Dean's Message

Success at exit for all!

The core purpose of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business is to be a career accelerator for our students.

We know that students who accept ownership of their own education, who are deeply engaged in and out of the classroom, who seek mentors and internships and experiential learning and leadership opportunities launch their careers at a much higher level and faster trajectory than students who lack such opportunities. We know this because we have seen it repeatedly in the last two decades.

In this magazine you will be introduced to Adelaide Berry, a senior who will graduate this year in Data Analytics. Through her eyes you will discover how experiential learning opportunities in the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Analytics Solutions Center, the Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center, and the Huntsman Scholar program changed her view of leadership and what was possible through “the power of showing up.”

Each of these four centers, plus our Freshman Academy and Huntsman Hive, are now housed in our new, world-class facility, the Carolyn and Kem Gardner Learning and Leadership Building. The Gardner Building is intended to bring focus and scale to “learning by doing” opportunities offered in the Huntsman School so that more of our students will enjoy what Adelaide has experienced. Like her, as they avail themselves of these experiences, they will grow in their ability to see themselves as leaders, and they will discover that leadership is less about directing and controlling others and more about helping people build their own strengths, collaborate effectively, and grow.

You will also meet Michael Bailey, Moline Dastrup, and Brian Coffman whose stories bear additional witness to the power of engaged learning and leading through people. Michael and Moline are accomplished mid-career executives who have enjoyed tremendous success since graduating from the Huntsman School. They are the recipients of this year’s Huntsman Professional Achievement Award. Brian is a retired CEO, member of our National Advisory Board, and is our Distinguished Executive Alumnus of the Year. Each of their journeys confirms the importance of owning your own education, taking advantage of each opportunity to grow, and learning by doing. These lifelong learners and leaders are an inspiration to all of us.

The learning and leadership centers in the Gardner building are staffed by remarkable professors and mentors whose top priority is assuring that each student experiences success while at the Huntsman School and when they “exit.” Watching these colleagues at work, collaborating with our students and creating new opportunities to take what is taught in the classroom and apply it in the real world is an incredible joy for me. It is the path whereby our students will become leaders of distinction in commerce and public affairs.

It is impossible to name all the supportive Huntsman team members and wonderful friends like Kem and Carolyn who are so genuinely devoted to this mission. But to borrow a line from Warren Buffett, “Is it any wonder that I tap dance to work each day”?