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Press Release

Eller College of Management Business Communication faculty wins The University of Arizona 2004 Team Award for Excellence

TUCSON, Ariz. – May 5, 2004 –The Eller College of Management Business Communication faculty has won The University of Arizona 2004 Team Award for Excellence. Members of this team are program director Dr. Renee McConnell, Diza Sauers, Michael Sechrest, Sandra Rothschild, Bryan Patchett and Carol Shuherk.

The overall mission of this team is to improve business students' communication skills. In the fall of 1999, Renee McConnell and another instructor were hired to implement a business communication required course in the Eller undergraduate core. As of fall 2003, this team has grown to include at least 7 instructors, 6 teaching assistants, and 14 preceptors and has broadened its contribution to the College overall. The required undergraduate course serves approximately 500 students per semester in 18-20 sections. This requires extensive coordination of faculty, staff and students. Business communication courses for Eller MBAs include support for experiential learning field projects and an MBA case competition.

Pam Perry, associate dean of the Eller College undergraduate programs, commented, “Renee and her team have gone far beyond the initial scope and goals of the business communication program. Constant refinement, creative energy, quality service for all students and unique contributions throughout the College are the hallmarks of this team.”

In addition to developing innovative curriculum and providing stellar teaching, the business communication faculty work as a service unit to support and complement all Eller College departments and faculty. As an example, the team initiated a “Help Desk” that is available five days a week to address communication needs of both past and present students. Students are able to walk in with a writing assignment in hand and get immediate feedback, and can schedule “practice” presentations.

Kevin Kundinger, Eller College senior graduating with a BSBA in MIS, said, “I have taken many classes at The University of Arizona and have been involved with many different groups. I found that the members of the business communication group have a rare passion for their jobs that is infectious and results in successfully providing skills for students to help them succeed in life. Students get so much out of these courses because the instructors put so much into them.”

The Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona is internationally recognized for pioneering research, innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, excellence in management information systems, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. U.S. News & World Report ranks the Eller undergraduate program #14 among public business schools and three of its programs are among the top 20 — Entrepreneurship, MIS, and Management. U.S. News & World Report ranks the Eller MBA Full-Time program #44 in the U.S. and #21 among public business schools. The College leads the nation’s business schools in generating grant funds for research. In addition to a Full-Time MBA program, the Eller College offers an Evening MBA program and the Eller Executive MBA. The Eller College of Management supports approximately 5,700 undergraduate and 700 graduate students on the UA campus in beautiful Tucson, Arizona.

Press Contact:
Liz Warren-Pederson, Eller College of Management
520.626.9547, news@eller.arizona.edu

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