International Exchange Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The College of Business recently hosted a full day of activities to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Exchange Program (IEP) with the Aarhus School of Business in Denmark. The day began with a conference titled "Doing Business in the Pacific Rim." The evening was a celebration dinner for everyone involved in the IEP, with special dignitaries present from Denmark.
Dean Ilene Kleinsorge hosted the conference which included three different presentations and special guest, OSU president Ed Ray, who addressed the attendees during lunch.
The first speaker was College of Business alumnus Joe Lobbato ('82), COO of Central Retail Corporation in Thailand. Lobbato gave the crowd an overview of what it's like to work in Asia, how to manage the complexities that exist there, why most are not successful in Asia, and where the future opportunities are.
The next speaker was Steve Lawton, associate professor emeritus of International Business in the College of Business and an adjunct professor in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. Lawton enlightened the audience about the challenges that China is currently facing, including; a fragile bank system that needs reform, lack of a transparent legal system, overinvestment in real estate, excess capacity in key domestic industries, growing unemployment and worker discontent, and environmental degradation leaving China with 16 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world.
The last speaker was Rick Warren, Vice President of Systems & Technology Group global independent software vendor application enablement. Warren addressed the crowd about identifying differences between China, India, Africa, & beyond to turn mega-trends into opportunities.
At the dinner celebration Art Stonehill, professor emeritus of the College of Business, and Morten Balling, professor emeritus of the Aarhus School of Business were honored guests. The two colleagues are responsible for starting the IEP in 1987, and have continued their support to this day.
In his address to the crowd, Stonehill said, "I think our International Exchange Programs are in excellent hands and will continue to prosper and grow in the future."
Several special guests from Denmark attended the dinner, including; Peder Oestergaard, Dean of Aarhus School of Education; Frank Pederson, Master Course Coordinator, and his wife, Anne-Marie Pederson; and Lisbet Kvorning, former Chairperson of the Committee for International Relations.
Payson Cha ('68) and Joe Lobbato, were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the expansion and ongoing support of the IEP. Over the past 20 years, the two business leaders have funded scholarships that helped over 400 students take part in the program. Cha and Lobbato also shared some remarks with those in attendance, along with alumni Torben Nielson ('96) and Ruth Burk ('87).
To date, about 1,350 College of Business students have studied abroad through the IEP. This year, 18% of our graduating class had participated in the program.
The 20th Anniversary Celebration will continue at the Aarhus School of Business in Denmark August 23-25.
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