THUNDERBIRD THE
NEXT
By Dr. Sanjeev Khagram
75
CHERISHING (AND LEARNING FROM) OUR HISTORY
I
n the last decade, our world has faced tremendous changes and challenges. Globalism is under attack, the climate is in peril, and technologies are shifting and reshaping every aspect of our lives. Then, last year we were all hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – perhaps the defining moment of the 21st century. The pandemic tested us on every level – business, economy, governance, health, environment, social fabric, culture, and certainly education. Many people, countries, and enterprises were unprepared for the challenges. But as in any defining moment, along with the great challenges and complexities of the pandemic, there have also been tremendous opportunities to rebuild and rejuvenate.
YEARS WATCH VIDEO
Once again, Thunderbird is being called to duty to transform the world, just as we did after World War II. On the heels of the Second World War, our beloved institution was founded on a set of timeless goals and fundamental values: connecting people, enterprises, governments, and cultures around the world and training future global leaders and managers for careers in international trade and global relations. It is not accidental that Thunderbird was founded the same year as the United Nations. Since then, the world has evolved dramatically through eras – decolonization and the emergence of new nation states (when Thunderbird was founded, most of the peoples of the world were under colonial rule, including my own family), the Cold War, the New International Economic Order, the end of the Cold War and globalization 3.0 in the 1990s, 9-11-2001, the Global Financial Crisis – and now COVID-19. This year, we are proud to be celebrating our 75th anniversary. We’ve completed the most significant turnaround in higher education history, we have overcome many significant obstacles and we are now positioned to shape our next 75 years. Because of the foundation laid by our founders and our constant dedication to our vision and mission, especially the love and dedication of Thunderbird alumni, students, staff, faculty, and leadership, we have survived and thrived. See a visual representation of Thunderbird’s evolution on page 10.
THUNDERBIRD.ASU.EDU/MAGAZINE
37
