Go Daddy’s Parsons Encourages Digital Communication Studies With New Professorship
Category: Advancement
Facebook and Twitter have changed the world. But before it was possible to post one status update or to send a single tweet, there was the Internet, the wide road on which all of that social-media traffic moves.
Bob Parsons, B.S. ’75, D.H.L. ’08, executive chairman and founder of Go Daddy, a global leader in website hosting and domain names, knows this. It’s why he made a $1 million donation to the University of Baltimore last spring to establish a new professorship in digital communication, a growing field that brings together computer science, graphic design, entrepreneurship and related skills.
In October, UB announced that Sean Carton, D.C.D. ’05, professor of the practice in marketing in the Merrick School of Business and a nationally recognized expert in the design and development of interactive media, would become the inaugural Bob “Go Daddy” Parsons Professor of Digital Communication, Commerce and Culture. Carton also heads the University’s new Center for Digital Communication, Commerce and Culture.
“The Internet is the heart of the new economy,” Parsons said in June upon the initial announcement of his gift. “The idea behind our digital communication [initiative] is to provide real-life lessons … to give students the benefit of what I’ve learned in business over the years. There is so much potential for entrepreneurs online right now.”
Parsons wants to make sure that UB students don’t miss out on this limitless possibility. As part of his donation, he will provide an annual lecture at his alma mater—delivered in person or in a virtual environment—covering digital life, online marketing and entrepreneurship. He gave his first presentation Nov. 12 at UB as part of the Merrick School of Business’ Lessons From Legends speaker series and also helped to kick off UB’s Global Entrepreneurship Week.
“The Bob ‘Go Daddy’ Parsons Professorship of Digital Communication, Commerce and Culture will be an integral part of UB’s focus on preparing students for success in the digital age,” UB President Robert L. Bogomolny said in June. “I especially appreciate Bob’s willingness to share his considerable knowledge with our students.”
