Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Stephen M. Ross School of Business Commencement Ceremony was held on April 25, 2008 to honor graduates from all of Ross’ academic programs. The afternoon began with a reception, which was held in the school's dining room and student lounge, hosted by Dean Robert Dolan. Ross faculty and staff members joined Dean Dolan and his administration at the reception to mingle with students and their families as they toured the school and enjoyed a light lunch buffet.

The official ceremony was held later that evening at Crisler Arena. More than 6,000 graduates and guests gathered in support of the Ross School. An impressive processional of the graduates through the arena onto the main floor began the ceremony. Dean Dolan presided over the events of the evening. Commencement speaker, John Denniston of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, offered wisdom and encouragement to the graduates. Immediately following the speech, graduates walked across the stage to receive individual recognition by Dean Dolan for their academic achievements.

The entire day was a great success and a truly unique and memorable experience for our graduating students. Congratulations to the Ross Global MBA Class of 2008!

Beijing, China – The Ross Global MBA offers courses in Japan, China, Korea and the US. One month is spent in each Asian country and 13 months are spent in the US. Students in the program are provided an engaging itinerary that incorporates Ross’ academic values with exciting sightseeing and cultural aspects. The Global MBA Class of 2009 spent the month of April in Beijing, China where Ross professors, David Wright and Francine Lafontaine, were on hand to teach the Financial Accounting and Applied Microeconomics core courses, respectively.

After completing the coursework in China, students were hosted to tours incorporating local business culture and social culture. This year, the class participated in a corporate tour hosted by Lenovo Corporation. Lenovo Corporation is the largest computer manufacturer in China and took over IBM’s PC division a few years ago. Students toured the company facilities with an English-speaking representative to learn about their current operations and their plans for continued success in the global economy.

To expand their knowledge of Chinese history and culture, the class spent their last day of the China session visiting the Ming Tomb and the Great Wall. The guided tour of the Ming Tomb, where 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty are buried, provided an overview of the glorious Ming Dynasty and insight into Chinese history. From there, the class traveled to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall about 70 km northeast of Beijing. It is said that this well-preserved section of the Great Wall is the most peaceful and since it is further from central Beijing, it is less travelled. Originally built in the mid-6th century, then rebuilt in 1569, the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall is up to 8 meters high in some areas and is almost 5 meters wide at the top. This section of the Wall is located in beautifully forested mountains near large orchards and possesses many unique characteristics including watchtowers and parapets. The Great Wall has become a main attraction for every visitor to China.

The Class of 2009 is currently taking courses at the Future Leadership Center in Seoul, Korea, the final segment of the term in Asia.

As we all know, the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck China’s Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008 claimed the lives of more than 65,000 people and destroyed the areas infrastructure. Donations are being sent from around the world and more people are volunteering to help than ever before. To aid in the world-wide effort, the Global MBA Class of 2009 took it upon themselves to contribute. Through their quick response and humanitarian spirit, the students generously donated more than $550 USD to the Red Cross Society of China.

After the quake struck, the Red Cross Society of China immediately mobilized a relief operation to deliver assistance to the region. Staff and volunteers working with the Red Cross Society of China accumulated relief supplies and have been distributing food and water to people in the area. China is welcoming aid from around the world and we are proud that Ross’ Global MBA Class of 2009 has contributed to the effort.

We are happy to report that Kotaro Watanabe of the Global MBA Class of 2009 and Pfizer Japan, Inc. celebrated his wedding ceremony on Saturday, March 8, 2008 immediately after the Management Communications core course taught by Professor Pris Rogers in Japan. Kotaro and his bride, Yuko, are pictured here. They pledged their love for each other in a ceremony at the popular all-inclusive Yamate Geihinkan in Kobe. We look forward to welcoming the new couple to Ann Arbor in early June as they begin their new life together.