The retail industry is the nation's second-largest sector and a leading indicator of the health of the U.S. economy. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania will become an even larger contributor to the success, innovation and future of the industry thanks to a $15 million gift announced Thursday from Patty and Jay H. Baker to establish and permanently endow the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center.

Jay Baker, a 1956 graduate of Wharton, is the retired president and director of Kohl's Corporation, the Milwaukee-based department store chain. He is also a member of the Wharton Board of Overseers. The large gift will build on the successful foundation of Wharton's Baker Retailing Initiative. The expanded Center will offer innovative programs for graduate and undergraduate students, support and disseminate cutting-edge research with both academic and industry applications, and enhance student activity and curriculum development.

"The Center will continue work that began with the Baker Retailing Initiative and work closely with the industry, students and faculty to help develop the leaders of retailing," says Jay Baker. "It is wonderful to give while we're living and actually see the benefits derived from our gift."

Says Wharton Dean Thomas S. Robertson: "Our goal is to have an impact on the welfare of retail nationally and globally."

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