In this Issue:
- College Celebrates Graduates
- UT Recognized by Eduniversal
- Alumni Gather for Reception
- Ayers Shares Insight with Students
- 2009 MBA Class Gives Back to College
- Editorial Response
- Faculty Spotlight
- Alumni Spotlight
- Student Spotlight
Dean's Corner
This year has been a busy one for the College of Business Administration, but it also has been an extremely exciting one. We are coming upon the one year anniversary of the Haslam Business Building, and we have been truly amazed at the impact it has had on our students. There is an atmosphere in this building unlike anything we have experienced before, and a renewed energy that we know will continue to drive our college to excel.
Development Update
This has been an incredibly challenging year for so many Americans. During these unusual times, our faculty and staff have been touched by the continued loyalty and support of so many of our donors. We have reached $89.2 million in gifts to the college in the current campaign—112% of our goal. While we are incredibly proud of this accomplishment, we are also incredibly grateful for all you have done for our students.
College Celebrates Graduates with
Commencement Festivities
The College of Business Administration celebrated several graduations earlier this month with ceremonies honoring 270 undergraduate students and 230 MBA students. Of those MBA students, five programs were represented with specific characteristics making each program unique for its new alumni.
Program Notes
UT Recognized Internationally for Business Education by Eduniversal
The College of Business Administration has a strong reputation nationally and internationally, according to the 2009 Eduniversal survey, which ranked the top 1,000 business schools worldwide. The college received "three palmes," indicating an excellent business school that is nationally strong and has international links. The palmes are used in place of stars, which are typically used in ranking systems; a multicolored palme is part of Eduniversal’s logo.
College of Business Administration Alumni Gather for Reception
Alumni from the College of Business Administration gathered at the Nashville Symphony Center on December 1 to hear about college news and spend time with fellow alumni and friends. The graduates, who are based in Nashville or surrounding counties, were hosted by fellow alum Rob McCabe of Pinnacle Bank along with his wife, Jennie, Erick Clifford, Winfield Clifford, Mike and Shannon Hammontree, and Brock Kidd.
Jim Ayers Shares Insight with UT Business Students
Jim Ayers’ commitment to higher education is evident in the programs he has established to encourage high school students to continue their education after high school graduation. It also is evident in the time he devoted to speaking to UT College of Business Administration students about the value of education, the value of hard work, and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
MBA Class of 2009 Gives Back to the College of Business Administration
On December 11, the College of Business Administration graduated 89 students from its 17-month Full-Time MBA program, hosted in the Alumni Memorial Building on the UT Knoxville campus. Despite the tough economic environment, over half of the graduates have already accepted job offers; the majority of the other graduates has offers in hand or are currently in the interview process with top companies. Perhaps this fact alone could explain the unique way the class of 2009 chose to make their mark on the program.
Editorial Response
In the most recent issue of the Perspective, we highlighted a piece by the director of our Physicians Executive MBA Program, Dr. Michael Stahl, concerning the pending healthcare legislation. I want to thank all of those who shared feedback with us regarding the piece. The Perspective was distributed to approximately 35,000 people, and several of our alumni took the time to communicate directly with us about it.
Faculty Spotlight
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Alumni Spotlight
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Student Spotlight
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Dr. Diane Mollenkopf brings a wealth of valuable experience to her work as an associate professor in the Department of Marketing and Logistics in the UT College of Business Administration. Mollenkopf earned her undergraduate degree in marketing and international business from Bowling Green State University before moving to Michigan State University, where she earned her MBA in logistics and materials management, and to Drexel University for her Ph.D. in marketing channels and international business.
On December 31, Volunteer football fans from around the country will be watching their beloved team fight Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. For College of Business Administration alumnus Terry Rowell, the game hits a little closer to home than for most—since he has been part of the Chick-fil-A family for over 30 years. In 1989, the Rowell’s purchased a Chick-fil-A franchise in Asheville, North Carolina, in order to be closer to "Big Orange Country.”
As a native of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, UT senior Micah Johnson was very familiar with the university when she arrived as a freshman. However, rather than settle into the campus she grew up visiting, Johnson wanted to make an impact on her fellow students and the university community. From her performance in the classroom to her work within the College of Business Administration and across campus, it is clear that she certainly reached—and exceeded—her goal.