UA renames its retailing center for Federated's CEO, an alumnus Terry Lundgren gave a "substantial" gift to the university's Center for Retailing and Consumer Sciences, the center's director said. By Joseph Barrios ARIZONA DAILY STAR

The UA's Center for Retailing and Consumer Sciences is being renamed in honor of Terry J. Lundgren, an alumnus who grabbed headlines this week for engineering a merger between two department-store chains.

On April 1, the retail center will be renamed the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing.

Lundgren, a Long Beach, Calif., native, graduated in 1975 from the University of Arizona College of Business and Public Administration. He's now CEO of Federated Department Stores Inc., and he announced this week Federated - owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's - is merging with May Department Stores Inc., owner of Robinsons-May.

The merger will create a $30 billion national retailer with almost 1,000 stores in 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Lundgren gave a UA commencement address in 2000 and was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree that year.

Melinda Burke, director of the retailing center, said Lundgren made a "substantial personal investment in the center through the UA Foundation." She declined to reveal the amount.

An employee in Lundgren's Cincinnati office said he was in Hawaii and unavailable for comment.

Lundgren's "friendship" with the center, which began after he received an honorary degree, is a big benefit for students, Burke said.

"It's motivating. It's inspiring. It encourages students to set very high goals for themselves when they have a role model like Terry Lundgren," she said. "He's very serious of his desire to give back to students. When he's here, it's all about the students."

Burke called Lundgren an "innovative leader" and said the center's renaming "has been in the works for three years." The new name will help the center build partnerships, she said.

Federated has been a member of the center since 1993 and provides scholarships and career opportunities for students in the Retailing and Consumer Sciences program. The center is part of the UA's John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Lundgren will be keynote speaker and honoree at the center's annual Global Retailing Conference, April 13-16.

Lundgren took part in the university's capital campaign, Campaign Arizona. He also works with the school of family and consumer sciences' $15 million capital campaign for a new building. In May, Lundgren was recognized with the UA's "Alumni Achievement" award.