Today is Orientation for our PhD students in Accouting, Economics, and Finance, as well as Master of Arts in Economics. These students get started a little earlier than the other PhD students. They are required by their Departments to take a Math class prior to the beginning of their first semester. This class starts on Monday and runs for three weeks. Our other Orientations are as follows:
MMBA - August 5-8
MIS and Professional MIS - August 16
MAcc - August 17 & 18
PhD - Information Systems, Management, Marketing - August 19
Fall classes begin on Monday, August 23.
I will be out of the office tomorrow. My family is going to Devil's Den for the weekend. Devil's Den is located very near Fayetteville; it's only about 20 miles away. They have a beautiful camp ground, hiking trails, caves, cabins, swimming pool, canoes, and paddle boats. It is very hot out so we are not camping. We have a cabin. My kids are very excited. You can check out the Devil's Den website at http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/devilsden/.
I'll be back in the office on Monday. Next week will be a bit insane since we have MMBA Orientation beginning on Thursday and we are still admitting students to this class. This is our largest group of students. We are currently expecting 58 students and I have 3 more students who are testing this week in hopes of being admitted. Once this groups is finalized, I'll share their stats.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Walton MBA Student Bloggers
If you haven't been following our MBA student bloggers, you really need to check them out. Brock is just getting started on his blog and has done a great job explaining why he chose Walton. For those of you trying to make a decision as to which MBA programs to apply to, read his blog for helpful pointers and to understand his reasoning and thought processes. http://doogiehausermba.blogspot.com/
Nhiem has been writing about his internship quite a bit this summer. For more insight into the Walton MBA internship experience, be sure to stay tuned to http://nhiemsmbajournal.blogspot.com/. Nhiem also has written in detail about his other activities this summer as well as networking opportunities that have been available to him as a Walton MBA student.
Alana is providing the girls' guide to the Walton MBA. This doesn't mean she is writing for women only. Her blog provides great insight into her internship as well as the New Venture Development class. This is the first class that our MBA students who are interested in participating in small business plan comeptitions take. She'll be chronicling her adventures during this process at http://mbagirlsguide.blogspot.com/. Fall semester is spent in New Venture Development. Students form teams, choose their "idea" and fine tune their plan. They take it on the road to various competitions in the spring. If you have been reading this blog, you know how successful these teams have been. Alana will be providing inside information regarding this process and for those of you who may be interested in participating in Walton small business plan competitions, this is incredibly valuable insight.
The Walton MBA bloggers each provide a unique perspective. Be sure to follow them as they finish their program.
Nhiem has been writing about his internship quite a bit this summer. For more insight into the Walton MBA internship experience, be sure to stay tuned to http://nhiemsmbajournal.blogspot.com/. Nhiem also has written in detail about his other activities this summer as well as networking opportunities that have been available to him as a Walton MBA student.
Alana is providing the girls' guide to the Walton MBA. This doesn't mean she is writing for women only. Her blog provides great insight into her internship as well as the New Venture Development class. This is the first class that our MBA students who are interested in participating in small business plan comeptitions take. She'll be chronicling her adventures during this process at http://mbagirlsguide.blogspot.com/. Fall semester is spent in New Venture Development. Students form teams, choose their "idea" and fine tune their plan. They take it on the road to various competitions in the spring. If you have been reading this blog, you know how successful these teams have been. Alana will be providing inside information regarding this process and for those of you who may be interested in participating in Walton small business plan competitions, this is incredibly valuable insight.
The Walton MBA bloggers each provide a unique perspective. Be sure to follow them as they finish their program.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Where have I been all week?
I can't believe it is Friday and I am just getting around to posting for the first time this week. There is no excuse. Tuesday evening I went to watch several of our MBA alumni play softball. This is the class that just graduated so it is really nice to see that they still enjoy hanging out with each other. Here are a few pictures.
I was out of the office on Wednesday. I took my kids to the Prairie Grove Aquatic Center. Prairie Grove is a few miles west of Fayetteville. They have a very nice swimming pool with water slides. It is not very crowded during the week. My kids really enjoy going. I enjoy sitting with a good book while they play in the water. It was so hot on Wednesday that I ended up spending my time in the water. I wasn't even able to read my book.
I do have another MMBA admissions update. Another group of students was offered admission this week. That brings are total up to a possible 54. We'll know for sure once our offers are either accepted or declined. There will be one more round next week. I am expecting that the committee will offer admission to 3 or 4 more next week bringing our class to about 56-59. This exceeds our goal which makes me very happy.
I was out of the office on Wednesday. I took my kids to the Prairie Grove Aquatic Center. Prairie Grove is a few miles west of Fayetteville. They have a very nice swimming pool with water slides. It is not very crowded during the week. My kids really enjoy going. I enjoy sitting with a good book while they play in the water. It was so hot on Wednesday that I ended up spending my time in the water. I wasn't even able to read my book.
I do have another MMBA admissions update. Another group of students was offered admission this week. That brings are total up to a possible 54. We'll know for sure once our offers are either accepted or declined. There will be one more round next week. I am expecting that the committee will offer admission to 3 or 4 more next week bringing our class to about 56-59. This exceeds our goal which makes me very happy.
Friday, July 16, 2010
New MBA Blogger - Brock Hauser
The Walton Graduate School of Business has another new MBA student blogger - Brock Hauser. Check out his blog at http://doogiehausermba.blogspot.com/.
Busy Day Yesterday
Tyson brought their interns in information systems for a campus visit yesterday. Eight students participated from University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, New Mexico State University, Abilene Christian University, University of Texas-Pan American, and Grambling State University. I led them on a tour of the University; they were able to meet the program directors for the Walton part-time MBA and part-time MIS and had a nice lunch at Ella's Restaurant.
Ella's is a very nice restaurant located on the University of Arkansas campus. It is located in Carnall Hall. Carnall Hall was once a women's dormitory in the early 1900's. It then spent time as a fraternity house. A few years ago it was renovated into an Inn. Hospitality majors here at the UofA manage the Inn and Restaurant. This is a great opportunity for them and it's wonderful to have this resource on campus. If you come for a visit, it's a great place to stay. To learn more about the Inn or Ella's, visit: http://www.innatcarnallhall.com/The_Inn_at_Carnall_Hall.html.
I was very glad that this groups was able to visit while they were spending their summer interning at Tyson. In the next few weeks, they will be heading back to their respective Universities to finish their bachelor's degrees. Maybe they'll decide to pursue their master's degree at the Walton College.
Ella's is a very nice restaurant located on the University of Arkansas campus. It is located in Carnall Hall. Carnall Hall was once a women's dormitory in the early 1900's. It then spent time as a fraternity house. A few years ago it was renovated into an Inn. Hospitality majors here at the UofA manage the Inn and Restaurant. This is a great opportunity for them and it's wonderful to have this resource on campus. If you come for a visit, it's a great place to stay. To learn more about the Inn or Ella's, visit: http://www.innatcarnallhall.com/The_Inn_at_Carnall_Hall.html.
I was very glad that this groups was able to visit while they were spending their summer interning at Tyson. In the next few weeks, they will be heading back to their respective Universities to finish their bachelor's degrees. Maybe they'll decide to pursue their master's degree at the Walton College.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Things are heating up
It's hot in Northwest Arkansas. We are under a heat advisory today through Friday. The actual temperature is only expected to be in the mid 90's but with the heat index, it'll feel like it is over 100.
It is beautiful in Fayetteville right now, though. The sun is shining and there is a breeze. I gave a campus tour this morning to a visiting prospective PhD Marketing student. It was a little warm, even at 9:00.
When it's hot like this, it's the perfect time to take advantage of all of the water nearby. Fayetteville is close to the White River, Buffalo River, Elk River, Kings River, and Illinois River. Beaver lake is also very close by. As a student at the University of Arkansas, you are able to rent equipment from the Outdoor Connection Center. Visit their site for more details: http://imrs.uark.edu/8051.htm. You can get camping equipment - tents, cook stoves, etc. as well as canoes and bikes. It's a great resource.
This afternoon, after work, I am going to a local bar and grill, Grub's, for a colleague's going away party. Fayetteville provides plenty of opportunity to sit on the patio with friends.
It is beautiful in Fayetteville right now, though. The sun is shining and there is a breeze. I gave a campus tour this morning to a visiting prospective PhD Marketing student. It was a little warm, even at 9:00.
When it's hot like this, it's the perfect time to take advantage of all of the water nearby. Fayetteville is close to the White River, Buffalo River, Elk River, Kings River, and Illinois River. Beaver lake is also very close by. As a student at the University of Arkansas, you are able to rent equipment from the Outdoor Connection Center. Visit their site for more details: http://imrs.uark.edu/8051.htm. You can get camping equipment - tents, cook stoves, etc. as well as canoes and bikes. It's a great resource.
This afternoon, after work, I am going to a local bar and grill, Grub's, for a colleague's going away party. Fayetteville provides plenty of opportunity to sit on the patio with friends.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Walton MBA/MMBA Class Profiles
Where do we stand as of right now? I say, "right now," because it literally changes by the minute.
For MBA, we have made 28 offers of admission and 24 have accepted our offer. One student never responded to our offer so I assume he is not accepting. This is a very high positive response which makes me very happy. These 24 students have an average GMAT score of 662. The last three classes to enroll have had an average of 630, 628, 629, respectively. The enrollment goal of the Walton MBA for the class to begin January 2011 is 40. Of the 24 students who have accepted our offer, 12 are women. This also makes me very happy. If you have been reading Alana's blog, you know why. Final application deadline is September 15. All funding has been awarded. If you need funding, apply by April 1, 2011 for the class that will begin January 2012.
For the Walton MMBA, 50 offers of admission have been made. Two offers were made very recently and we have yet to hear their response. Other than these two, 45 have accepted. This is the program that is experiencing daily changes. Orientation is August 5-8 and is mandatory. We are looking for 8-10 more students; applications are still coming in and prospective students are frantically trying to complete the application process by July 30. That is the absolute final date applications will be accepted for this fall.
An example of how quickly things can happen , I chatted (live chat function at http://gsb.uark.edu/) this morning with a student who is currently in Arizona. He had planed to attend another MBA program this fall. However, he is coming for an interview with Walmart this week. He asked about starting the Walton MMBA instead. It's an incredibly exciting time right now as we come down to the wire. I am optimistic that we'll meet our enrollment goals. There is nothing like cutting it close. Hey, it keeps me on my toes.
I will take another batch of files to the admissions committee either at the end of this week or early next week. I have a few students nearly finished with the application process and I want to be sure and take as many completed files as possible. Stay tuned for future MMBA class updates.
For MBA, we have made 28 offers of admission and 24 have accepted our offer. One student never responded to our offer so I assume he is not accepting. This is a very high positive response which makes me very happy. These 24 students have an average GMAT score of 662. The last three classes to enroll have had an average of 630, 628, 629, respectively. The enrollment goal of the Walton MBA for the class to begin January 2011 is 40. Of the 24 students who have accepted our offer, 12 are women. This also makes me very happy. If you have been reading Alana's blog, you know why. Final application deadline is September 15. All funding has been awarded. If you need funding, apply by April 1, 2011 for the class that will begin January 2012.
For the Walton MMBA, 50 offers of admission have been made. Two offers were made very recently and we have yet to hear their response. Other than these two, 45 have accepted. This is the program that is experiencing daily changes. Orientation is August 5-8 and is mandatory. We are looking for 8-10 more students; applications are still coming in and prospective students are frantically trying to complete the application process by July 30. That is the absolute final date applications will be accepted for this fall.
An example of how quickly things can happen , I chatted (live chat function at http://gsb.uark.edu/) this morning with a student who is currently in Arizona. He had planed to attend another MBA program this fall. However, he is coming for an interview with Walmart this week. He asked about starting the Walton MMBA instead. It's an incredibly exciting time right now as we come down to the wire. I am optimistic that we'll meet our enrollment goals. There is nothing like cutting it close. Hey, it keeps me on my toes.
I will take another batch of files to the admissions committee either at the end of this week or early next week. I have a few students nearly finished with the application process and I want to be sure and take as many completed files as possible. Stay tuned for future MMBA class updates.
Monday, July 12, 2010
What a Tremendous Success
I am happy, happy, happy. Our events last Friday were tremendously successful. We began the evening with an MBA Open House. The weather was not cooperating and there was some concern about attendance. Apparently the rain can't keep you away because we had nearly 30 in attendance. It was a great group. See for yourselves.
Our Third Annual MBA Summer Social was held at Powerhouse Seafood in conjunction with the Open House. Newly admitted, current, and former Walton MBA students got the Social kicked off. When we were finished with the Open House, prospective students joined them. Several MBA faculty were also in attendance. Nearly 90 signed the guest book.
I am thrilled by the turnout and the success of the events. The next opportunity will be in October and it will be for all master's degree programs. Stay tuned for more details later.
On a personal note, I picked my daughter up from camp on Saturday. She was gone for two weeks. I was very glad to see her. She and I then went to see Eclipse that afternoon and then she, Jack, and I saw Despicable Me yesterday. Both were good and it was time well spent. All in all, a great weekend.
Our Third Annual MBA Summer Social was held at Powerhouse Seafood in conjunction with the Open House. Newly admitted, current, and former Walton MBA students got the Social kicked off. When we were finished with the Open House, prospective students joined them. Several MBA faculty were also in attendance. Nearly 90 signed the guest book.
I am thrilled by the turnout and the success of the events. The next opportunity will be in October and it will be for all master's degree programs. Stay tuned for more details later.
On a personal note, I picked my daughter up from camp on Saturday. She was gone for two weeks. I was very glad to see her. She and I then went to see Eclipse that afternoon and then she, Jack, and I saw Despicable Me yesterday. Both were good and it was time well spent. All in all, a great weekend.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Big Day Tomorrow
Tomorrow night, Friday, July 9 is going to be jam packed with fun, fun, fun. The Walton Graduate School of Business is hosting an MBA Open House at 5:30 in 403 Willard J. Walker Hall. This event is for prospective students who would like more information about the Walton MBA programs (both full and part-time). Students are able to meet the MBA Director (and me, I know, big bonus) and see our world-class facilities.
Following the Open House, we are hosting our Third Annual MBA Summer Social, 6:00-8:00 at Powerhouse. This event is for prospective, new, current, and former Walton MBA students and faculty. Those attending the Open House will join the Social, already in progress. For prospective students, the Social provides an amazing opportunity to meet current students, faculty, and to get a "feel" for the Walton MBA experience. New students are able to meet and form bonds with classmates before classes begin.
These events are very popular and well attended. They provide a unique insight into Walton, its programs, and students. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. The next Open House and Social will be held in October.
Following the Open House, we are hosting our Third Annual MBA Summer Social, 6:00-8:00 at Powerhouse. This event is for prospective, new, current, and former Walton MBA students and faculty. Those attending the Open House will join the Social, already in progress. For prospective students, the Social provides an amazing opportunity to meet current students, faculty, and to get a "feel" for the Walton MBA experience. New students are able to meet and form bonds with classmates before classes begin.
These events are very popular and well attended. They provide a unique insight into Walton, its programs, and students. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. The next Open House and Social will be held in October.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Final Look at the Success of Walton Business Plan Teams
I am using the word, "final," very loosely. I may or may not have anything more to say. It will depend on their continued success. For a summary of this year's amazing teams, read the following articles:
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=122677.54928.134815&cID=6&view=all
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=122472
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=122446&view=all
As I read these articles, I shake my head in wonder. I am blown away. Great work Carol, BiologicsMD, InnerVision, and Silicon Solar Solutions!
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=122677.54928.134815&cID=6&view=all
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=122472
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=122446&view=all
As I read these articles, I shake my head in wonder. I am blown away. Great work Carol, BiologicsMD, InnerVision, and Silicon Solar Solutions!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Busy Week
This is a short but busy week for us in the office; the University of Arkansas was closed yesterday in observance of 4th of July. Tomorrow I will be participating in the Education Fair at JB Hunt, 11:00-1:00. Then on Friday at 5:30 we are hosting an MBA Open House in 403 Willard J. Walker Hall. This event is followed by our Third Annual MBA Summer Social at 6:00 at Powerhouse. Prospective students (those not admitted) who are interested in learning more about the Walton MBA should attend the Open House. The Open House will end around 6:30 and we will then join the Social, already in progress. The Social is for prospective, new, current, and former Walton MBA students as well as our faculty. The Social is a great chance for our alumni to keep in touch, current students to check in over the summer, and for our new students to meet their classmates. It also gives prospective students an opportunity to talk to current students and meet faculty. This is a very popular event that we host three times (spring, summer, fall) a year. If you miss this one, your next chance will be in October.
Friday, July 2, 2010
For an in-depth look into the life of an MBA...
If you want to know exactly what it is like to be a Walton MBA student doing an internship over the summer, Alana Hale's blog is a must read. Visit it at: http://mbagirlsguide.blogspot.com/. Alana provides wonderful detail into the daily life of a summer intern. Check it out.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
MBA/MMBA Admissions Update
It is nearing the home stretch for MMBA admissions. Official application deadline was April 1. We accept applications throughout the summer as space is available. We are currently expecting 44 students for the Walton Managerial MBA to begin in August. I am working with several students who are finishing the application process this month. Our goal is to enroll 55-60. Completed applications for this program are down this year. This is due to several factors. Among them is the fear of committing to a two year program during this current economic climate. Also, many employers have changed or discontinued their tuition assistance program. I am hoping we are able to admit 10-12 more this month. No pressure.
For the full-time MBA, admission was offered to 27 students in April. Twenty three students accepted our offer. Average GMAT for this class is currently 662. I anticipate this number will go down somewhat when we admit the rest of our class. For the last three years, the average has been right at 630. The goal for the MBA class that will begin in January is to admit 20 more students with hopes of having a class of 40. Final deadline is September 15.
If you are interested in the Walton MBA and need funding, apply by April 1, 2011 for the class that will begin in January 2012.
For the full-time MBA, admission was offered to 27 students in April. Twenty three students accepted our offer. Average GMAT for this class is currently 662. I anticipate this number will go down somewhat when we admit the rest of our class. For the last three years, the average has been right at 630. The goal for the MBA class that will begin in January is to admit 20 more students with hopes of having a class of 40. Final deadline is September 15.
If you are interested in the Walton MBA and need funding, apply by April 1, 2011 for the class that will begin in January 2012.
The 4th of July is right around the corner. The University is closed on Monday in observance and many will make it a four day weekend by either taking tomorrow or Tuesday off. I will be here since others in the office will be out. Northwest Arkansas is absolutely beautiful right now. Temperatures aren't too bad today. It was only 80 degrees when I was out for lunch. Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)