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MBA Alumni Celebrate Program's 50th Anniversary

More than 170 alumni and guests celebrated 50 years of the UNL MBA program at a tailgate, Nov. 1 prior to the Nebraska vs. Purdue football game. Dr. Gordie Karels, professor emeritus and past associate dean of research and graduate programs, and alumni spanning five decades were special guests.
 
At the tailgate, Dean Donde Plowman said, “From our recent strong rankings to our legacy of being one of the first online MBA programs, we are proud of the MBA program’s accomplishments within its first 50 years. This program’s momentum is propelling the growth of the college and engagement within the business community.”
 
Karels, who retired last year, returned to college for the tailgate. He welcomed guests and his former students, and spoke about his passion for the program.
 
“It’s great to be a part of something with such national and international recognition. With the program’s great academic reputation and the new CBA building we’re building to house it, the future of the UNL MBA is so bright,” he said.
 
UNL MBA Tailgate Fall 2014
Alumni visited with each other, networked with current students and enjoyed looking through old photos together.
 
David Krecek ’65, a consultant with Predictive Index in Omaha, Nebraska, shared stories of being a part of the program’s first graduating class.
 
“The education I received at CBA enabled me to get offers from every Fortune 500 company I interviewed with upon graduation,” he said. “One of my favorite professors was Doc Elliott. He had a way of creating a story around hypothetical situations that were not only hilarious but effective in learning the material. I also really enjoyed my organizational behavior classes as I’ve used what I learned then as a basis for my entire career in management.”
 
Commemorative t-shirts celebrating 50 years are available from the event at cba.unl.edu/mbatshirts.
 
MBA alumni interested in future communication and events should contact Laura Niles, external relations director, at lniles2@unl.edu or 402-472-9580.

MBA Tailgate Facebook Photo Album
Published: November 6, 2014