DATE: March 26, 2008

CONTACT: Jani Spede, (864) 656-2591
jspede@clemson.edu

WRITER: Amanda Brock, (864) 656-5970
brock4@clemson.edu

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, (864) 656-1222
hopkin1@clemson.edu

Clemson's MBA candidates compete to raise money for Special Olympics

CLEMSON – A team of 16 Clemson University MBA candidates will travel to Duke University to compete in events such as swimming, running and even briefcase tossing to help raise funds for Special Olympics North Carolina. The event will be held April 4-6.

Clemson students are participating in the 20th annual Duke MBA Games along with teams from the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt University.

Jani Spede, interim director of the full-time Clemson MBA program, will travel with the students to the event.

“Our MBA candidates will gain a better understanding of social stewardship, which is maturing in corporations. At the same time it will provide everyone involved the opportunity to further develop team and interpersonal skills while directly impacting the lives of special olympians,” she said.

Building on the leadership and teamwork skills developed in the classroom, MBA candidates will team up with several special olympians to compete. The weekend’s events also will include networking and socializing opportunities in the Durham area.

“Participating in events similar to the Duke MBA Games not only begins to establish the kinds of positive associations found among highly ranked programs, but these opportunities also give our MBAs a chance to network with other future leaders of the business community,” said Chris Bauer, president of the Clemson MBA Student Association.

The Clemson MBA Student Association is organizing Clemson’s participation in the event, and the group is investigating local social awareness activities for next year.

The Duke MBA Games have raised more than $1.6 million since beginning in 1988. Special Olympics North Carolina is a volunteer-driven organization that involves more than 38,000 athletes in competition through 20 sports and supports children and adults with disabilities.

To sponsor the Clemson MBA program in the event, go to http://www.firstgiving.com/mbagames-clemson.

About the Clemson MBA program

As the largest graduate program in Clemson University’s College of Business and Behavioral Science, the Clemson MBA program ranks in the top 20 percent of U.S. programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, according to U.S.News & World Report. Whether enrolled in the full-time, on-campus program (typically completed in 18-24 months) or the flexible, part-time working professionals program (offered in the evenings in Greenville), Clemson MBA students gain an analytical, theoretical, strategic and real-world perspective on leading businesses. Classes are taught in-person, creating an engaging environment in which to learn among a diverse, team-like class culture.

For information about the Clemson MBA, visit www.clemson.edu/mba or e-mail MBACareers@clemson.edu.