SBA 50th Golden Gala Celebration

• Welcome to the 50th anniversary of Oakland University’s School of
  Business Administration, now, by the way, in its 52nd year.
  
  
• As you know, the two-year delay in our celebration was caused by
  the pandemic. I think we can all agree, a celebration of the great
  accomplishments of SBA over the past five decades is well worth the
  wait.
  
  
• Thank you, Mayor Barnett, for your ongoing support to Oakland. We
  are so proud to include you among our accomplished alumnus. And a
  special thank you for emceeing tonight’s celebration.
  
  
• Also…thank you, Dean Michael Mazzeo for your many years of
  service to Oakland University…. Your leadership and vision have
  been invaluable in shaping SBA and positioning the school for
  ongoing growth.
  
  
• Along with Dean Mazzeo’s contributions, SBA wouldn't be what it is
  today without the collaborative vision, dedication and generosity of
  several people who we are honored to have with us tonight…
  
  
• Please join with me in a gesture of appreciation to….
  
  
  • Hugh and Nancy Elliott
    
    
  • Craig and Ann Stinson
    
    
  • SBA Board of Visitors
    
    
  • Kim and Ken Janke, who serves as the chair of the Board of
    Visitors
    
    
  • Thank you for your unflinching support for Oakland University,
    and leading by example.
    
    
• Your efforts in supporting SBA and Oakland University are a case
  study in this evening’s theme, “Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and
  Leadership.”
  
  
• As invaluable friends to Oakland, you example helps us to look for
  innovative and entrepreneurial approaches so we succeed in meeting
  our challenges…
  
  
• And your leadership has helped to illuminate the path into the future.
  
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• Philanthropy has played a central role in SBA’s evolution, and has
  been invaluable in supporting the backbone of SBA – our outstanding
  faculty.
  
  
• I’d like to take a moment to extend my appreciation to SBA faculty
  member Frank Cardimen for his work in the International Initiatives
  Fund…. a program established by a generous gift from Craig and
  Ann Stinson in 2014.
  
  
• Frank is familiar to many of us, and has taught in SBA since 1979.
  
  
• Under Frank’s leadership, the International Initiatives Fund has
  helped to elevate the reputation of SBA… and support opportunities
  for OU students to gain insight from an international business
  experience.
  
  
• Another example of SBA’s innovative and entrepreneurial approach
  to education is the Student Managed Investment Fund, supported by
  the Kresge Foundation.
  
  
  • That program provides OU student-portfolio managers and
    competitive edge as they make their way in the investment
    world.

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• Last, I’d like to take a few moments to put this… the 50th anniversary
  of the School of Business Administration… into perspective.
  
  
• If you make it to fifty years in any endeavor – whether it is marriage or
  a business school – you earn the privilege of covering your
  accomplishment in gold.
  
  
• While it’s always a good feeling to look back and appreciate your
  accomplishments in a relationship, endeavor or in navigating through
  the changes in higher education over the last half-century, it’s also
  important to realize that your past success is a foundation upon which
  to build on the educational needs of today’s students….
  
  
• So, for a moment, I’d like to point out that with 50 years behind us,
  the years ahead look extremely bright and promising.
  
  
• In January, SBA was named one of the nation’s most outstanding
  business schools, according to the Princeton Review. That ranking
  goes along with a similar ranking in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
  and 2016.
  
  
• U.S. News & World Report again recognized the Oakland University
  School of Business in its 2023 edition of Best Graduate Schools
  under the specialty of Best Part-Time MBA Programs.
  
  
• In addition to being named on the national 2022 Best Business
  Schools list, the Princeton Review also recognized the OU School of
  Business on its list of Best Business Schools in the Midwest and its
  list of Best Online MBA Programs.
  
  
• Included in the Princeton Review ranking are student surveys. The
  following student comments offer the best testament to the impact our
  faculty are having….:
  
  
  • Professors here are “really awesome, helpful and smart.”
    
    
  • “The school benefits from professors connected to the real
    world and who have worked outside of academia.”
    
    
  • Oakland provides a “small school experience” in which any
    student “can easily get help from professors” who provide “so
    many opportunities.”
    
    
  • The school “has the support of many large corporations that
    recruit out of the student body” and the school really cares
    “about connecting you to new opportunities.”
    
    
• Quite simply, the reason for the success of the School of Business
  Administration is our expert SBA faculty, who teach a range of
  fundamental and rigorous courses that integrate theory, research and
  real-world experience, and provide students with solid academic
  preparation and practical skills necessary to succeed professionally.
  
  
• I like the sound of 50 years…. And I like the color of gold…. Not only
  is it the color of success… it goes well with black.
  SBA 50th Celebration Gala 6
  
  
• Thank you…. Dean Mazzeo….SBA faculty…our many donors, and
  again, special thanks to Hugh and Nancy Elliott, Craig and Ann
  Stinson, the SBA Board of Visitors and the Elliott Foundation for all
  that you do to support Oakland University.
  
  
• And now, it gives special pleasure to introduce Dean Michael
  Mazzeo