Meet some of Thunderbird’s most recent graduates
Thunderbird held its Spring convocation this past month on May 6, sending another 149 T-birds out into the world and into the T-bird network of alumni. This class was, in many ways, a cohort that best exemplifies what it means to be a graduate of the school, trained to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity.
“Due to our merger with Arizona State University, those students who graduated this Spring experienced first-hand the merger and acquisition process – a live case study,” said Dr. Allen Morrison, CEO and Director General of Thunderbird. “While it wasn’t always comfortable, they not only survived, they found new and creative ways to embrace the experience.”
“More than ever before, business and non-profit organizations around the world need people who have practical knowledge to apply to new and difficult challenges. These T-birds have been tested beyond the normal academic standards and they passed with flying colors exemplifying the tenacity and grit that defines our graduates.”
This class also represents the final Thunderbird MBA graduates, as the school has transitioned to offering a specialized masters degree, as it has through most of its history, the Master of Global Management. The school also offers the Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management.
The Barton Kyle Yount Award went to Emma Livingston. Faculty presents this award to the member of each full-time graduating class who most adheres to the principles of scholarship, accomplishment and character, based on the ideals of Lt. General Barton Kyle Yount, the first president and founder of the school.
EMBA graduate, José Queirós, was the William Lytle Schurz Award recipient. Determined by input from his or her fellow students, faculty and staff in Thunderbird’s Professional programs, the Executive and Global MBA, the Schurz award is named for the second President of Thunderbird, the school’s most quoted President, credited with the phrase “borders frequented by trade seldom need soldiers.”
Most Valuable Professor awards went to Dr. Lena Booth, Associate Professor of Finance (GMBA); Dr. Denis LeClerc, Professor of Cross-Cultural Communication Full-Time (EMBA), and to Dr. Michael Finney, Clinical Associate Professor of Management. Dr. Finney’s award capped a long and distinguished career at Thunderbird, as he retired effective at the end of the Spring semester.
