'Transitions' Is Capstone Theme for One-Year MBAs

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 2, 2010) − It's been said that 'the only thing that is constant is change.' With that in mind, the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics One-Year MBA program is using the theme of 'Transitions' as it continues its culmination week for the 74 members of the Class of 2010.
 

The students comprise the fifth class of the intensive program featuring a total of 880 hours of instruction, the same as in many two-year MBA programs, together with participation and input from numerous leading corporations via Project Connect. By the end of this week, a total of 330 students will have completed the Gatton One-Year MBA. 
 

According to Mary Lee Kerr, director of the Gatton College MBA programs, “Students constantly move from the classroom to the lab and the field where they refine and test concepts and methods, and apply cross-disciplinary thinking. This program intentionally is designed without the traditional ‘silos’ built around accounting, finance, or marketing courses.”
 

As part of the capstone week, the students are hearing from several professionals. Today (June 2), Jim O’Brien, CEO and chairman of Ashland, Inc., is sharing his perspective on transition from a corporate perspective.  O'Brien will discuss transitions in Ashland over the last five to 10 years as well as leading change within the corporate world.

That will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic, "What does transition look like for the first year on the job?"  Research shows that employers hiring MBA graduates expect a skill set of leadership from those graduates and new employees.  Lt. Colonel Jason Cummins, professor of military science at UK, will be joined on the panel by Randy Lisk, Lisk and Associates, Helen Warren of BB&T, and Andrea Marks.  The quartet will look at leadership development, management training programs, and continuing education. Marks, a 2009 graduate of Gatton's One-Year MBA program, will discuss her first year of employment.

On Thursday, former Kentucky governor and current president of Pikeville College, Paul E. Patton, will address the class with his perspective on transition in Kentucky.  He will share his experiences of leading the Commonwealth through change and share his thoughts on what this means to this year's graduates.

Capstone Week 2010 began Tuesday morning with UK Professor Emeritus of History George Herring giving his unique perspective on transitions. The much-honored Herring is author of “From Colony to Superpower – U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1776.” 

In addition, Gatton faculty members Don Mullineaux and Ken Troske were joined by Michael Childress, executive director of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center, as the trio shared their thoughts on financial, economic, and research considerations in transitions.

Graduation ceremonies for the class of 2010 in the Gatton One-Year MBA program will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 4, in Memorial Hall.  David Adkins, executive director and CEO of the Council of State Governments is the keynote speaker.  Ben Buchanan will be the student speaker.