Courtesy: Rebecca Henriksen
Happy Friday T-birds!
Welcome to the end of another busy week at Thunderbird!
There’s a lot going on around campus. We’ve had visits from a number of excellent employers, many who have been extremely impressed by our students (YOU). To name a few who have selected Thunderbird as a core school to identify talent; LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), Henkel (who selected six total schools, only one in North America – Thunderbird), and Wal-Mart, one of the world’s most influential organizations. We are also in discussion with Amazon India who is very interested in Thunderbird talent. Well done Thunderbird Employer Relations and well done Thunderbird students!
I also wanted to let you know that student feedback, your feedback, has been heard and taken into consideration on a variety of topics. For example, Dr. Washburn held an excellent Summit to discuss the FT MBA program last Friday and faculty discussion continues on that topic. You will see some positive and exciting changes in the months ahead, much of it due to your great feedback.
Okay, I’d better get to the main purpose of this communication – there is much to cover this week!
Here is what you’ll find in this week’s update:
1. Thunderbird Team wins APICS West Coast Student Case Competition: APICS is a professional association for people in supply chain and operations management fields. This annual competition presents teams with a case study based upon a real company with a specific operations management problem. Teams develop solutions and present them in written and oral formats over a two day period. This past weekend, two Thunderbird teams competed against 12 Graduate teams from 7 different schools. Thunderbirds have a great track record in this competition winning in 2011 and 2012. Congratulations to our winning team – Gayatri Alekhya Yerrakalva, Wade Sutton, Karunakaren Muthumani Hariharan and Jonathan Harmon. They have been invited to compete at a case competition at the APICS International Conference and Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana in October. And for our 2nd team – Jon Paul Aultman, Micah Gougler, Xiaochen Du and Sue Fang, thank you for representing Thunderbird and putting in the hard work to compete.
2. First Friday Feedback Session, March 7th: Our next First Friday Feedback Session is scheduled for Friday, March 7th from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Herberger building, HC 123. This is a great opportunity for students to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns with administration and to keep the lines of communication open. Lunch is served. Please RSVP to Michelle Olesen (michelle.olesen@thunderbird.edu) by this Sunday, March 2nd so we can order enough lunches and have the right number of chairs. Hope to see you there!
3. 2014 Thunderbird Alumni Rugby Match – Thunderbird Rugby Club vs. Thunderbird Old Boys, this Saturday, March 1st: The Thunderbird Rugby Club has been active since 1976, the longest of any club in Thunderbird’s history. Those who have played the sport know all too well the bonds of brotherhood and camaraderie that form when battling in the trenches. Rugby truly is a warrior’s sport, played by gentlemen. The Thunderbird Rugby Club has been active since 1976, the longest of any club in Thunderbird’s history. Those who have played the sport know all too well the bonds of brotherhood and camaraderie that form when battling in the trenches. Rugby truly is a warrior’s sport, played by gentlemen.
And with Rugby comes tradition. Please join us this Saturday March 1st at 12:30pm for the 2014 Annual Thunderbird Alumni Rugby Match, where the Thunderbird Rugby squad will battle the Thunderbird Alumni Old Boys. This is the match of the season, and a great opportunity to meet former T-birds. See you at the Pitch!
4. Celebration to recognize the J&J Be Vital Challenge winning team: Last term, an exceptional group of T-birds entered J&J’s Be Vital Challenge and due to the superiority of Thunderbird students, won FIRST PRIZE in this competitive event including a $10,000 cash prize! Participating T-birds include:
Project Leader – Nikhil Purwaha
Video direction, compilation, background score & Sound Mixing- Anush Kumar
Script – Sneha Vijay, Michael Reardon, Jenn Patton, Matt Erley, Thomas Carpenter
Narration – Mathew Erley, Thomas Carpenter
Recording – Daryl James
Marketing – Deepali Ramaiah, Sneha Vijay, Yemile Ojeda, Thunderbird Marketing department
Concept – Abhishek Nagaraju, Alejandra Fernandez, Soumya Sivadas, Anush Kumar, Deepali Ramaiah
Coordination – Abhishek Nagaraju
Picture and Video Credits (Thundercares spring 2013) – Nishit Bhada, Nima Gabchi
Promotions – T-bird alumni – Kinjal Gandhi, Michael Cottrell
Special thanks – Wynona Heim (thunderbird for good)
Join the Thunderbird community to view the winning video, see a special message from J&J, and celebrate the winning team with a ceremonial check presentation – and enjoy an ice cream reception! (Please see the attached flier.)
Please join us on Friday, March 14th, 1:30 p.m. in the Thunderbird Commons!
5. Thunderbird Summer Language Abroad (TSLA) Application Deadline March 30: Thunderbird’s Summer Language Abroad program pairs two weeks of intensive campus-based language courses with six weeks of immersive language and culture experiences on location abroad. This summer, learn Mandarin in Xi’an, China or Spanish in Lima, Peru. TSLA is a great way for you to meet your second language and TGE requirements simultaneously. Reserve your spot by completing the attached application and submitting it to summerlanguage@thunderbird.edu. For questions about the program contact Julie McGough at julie.mcgough@thunderbird.edu or 602-978-7348.
6. Take advantage of a wonderful service – the Thunderbird Writing Center: The Writing Center offers consultations 7 days a week. Get the benefit of a second set of eyes on your next writing project. Schedule consultations online at TLE > Reference Sites tab > Writing Center > Schedule an appointment, or stop by and see us in the IBIC.
7. Update from Thunderbird “Coffee with a Cop”: The Coffee with a Cop event was a major success! Around 15 -20 students participated in the event. Students came up with questions such as 1) Safety on campus 2) What actions should be taken if someone attacks your private property, etc… Both Andy and Angela from the Glendale Police Department provided important tips and information that students need to be aware of. They have also agreed to help Thunderbird in any social activities we will be doing in our neighborhood. Andy and Angela have will come to campus once a month to interact with our students. They are interested in building a strong relationship with Thunderbird. Next month they will be invited to Asian Regional Night on 29th March. We are planning to set up a Coffee with a Cop booth at the TEC. Thanks to Sam, Laurie, Isaac and students for being present at the event. Last but not the least, a big thank you to Andy and Angela from the Glendale Police Department for making this event a success!
8. Phoenix Super First Tuesday event: Want an opportunity to network with alumni? Please read the details below and RSVP as soon as possible!
What: Super First Tuesday!
Every first Tuesday in March, T-bird alumni from around the world gather to meet… come be a part of this exciting event!
Where: Montis La Casa Vieja
Transportation will be provided to the first 20 students who RSVP for the event.
When: Tuesday, March 6th
The bus will leave campus at 5:45 PM and arrive at the venue at 6:30 PM. The bus will leave the venue at 8:00 PM and will arrive back on campus at 8:45 PM.
*Please confirm your attendance by sending an email to CaseySutton@global.t-bird.edu with the subject line “RSVP”.
9. Foundations Leaders – APPLICATIONS DUE TODAY, February 28th: For those interested in being a Foundations Leader for the Fall 2014 incoming class – now is the time we start to build the team! Those that are interested must meet the following criteria:
-Will be a full-time student in the Fall of 2014 term
-Must be available starting at 8 AM on August 11th, 2014 until the end of Foundations on August 29th
-Must be approved to work on campus (those who are international will have to go through a verification process)
-Must be active on campus with a positive and energetic demeanor
If you are interested in applying, please send your résumé and short answers via email to Jay Bryant (jay.bryant@thunderbird.edu). Deadline will be February 28th at 5 PM. No exceptions!
1) Why should you be selected as a Foundations leader — in 50 words or less. Yes, that is 50 (fifty) words or less
2) List the organizations in which you have been active on campus. Include any leadership roles or project leadership in each.
3) In a group project, name the one or two things for which your teammates always feel certain you will add to the group’s success. (i.e. “I’m the one that’s good at numbers”, “I’m known for my great time management skills”)
Process – once the deadline has arrived, a select group will be considered for team captains. After the selection of the captains all applicants will be contacted and evaluated both by Thunderbird staff and the student captains that have been selected for the Foundation Leaders
10. IBIC hours extended for upcoming exams: The IBIC will be open extended hours March 6-9 in preparation for exams.
Thursday, March 6: 7:30AM – Midnight
Friday, March 7: 7:30AM – Midnight
Saturday, March 8: 9:00AM – Midnight
Sunday, March 9: 10:00AM – Midnight
Complete hours are available on IBIC’s home page on My Thunderbird.
11. CMC International Students Forum, March 4th: On Tuesday, March 4th from 1:10 to 3:30PM, the CMC and TSG will be co-hosting The CMC International Students Forum. Guy Groff and his team will address immigration policy issues, how this will affect international students, and also provide pointers on how international students should go about their career searches in the U.S.
Towards the end of the session, a few international students who have managed to secure jobs in the U.S. through different avenues will share their experience with students. These students will be representing companies, such as L’Oreal, Johnson & Johnson, Hilton International, ExxonMobil, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), and Nationwide.
Event: CMC International Students Forum
Date: Tuesday, March 4th
Time: 1:10 to 3:30PM
Location: LH 53
Please RSVP by THIS SUNDAY, March 2nd, 11:59PM
Click the following link to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/134151406755618/?source=1
12. Women International Club Fun Day, Saturday, March 1st: Join us tomorrow for our Fun Day! We will start off the morning with an 8:30 am hike at Thunderbird Park. If you need a ride, please meet in front of the Pub at 8:00 am sharp on Saturday. We continue the day with our Mimosa Morning at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at The Lodge at Arrowhead Clubhouse located at 7100 West Grandview Rd., Peoria, AZ 85382. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, learn about internship opportunities and win raffle prizes. Carpooling for this event will begin at 10:40 am in front of the Pub. For more details and to RSVP please click here.
13. Gender Bender, Tuesday, March 4th: The Women International Club, along with the Rugby Club and GLOBE, invite both males and females to participate in our Gender Bender event on Tuesday, March 4, at 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm in Lecture Hall 54. We will be hosting an interactive forum on the various perceptions and realities of the differences between males and females in the workplace. We hope to see you at this forum, especially since this is the first time these three clubs have collaborated to produce an inclusive event.
14. TMA Meet + Greet + Compete with Matt Keller, March 5th: The Thunderbird Marketing Association is happy to welcome back T-bird alum Matt Keller for an informative & fun evening of Meet + Greet + Compete! Matt is an Associate Brand Manager at White Wave Foods, managing the Silk brand. He will be talking to students about Leadership in Brand Management. Following this he will be interacting with students.
As a bonus, Matt, Prof. Baer. and the TMA will be conducting the inaugural Silk Cup in a Jeopardy style playoff!
First prize will be a $100 Amazon.com gift card and the winner will become the owner of the inaugural Silk Yogurt Cup for Marketing Knowledge. 2nd place will be a $50 gift card and third place will be a $25 gift card.
When: Wednesday, 5th March, 6-8 pm
Where: Honor Council Rooms
We hope to see you there!
15. Thunderbird faculty, Dr. Roe Goddard, prominently featured in Financial Times: On Wednesday, February 12th, the Financial Times ran a halfpage ad featuring a quote from a distinguished Thunderbird faculty member, Dr. Roe Goddard. This was a wonderful and unexpected surprise, and great publicity for Thunderbird. Congratulations Professor Goddard!
As always, I am available to you for questions, concerns and ideas.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Rebecca