Jeff Rich (BBA 1982), CEO of ACS, a company that specializes in outsourcing, gave a highly enjoyable and motivational speech to wrap up the 2004 BBA Orientation. After discussing how he has led his company to the Fortune 500, he discussed what Michigan means to him and what he looks for in new hires. He wrapped up by describing why BBAs are the best ("they're more fun") and then answered questions from students for 30 minutes. Mr. Rich is a strong supporter of the School and the BBA Program, donating much money and time to the School. All in all, it was a great ending to an informative three days of activities.
On Wednesday night new students were welcomed at a buffet dinner on the Portico by the BBA Ambassadors, senior BBA students who volunteered to help junior BBAs through their first year at the Business School. The program that night included Associate Dean Gene Anderson who highlighted many of the exciting activities going on with the School and the BBA Program.
On Wednesday night, Thursday morning, and Friday morning, Professor Kim Cameron talked with the BBAs about self-awareness, learning styles, and time and stress management. Students had filled out computerized instruments over the summer and brought the results to these lectures; Professor Cameron helped them interpret the results and learn about what makes each individual unique and what the overall make-up of the incoming class is. The highlight of Professor Cameron's sessions was an activity in which students were moving all around Hale Auditorium, sorting themselves into groups based on leadership styles.
Thursday afternoon Professor Paula Caproni started the students on several hours of activities that built up their team work skills. Students broke up into their sections and were led through the activities by their Ambassadors. These sections are going to be important to them because it is in these groups that they will take their core courses while they're in the Business School. Students got to know each other by engaging in some activities, including writing team resumes and then sharing them with each other. Each section also came up with their own motto which they later shared with all the sections in front of a highly energized crowd. We ended Thursday's activities with a dinner (highlighted by a very cool chocolate fondue fountain) and a human scavenger hunt.
On Friday morning after Professor Cameron finished his presentation, three BBA alumni from the 2002 and 2003 graduating classes --- Nicole Ernst, Erin Goss, and Molly Stafford --- spent some time addressing the new BBAs. They spoke for a few minutes each and then answered questions from the students. They each provided wise counsel concerning how students should focus their attention, become involved, and learn to love group work. These alumni are already great role models for our current students and demonstrated to the students, by their presence and how they conducted themselves, the possibilities that lie before them.
Mr. Rich's presentation wrapped up the orientation. We believe his presentation and the orientation itself energized the students, got them acquainted with their fellow students, and prepared them for the coming challenges of their time in the BBA Program.
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