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In spite of a tough placement environment and dipping salaries for new graduates, BYU's MBA program held on to the best buy title in Business Week's 2002 ranking of top business programs. The school had the best return on investment with only 4.1 years to payback, including the two years at school. Pennsylvania State University came in second at 4.4 years and Purdue was third at 4.5 years.

The school's fast payback is primarily the result of low tuition and strong salary gains. BYU graduates on average increased their pre-MBA salaries by nearly 98 percent in 2002—down from the 120 percent increase graduates posted in 2000 but still the highest in the country. The overall average starting salary for MBA graduates across the nation dropped this year for the first time since Business Week began tracking data in 1988.

"Our students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to make a significant difference in their professions, communities, and churches," says James Stice, MBA program director. "And, they don't have to pay a lot of money to acquire or enhance those skills. We're fortunate to attract very bright students, which makes giving them a competitive edge that much easier."

Such was the case with recent BYU MBA graduate, David Hunter, who was featured in the magazine. "Two years ago, David Hunter, a former Towers Perrin Co. health-care consultant, checked out MBA programs, looking to make a move to the banking business. He considered applying to pricier schools like Wharton or Columbia, but Brigham Young's combination of a great finance faculty and enticingly low tuition led him to apply only there," wrote Brian Hindo in a recent issue of Business Week. "Smart move: Now Hunter has his dream job working with Bear, Stearns & Co.'s private client services in San Francisco and says he'll be loan-free after a year or two. That's a huge relief for Hunter, whose wife, Kate, is expecting their first child in just a few weeks."

Aside from retaining the best buy title, BYU's MBA program advanced in the publication's overall rankings from the third to the second tier, edging back into the top fifty. Business Week's 2002 Best B-Schools report is found in the 21 October 2002 issue of the magazine.

Marriott School administrators have approved requirements for new undergraduate and graduate certificates in global management. The certificate certifies a student's business language capability, experience in international business, and understanding of international business practices.

"Earning the certificate will give students a tremendous marketing tool," says Tad Brinkerhoff, managing director of the school's Global Management Center. "Although the certificate doesn't appear on an official transcript, it can be used as a major selling point with employers for students launching international careers."

"Many students come to the Marriott School with a grassroots-level understanding of international business," says Kristie Seawright, associate professor of business management. "Earning the Global Management Certificate allows students to leverage their existing language skills and experience to bring them to a higher, more operational plane."

Credits for earning the certificate may also be used toward graduation. More information on the certificate can be found at: marriottschool.byu.edu/gmc.

Olene Walker, the first female lieutenant governor of Utah, addressed MPA students on 12 September 2002 as a guest lecturer. She spoke candidly about interview skills and the importance of making a good first impression; Walker also took questions from students and offered advice.

Walker received her bachelor's degree from BYU and earned her master's and doctoral degrees from Stanford University and the University of Utah respectively. She spent eight years in Utah's House of Representatives, and during her service as lieutenant governor she has focused on health care and literacy. She has served as chair of both the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Kevin Rollins, president and chief operating officer of Dell Computer Corporation, addressed Marriott School students at E-Business Day in September.

Rollins admitted growth in fundamental economies is down and affecting the technology industry. "As far as business goes, we are definitely in a recession." He added, "We seem to have already seen the worst of it."

Rollins compared the myths and realities of e-business. He explained how the Internet helps transform physical inventory into useful information, physical assets into intellectual assets, the closed model theory into a wide collaborative effort, and vertical integration into virtual integration.

Brigham Young University's President's Council approved renaming the Marriott School's Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) as the Global Management Center. The center's name was changed to represent its expanded role beyond the U.S. Department of Education's CIBER program and to elevate international business within the school.

In addition to the name change, new administration and a wider scope of global management offerings were included in the recent center reorganization. C. Brooklyn Derr was appointed director of the Global Management Center. Derr previously served as director of the University of Utah's CIBER. Kristie Seawright was named academic director and Tad Brinkerhoff managing director. The expanded leadership will continue to emphasize CIBER's mission to internationalize faculty, students, and curriculum at BYU as well as facilitate global outreach with other universities, colleges, and businesses in the region.

"The purpose of the new Global Management Center is to expand and further develop the traditional CIBER model, motivating exceptional growth in international business programs and opportunities," Brinkerhoff says.

From 1990–2002, BYU and the University of Utah have received funding from the U.S. Department of Education supporting the development of international curriculum. In October 2002, BYU began receiving funding as an independent CIBER school. Global Management Center leaders hope to raise additional funds to support the center's efforts to expand international business education.

"The DOE grant is very significant," says Brinkerhoff. "It puts us in a good position to become a full-fledged global management school."

The Marriott School moved from 41st to 38th in The Wall Street Journal's 2002 ranking of top business schools worldwide. The school also rose from fifth to third place in the newspaper's "hidden gems" category, a listing of "schools that produce excellent graduates but aren't typically considered top-tier business schools."

In addition to the overall rankings, Marriott School graduates were ranked ninth for communication and interpersonal skills, the attribute most often mentioned by recruiters as very important.

"We are doing some things here that other schools aren't," says Curtis LeBaron, assistant professor of organizational leadership and strategy. "In addition to writing and presentation skills, we emphasize training in interpersonal communication and interpersonal influence."

Michael Thompson, chair of organizational leadership and strategy, agrees. "Our students arrive with high-level communication skills, particularly in relating to people interpersonally. Our communication training builds on these strengths. It's building on an advantage that the students already have," he said.

The Wall Street Journal worked with market research firm Harris Interactive to survey 2,221 MBA recruiters. Recruiters were asked to rate schools on twelve student, twelve school, and two overall attributes. Recruiters evaluated attributes such as ability to work well within a team; analytical and problem solving skills; leadership potential; and strategic thinking.

Although more than 430 accredited business schools were considered, the final sample of business schools eligible and available for rating included only 187 U.S. schools and 73 non-U.S. schools.

From left to right: Jared Rowe, Jared Peterson, Andrew Williams, Joseph Anderson

2003 marks the 20th anniversary of the Tanner Building—the first academic structure on the BYU campus funded completely by donors. The building is named for successful businessman, Apostle, and three-time counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nathan Eldon Tanner.

The 120,000-square-foot structure is home of the Marriott School and serves 3,000 graduate and undergraduate management students and about 200 faculty, staff, and administrators. The building has a seven-story atrium and is finished in Rockville White Granite from Cold Springs, Minnesota.

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