Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/63444
Spotlight Making the Connection University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas works to foster educational and professional links among students, faculty, the community, the business world, and key business leaders. With a current enrollment of 3,366, the College offers undergraduate and masters programs, as well as the only Ph.D. program in business and economics in the state of Arkansas. Named after the founder of Wal- Above left: "Old Main,"built in 1875. Mart Stores Inc., the largest company in the world, the Walton College has benefited financially and educationally from its relationship with the top firm. Dean Doyle Z. Williams helped to secure a $50 million cash endow - ment—the largest upfront cash gift ever given to an Amer ican business school—from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. With that endowment, he notes, the school also benefits from a continuing close working relationship with the compa- ny, one that continues to support the efforts of students and faculty. The College offers students a vari- Above: Dean Doyle Z. Williams. Left: Senior finance majors in Walton College's portfolio management class use the Bloomberg Financial Market Commodities News to help them stay abreast of market changes. and fans of the University of Arkansas' athletic teams. In addition, the Walton College ety of hands-on, multifaceted learn- ing experiences. For example, finance students in the Rebsamen Trust Portfolio Management class manage a real stock portfolio account of more than $5 million, one of the largest student-managed funds in the U.S. For Business' S.A.K.E. (Students Acquiring Knowledge through Enterprise) is a non-profit, student-run business offering first- hand experience, in which students market products to alumni, students, 64 BizEd MAY/JUNE 2002 takes every opportunity to connect its students and staff with the larger community. For example, the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame, which the College established in 1999, recognizes outstanding busi- ness leaders who are Arkansans by birth or by choice. The College also sponsors two annual events, the Business Forecast, which invites three nationally prominent econo- mists to share their predictions for the coming year; and the Business Giants Forum, in which students question three top executives, both in person and via interactive video. Each year, approximately 250 students to receive pay for part- time, degree-related work. In a changing business environ- students are able to earn course credit and profes- sional work experience through the College's Co-op program. Co-op opportunities with more than 80 companies allow ment, making connections that last is a top priority, says Dean Williams in his online video message welcom- ing visitors to the Walton College Web site. "We continue to develop new opportunities for fulfilling our brand promise of connecting people to organizations and research with practice through our academic pro- grams, our research endeavors, and our outreach initiatives," he says. The Walton College's traditions, innovations, and clear sense of direc- tion reinforce this mission. Its busi- ness and accounting degree pro- grams are accredited by AACSB International. ■ z