Spring Break
Institute improves campus
Nyette Word
Staff Writer
He has Fouts Field to his left and the Gateway Center to his right. In his view is the ongoing construction of the new Recreation Center and Interstate Highway 35E.
"NT has a lot of talent on its campus," Robertson said. "There are some people that have ideas about new programs and new markets that are needed.
PDI is a great vehicle for those people to help develop those ideas of entrepreneurship. We are making an effort in finding out what roles we need to play to get those ideas into work."
The institute bylaws call for a return of all profits in operating expenses to NT;
more than $12 million has been used for campus improvements, department grants, fellowships, academic scholarships, band uniforms and computer lab equipment for the College of Business Administration.
The institute was founded in 1973, under the supervision of Dr. Marvin Berkely, the dean of the College of Business Administration.
The institute was once part of the college, but after 11 years on campus, it was moved to the Radisson Hotel.
The institute once led the business world with one of its most popular accountant training programs.
In 1999, it sold the program to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Following this, the institute changed direction. As a nonprofit corporation established to benefit NT, it is a global link between local and worldwide businesses.
Currently, the institute's programs are divided into two categories geared toward public program services and on-site corporate training.
Programs include a certified financial planner certificate program, business management and human resources, sales, customer service and financial management.
In the institute's 30-year history as an independent entity it has served hundreds of companies with more than 500,000 clients in locations around the world.
In five major cities Texas, in the institute offers the only weekend paralegal certificate program, conducting financial planning programs in two other states.
The institute also offers on-site corporate programs and government training options.
"We benefit the entire university," said Jennifer Sherman, director of marketing.
"We have been making strides to go and work with other schools within the university to provide additional outlets for faculty members to increase exposure for the university overall."
