Paul Merage School of Business receives gift for endowed fund at the Center for Real Estate

The Paul Merage School of Business has received a $100,000 gift from the Bixby Land Co. to support the creation of a new endowed fund at the Center for Real Estate. The Bill Halford Family & Bixby Land Co. Student Award will provide merit-based monetary assistance to graduate or undergraduate students who have demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing real estate studies and participating in the center’s activities. “This gift is a tribute to Bill’s memory as a visionary leader who believed in supporting the next generation of real estate professionals,” said Ed Coulson, professor of economics and director of the Center for Real Estate. “He was a strong advocate of mentorship and worked with our leaders to launch our program.” Halford, who died earlier this year, was CEO of the Newport Beach-based commercial real estate developer Bixby Land Co. He appeared at UCI as a guest lecturer in various classes, planned and moderated educational symposiums at the center, and served as chairman of the Center for Real Estate advisory board in 2006. He received the center’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.