Inner Circle December 2014

Season of Appreciation

We hope the season finds you in good cheer, honoring fond traditions and creating new memories.

The Lundquist College of Business has much to celebrate during this joyful time. We've added some outstanding new faculty, we've broken ground on a new Portland space, and our unprecedented universitywide campaign continues. But it is our exemplary students we wish to highlight today.

One could argue that one of the best aspects of the holiday season is connecting with others. At the Lundquist College of Business, we have two tremendous opportunities for you to do just that.

It will come as no surprise that our student groups are excelling, and you can be a part of their success. We would like to acquaint you with two of these fantastic groups—one celebrating a decade of prosperity and the other just getting started.

Women in Business

Women in Business (WIB) is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in February 2015. The annual gala has already seen a great deal of interest—so much so the club needed to move it from the Lillis Business Complex to the Ford Alumni Center to accommodate the crowd.

“Membership has increased dramatically over the past few years because we have been able to financially provide site visits to Seattle, Bend, Portland, San Francisco, and Austin, Texas, to our members, providing exposure to a variety of companies and industries," said WIB president Ana Pena "15. “We are very excited to be able to celebrate such an exciting moment in time with more students and more professionals as we continue to grow and expand."

The event is a student and alumnae favorite, and there is still time to join the celebration. The keynote speaker this year is Molly Malone "79, senior vice president and director at Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. and an unflagging Duck supporter. Malone's stellar career includes three decades of merchandising and marketing experience. To be at the table and connect with these tenacious students, contact president.uowib@gmail.com. This event goes far beyond mingling. Exceptional students are matched with high achievers from the business community for a memorable night of meaningful discourse.

Oregon Business Consulting Group

We are thrilled to announce the inception of the Oregon Business Consulting Group (OBCG). Two remarkable students joined with Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs Collette Niland and Emeritus Professor Sergio Koreisha to create a new transformative experience for students.

OBCG will work with companies, state institutions, and nonprofit organizations to solve challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and develop and recommend strategic alternatives for business units. The mission is to deliver value for our clients and experiential learning for our student consultants.

Currently, OBCG is in the startup phase with the program launch scheduled for fall 2015. The group is seeking companies interested in sponsoring future consulting projects. Our student consultants will offer services in many areas including

  • Market Analysis and Marketing Strategy
  • Financial Analysis and Due Diligence
  • Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain
  • Human Capital
  • Data Analytics.

We have brought on Rich Duncombe to serve as director. His experience as president of the Corporate Venturing Consortium in partnership with MIT, as curricula advisor and lecturer for the Building Innovative Leaders program with Stanford, and as a board member for the Willamette Angel Conference aligns perfectly with our goals for the consultancy.

The OBCG model is self-supporting, with fees paying for professional staff to mentor and coordinate projects, fund guest lectures from leading consulting professionals, and support various additional applied learning opportunities.

Learn more about OBGC on its web page, and email Duncombe at obcg@uoregon.edu with your interest in sponsoring a future consulting project.

With Grateful Hearts

As 2014 draws to a close, I would like to personally thank you for your interest in the Lundquist College of Business, its students, and its mission. Our donors, alumni, and friends are the foundation of student success. Your generosity has an immediate and positive impact on their experience. During the holiday season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. Thank you.

Enjoy this time and be sure to cheer on our guys in green as they take the field at the Rose Bowl. GO DUCKS!

Cordially,

Cornelis A. “Kees" de Kluyver
Rippey Distinguished Professor