Magazine / People

Andy and Barbara Taylor give $5 million to foster diversity at Daniels

Barbara and Andy Taylor. Photo courtesy of Enterprise Holdings

University of Denver alumni Andy and Barbara Taylor have given $5 million to DU’s Daniels College of Business. The gift—which will be added to the already-established Taylor Scholarship endowment of $1 million—will provide scholarships to foster diversity among undergraduate students. The University has matched the new gift, bringing the total Taylor Scholarship fund to $11 million.

Andy Taylor (BSBA ’70), chairman and CEO of Enterprise Holdings — parent company of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands — and his wife, Barbara (Broadhurst) Taylor (attd. 1969–70), are longtime Daniels supporters. Enterprise Holdings has provided internship opportunities for Daniels students, supported service projects and sponsored events. In May 2011, Andy Taylor gave a Daniels College of Business Voices of Experience keynote, and in 2007, he spoke at DU’s Alumni Symposium.

“Barbara and I believe it’s our responsibility to ensure that Daniels continues to provide opportunities to the best and brightest students, regardless of need or background,” Andy Taylor says. “These scholarships will open doors for students who otherwise couldn’t afford a DU education.”

Taylor joined Enterprise—which was founded in 1957 by his father, Jack Taylor—at the age of 16. He began his career by washing cars during summer and holiday vacations and learning the business from the ground up. Following graduation from DU, he worked for three years for RLM Leasing, a Ford Motor Co. affiliate in San Francisco. Taylor then returned to Enterprise, which, at the time, operated a fleet of only 5,000 cars. In 1976, he became the general manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s St. Louis regional operations, and in 1980, Taylor was named president and chief operating officer.

Daniels Dean Christine Riordan notes that the Taylors’ gift will help Daniels recruit top students from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their financial need, and help many deserving students achieve their educational goals.

“The Taylors’ gift will not only help educate the next generation of ethical business leaders, but will help Daniels further develop as a community of choice where ideas, diversity and strong relationships enhance lives,” Riordan says. “Andy and Barbara share our belief that providing tomorrow’s business leaders an ethics-based business education is important.”

With annual revenues exceeding $14 billion and more than 70,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings operates more than 1 million cars and trucks, making it the largest car rental service provider in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet.

Enterprise Holdings currently is ranked No. 16 on Forbes’ list of the top 500 private companies in America.

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