Mays Business School is a large place. Because we are large (we have more than 4,200 undergraduate business students), our students have access to leading corporations, guest speakers in classes, and the Aggie network during their studies at Mays.
In our current economic environment, we all scrutinize costs more; weighing cost versus benefit, investment versus return. Perhaps no commodity or service has been discussed more than the the cost of a university education.
Normally, I use this forum to provide you with uplifting news about our faculty, staff, students, and programs. However, today I cannot do so. Earlier this week, Professor Jeff Conant, a member of our faculty since 1985, died unexpectedly. Jeff was a tremendous educator, colleague, and friend, and his passing will be felt deeply by many.
What an amazing network of supporters we have. I must share with you I’ve been overwhelmed by a number of large gifts that have recently been committed toward perpetuating our outstanding faculty, students, programs, and facilities. From looking at our balance sheet, you’d never know that our country’s economy is still struggling. Indeed, the future of Mays Business School looks very bright.
It is difficult to go anywhere without hearing about the economy. I’ve heard a number of times—with an obvious trace of sarcasm—“this must be a great time to be dean of a business school.” People seem shocked to hear me say, “it sure is!” Here are three reasons why things are better than ever at Mays.
One of Texas A&M University’s core values is “selfless service.” Simply put, selfless service means making one’s community, state, country, or world a better place. At Mays, our faculty provides our students with an education and classroom experience second to none.
I don’t need to tell any of you how much the financial world has changed since the beginning of our fall semester. While many may think this to be an inopportune time to be studying business, I believe the exact opposite. In times such as this, an understanding of business, markets, and economic effects is more important than ever.
Today marks the end of my tenure as interim dean of Mays Business School and I’d like to to express my sincere appreciation to the faculty, staff, and students of Mays for the dedication and enthusiasm they bring with them each and every day.
I am proud of Mays Business School. I love to tell people that I am associated with this great school, with it’s top-notch students, faculty, and programs. I was privileged recently to take a trip to New York City to represent our fine school and while I was there, I was able to spend some time with Mays students participating in the Aggies on Wall Street program.
It’s May, and that means another season of beginnings and endings at Mays Business School. As the academic year draws to a close, it’s the beginning of new careers and adventures for so many Mays students who will soon graduate with much more than just a diploma. When they turn their Aggie rings around to face the world, each of our students should be equipped with the knowledge to succeed, and the integrity and passion to impact their world.
