This is my final semester as dean of TU’s Collins College of Business. Since the beginning of my tenure as dean three years ago, it has been gratifying to witness the achievements of the college and the progress of The University of Tulsa under the leadership of President Brad Carson.
At the college, we have established three new centers – the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the Center for Energy Studies, and the Center for Real Estate Studies. We launched the Hurricane Venture Fund raising millions to invest in our students, faculty and alumni start-ups. We revamped our energy management major and master’s degree in energy management to address the important issues in energy transition and added an international leadership experience to our MBA cohort program. We recruited dozens of new faculty and staff members and engaged students from across campus to grow and discover their true potential through JOLT@TUBusiness.
Our commitment to academic excellence has resulted in increased enrollment, improved retention rates, and notable advancements in research and scholarship. Additionally, our strategic partnerships with industry and community leaders have provided invaluable opportunities for experiential learning and professional development for our students. Together, we accomplished AACSB reaccreditation for Collins College of Business, marking 75 years of continuous accreditation where an elite 6% of business colleges have this designation. I am incredibly proud of the collaborative efforts of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners in driving positive change and fostering a culture of excellence.
As I say farewell to this chapter of my life’s journey, I do so with a sense of pride in all that we have accomplished together. The Collins College of Business will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am excited to watch as it continues to thrive and grow in the years to come.
But the journey of the college does not stop here.
Beginning this fall, we will celebrate 40 years of Friends of Finance with Roberta Preston serving as chair of the anniversary committee. Friends of Finance was the inspiration of Bob Prince, Bruce Currie, Roger Bey, Mark Collins, and the late Bob Harrison almost 40 years ago when what began as a breakfast meeting and a hope to raise funds for the School of Finance became a monthly must-attend event for our community, faculty, and students with business luminaries from around the world sharing their knowledge. Friends of Finance built an investment fund, managed by our students, that has reached up to $8 million, providing scholarships, technology, and opportunities for finance students. It also allows finance students from around the region to compete in our annual Investment Portfolio Challenge.
The speakers during our 40th anniversary will be top notch, the dialogue lively, and the purpose unwavering. If you are not a sponsor, become a sponsor now, or renew your support and join us next year in what promises to be the most exciting year of Friends of Finance yet. To become a sponsor, send an email to fof@utulsa.edu.
Again, thank you to everyone for your collaboration in achieving our mission of empowering the next generation of business leaders!
With Gratitude,
Kathy Taylor
Genave King Rogers Dean