Yesterday morning greeted me with single digit temperatures. There should be a rule that if it's that cold, we get to stay inside in front of the fire. Today was better; I think it was in the 20's. I should not complain. Many areas of the country are getting blasted by winter storms and lots of snow. I am much more fond of the weather when it's 50 and above. The good thing about winter in Arkansas is that it is short and we don't typically have very many days in a row that are bitterly cold. We get brief reprieves during the winter months. I'll take them.
Today is the last day of finals. Students are loading up and heading home for the Holiday break. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 18. MBA Orientation is January 10-14. There are 31 students in the new class. Averages are:
GMAT = 649
GPA = 3.5
age = 25
work experience = 2 years
This class is 39% female and 26% international.
Early decision deadline for the Walton MBA for the class that will begin in January 2012 is April 1, 2011. A complete list of our application requirements can be found at http://gsb.uark.edu/admissions.asp. Be sure to apply by this date to be eligible for funding.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Another semester over
Today is the last day of class for the fall semester of 2010. When I arrived at work this morning at 7:50, the parking deck was already filling up. This is unusual. It does not typically get full this early in the morning. I guess students have decided they had better attend their last class. Tomorrow is dead day and then finals begin on Thursday.
I have not put up my Christmas tree yet. This is not like me. We usually put it up the weekend after Thanksgiving. That didn't happen this year and now it is almost two weeks later. Christmas is a little over two weeks away. Hopefully I will get it done this weekend.
One of the reasons I haven't done it yet is Zoey's basketball schedule. She had games last week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. I made it to all but one. Her team is doing pretty good. She plays again tonight and then she may be off until next week. I say "may" because her coach has a tendency to add a scrimmage or other opportunity when he can. As of now, there is nothing on the schedule after tonight until next Friday.
Tomorrow is the Walton College annual Christmas party. This year it is being held at the Pratt Barn. This is a very nice venue in Fayetteville. Check it out at http://prattplaceinn.com. On Friday, Jack has a birthday party at the Jones Center. This is also a very nice facility. The kids will ice skate, which I am not thrilled about. He is 6 and can barely roller skate. See what the Jones Center has to offer at http://thejonescenter.org. This is the child who broke his collar bone in May. Fingers crossed. The same night, Zoey has her first school dance of the year.
This is a very busy and exciting time of year. Our new MBA students will be joining us soon. Orientation is January 10-14 and then classes start on the 18th.
AND, the Razorbacks are playing in the Sugar Bowl on January 4. This is their first appearance in a BCS Bowl. We are very excited.
I have not put up my Christmas tree yet. This is not like me. We usually put it up the weekend after Thanksgiving. That didn't happen this year and now it is almost two weeks later. Christmas is a little over two weeks away. Hopefully I will get it done this weekend.
One of the reasons I haven't done it yet is Zoey's basketball schedule. She had games last week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. I made it to all but one. Her team is doing pretty good. She plays again tonight and then she may be off until next week. I say "may" because her coach has a tendency to add a scrimmage or other opportunity when he can. As of now, there is nothing on the schedule after tonight until next Friday.
Tomorrow is the Walton College annual Christmas party. This year it is being held at the Pratt Barn. This is a very nice venue in Fayetteville. Check it out at http://prattplaceinn.com. On Friday, Jack has a birthday party at the Jones Center. This is also a very nice facility. The kids will ice skate, which I am not thrilled about. He is 6 and can barely roller skate. See what the Jones Center has to offer at http://thejonescenter.org. This is the child who broke his collar bone in May. Fingers crossed. The same night, Zoey has her first school dance of the year.
This is a very busy and exciting time of year. Our new MBA students will be joining us soon. Orientation is January 10-14 and then classes start on the 18th.
AND, the Razorbacks are playing in the Sugar Bowl on January 4. This is their first appearance in a BCS Bowl. We are very excited.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Finals are around the corner
I survived the holiday break. Monday back in the office after a few days off can be a little hectic, too. It's almost 5:00 so I can mark this day off the calendar. My kids were out of school last week and I did take some time off to spend with them. This really means that I ran them around from place to place and broke up arguments between the two. Good times.
Thanksgiving was at my house this year. My sister and her family came over as did my mom. We even did some shopping on Black Friday. That afternoon, my mom, the kids, and I went and saw Tangled. It was very cute.
Finals begin next Thursday, December 9. The students came back today full of turkey and ecstatic over the Razorback win on Saturday. They have to focus for a few more days. The Hogs are currently ranked #7 and we are expecting an invitation to the Sugar Bowl on January 4 to play The Ohio State. We'll see how it all turns out.
Thanksgiving was at my house this year. My sister and her family came over as did my mom. We even did some shopping on Black Friday. That afternoon, my mom, the kids, and I went and saw Tangled. It was very cute.
Finals begin next Thursday, December 9. The students came back today full of turkey and ecstatic over the Razorback win on Saturday. They have to focus for a few more days. The Hogs are currently ranked #7 and we are expecting an invitation to the Sugar Bowl on January 4 to play The Ohio State. We'll see how it all turns out.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Walton Alumni Quoted in Forbes
Research conducted by Heather Dixon-Fowler and Daniel Slater, alumni from the PhD in Management, is cited in this Forbes article: http://blogs.forbes.com/freekvermeulen/2010/11/22/does-an-mba-make-you-unethical-finally-some-evidence/.
This is quite an honor. Heather is featured in our PhD brochure at http://gsb.uark.edu/brochures.asp. Application deadline for PhD is January 15. You too can join their ranks as graduates from a Walton PhD program.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
This is quite an honor. Heather is featured in our PhD brochure at http://gsb.uark.edu/brochures.asp. Application deadline for PhD is January 15. You too can join their ranks as graduates from a Walton PhD program.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Holidays are approaching
I have to say that I approach this time of year with mixed emotions. I truly enjoy the holiday season. Fayetteville is beautiful right now. The leaves are still very colorful. Within the next few days the Lights of the Ozarks will begin. Festivities are kicked off with a Parade. Visit http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/11/15/lights-of-the-ozarks-parade-and-lighting-ceremony-set-for-saturday/ for full details. While I do love this time of year, things can get hectic.
My travel is finished for the semester. I am attending the RLUG meeting this afternoon in Rogers. RLUG stands for RetailLink Users Group. I am looking forward to talking to this group about the Walton Managerial MBA.
I will be taking some time off Thanksgiving week. My mother and my sister and her family will be coming to my house for Thanksgiving dinner. I need to get my house clean and get everything ready for company. I also need to make the final run to the store. Here is where the hectic part comes in. My daughter's (Zoey) basketball season has begun. She is playing in a tournament this week. We played in the first game last Saturday and they won. They play their second game tonight. If they win again, she'll play on Saturday. Did I mention that this tournament was in Berryville, about an hour away? Good times. I do love basketball season but it can be exhausting. Typically there are a couple of games each week, at least.
Before we know it, the Christmas holidays will be upon us. The students are gearing up for their finals and are counting down the days to the end of the semester. Dead day (no classes) is on December 8 and finals begin on December 9. After this semester is behind them, they will only have one semester left. They can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The next MBA class will begin in January, only two months away. I do have a couple of late applicants who are trying to get everything submitted to begin with this next class. It looks like we may be reviewing a few more files.
So, there is quite a bit going on right now. My kids are out of school next week - yippee. My time off will be spent entertaining kids. I am looking forward to spending some time with them. I am sure we'll take in a movie or two.
I'll try to check in over the holiday break. The University is closed November 25 and 26. I'll be in and out between now and then.
My travel is finished for the semester. I am attending the RLUG meeting this afternoon in Rogers. RLUG stands for RetailLink Users Group. I am looking forward to talking to this group about the Walton Managerial MBA.
I will be taking some time off Thanksgiving week. My mother and my sister and her family will be coming to my house for Thanksgiving dinner. I need to get my house clean and get everything ready for company. I also need to make the final run to the store. Here is where the hectic part comes in. My daughter's (Zoey) basketball season has begun. She is playing in a tournament this week. We played in the first game last Saturday and they won. They play their second game tonight. If they win again, she'll play on Saturday. Did I mention that this tournament was in Berryville, about an hour away? Good times. I do love basketball season but it can be exhausting. Typically there are a couple of games each week, at least.
Before we know it, the Christmas holidays will be upon us. The students are gearing up for their finals and are counting down the days to the end of the semester. Dead day (no classes) is on December 8 and finals begin on December 9. After this semester is behind them, they will only have one semester left. They can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The next MBA class will begin in January, only two months away. I do have a couple of late applicants who are trying to get everything submitted to begin with this next class. It looks like we may be reviewing a few more files.
So, there is quite a bit going on right now. My kids are out of school next week - yippee. My time off will be spent entertaining kids. I am looking forward to spending some time with them. I am sure we'll take in a movie or two.
I'll try to check in over the holiday break. The University is closed November 25 and 26. I'll be in and out between now and then.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Lean Six Sigma
I am participating in Lean Six Sigma White Belt training today. This course is being offered as part of Professional Development (PD) to our MBA students. Our PD series in the Walton MBA is truly unique. Students earn a total of 5 hours of PD credit. One hour is earned through attending 10 guest speakers over 3 semesters. Another credit is earned through your interactions with the Career Development Center. PD credit is also earned through attending workshops that cover various topics that are not already covered in the MBA curriculum. We have offered workshops on Advanced Excel, Negotiation, etc. Not everything can be covered in a typical class and it does take some time to implement a new course into the curriculum. By offering and requiring PD, we are able to add significant value to the Walton MBA. This also allows us to remain current and cutting edge.
Today's workshop is on Six Sigma. Lean Six Sigma improves processes and eliminates waste and excess cost. It is also based on data and facts. Lean is a methodology that focuses on reducing cycle time and eliminating waste in a process.
I am very excited about learning more about Six Sigma. It is not uncommon for me to run into a "black belt" when recruiting for the MMBA, our part-time MBA program. Now I will understand this process and be able to relate to these individuals more effectively. Today's class is being led by Greg Hayes, a black belt with Walmart.
Today's workshop is on Six Sigma. Lean Six Sigma improves processes and eliminates waste and excess cost. It is also based on data and facts. Lean is a methodology that focuses on reducing cycle time and eliminating waste in a process.
I am very excited about learning more about Six Sigma. It is not uncommon for me to run into a "black belt" when recruiting for the MMBA, our part-time MBA program. Now I will understand this process and be able to relate to these individuals more effectively. Today's class is being led by Greg Hayes, a black belt with Walmart.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
GWIB
You may be asking, what is GWIB? GWIB is a new organization, Graduate Women in Business. If you are a woman in business, please join us for our first get together this Thursday at PF Chang's in Rogers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)