Student leaders - learning from the best
Feb, 2008
Former SRC President Luke Meehan represents MBS on the executive committee of the prestigious Graduate Business Forum - a network of student leaders from the best MBA programs around the world.
The concept of a Graduate Business Forum was developed by former Columbia MBA student Jim Deveau in 1982 after grappling with the lack of cohesive vision for Columbia's student organisations and the challenges in student services and support. Assuming that other student leaders might be facing similar difficulties, Jim contacted several schools and proposed the idea of a "leadership summit" where they could discuss these concerns. He received an overwhelming response and the conference has endured, with schools such as Wharton, Kellogg, Cornell and National University of Singapore serving as hosts. The Annual Fund underpins Luke’s involvement in this influential and high profile group.
"The Graduate Business Forum (GBF) hosts a flagship annual conference for over 150 student leaders from the very best global MBA programs to come together, share common issues and solutions, and develop new ideas. Last year was the first time that MBS was invited to be a part of this prestigious network.
This was a fantastic opportunity for the MBS Student Council which, being isolated geographically from peers, has seen us wrestle with many important issues and challenges, relatively on our own. Today, being part of the GBF has meant that our geographical position and limited peer MBA networks are no longer barriers to learning from other student experiences in MBA programs throughout the world.
The GBF is administered by an executive committee of student leaders – often those who have held student leadership roles at participant schools. Late last year, I was invited to join the Executive Committee, which was a great honour for me and the School. It is only with the generous support of the MBS Annual Fund that I have been able to sit on the Committee and assist with the coordination of this year’s conference at the University of California’s Haas Business School.
I am proud to have received this support from MBS alumni, whose generous donations have allowed me to represent the School and MBS students. This representation has helped connect our students to leading-edge developments within peer MBA programs across the world. The high profile nature of the GBF is also exposing our School’s brand to international business, cultural and state leaders.
Thank you so much for this outstanding opportunity. I look forward to reporting back on the success of the conference later in the year."
Luke Meehan – SRC President 2007
