Date: 7th December 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 12:00 p.m.
- 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Eaton Hotel, Diamond Hall
VIP and Guest Speaker
Jeffrey G. Hilsgen
Consul in the Economic Section, U.S. Consulate General
in Hong Kong
Mr. Hilsgen currently
serves as Consul in the Economic Section at the U.S.
Consulate General in Hong Kong, covering trade policy,
intellectual property rights protection, market access,
product safety and other economic issues. Prior to beginning
his tour in Hong Kong in August 2008, Hilsgen served
one year as an Iraq Provincial Action Officer in Erbil,
Iraq. He served as the Department's primary reporting
officer and analyst for Iraq's Dohuk Province.
A native of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Hilsgen is a graduate
of St. Cloud State University (International Finance)
and the University of South California (International
MBA). He speaks German, Spanish and Arabic, and is learning
Mandarin.
Graduation Ceremony Overview
Dr.
Alan G. Walker (President, Upper Iowa University)
Dr. Katherine McCarville (Faculty Chair, Upper Iowa
University)
Dr. DeWayne P. Frazier (Senior
Vice Preseident for International Programs) Dr.
Don Aungst (Senior Vice President for Business and Chief Financial Office) Dr.
Don McComb (Associate Professor of Graphic Design) Dr.
Lincoln Morris (Vice President of Enrollment Management) Dr. David Eicher (Lead Faculty & Assistant
Professor) Ms.
Pam Reinig (VP Marketing and Communications) Mr. Edwin Tan (UIU Director of International Programss
- Asia)
Ms.
Margaret Hsieh (Student Speaker, MBA graduate)
Ms. Castor Lau (Student Speaker, BBA graduate)
There
are different kinds of stories during the MBA studies.
Their UIU experience are fruitful and meaningful.
"UIU
has some of the best instructors
that I have ever had" Margaret said
My name is Margaret Hsieh.
After completing my undergraduate degree in Seattle University,
I always knew I would someday achieve a MBA degree, but I had no
idea if
I could
juggle
my busy work and school schedules.
So, I began to contemplate enrolling in an MBA degree programs. As I started
to look into graduate programs a couple of years ago, I found UIU.
In the past two years, I am amazed at how the world could be reduced to such
a dynamic and interactive virtual classroom. UIU has some of the best instructors
that I have ever had. They provide high quality information which is current
and relevant to today’s business environment, and they are committed to being
present in an online classroom, not just a ghost who appears to remind us assignment
deadlines. Also, I had the opportunity of exchanging ideas with my classmates
who were living in different areas, such as Macau and Taiwan. Our studies were
a great opportunity for exchanging ideas and cross learning. Besides the high
level of course material, UIU MBA program allows us to participate in problem
solving and discussions as we would in a traditional classroom. Moreover, thanks
to the flexible learning environment, I have experienced a high quality of education
while not having to give up my career and family life.
Completing the UIU’s MBA program has had an important impact on me. My
confidence has grown and it continues to drive my professional and personal success.
Having a master’s degree from a well-respected institution has equipped me for
opportunities and challenges in the future. Completing my MBA at UIU does
not give me superior money earning power right after graduation, yet it has given
me a broader perspective and it has allowed me to see business situations and
strategy in a different way than before.
I would recommend the UIU to every friend, neighbor or colleague considering
an MBA program. And for those who are still skeptical about online program,
I will tell them that UIU’s MBA degree program is not for everyone. I
believe it is harder than traditional school because you have to write and contribute
a lot more. It is designed for those who can motivate themselves independently,
for those who are computer literate, and for those who can contribute significant
ideas only.
Two years ago, I dreamed of becoming a MBA graduate. Today, it occurs to me that
anyone can dream but only a few can match our determination. Thank you all for
two of the best years of my life. Fellow graduates, we did it! Congratulations!
Margaret Hsieh, 2008 MBA Graduate
"Unparalleled
on-line learning journey in UIU" Tim said
My name is
Tim LI and it is my pleasure to share my unparalleled on-line
learning journey in UIU with you. I warn myself I should not
exaggerate the good or minimize the bad, if there is any. The
best way is I share with you my genuine feelings and experience
In the nutshell, I had a very satisfying and
rewarding encounter with UIU for the past two years. I experienced
PEACE during my learning with UIU. What does that mean? I don’t
mean the outward peace like the world peace. But the inward peace.
That means same as I did, you can be rest assured you will enjoy
peace of mind and comfort after you choose to continue your studies
and education with UIU. More importantly, can I ask you to focus
on each letter of the word PEACE – i.e. P, E, A, C and E?
P
means Professional. In my past two years, I was all surrounded by professional instructors who come
from different countries with different races and cultural
backgrounds. Some of them are experienced entrepreneur and
some come from prestigious educational institutions. I am
most grateful of their dedication, commitment and timely
support. Their determination to overcome the cross-cultural
and geographical barriers in order to provide quality on-line
education are most impressive to me.
E
means Enlightenment, in my journey of pursuit knowledge via the online program, I was enlightened
by the opinions, feedback and on-line discussions of the
instructors. Through these invaluable exposure, increasingly
I gain wider and deeper perceptive in different aspects such
as managerial decision-making, interpersonal skills at work
and continuous improvement through research, just to name
a few........ .
A
means Acquiring: sound and practical knowledge. It is the natural outcome of the aforesaid that
I acquired ........... knowledge ........and it transcends
to wisdom in my life finally, I believe.
C
means Connection. It came as a surprise to me that a substantial percentage of my classmates
came from the Mainland and Taiwan. It provided a golden opportunity
to interact with other Chinese intellects in other Chinese
communities who are very likely to be our potential business
associates. Furthermore, I appreciate the mandatory study
group assignment, which provided chances for me to interact
with other members of the group and networking with them
during and after the course. I can tell you proudly that
though the course is finished, we are now still good friends
and are still maintaining close contacts. We provide advice
and support for each other when we face challenging situation
at work. I deeply cherish this kind of connection otherwise
I don’t have if I never enrolled this MBA course.
E
means as you all guess correctly -- Excellence. Blessed by all the abovementioned essentials, I found myself beginning to excel
-- not only academically but also in my working environment
surpassed my working counterparts and, with increasing frequency,
my boss.
I am confident that your experience with UIU will be at least the same
as mine if no better. You will enjoy all the P, E, A, C, E and so ultimately
peace of mind that you have made the right choice to enroll into the
right university with the expectation of all the benefits of the quality
education UIU provides for you for the years to come.
So, our dear new counterparts, let’s get ready
for the unparalleled on-line learning journey. Thank you.