What is a Business School?

A letter from Georgette Chapman Phillips, the Kevin L. and Lisa A. Clayton Dean of the College of Business

Georgette Chapman Phillips

Dean Georgette Chapman Phillips

Pick up the business section of any U.S. newspaper today, and you will inevitably read about the concerns facing U.S. business schools. However we defined ourselves yesterday, certainly we must adapt for tomorrow. Changing demographics, shifting economies and political headwinds have forced us to re-examine who we are and how we fit into the global business and societal landscape.

We spent the past year defining our position and crafting our path forward. In this exercise, it became clear that as a college and as a university, our strength lies in intersectionality. Our business school—Lehigh Business—is where business meets technology. We are proud to introduce our new brand: Break Boundaries. Whether it is sharpening our name, creating a new department or helping engineers navigate the route to the executive suite, Lehigh Business breaks the boundary between business and technology. Please read about this evolution and the resulting changes.

Our faculty continue their impactful inquiry on wide-ranging topics. The effect of flight patterns on birth weight, how entrepreneurs make decisions, the intersection of conflict minerals and accounting standards, crowd funding on e-platforms, why fashion beauty is in the eye of the beholder and whether trademarks are worth the cost for startups are just some of the topics informed by our faculty research. You will read why it matters beginning on pg. 12. Please also take a minute to read about our new faculty.

Of course, our alumni are breaking boundaries of their own. We are so grateful for those who give back in time, talent and treasure. Here we share some examples of alumni generosity. We also shine the spotlight on the diversity of career paths taken after Lehigh. Begin reading here to discover where a Lehigh Business education can lead you.

Current Lehigh Business students continue to amaze. On campus and off, our students (whom you will read about beginning here) are taking their education to new heights—literally. Our Startup Academy students rang the closing NASDAQ bell from San Francisco in August and were featured on the NASDAQ tower in Times Square.

It continues to be a professional joy to lead such a fine business school. Thanks for taking the time to read about our journey. Please also be sure to check out our newly designed website: business.lehigh.edu. I welcome any feedback you may offer.

Georgette Chapman Phillips
The Kevin L. and Lisa A. Clayton Dean of the College of Business
@LehighBizDean

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