MILESTONES

Emory University
W. Cliff Oxford has pledged an initial gift of $5 million to endow the Executive MBA Program at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

The gift, the first of its kind for Executive MBA education anywhere in the world, will allow the school to enrich its curriculum and to focus greater attention on entrepreneurship. The program will be known as the W. Cliff Oxford Executive MBA at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

“I am a graduate of Emory’s Executive MBA Program and know firsthand the incredible opportunity it provides for those in business to grow their thinking and learn how to execute a vision,” says Oxford, who received his Executive MBA from Emory in 1994. “It was important to me that this wasn't only an endowment of dollars – I wanted to make an endowment of creativity.”

The gift will provide funds for dedicated classroom space and multiple break-out rooms for Executive MBA students in the new Goizueta Foundation Center and to help foster entrepreneurship and development of cutting-edge curriculum.

“Cliff’s commitment to the Executive MBA Program helps ensure the realization of our goal of continually building the excellence and value of our curriculum,” said Ed Leonard, Goizueta Business School’s senior associate dean for programs and academic director for Executive MBA Programs.

The W. Cliff Oxford Executive MBA includes two formats. In the 16-month weekend program for upper- and mid-level managers, students take a minimum of four courses each term, all day Friday and Saturday, every other week, and on a handful of Thursdays. In the 20-month program, students attend eight residencies in Atlanta and one overseas residency and also take advantage of distance learning.

Last year the Financial Times ranking of international Executive MBA Programs and the Business Week global survey of Executive MBA Programs both listed Goizueta Business School as number 10 among all Executive MBA Programs worldwide.

It was while attending Emory that Oxford began to formulate the business plan for what eventually became STI Knowledge, Inc. For three consecutive years, Inc. Magazine recognized STI Knowledge as one of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies in America. Oxford sold his interest in the company in late 2003 and is preparing to launch a new business venture in Atlanta, The Home Shoppe, which will offer a one-stop source for remodeling, architecture and design assistance for homeowners.

Oxford formally announced his commitment on Feb. 27 at an event for Goizueta Business School faculty, staff, and Executive MBA students.

University of Alabama
The University of Alabama recently welcomed Beth Stapler as assistant director.

University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler recently welcomed John Worth as director of Alumni and Executive MBA Career Development.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Sharon Morgan, chief executive officer, Morgan Research Corp. (MORGAN), received an Executive MBA degree from the University of Alabama.

An engineering and technical services firm, MORGAN has been included in Inc. Magazine’s List of the 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America for 2002 and 2003. Morgan was selected as the 2003 Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year and received the 2003 Business Fellow of the Year award from the University of Alabama at Huntsville.