Happy Holidays from President Stephen and Carol Spinelli and the entire Philadelphia University Community. 

Philadelphia University’s alumni, faculty and students are international researchers, industry leaders, and innovative problem solvers, and their impact is felt around the world. Learn more at PhilaU Today and Innovator Magazine.

Visit www.PhilaU.edu/HolidayCard/2010 for this year’s holiday video.

Analytics expert and Philadelphia University trustee, Robert Nydick, speaks intensely of the difference between the “native” fish and the fish born in a hatchery. The native fish is spawned in natural and often harsh circumstances. It learns to be a fighter from the very beginning. The hatchery fish is born to a protected environment, nurtured, even coddled. Bob explains that when he’s fly fishing, he immediately knows when he has caught a native or hatchery fish. He casts his fly , meticulously managing his line. The native fish attacks the fly and spits vigorously when he discovers the hook. If the fisherman is lucky or skilled enough, the hook sets and the battle ensues. The native fish exhaust all energy and efforts to free itself. The hatchery fish, on the other hand, swallows the fly more leisurely and when caught fights instinctively, but without the furor and toughness of the native fish. The native fish metaphor speaks to engendering the tough mindedness needed in today’s professional. The recession has trimmed industry business models and forced a native behavior.

In a recent “crit” I attended at Philadelphia University, an interior design student…professionally and articulately…fought for her ideas and designs. She was intently listening to the criticisms and seemed to nimbly understand the perspective, incorporate the concerns in her response and continue the debate. She acted a lot like a native fish.

Seven years ago I met a dynamic young academic named Jose Miguel Hernandez. Jose Miguel is a committed educator in the Dominican Republic. Today he is the dean of the business school at the DR’s largest university, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). Our friendship has been maintained over the years and miles by the wonderful reach of the web.

This weekend I visited Jose Miguel in Santiago. Under his leadership the PUCMM entrepreneurship program blossomed and I was privileged to meet his faculty students and colleagues.

The most amazing meeting was with 76-year-old priest, rector and university founder (48 years ago!!!), Agripino Nunez Collado. Seldom have I encountered the combination and concentration of charm, intelligence and charisma in one leader. Monsignor Collado’s bright smile and searing eyes greeted me and then he said, “let’s become friends and educate a lot of young people together.”

I’m in.

Philadelphia University opened the academic year with a traditional convocation ceremony (http://www.philau.edu/today/headlines/?p=821). But in one clear way it was not a pro forma inauguration of our entering class. Our convocation speaker was Eileen McPartland, Philadelphia University alumna. Eileen attended the University for 13 years, achieving her baccalaureate in 1986. Eileen is not traditional or typical. She is special. A single mom, Eileen took care of her child, worked full time and tenaciously committed to achieving college graduation, which she did with the highest honors. She went on to a success-filled career as a senior corporate executive and leader (http://www.allscripts.com/company/eileen-mcpartland.asp). Her message was direct, balance in life means achievement as a professional and as a person. Her life is an example of how that balance is achieved. I believe Eileen inspired the entering class. And she inspired me.

For many years before coming to Philadelphia University I taught in a program called the Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators. It’s a one week intensive pairing of academics with entrepreneurs designed to bring rigor, technique and reality to the teaching of entrepreneurship. About ten years ago a dynamic entrepreneur named Steve Blank attended the program. Steve is the founder of and investor in many successful new ventures. I’ve been following his teaching career and have watched his impact on business education and beyond (www.steveblank.com).  Last week we met for lunch in San Francisco. The decade between meetings evaporated before the ice water was poured. Steve asked pointed questions about the University’s strategy. He provided succinct feedback. Every word was intended to benefit the plan and help the University.

I come away from the meeting with valuable input about the  University, but even more important is the reminder that energy, intensity and caring inspires and motivates people.

No wonder Steve Blank has won teaching awards at two very prestigious business schools.

A defining value of a Philadelphia University education was highlighted brilliantly by student commencement speaker Jillian Arciero. Jillian, a marketing major, noted that although her personal intellectual journey started as an individual effort, her professors often insisted she collaborate with fellow students. At first she resisted, preferring to rely on her own efforts and ambition. But with persistent assignments that made her seek alternative and illuminating ideas, she grew both as a student and as a professional. To the overflowing crowd at Sunday’s Commencement, Jillian explained that taking responsibility for one’s education means you must be able to engage with a wide range of professionals in diverse disciplines. “At PhilaU”, she said, “I came to realize that I would only be as good as the colleague next to me.”

Jillian is a passionate advocate for Philadelphia University’s Power to Do. I am proud to call her graduate and alumna.

Three significant events this month were emblematic of the growing impact and reputation of this University.

First, senior finance major Malcolm Ingram received notification that he will be awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Grant (http://www.philau.edu/today/headlines/?p=763).  A Fulbright award is one of the most pretigious scholarships in America.  Malcolm’s award is another validation of the depth and quality of a Philadelphia University education.

Second, the women’s rowing team beat the other PU (Princeton University) and is ranked first in the NCAA east division and will compete this weekend in the NCAA regional event ( http://www.philaurams.com/sports/wrowing/2009-10/News/4-21-10_WRow_NCAA).

Third, Provost Randy Swearer and Assistant Provost Heather McGowan presented the Philadelphia University Design, Engineering and Commerce curricular framework to an international symposium of Colleges and Universities in San Francisco to rave review.  One Dean said, “the most important advancement in curriculum in a long time.”

 More to come.

I received a number of comments about my Op Ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer,

www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/89856722.html

Many people wrote telling me they believe greed is the driving force for why business education needs reform. I disagree. I maintain my solid belief that the overwhelming majority of business people are not “greedy.” Much more good has come from the free markets than bad.  In my business experience and as a business school professor for 15 years, I was surrounded with ambitious, driven people. A common trait of the most successful of those people was their broad definition of their stakeholders, and invariably they defined their role as value creator for those stakeholders, including themselves.

Can we then conclude that ambition, isolated from its impact on the broader stakeholder, mutates to greed? One isolated and detached transaction leads to another, myopically seeking clear quantitative recognition of success. Instead of creating value the individual seeks a narrow monetary transaction. The result is that ambition becomes greed.

It’s official.  Philadelphia University coach Herb Magee has more victories than anyone in NCAA men’s basketball history.  Surpassing Bobby Knight’s 902 wins last night, Coach Magee’s first words to me were, “That get’s us the number 1 seed in the conference tournament.”  I replied,”What about ’903′ coach?”.   “Oh yeah, that’s nice too.”

Herb Magee is an educator who has chosen the basketball court as his classroom.  He insists on teaching skills, offensive plays and defensive sets.  He educates students about teamwork, commitment, aspiration and achievement.  After 50 years at Philadelphia University-4 as a student, 3 as an assistant and 43 as a head coach-HerbMagee is the uncorrupted coach we wish all of our children might have.  I met dozens of alums who played for Coach Magee.  Their name tags included the wins they played in while at Philadelphia University.  Their affection for the Coach was palpable.  They take great pride in being a part of the Magee lineage.  They are Magee-niacs; those who have learned on the court what is most important off the court. But you didn’t have to play for the Coach to have learned from the Coach.  Count me in.

Congratulations Coach.

In entrepreneurship we talk about the “triggering event,” when something happens that sparks the notion you should start a business.

Professors often talk about a “teachable moment” when an event presents an opportunity to create learning that will persist.

In design it might be referred to as inspiration.

In life, the “ah-ha.”

As a University President it’s a “that’s why.”  “That’s why” is when a student or students rise to a challenge, take a brave position, impart wisdom beyond their years…and in doing so validate the reason higher education is an essential component for the advancement of civilized communities.

On Friday, two PA students, Trevor Bonney and Arden Barrett came to my office.  These 5th-year Masters students wanted to talk about Philadelphia University’s unique Physician Assistant Master’s clinical rotation program in Mississippi.

Trevor and Arden first explained why they are pursuing a career in medicine and why being a PA is so important.  Their recital of PA history was a proud and fascinating rendition of the growing impact of PAs in medicine and their own belief that they can make a difference (http://www.pahx.org/period01.html).  Trevor and Arden talked about their personal and professional mission.  They expressed, even demanded, a need for me to support our health initiatives and assured me they would work and support those efforts.

“That’s why” I left my office Friday afternoon feeling so good about life, Philadelphia University and the prospects for a better world.