international

Meeting the Challenge

On January 25, 2012

Ambassador George Herbert Walker III Donates $100,000*

April 22, 2010 was a big day for Webster University. Shortly after a ceremony announcing the naming of the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, Ambassador Walker made an announcement of his own: If the University could raise matching funds, he would donate $100,000 to the George Herbert Walker III International Study Award, providing aid to business students to add an international component to their educational expertise.

On September 29th – three months ahead of the deadline – the University exceeded that goal, having raised more than $130,000 from alumni and friends to meet the Walker Challenge.

A former U.S. ambassador to Hungary, philanthropist, civic leader and longtime Webster supporter, Ambassador Walker joined the University’s Board of Trustees in 1974 and served as board chairman twice – from 1987 to 1992, and again from 2008 to 2009. He was named a Life Trustee of the University in 2003 and served for many years as chairman of the School of Business Advisory Board

The Walker Travel Award supports Webster’s mission of transforming students for global citizenship and is perfect for business students unable to leave home for a full semester abroad. Qualified students receive up to $1,000 toward a round – trip, coach airline ticket when participating in a hybrid, short-term business course.

(originally published in Webster University’s Honor roll of donors 2010-2011 magazine)

Financial Times’ Agenda International 100 Includes Walker School of Business Dean

On November 8, 2011

Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, dean, Walker School of Business at Webster University

Expertise in corporate responsibility, educational partnerships and strategy just secured a place on the prestigious Agenda International 100 for Webster University’s Dr. Benjamin Akande. A panel of corporate governance experts selected the business school dean to its Financial Times’ list of top global management experts which multi-national companies will go to when they need to reinforce their boards.

“Boards need more than token international representation,” Agenda 100 editors stated upon releasing the list. “Some of the Agenda International 100 are legal and regulatory whizzes. Others have managed global divisions at public companies, overseeing thousands of employees who speak half a dozen different languages. It’s not hard to see why such people could give a company a significant competitive advantage by joining its board.”

For 11 years Akande, who also serves on the public board of Ralcorp, has been the Walker School of Business dean. He is a specialist in business collaborations having secured millions of dollars in corporate – educational partnerships from Wal-Mart, Ameren Electric and other companies for Webster’s global educational network. To be on the list, candidates had to have had sufficient experience in more one or more non-U.S. markets, be qualified and willing to serve immediately on a Fortune 1000 board, and have demonstrated ability to govern senior managers as well as make strategy decisions for a $2 billion company with a global supply, manufacturing and distribution network.

“I am honored to be named to this remarkable group of accomplished global leaders,” Dean Akande said upon learning of the listing. “It’s very humbling indeed.”

Candidates on the Agenda International 100 list who have been singled out to face the challenges of public board service all have exceptional global literacy and international IQ. All come from the ranks of current and former corporate executives, academicians and public officials.

Tagged with: Agenda 100 • Ameren • corporate governanace • Financial Times • global • international • leadership • Management • WalMart • Webster University

On The Road To Everywhere

On September 13, 2011

(Dr. Benjamin Akande’s introduction of Gig Gwin for the Walker Speaker Series, September 7, 2011)

Planes, trains and automobiles don’t even begin to describe the modes of transportation our speaker this morning has used over the past 40 years of travel. Gig Gwin is no stranger to riding on the back of an elephant, camel, mule and even the occasional ostrich to get him to where he’s going. And where this man has and is going is everywhere!

Gig Gwin

In the span of 40 years, Gig Gwin has visited every country in the world, including some nations that no longer exist! He’s traveled almost 3 million miles by plane alone, he’s eaten airline food on more than 2600 flights and he is one of only 8 members of the traveler’s century club to have visited all 317 countries in the world. From the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro to the depths of the Dead Sea shore, he’s journey has yielded an amazing travel trove of experiences and stories along the way.

Gig’s first international travel experience was a trip to Viet Nam – courtesy of the U.S. Army! It was not a sightseeing trip, by any means, but according to Gig it was the beginning of his lifetime of passion for travel and cultures. In the end, Gig’s travel dissolves into one thing: the need to explore and broaden his world…to go out of a comfort zone and see what is on the other side! In a world that is growing smaller every day with every new technological advancement, Gig Gwin’s travels and experiences help make each of our world indeed “bigger”. We are all global citizens but what is a citizenship if we do not use it to its fullest and embrace the diversity of our world? (more…)

Tagged with: Bunge • business • global • international • networking • travel • U.S. Army • Walker Travel Award • Webster University

Tales From the Ultimate Globe Trotter

On August 29, 2011

2600 flights. 3.4 million miles. 317 countries. 1 lifetime. Globetrotter and author Gig Gwin is one of only a handful of people in the world who has visited every country on earth! Only more impressive than the stamps in his passport are the stories he has collected from every place…including those no longer on the map! Gwin’s mode of travel has included trains, planes and automobiles as well as elephants, camels, horses, mules, donkeys and an occasional ostrich.

Meet the “most traveled” travel agent in the world when the Walker School of Business & Technology presents When You Have Visited Every Country: Tales From the Ultimate Globe Trotter on Wednesday September 7^th at 8:00am. A networking breakfast before Gwin’s address begins at 7:30am. (more…)

Tagged with: @Monsanto • AT&T • Enterprise Rent-A-Car • General Motors • globetrotter • IBM • international • travel • Twitter • UPS • Walker Speakers Series • world

Going Global: Taking Webster’s international internship program to the next level

On May 6, 2011

Webster names new director of International Business Internship Exchange (IBIE)

In our growing global marketplace the need for international experience is more important than ever. But the question for students has always been “how do I to get international work experience while still in the U.S. and still in school?” The answer for many Webster students is the International Business Internship Exchange (IBIE) now under the new leadership of Jennifer White.

White comes to Webster with 15+ years of international experience including service as International Office Director at Illinois Wesleyan University and Associate Director in the Office of Overseas Programs at Washington University. As a student at Harvard, White did not have the chance to study abroad. Later, however, a short-term international internship similar to those made available through the IBIE changed her life. (more…)

Tagged with: business • international • internships

IBM Chairman Samuel J. Palmisano Named ‘CEO of the Year’ by Webster University’s Walker Business School

On May 3, 2011

report as it appeared on Yahoo! News, Atlanta Business Chronicle, etc

Dean Benjamin Akande looks on as Sam Palmisano answers questions following his address.

Sam Palmisano, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of IBM, has been named the 2011 “CEO of the Year” by Webster University’s George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology. Palmisano was on hand at Webster on April 26 to deliver a lecture, “A Business and Its Ideas: Shaping a Company and a Century,” discussing the lessons IBM has learned over the past 100 years. IBM will celebrate its centennial anniversary on June 16.

Past recipients of Webster’s “CEO of the Year” award include Jack Dorsey, creator and co-founder of Twitter; Ed Whitacre Jr., former CEO of General Motors and AT&T Inc.; and Hugh Grant, CEO of Monsanto Co. (more…)

Tagged with: centennial • IBM • international • Sam Palmisano

Ever Onward: IBM’s Sam Palmisano

On April 28, 2011

remarks by Ambassador George Herbert Walker III at ceremony honoring Webster University 2011 CEO of the Year, Webster University, April 26, 2011

Dean Benjamin Akande, Sam Palmisano and Ambassador Walker at Webster University

Each year Webster University honors an individual who through his or her professional and personal dedication toward making a difference has impacted our society. This year it is my honor to present Webster University’s 2011 CEO of the Year award to an extraordinary businessman, an insightful leader and a dear friend… Mr. Sam Palmisano.

Sam, because you are a person of inspiration and foresight who continues to advance IBM into new markets around the world so our internationally neighbors may benefit from its technology… Because your leadership and identification of products and services as exemplified in your “Smarter Planet” vision continue to help IBM flourish, even through the financial crisis… Because by experiencing every facet of IBM, by working hard and by quickly developing a reputation for being industrious, you have shown that those with professional passion and integrity rise from success to significance… Because you, like Webster University, understands and embraces the value of diversity and the need to prepare global professionals throughout the business world… And like our own Walker Global MBA students you know that when it comes to learning about the global marketplace, “nothing compares to being there” so you continue to engage in economic development projects in emerging markets such as Ghana, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam. Because you know that in a globally integrated world, a successful business cannot separate the work it does for profit from the health, prosperity and sustainability of its constituents… AND Because your dedication to IBM has helped the 100 year old company move “Ever Onward” in the field of technology and the global business… We honor you today with the 2011 CEO of the Year award. Congratulations, Sam!

Tagged with: IBM • international • Webster University

Something Bigger Than All of Us

On April 26, 2011

by Benjamin Ola. Akande, dean
Walker School of Business

Dean Akande with Astudents shley Hayworth, Haili Wang and Annamarie Szakonyi

A friend of mine shared a story not so long ago of a man walking past the steps of a newly completed academic facility at a major university, where he stopped to gaze at the building’s beauty. He was taken by the architectural design and the impact the building would have on thousands of lives for years to come, when a small voice broke is concentration.

“Do you like this building?” a young girl seated half way up the steps in front asked.

“Yes, I really do. It’s absolutely beautiful,” the man replied.

“I am glad you like it,” the little girl responded, “because I helped build it.”

“Now you are awfully small to have had a part in the construction of such a large building,” the man said smiling,” Just what did you do to help build it?”

With a proud smile the little girl explained that her father was in the construction business and was one of the workers on the site. Every day he came to work and every day the young girl brought him his lunch. Without her help, her father couldn’t work. Without his contribution along with others, the building wouldn’t have been completed.

I find similarity with what we are experiencing today on our campus. Webster is home to many construction workers right now. They have poured the foundation and set the girders for what will soon be the home of the Walker School of Business & Technology. But they are not the only builders we have. In fact our school is made up of individuals who each in their own way help shape and define who we are. (more…)

Tagged with: Anheuser Busch • IBM • international • Robert Stern • Silly Bandz • UPS

Anticipate change to lead a global institution

On February 4, 2011

by Joan Hope, Wiley Publishing
as first published in Dean and Provost

President Beth Stroble, Provost Julian Schuster and Geneva campus students atop the new residential building.

“Universities were not made to change. They were made to last forever and do things as they always did,” said Julian Schuster, provost and senior vice president at Webster University. “But we live in a time of exponential change,” he added. “Leading the traditional way usually will lead to traditional results,” Schuster said.

Webster, with campuses in the United States, Europe and Asia, has positioned itself as a global university. In an environment in which international cooperation is key, leaders need to be open minded about their own and other cultures, he said. When you’re considering opening campuses in other countries or forging partnerships with foreign institutions, Schuster recommends that you:

Visit the countries. Preconceived ideas you have about them might not be correct, he added. Schuster recently visited Oman, where Webster is exploring partnerships. Some aspects of what he experienced surprised him, he said. (more…)

Tagged with: global • higher education • international • Webster University

Webster University Celebrates Early Completion of $100,000 Walker Challenge

On September 29, 2010

ST. LOUIS –September 29, 2010 – Webster University has exceeded its goal of matching a $100,000 challenge gift from George Herbert Walker III for the George Herbert Walker III International Study Award. Through a challenge gift made by Ambassador Walker, Webster University has raised more than $230,000 to benefit business students who aspire to add an international component to their global educational experience but lack the necessary financial resources.

“We are thrilled that Ambassador Walker has made available funds to allow more students from the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology to have an international study experience,” said Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble, president of Webster University. “Support of the Walker Challenge from Webster alumni and friends has been overwhelming. Exceeding our goal three months before the challenge ended underscores our community’s outpouring of support for Ambassador Walker and his steadfast endorsement of Webster University’s exceptional model of global education.”

Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology commented, “Ambassador Walker is the type of leader we wish to set forth as an example for our students. Our mission is only half accomplished if we simply graduate well-educated business people. We must be equally focused on the type of business people they’ll become – global citizens who do well by doing good. I can think of no finer example of that than Ambassador Walker.”
Ambassador Walker joined the University’s Board of Trustees in 1974 and served as board chairman twice – from 1987 to 1992, and again from 2008 to 2009. He was named a Life Trustee of the University in 2003 and also served for many years as chairman of the advisory board of Webster’s school of business. In April 2010, Webster University named its business school the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, to honor the former U.S. ambassador to Hungary, philanthropist, civic leader and longtime Webster supporter.

About Webster University
With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. Since opening its first overseas campus in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education. The University’s international presence now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.

Tagged with: Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande • George Herbert Walker III • George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology • global • international • Webster University