Opening Reception Welcomes Participants to Smith's
Second Executive MBA Cohort in Shanghai

Approximately 60 attendees including Smith alumni, U.S. government officials, senior corporate executives, as well as current and new participants in the Smith Schools Shanghai EMBA cohorts 1 & 2 were on hand for an official opening reception to welcome the newest members of the Smith Schools community on December 7, 2006 in Shanghai. The reception celebrated the start of the second Shanghai Executive MBA cohort since the programs debut in November 2006, and the successful progression of the Smith Schools custom and executive education offerings in China.

Kevin Chambers, U.S. Consulate Commercial
Officer, delivered an opening speech, followed by Robert Sheehan, the Smith Schools academic director of executive degree programs, who offered a brief introduction to the Smith School and its ongoing commitment to the China market. Smith school alumni, Greg Hanifee, general manager of Verizon Information Services-Asia, and current Smith School student speaker, Chris Brown, general manager of Jaguar and Land Rover China, shared their respective learning experiences with the Smith Schools programs in the United States and China. Andrew Polins, special projects manager for the Children's Place Retail Stores and a member of the newly starting cohort in Shanghai, delivered remarks as well.

Earlier in the day, Shanghai cohort members participated in orientation with Sheehan in preparation for the first day of class on Dec. 8.

The Smith School welcomes these newest members of our growing and vibrant international community!