THANKS!

In this holiday season of Thanksgiving, it struck me that I owe a big "Thank You" to a number of people for making the transition to the Dean's Office so enjoyable. The past four months have been a wonderful adventure, made so much more enjoyable by all of the committed and dedicated people in and around the College of Business.

First, of course, is the faculty of the College of Business. Our faculty is unique, perhaps in all of higher education. They are of course a highly intelligent and motivated group, dedicated to their professions and their disciplines. Their research is state-of-the-art and influences and informs important parts of the business world. That much, while stimulating and exciting, is not that unusual.

What makes them unique is their commitment to their students and their passion for teaching. To a person, they deeply care for the future of their students, and they often spend long hours coaching, mentoring, advising and just listening to students' concerns. The first question they ask me in any committee meeting is usually "Is this good for the students?" Their commitment to preparing future leaders makes the ISU College of Business stand out in the world of business education.

The unsung heroes in the College are the staff. Our administrative assistants, secretaries, tech staff, clerks, professional advisers, and others make sure that the College continues to operate at an extremely high level of efficiency. But the secret - not so well kept, it turns out - is that they also care deeply for our students, the faculty and the work they do. Without the staff, the College could not operate with excellence.

Our students are first-rate. The College of Business exists to serve them, but our students enhance the College in a number of ways. They work as office assistants, serve as ambassadors, run volunteer committees and do research with the faculty. A good example of a major student contribution to the College is Business Week. This week-long series of activities is planned and implemented by a student steering committee with additional support from all 17 registered student organizations. Coordinating this event and interacting with business partners who return to campus, offers a wealth of learning opportunities that reinforce core concepts taught by faculty. After graduating, our students become excellent alumni ambassadors for the College and for ISU. Opportunities to get involved help foster that long-term loyalty.

Finally, a big THANK YOU to our alumni and business friends. In the last few months, I have been privileged to meet and interact with some of the most dedicated and committed supporters of the College. Our alumni are incredibly loyal, as are the business people who have come to see the College as an important resource to the community and to their respective industries.

To all of these people, and many more, you have my personal gratitude. May you all have a happy and blessed holiday season.

Chuck