “If you don’t take risks as an entrepreneur, you won’t be successful,” Engler said in 2010.
Among Engler graduates surveyed, 83% said their participation in the Engler program increased their interest in rural entrepreneurship. In a survey of current His Engler students, 86% said they were more likely to be a future employer because of their Engler experience.
“I am grateful for the vision that Paul Engler had in creating the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program,” said Paul Engler, vice president of the Harlan University Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources and vice president of the Harlan University Agriculture and Natural Resources Institute. said Michael Boehm, vice provost. He is from Nebraska. “The Engler program is a very popular program in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and serves our students and the state well.”
Mr. Engler was the founder, chairman, president and CEO of the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation.
Engler’s own entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 12 in Bassett, Nebraska, when his father purchased 100 head of cattle on loan while on a business trip. His mother told him to expect her father to lick her when he got home. Instead, he shook hands and said his father was proud of him.
Engler attended the University of Nebraska at age 15 for college. He studied animal science and graduated in 1951. He started his career as an agriculture teacher, then he moved on to buying cattle and building feedlots. He and a partner co-founded his Amarillo-based Cactus Feeders, which he has grown to become one of the largest cattle feeding operations in the world. He is known for innovations in cattle feeding and improving techniques related to the feeding cattle business.
“Paul Engler is a legend in the beef cattle industry, and his impact on the industry will be felt for generations to come,” said Tom Engler, director of the Engler Program and Engler Chair of Entrepreneurship. Field said. “Paul was more than just a benefactor of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. He was a mentor and friend to our students and our team. It’s built on the principles of determination, passion, because that’s how Paul lived his life.”
