Burns students have traveled all over the world to study real estate and construction management, including Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Already nationally acknowledged for its reputation in teaching students through applied experiences or applied learning, the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management can now expand its hallmark career-focused opportunities. A recent endowed gift of $2.5 million from TOLD Foundation provides additional resources that ensure every student will benefit from experiential learning’s significant employment advantages—including a global real estate exposition—totally without cost.
Unlike programs at other universities, the Burns School has a distinct focus on experiential learning: networking and mentoring opportunities, competitions, and participation in conferences and events. These and many other experiential learning activities make Burns a top choice for both students and employers; they also give students an edge over their peers in securing post-graduation job opportunities. According to Burns School Director Vivek Sah, the TOLD Foundation gift will create and expand hands-on opportunities for students.
“Participating in multiple case study competitions is a big part of experiential learning for us,” Sah explained, “as it allows students to work on real-life issues outside the classroom and gives them an enormous advantage in the job market. And we’ve done remarkably well, too, both nationally and regionally—for example, winning the Rocky Mountain region challenge 14 of the past 20 years—results that have frequently led to students receiving job offers even before they graduate.”
Burns graduate students took first place in their category at the 2024 NAHB competition in Las Vegas. Both undergraduates and grad students attend every year at no cost to them.
Everything students learn in the program directly applies to professional situations they will experience in their careers. Burns’ unique portfolio of experiential learning includes case study competitions, 40 events that Burns sponsors every year, a mentorship program created in fall 2023, a Career Expo that is entirely free to both students and participating companies, and an innovative AI lab in the near future.
“This gift from TOLD Foundation has lasting impact,” said Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, “as it propels DU forward and positions one of our hallmark programs as best-in-class, attracting students to DU and offering transformational experiential learning at no cost to the student.”
The gift was made by TOLD Foundation President Rod Gilbert (BSBA 1984), in memory of his father, John B. “Jack” Gilbert, founder and chairman emeritus of Zero Corporation, and later chairman and CEO of TOLD Corporation. While the foundation’s gift to the Burns School is clearly exceptional, its emphasis on experiential learning is very much a part of the 4D Experience DU offers to all current and future students. Unique in higher education, the elements of 4D—advancing intellectual growth, promoting well-being, pursuing careers and lives of purpose, and exploring character—are made possible by the gifts of alumni and friends.
To learn more about the Burns School or the 4D Experience, please contact Shira Moffatt, executive director of development at the Daniels College of Business, at 303-871-7668 or Shira.Moffatt@du.edu.