Archive for November, 2009

by Aaron Wilder ‘08, Development Fellow

The Thunderbird Emerging Markets Laboratory (TEM-Lab) is a capstone course to be launched in early 2010 offering students an opportunity to apply the full range of professional skills they have acquired during their studies. TEM-Lab consists of participation in a consulting project for a client organization in an emerging market country anywhere in the world after the completion of the prerequisite Organizational Consulting course. TEM-Lab serves all sectors: governmental, for-profit, and nonprofit.

The Organizational Consulting course (3 academic credits) will include in-classroom discussion and lectures, case analyses, experiential learning events, critical thinking skill-building exercises, and a consultancy practicum. The consulting practicum for this course, conducted on-campus, involves assignments focusing on organizational challenges faced by local, regional, and national organizations.
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by Alicia Sutton ‘09, Program Manager

Current students Dustin Lacey ’10 and Paul Berg ’10 recognized a need to engage Thunderbird students in the “network” as quickly as possible.  Knowing the power of a strong Thunderbird community outside of campus, they looked to build as strong a community on campus.

Their community building efforts took shape in February of 2009 as a mentor program called BirdWatch.  New students have the opportunity to be paired with second and third trimester students.  So far, over 130 mentors are connected to 300 new students.  Mentors and mentees are matched by gender and program.
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Thunderbird Tower project director Will Counts ‘09 and Tower Restoration Club leader Melanie McKinney ‘10 talk about the student initiative to “Save the Tower.” Thunderbird Knowledge Network reporter Darien Carroll ‘09 conducts the interview.

by Gbemi Disu ‘06, Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving

I recall my classmates and I chanting these words with gusto the first Friday we arrived on campus.  It was campus crawl and the end of foundations.  We had started and survived our first week together. (August 2004)

Fast forward to May 2006.  We walked proudly across the stage and stared at each other with a feeling of sadness and anticipation of what the world has in store for us.  How we had made and sustained our connection to each other 2 years prior.  We had simulated our way through data analysis, cried our way through Swaps & Options in Finance 3, and finally turned in that final exam that solidified our freedom!  We were T-birds, the world was our oyster!
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by Keith C. Kerber, Assistant Director of Annual Giving

“Are you crazy?  Who will they call at 1:00 in the morning?  Never heard of that one before.”  These were the most common responses from my fundraising colleagues when I asked them for any thoughts on how to manage a 24-hour all-volunteer phonathon.  A month after I came on board the Thunderbird Advancement team - my first full time fundraising job -  I was tasked with managing such an event.  Without one colleague to confirm that it had ever been done before, I began to wonder if we were crazy.

I have since learned that no idea is too crazy for Thunderbirds.  I had the privilege to work with 3 tenacious Tbirds* and together we pulled off a successful 24-hour phonathon.  These students were passionate about one particular thing: The most iconic and storied building on campus, the Tower, was closed due to loss of structural integrity and these students wanted to see it restored.
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Thunderbirds from all over the world gathered Nov. 3-7 in Hong Kong and Macau for the 2009 Thunderbird Global Reunion. During the event, Thunderbird Global Council members met with Thunderbird President Angel Cabrera to help plan the future of the school. Special thanks goes to Hong Kong chapter leader Kevin Rohrer ‘82, who spent months organizing the event and making sure everyone had a good time.

by Aaron Wilder ‘08, Development Fellow

Today, November 12, 2009, marks the groundbreaking on a very important campus project: the green historic renovation of the Tower. The Tower remains a symbol. It represents the heart and history of the school, the time that influenced its establishment and mission. Built in 1939, the Tower served as the Air Control Tower and officer’s quarters at Thunderbird Airfield I where international pilots were trained during World War II. Two years ago, students Andrew Burman, Will Counts, and Rebecca Mitchell took it upon themselves to organize an effort to not only restore the Tower as a historic structure, but also to better align this monument with Thunderbird’s dedication to sustainability.
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by Keith Kerber, Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Now that I have small children, I am experiencing anew some holiday traditions that I remember from my childhood.  I still enjoy watching the Charlie Brown (Peanuts) holiday specials.  Just last week I had the pleasure of listening to my children laugh at “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.”  A particular exchange between Linus and Charlie Brown highlights one of the best characteristics of children; the ability to believe wholeheartedly in something others may think to be ridiculous.

Charlie Brown:  I suppose you spent all night in the pumpkin patch.  And the Great Pumpkin never showed up?
Linus:  Nope.
Charlie Brown:  Well, don’t take it too hard, Linus.  I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my life, too.
Linus [furious]:  STUPID?  What do you mean “stupid”?  Just wait ’til next year, Charlie Brown.  You’ll see!  Next year at this same time, I’ll find the pumpkin patch that is real sincere and I’ll sit in that pumpkin patch until the Great Pumpkin appears.  The Great Pumpkin will appear and I’ll be waiting for him!  I’ll be there!  Just wait and see, Charlie Brown.  I’ll SEE the Great Pumpkin!
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by Gbemi Disu ‘06, Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving

From the inception of the school in 1946 to the Global summerims and winterims, there is one thing that has always remained constant here at Thunderbird: the love of travelling and exploring the world!  Therefore, in the spirit of taking flight, we have launched our Thunderbird Flight Society Alumni program.  Another way to stay connected to the school and choose what sort of global traveler you are.  And as with all loyalty programs, we of course offer you various benefits!

As an alum, you already receive the following benefits: Access to MTB, Global Connect, B2B, E-Newsletter, Faculty Webcasts, Thunderbird Magazine/Annual Report, Access to the Global Mindset Inventory and 30% discount on full time courses, winterims & summerims.

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