University of Missouri receives presidential award for export service

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented the University of Missouri with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, DC on May 16, 2016. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“The University of Missouri International Trade Center has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The "E" Awards Committee was very impressed with the University of Missouri International Trade Center's dedication to supporting Missouri businesses in understanding the export process and entering new international markets. The organization's collaboration with partners to achieve export promotion goals was also particularly notable. The University of Missouri International Trade Center's achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said Secretary Pritzker in her congratulatory letter to the university announcing its selection as an award recipient. 

The International Trade Center is a partnership of the University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program, Missouri Small Business Development Centers and the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business. The goal of the International Trade Center is to promote economic development and aid in the international decision-making of Missouri businesses, while providing MU students, tomorrow’s business leaders, opportunities for experiential learning.

“The International Trade Center connects students developing skills in business and market research with companies seeking to expand internationally. As the project develops, both students and businesses gain valuable experience and information about international markets. It’s a win-win,” said Stephen Ferris, Interim Dean of the Trulaske College of Business.

“The International Trade Center underscores our efforts in MU Extension by bridging the gap between academics and Missouri businesses. This partnership is a prime example of how Extension serves the State of Missouri,” said Steven Devlin, Director of the University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program.

About the President’s “E” Awards

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. Today, Secretary Pritzker honored 123 U.S. companies with the President’s “E” Award for their outstanding work to reduce barriers to foreign markets and to open the door to more trade around the world.

In 2015, U.S. exports totaled $2.23 trillion, accounting for nearly 13 percent of U.S. GDP. Nationally, exports contributed to the U.S. economy, supporting an estimated 11.5 million jobs.

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service office network, located within the Department’s International Trade Administration, with offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries.  Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies which demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for the company’s clients. 

About the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business

The Trulaske College of Business, founded in 1914, today enrolls more than 5,000 students. The college has four academic units – accountancy, finance, management, and marketing. The college offers an undergraduate degree in business administration, a full-time MBA and an execMBA for working professionals, a 150-hour program that confers both undergraduate and master’s degrees in accountancy, and PhD programs in accountancy and business administration. The college takes great pride in its graduates. More than 34,000 alumni are contributing their expertise to the public and private sectors in every state in the U.S. and in a host of foreign countries.

About the Business Development Program

The University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program is a statewide network which helps businesses succeed in every stage from concept to startup, growth to renewal, mature to succession through a variety of programs. In addition to MU Extension offices, business counselors are based on each of the campuses of the University of Missouri and at other public higher education institutions throughout Missouri.