In a display of grit and hardworking determination, our faculty welcomed the newest Executive MBA students with messages of inspiration.
- By
- October 13, 2020
- Executive MBA - Community
When Things Get Tough, Boothies Get Going
Ann L. McGill (00:00):
So the program office asked us to talk about what has kept us going, what drives us to keep going forward on our research and in working hard on teaching during these, yes I'm going to say it, unprecedented times. And as soon as I read the question, I appreciated it, but it never really occurred to me that there was a plan B. Of course we keep driving forward, what's the alternative? But the more I thought about the question, I also tumbled to a really great thing that makes me very excited to teach this year, and I hope makes you excited to meet your classmates, because every single one of you is of the mindset that says, "Yeah, things are tough and yeah we just keep going as best we can and do well."
Lars Stole (00:48):
I'm very excited about ... Enthusiastic about teaching this fall. It's my first time teaching an MBA class remotely, but I think there's a lot of new things that we can do remotely that we could never have done in person, so I'm looking to leverage those additional features and I think what's going to be a great fall.
Lars Stole (01:05):
I'm also incredibly impressed by all that you're able to do, to be able to juggle family, to juggle work, to juggle the classwork, the course load, and all the same time, engaging in lifelong relationships with your classmates, it's just an amazing management of time, I could never do that. And to undertake that during this time is just that much more impressive.
Haresh Sapra (01:29):
The last four or five months have been quite unusual to say the least, for all of us. However, it has made me realize that more than ever, I need to surround myself with people who can challenge my assumptions, I need to surround myself with people who can make me adapt or even change my framework, in order to think about the issues facing the complex worlds. In that sense I'm very lucky to be at a place such as Chicago Booth, where I have always felt like a student.
Linda Ginzel (02:05):
This is actually the University of Chicago motto. And what does the motto say, "Let knowledge grow from more to more so be human life enriched." So the University of Chicago motto, "Let knowledge grow from more to more so be human life enriched." Two parts. First, what is the purpose of collecting knowledge? To own it, to possess it. Knowledge is like butter in the hot sun. You can put it there and it can just disappear. Let knowledge grow from more to more so be human life enriched. The purpose of accumulating knowledge is to put it to practice, to put it to use, to do something with it. I don't know what you think enriches human life, but you should know that. You should know that all the efforts and the tears, the sweat, the happiness, everything that you're ready to embark on now is for the purpose of putting that knowledge into action, into practice, to enrich human life.
In late August, we welcomed 224 new students to Chicago Booth in the most unique start to the Executive MBA Program ever. Like many business schools, Booth made the decision to limit in-person instruction this autumn due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For the global Executive MBA Program, this meant virtual instruction on all three campuses for the Autumn Quarter.
This change has demanded a quick adaptation and a leap of faith for everyone involved, including our faculty, staff, and newest students. As we prepared to bring students from across the globe together for the first time, and virtually, we asked a few of their faculty to record a message for them about what was keeping them inspired during this strange time. Their answers – which were self-captured at home – show their willingness to try new things and the passion they have for teaching, in any format. They also demonstrate the grit and hardworking determination that the Booth community is known for.
Although much is uncertain these days, I am certain of the value of a Booth education. Our resilience, adaptability, and determination to educate leaders and further students' executive professional development is unwavering. This new class of creative and innovative students will indeed, to paraphrase Ann McGill, keep going and do well – they will excel in a very competitive landscape.
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Julie Morton
Associate Dean
Executive MBA Program
Julie Morton is the Associate Dean of the Executive MBA Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Julie oversees all aspects of marketing, recruiting, and admissions; student life and program operations; and a unique integrated offering that delivers global career support, leadership development, and employer relations.
Julie Morton