Letter from the
Dean
It is my sincere hope that many of you have already heard about the growth and accomplishments the Bloch School has enjoyed in the past two years, particularly 2011. This growth is happening because the Bloch School’s leadership is driven by a very bold vision – a vision that is tied deeply into the aspirations and the heritage of our city and our community. As Kansas City moves toward becoming one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the nation, we at the Bloch School are aligned with the community’s goals. Here are just a few of our recent changes and success stories:
a new strategic plan and new school name
elite ranking of our graduate and undergraduate entrepreneurship programs among the top 25 in the nation by Princeton Review and national top 25 ranking for our accounting information systems research
partnership agreements with top universities in China
Executive Education models to train high-level executives in navigating change
11 new faculty and five new or
redesigned graduate programs
the largest one-time gift in the history
You will read in depth about our strategic initiatives and many other exciting success stories in this issue of the Bloch magazine. Although we are gathering momentum, the need for the Bloch School to continue to excel is critical. Through achieving our mission, realizing our vision and successfully implementing our strategic initiatives, we strive to help ensure the future of not only our students, but that of the school, UMKC and the Kansas City region as well. We want the community to use the Bloch School to propel Kansas City toward its goal of being the most entrepreneurial city in the nation. Your commitment, support and involvement are critical to our success and sustainability. We encourage you to join us on our journey to excellence! Sincerely,
of UMKC from Henry Bloch for a new, state-of-the art building to house our graduate and executive programs
research in innovation management
by Bloch entrepreneurship faculty has propelled UMKC to No.1 in the world
BLOCH
Teng-Kee Tan, Ph.D. Dean and Harzfeld Professor of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Transforming Talent for Kansas City and Beyond 2
BLOCH Magazine
Winter 2011
In the largest one-time gift the University of Missouri-Kansas City has ever seen, Bloch School benefactor Henry W. Bloch gave $32 million for the Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a new state-of-the-art facility that will be adjacent to the current Bloch School building and will house graduate, executive and entrepreneurship programs. The gift was announced at a celebratory event on Sept. 15. “I chose to make this significant gift because I felt now was the right time,” Bloch said. “I stand behind Dean Tan’s purposeful vision for the Bloch School and have already seen him execute successful strategic initiatives that will propel the school toward national and international renown. The new mission and vision of the school both respect and directly tie into the legacy of Kansas City and align with what this community wants and needs from its business school.” BNIM Architects and JE Dunn Construction were selected to design and build the project. Dean Teng-Kee Tan and the architectural team traveled around the country for inspiration from some of the most innovative workspaces, including Google, Ideo and Stanford University. From their research, they have designed a new model with features unlike any business school in the world. Building features will include a design-led innovation laboratory that allows students to conduct entrepreneurial and innovation studies with brain-storming, simulation, concept-making, prototyping, a proof-of-concept design studio and flexible classrooms for participative and collaborative team learning.
Henry Bloch
Gives the Gift of Growth New building will propel Bloch and UMKC into the future
Clockwise from upper left: Kansas City Mayor Sly James and Sprint CEO Dan Hesse enjoy the show at the Sept. 15 announcement of the gift; UMKC Chancellor Leo Morton, Henry W. Bloch and UMKC Foundation President Allen Atterbury; Henry Bloch stands at the center of student representatives from across campus disciplines including Pharmacy, Law, Conservatory, Engineering and Business, representing the broad scope of entrepreneurship at the event.
The Henry W. Bloch School of Management
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