Terry and Marion Forcht, both class of 1959 graduates, pledged a $3 million gift to the College of Business in October. This is among the largest gifts the business school ever has received.

The gift creates the Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship, which will expand student exposure to entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities, host forums and speakers of national and international significance, expand partnerships and celebrate the success of entrepreneurial graduates.

“A gift of this magnitude recognizes our accomplishments and launches our programs to the next level,” said Charlie Moyer, dean of business. “As a visionary entrepreneur, Terry Forcht also brings inspiration and a wealth of intellectual capital to our efforts.”

In little more than a decade, UofL’s entrepreneurship program has grown substantially and earned national recognition. It was recently named one of the top 25 U.S. graduate programs for entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur Magazine and The Princeton Review.

Terry Forcht, a 1959 graduate of the business school and a 1964 graduate of UofL’s Brandeis School of Law, has created or acquired nearly 100 businesses during his 40-year career. He is founder and chief executive officer of Forcht Bank, N.A., one of the largest bank groups in Kentucky, and CEO of the Forcht Group of Kentucky, an umbrella organization for 95 separate companies with more than 2,100 employees.

Terry Forcht, who was named 2006 Alumni Fellow for business, is a member of the college’s Board of Advisors. Marion (Cecil) Forcht is a 1959 graduate of the UofL College of Arts and Sciences and is a businesswoman and civic leader.