SBA alumni headline spring commencements

School of Business Administration alumni will be featured prominently at various upcoming OU commencement ceremonies. Though the events are not open to the public, the line-up is interesting.

Oakland University's Spring commencement will feature Jim Norrod, SBA '70, former CEO, Segway, a leader in the small electric vehicle category, marketing a full line of Segway Personal Transporters that are sold through a network of dealers, distributors and retail partners in more than 75 countries worldwide.  Norrod, who has visited OU's campus frequently, meeting with SBA students and inspiring them with his message of innovation, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit. You can read a story about his 2009 visit here.

George Corona, MBA '85, executive vice president and COO, Kelly Services, Inc., will speak to new MBA graduates this spring. Graduates will hear from a collaborative leader who believes his own hard work, determination and willingness to push himself outside his comfort zone is key to his success.  But the man who had a front seat at President Barack Obama's 2009 "Questions for the President: Prescription for America" program says the major reason for his professional success is the people who work for him.

In the Fall 2009 issue of OU Magazine, Corona said he believes in the servant leadership philosophy that encourages managers to see themselves as working for employees, customers and shareholders. 

As the co-hort group of Executive MBA students become graduates this spring, they will hear from Laurie Westfall, SBA '76, senior vice president and COO, Blue Care Network. Westfall welcomed the chance to speak with her future colleagues and share her insight with them.

“I’m doing my dream job now,” Westfall says. “This allows me to do what I do best by focusing on our customers and by leveraging people, processes and technology to offer cost-effective solutions and products.”