Working Professionals Graduate!

I can’t wait for my chance to enjoy this experience next year!

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The Wake Forest University Schools of Business Winston-Salem Evening MBA program’s Class of 2010 celebrated the end of their two years of hard work at a graduation ceremony on Friday evening. The 40 MBA graduates attended a reception and dinner at Forsyth Country Club, followed by an awards ceremony where they celebrated their accomplishments and recognized their peers and faculty.

“The class of 2010 is a great group of graduates. They’ve worked hard and will represent themselves, their employers and Wake Forest very well,” said Bill Davis, associate dean of the Working Professional Program. “For two years, they have balanced family, work and school to improve their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas, but most of all, they are becoming better managers and leaders as a result of their experience with us.”

Davis and Scott Shafer, senior associate dean for Graduate Business Programs, handed students their diplomas.
The students traveled from as far away as Raleigh, Davidson and Hickory to attend their evening classes at the Schools of Business. They represent companies that include BB&T Corp., RJ Reynolds, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Corp., Lowe’s, and B/E Aerospace.

Brian Patterson, who is currently the practice leader and administrative manager for SHDR Actuarial Services at BB&T, won the Leadership Award, as voted by his classmates. Patterson and four other students - Emilie Collins, Brian Kuebert, Jennifer Pearson and Brian Witz - were honored for academic excellence by graduating in the top 10% of the class.

Two faculty members also received the Outstanding Faculty Recognition Award, given by each MBA class for outstanding contributions to the educational and personal development of students. Derrick Boone, associate professor of marketing, was given the first-year award, and Dan Fogle, executive professor of strategy, received the second-year Faculty Recognition Award.

“It is always an honor and a humbling experience to receive a teaching award, because of the caliber of the teachers at Wake Forest University Schools of Business,” Boone said.

Fogel also commented on what an honor it was to be recognized by the students, and said that he believed the students would be very successful in their careers.

“I believe these students will thrive by being persistent and maintaining connections to those who have shared this educational experience with them,” Fogel said. “They will use their education to craft possibilities and maintain and create connections to attack important problems. So they will do well in various walks of life. It has been a privilege to be a part of their journey.”

The Wake Forest evening MBA program is designed for working professionals, managers, small business owners and entrepreneurs with strong job performance who want to advance into mid- and upper-level management. At least three years of full-time, postgraduate work experience is required as the program builds upon that professional career experience to sharpen students’ general management skills.