Posts Tagged ‘graduation’

“Be part of a noble service” says UST Commencement Speaker Randall Hogan

Thursday, May 30th, 2013

IMG_1399.JPG (2)More than 250 students were hooded in the Graduate Business Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 25. Randall J. Hogan, chairman and CEO of Pentair, delivered the commencement address and told the graduates “You’re starting the next phase of your lives” and the two things you need to be successful are to “create your own future, and control your own destiny. Make sure you have a goal in mind, when opportunities present themselves, you will be bold enough to take them.” (more…)

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The first time, all over again

Friday, May 24th, 2013

The annual Dean’s Reception celebrates student completion of the various graduate programs in the Opus College of Business as a more intimate prelude to the public commencement ceremony.  I have attended a number of these in the last few years.  From a communication standpoint, these events represent some important, but sometimes forgotten tenants of the craft.

First, while these parties exist primarily to celebrate with our students, the format ensures that this opportunity to engage them with the university for the long term is not lost.  Even though the centerpiece of the evening will always remain the dean’s speech, the plates are served with encouragement from alumni relations to remain active on campus.  This moment represents a critical time in the school’s relationship with these stakeholders, as they convert from students to alumni.  Recognizing the transition of an audience is all too often obscured by the activities of the day.  Strategic communication planning should always consider the evolution of customer experience and relationship with the organization and what it offers them. (more…)

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2012 Commencement Recap

Monday, May 21st, 2012

The Class of 2012 earned their degrees Saturday at the Opus College of Business commencement ceremony. Check back here for more media from the ceremony: photos, video, transcripts.

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A 2-year Transformation is Complete for the Full-time UST MBA class of 2012

Friday, May 18th, 2012

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  - Margaret Mead

Full-time UST MBA Class of 2012

It was August 2010 when the Class of 2012 started their Full-time MBA program at UST.  This would also mark my 2-month anniversary of employment in the MBA program office.  Over the next 2 years I would see a transformation, not only in the students, but also in myself as we progressed through this program together.  We started out together, not really knowing what to expect from this experience.  Looking around the room at the group of 40 students I felt an immediate connection to them.  I had gotten to know some of them a little bit over the summer and then all at once, here they were ready to take on a brand new experience that would change their world forever.

I was impressed with this group of students just from reading their admission applications, but you don’t truly get to know someone until you spend time talking with them in the hallways, the elevators, and the place we all called home, the MBA Commons.  I learned about families, about their dreams for the future, their struggles with managing their time and thoughts about where they would be after graduation.  Every semester brought with it a new experience, from Launch to Links to ABR projects that seemed to last an eternity.  But they all made it through, completed their summer internships and they are now in the final days of their MBA program. (more…)

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What is meaningful work? – 5 Questions with Prof. Michaelson

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

As the 2012 Opus College of Business graduates get ready to enter or re-enter the workforce or re-energize their workplace, we wanted to share a Q&A with Christopher Michaelson, Ph.D., assistant professor in the ethics and business law department, about his research on meaningful work.

Q. What do you mean by “meaningful work”?

A. Meaningful work refers not only to work that is meaningful to the worker but that also contributes meaningfully to general well-being. Most people intuitively have an idea of what meaningful work is and whether they consider their own work to be meaningful. There is a lot of excellent research on why people do the kinds of work they do and what they think about it. However, comparatively few people consider why they ought to do the work they do in a moral sense. My research examines the morality of meaningful work, including whether we have a moral obligation to perform and/or provide it.

Q. Why is this topic of interest to you?

A. Some of the influential people in my life had relatively clear ideas about what kinds of work were morally acceptable for me to pursue. Sometimes, I joke that I became the wrong kind of doctor. My mother, a teacher, would really have liked me to have been a medical doctor for a meaningful reason: Doctors help others, and in doing so make the world better. There are good reasons why doctors are generally held in high esteem. The fact that the market often compensates them well seems an appropriate reward for their efforts. Similarly, teachers help others improve our world, but they are often not as well-compensated. In my career as a teacher of business students and as a business person, I have tried to encourage my students and business organizations to consider ways in which business can and does enhance well-being. I promote exploration of how the market can or should reward such efforts. (more…)

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Full-time UST MBA students reach Class Gift goal

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Full-time UST MBA Class of 2012

In just the second year of the Full-time UST MBA Class Gift program, students in the program already have set an unbreakable record – 100-percent participation in its Class Gift campaign.

With the contributions of students, alumni and a matching gift from Dr. Christopher Puto, dean of the Opus College of Business, the 2012 Full-time UST MBA class has raised $25,632. The students plan to use the money to update the breakout rooms in the commons area in Terrence Murphy Hall with new furniture and technology in order to enhance the student experience. (more…)

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Student Profile: Annelise Larson

Monday, April 30th, 2012

May 19, 2012 will be a momentous day for Annelise Larson and her classmates. That will be the day when they walk across the stage in the new Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex, receive their diplomas and start a new stage of life. For Larson, it will mean chasing a dream job in organizational development and change management freshly equipped with her UST MBA.

Larson, originally from Oakdale, Minnesota, developed a taste for leadership development and coaching while an undergraduate at Taylor University in Indiana. There she enjoyed studying human resources and holding the office of chief of staff for the student body. In that role, she was tasked with coaching the other board members in effectively organizing themselves and accomplishing their goals.

Upon graduation, Larson worked for three different companies over seven years, gaining a remarkable breadth of understanding of HR functions. The third of these, just prior to returning to school, was a position with EMPO Corporation, an HR consulting firm in the Twin Cities. Upon walking in the door at EPMO, Larson was assigned two disgruntled clients on the verge of cancelling their services. Undeterred, Larson brought her experience to bear. With careful listening, outstanding service, and a lot of diligence, she appeased the clients and retained their business with EMPO.

Despite her success, Larson found herself craving broader business understanding, and decided it was time to go back to school. The UST MBA programs, with their openness to student input and reliance on student leadership, were a perfect fit for her, and she set out for a Full-time UST MBA. Between her first and second year, Larson landed an internship with Recon Robotics, and is now anxious to begin her post-MBA career with Tennant Company in Minneapolis.

A person experienced in creating positive change, Annelise Larson will be an asset to any organization for whom she works.  Her work ethic, intellect, and newly refined business acumen will take her anywhere she wants to go. We look forward to following her journey. Good luck Annelise and all our UST MBA 2012 graduates!

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Opus College of Business Commencement Speaker Announced

Friday, February 19th, 2010
Dr. George Buckley, chairman, president and CEO of 3M

Dr. George Buckley, chairman, president and CEO of 3M

Dr. George Buckley, chairman, president and CEO of 3M, will deliver the Commencement Address at the Opus College of Business Graduate Commencement Saturday, May 22, 7 p.m., at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome.

3M is the Opus College’s largest employer.  Over 460 business alumni are employed by 3M while 24 employees are currently earning their graduate business degrees at OCB.

Born and raised in the United Kingdom,  Dr. Buckley serves on the University of St. Thomas Board of Trustees. Dr. Buckley will receive the Dean’s Medal of Excellence at the commencement ceremony.

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