The first day of the academic year approaches on August 26, and the campus is already buzzing with energy as our students come to campus ready to start new adventures. This fall is particularly exciting for Nebraska Business as we celebrate 60 years of our highly-ranked MBA@Nebraska program.

Currently ranked No. 3 and No. 16 among public institutions by The Princeton Review and Poets&Quants, respectively, the MBA@Nebraska evolved over the past 60 years to meet the changing needs of our students. First offered as a full-time program on-campus to meet the growing demand for managerial personnel, the program grew through partnerships with Offutt Air Force Base to offer courses for military students. The program later evolved to part-time, offering evening classes and welcoming non-business graduates as students. In the 1990s, the program offered courses through satellite technology and made term sessions shorter for military students serving in the Gulf War. After 9/11, Nebraska was one of the first schools to offer the MBA online so military students could remain enrolled while serving overseas. Rebranded as the MBA@Nebraska in the late 2010s, the fully online program continues to serve students, no matter where they live, through fully online, mobile-optimized eight-week courses. The program's flexibility allows MBA students to continue to work and fulfill family and life commitments.

If you were part of the MBA program and would like to share your story, please complete the MBA Alumni Questionnaire here to share your experience. I want to encourage all business alumni - and anyone involved with our MBA program throughout the years - to join us for our Nebraska Business Tailgate on Saturday, November 2 at Howard L. Hawks Hall three hours prior to the Nebraska vs UCLA kickoff. RSVP here. Connect with Husker alumni, faculty and staff and enjoy some great food and beverages while getting some college and MBA swag!

We will also recognize another milestone made possible by the tenacity of four students who found a way to prepare for careers in actuarial science 100 years ago. This was the beginning of actuarial science classes that ultimately led to the development of the robust Actuarial Science Program we have today, thanks to the generosity of many partners. Sue Vagts, director of the Actuarial Science Program, is spearheading multiple events to celebrate this milestone and will be sending information out later this fall.

As our signature academic programs celebrate successful histories, we are also excited about new programs beginning this year. We added our 12th undergraduate business major — business analytics. This major prepares students for a career in any industry by learning how to transform data into information and insights to help organizations of all types make better decisions and achieve their strategic goals.

The Center for Entrepreneurship is also launching a Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator this fall. The program connects budding and current entrepreneurs across campus with the resources needed to launch their ideas and grow them into a sustainable venture. The inaugural cohort members receive a $1000 scholarship, tailored mentoring and coaching with experts, marketing support and legal consultation while they work to meet goals within a supportive environment to make measurable progress with their venture.

In this newsletter, you can also learn about:

• Husker volleyball standout and management major Rebekah Allick who learned to finish strong on and off the court and is ready for success this fall.
• Four actuarial science alumni who shared their insights on their role and career path to becoming a CEO and offered advice to students.
• The free tutoring and business course review sessions provided by the Teaching and Learning Center located in the lower level of Howard L. Hawks Hall.

Though it's often been said that you can't go back, you can at Nebraska and we welcome you! Once a Husker, always a Husker and I hope to see you back on campus this fall!