Scott Burroughs, Industry Solutions Software Portfolio Strategist at IBM, spoke to Dr. Sandy Vannoy’s MBA Global Information Systems class July 27, 2011. Mr. Burroughs presented a series of customer anecdotes in various business scenarios highlighting the role of information technology in business strategy and competitiveness. Additionally, Mr. Burroughs spent time with students one-on-one answering questions about working with a global firm such as IBM and about building their own careers.

Appalachian State Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock recently played host to many friends and donors of Walker College at the Chancellor’s House on campus. Among the people who spoke was Brandy Hopkins ’09 FIN, ’10 MBA, who recently graduated from the Walker College MBA program and is pursing a Ph.D program. She shared her story of how she came to Appalachian. Someone in attendance recorded her presentation and posted it on YouTube.

In early 2008 two Appalachian State students were hard at work bringing a business idea on stage. It wasn’t easy, but it got done. It was a festival called Music on the Mountaintop. It attracted more than 2,000.

The festival returned last year. The crowd grew to 4,200 and organizers reported a profit. Year Three of the Music on the Mountaintop begins today and continues tomorrow, according to ASU News.

Appalachian State University graduate and local entrepreneur Jimmy Hunt ’09 manages a local music festival that operates as a model for raising awareness about sustainability, while also providing Appalachian students with invaluable on-the-job training to complement classroom lessons.

Music on the Mountaintop is an ecologically driven, large-scale music festival that features several popular bands and musicians and specializes in providing educational awareness on current environmental issues. Hunt worked with the Center for Entrepreneurship to launch the first annual festival in 2008. “We are very proud of what Jimmy has accomplished, and continue to work with him to this day,” says Bryan Toney, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship.

The article notes that “28 percent of Appalachian students say their primary career aspiration is to own their own business. More than 200 students enroll in elective entrepreneurship courses each year, and Appalachian’s Center for Entrepreneurship helps prepare them for success. More than 1,000 Walker College of Business alumni are already active entrepreneurs.”

Dr. Joseph Cazier (center) stands among some of the the 64 students enrolled this year with the MBA program within Walker College. Most of the students, 42, will attend classes fullt-ime on the Appalachian State campus; 4 will attend part-time, and 18 are working off-campus in Hickory. The program started in July.

The priority of the 32-hour MBA program is to "offer a high-quality MBA Program designed to assist students develop professional skills that are valued in today's business world." Contact Dr. Cazier if you have any questions or interest in the program.