Why do they give?
A special group of 215 T-birds support the school for 10 or more years consecutively
Wilbur Bakker Schut '86 supports Thunderbird every year. His reasons for giving are simple, but his loyalty is extraordinary.
Schut stands among a special group of approximately 215 T-birds who have supported their school for 10 or more consecutive years.
"I had a very good time at Thunderbird with great people," Schut said. "I believe in the fundamentals of international trade upon which Thunderbird is built and it is a unique institution that entertains and promotes international relations and understanding."
Voldemars Stukuls '68 is also among this group of loyal T-bird supporters. While he has remained close friends with many of his classmates, he has different reasons for giving back.
"Graduating from Thunderbird gave me a career opportunity in international business that I would never have had without attending Thunderbird," Stukuls said. "For that, I am grateful and I will always remember that."
As Thunderbird races down the final stretch of Campaign Thunderbird — a five-year campaign to raise $65 million — we want to extend a special thank you to those who have supported our school.
Not only do their financial contributions help Thunderbird develop the best programs and attract the best students, alumni gifts contribute to a metric called Alumni Giving Participation Rate, an important barometer of alumni satisfaction.
Last fiscal year, 15 percent of alumni — 4,499 to be exact — gave to T-bird. With increased outreach through telephone, social media, mail and e-mail we hope that 17% — or 5,008 to be exact — alumni will give by June 30, 2011. We currently stand at 10.1 percent, with that number growing daily, thanks in part to alumni like David Welch '74 who has supported the school for 12 consecutive years.
"My Thunderbird education was instrumental in helping me achieve many of my personal and professional goals," Welch said. "Thunderbird has always had an excellent reputation and has opened many doors for me. Giving back always seemed like the natural thing to do."
Even the smallest gift makes a difference. When more alumni give to Thunderbird:
- Students see that T-birds care about their school and that students
should care too. - Major donors may be more apt to give, knowing that others are willing to help.
- Staff and faculty are appreciative and energized.
- T-bird can continue to develop innovative and award-winning education programs.
- Corporations and foundations see Thunderbird as a solid investment for large gifts, as a large donor base incites confidence that the gift will be well-utilized.
- It indicates a satisfied and appreciative community.
March News Briefs
Professor Mathis to hold webinar on the current and future global economy
Join us live in the Thunderbird studio on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at 10 a.m. Arizona time/1 p.m. New York City time for an interactive webinar entitled "The End of the Recovery?" by Thunderbird Professor John Mathis.
Summary from Professor Mathis: "Over the past recent months, the world economy has been hit by several unpleasant events that have raised serious concerns about the continuation of the recovery from the Great Recession of 2007-09. There is also a less-publicized development under way that is having far more serious consequences on the future of the global economy — and it's not inflation or regulation. Please join me as we explore the near-term economic outlook and discuss the foundation for future global business strategy."
Visit mms://wmlive.vitalstreamcdn.com/live_thunderbirduni_vitalstream_com_AlumniStream to attend the webinar on the day/time of the event. The link will not be active until the day and time of the event. To view this webinar, you must have RealPlayer installed on your computer. If you do not have RealPlayer, go here for a free download.
Submit your live questions to Professor Mathis during the presentation by e-mailing alumni@thunderbird.edu. Questions may also be submitted in advance using the same e-mail.
Career Management Center - Job of the Month
Job #3773: Internal Operations Manager at WESCO
Location: Houston, Texas
Primary Function: Do you have 10 or more years of experience in Supply Chain/Operations? Are you looking forward to 20 percent international travel? This is an international operations leadership position with global responsibility to drive key operations initiatives within the international operating group. Key geographic regions include U.S. export, Mexico, S. America, UK, Middle East, W. Africa, Australia, Singapore, and China. The International Operations Manager will develop, lead and implement projects and initiatives to support the group operating plan. This job closes in Global Connect on April 15.
For more information on responsibilities, qualifications, requirements and how to apply login to Global Connect here.
If you are not currently registered with Global Connect, you must create a profile and register before you can access the jobs. Once you are verified as a member of Thunderbird Alumni, you will be able to access Job #3773 and additional career opportunities posted for alumni.
How to forward your Thunderbird lifetime e-mail
If you have set up your Thunderbird lifetime e-mail to forward to another e-mail address, please make sure that you are still using that e-mail. If you are forwarding your lifetime e-mail to an e-mail address that you no longer use, then remember to update it. You can set your Lifetime Email account to auto-forward messages to any other email account that you have by following these steps:
1. Log into your Lifetime Email account web client.All future incoming mail to your Lifetime Email account will be handled according to your settings.
2. Select the “Settings” link then select “Forwarding and POP/IMAP”.
3. In the “Forwarding” section, click the button for “Forward a copy of incoming mail to” and enter the email address that you wish to forward to. You can also choose if you’d like to keep or delete messages that have been auto-forwarded.
4. Once you’ve set the forwarding, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Save Changes” button.
For more information go here or contact Help Desk at helpdesk@thunderbird.edu
There is still time to enroll in Leading Global Projects for Strategic Results
Leading Global Projects for Strategic Results runs April 20-22 and is a dynamic and interactive leadership program designed to help project leaders and key stakeholders become more effective. This course focuses on three essential skills: strategic project management, project leadership, and cross-cultural leadership – all critical components of global project management. If you are on a quest to improve clarity, build efficient relationships, manage boundary conditions throughout projects, and learn business cultures and their impacts, this is the ideal course for you.
Coming in May, a "mini-MBA" – Leading and Managing in Turbulent Times: Global Leadership Certificate Program. This is a well-rounded seminar series which analyzes diverse and global business issues from the perspective of the functional areas of an MBA.
Act now to take advantage of a 50% alumni discount and enroll in an Executive Education Certificate program today.
For more information, contact Ray Flores at raymond.flores@thunderbird.edu or 602-978-7338. Refer a friend or colleague and receive a Thunderbird gift as a token of our appreciation.
Vision 2020 Part 5: Expand Our Expertise in Emerging Markets
Emerging markets are projected to be the main growth engine of the global economy over the next decade. To both capture this market opportunity and reflect the shifting global business landscape, Thunderbird will develop new knowledge and insights about business in emerging economies that will prepare managers to navigate the growing complexities of a dynamic global economy.
For more: www.thunderbird.edu/2020
Follow Thunderbird on Twitter
What’s happening on campus? How is Thunderbird making headlines? Who are the latest alumni movers and shakers?
Join over 3,400 T-birds who follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thunderbird to find out all of this and more!
Book tells the life story of a T-bird Project Artemis Fellow
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana was published by HarperCollins on March 15 and tells the life story of a Thunderbird Project Artemis Fellow. The book was written by Gayle Lemmon and mentions Thunderbird. Lemmon said that Greg Mortenson, Angelina Jolie, Tina Brown and Mohamed El-Erian have all offered their names and their support of the book. The Christian Science Monitor said The Dressmaker of Khair Khana is a “Book to Watch” and Publisher’s Weekly named it its pick of the week. Buy the book here.
Are your children future global leaders?
Now they have the opportunity to be a part of global education long before college and graduate school. Verde Valley School, America's International Baccalaureate Boarding School in Sedona, Arizona is offering half-scholarships to children and grandchildren of T-bird alumni who are enrolling in fall 2011 for grades 9, 10 or 11. The scholarships are for one boy and one girl. Verde Valley School shares a similar past and mission as Thunderbird and is nestled in picturesque Sedona. The scholarship will be renewable as long as the recipients maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average and good deportment. It will cover $18,000 per year toward tuition and other expenses. Students interested in applying, go here and check "yes" next to the question, "Thunderbird Scholar?" The deadline for applications is April 15, 2011. By April 28, 2011, the finalists will be notified and asked to submit a second essay via e-mail by May 15, 2011. The final awards will be made by May 30, 2011.
Find Your Classmates! |
 Calendar April 7-8: 7th annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference. “The New Normal in Global Private Equity: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times”, more information here. April 19: Mr. Jose Barrios, Ng Deputy Administrator Panama Cana Authority is speaking on campus, more information here. Upcoming Chapter Events Roundup April 5: San Francisco Chapter First Tuesday at Cantina SF, 580 Sutter Street @ Mason Street, San Francisco, CA, more information here. April 5: Central New Jersey Chapter First Tuesdays are picking up again, location is Harvest Moon, 392 George Street in New Brunswick, more information here. April 6: Hong Kong Chapter special First Wednesday at Happy Valley Racetrack, a unique Hong Kong experience, more information here. Please note: If you have trouble accessing these events online, please sign up with MTB. If you are having trouble logging on, contact Janet Chicvara for assistance. THUNDERBIRD MAKING HEADLINES Stanford Tops Harvard in 2012 Best Business Schools Rankings — U.S. News & World Report Flexible study: Geographical boundaries are redrawn by web technology — Financial Times Grants by ExxonMobil spur economic advancement of women in developing countries — Business Intelligence Middle East THUNDERSHOP FEATURED ITEM  Old Logo Hoodie $29.99 Purchase now...  Social Networking  Twitter  Facebook  LinkedIn  YouTube  FlickrMore Social Networking... |
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