Alumnus Brian Lu (’90 USC mechanical engineering master’s, ’93 MIBS) knows that the hallmark of the No. 1 international business program is the ability to travel the world. That is what inspired him to contribute $100,000 in 2020 to the Moore School, which established the Brian Lu Fund for International Business.

The gift provides innovative international business programming and supports a range of activities that align with the Moore School’s international business strategic initiatives and future plans. In partnership with the Moore School’s Folks Center for International Business, Lu’s fund has already sponsored virtual discussions showcasing global experts and IB faculty in the past year that have helped broaden the audience interested in international business.

A member of the Folks Center Global Advisory Board, Lu is a vice president and general manager of sales and marketing for greater China’s Apple.

He chose to support the Moore School’s international business programs because of the impact his Master of International Business Studies has had on his career.

“The MBA program was not available in China then, and hence after graduating from MIBS, my career options became so much broader when I returned to China,” he said. “The multinational exposures, international business studies, cross-cultural learnings and adaptations were valuable experiences from the MIBS program.”

Just as Lu’s experiences exploring multinational business practices in the MIBS program had a profound effect on his life, his investment will provide critical funds necessary for staff, faculty and students to explore the world and give them a valuable framework to apply what students are learning in the classroom.

“No matter how much research and reading one does, it can never give you the insight and true understanding unless you are immersed in the country/city to get firsthand exposure to the culture, economy and the vibes,” Lu said.

Lu’s gift affords for more global opportunities for students and provides further support for the No. 1 ranked undergraduate international business and International MBA programs.

“The Moore School and Folks Center sincerely appreciate the generosity of Lu’s gift,” said Karen Brosius, executive director of the Folks Center for International Business at the Moore School.

“Private support from investors like [Lu] provide opportunities to positively impact the lives of students and offer them the life-changing experience that has defined the international business program at the Moore School and USC,” Brosius said.

Read more IB stories in the Sept. 2021 "The Edge" E-Newsletter.