April 2011
Hello everyone!
As spring makes its way to Ithaca, our thoughts and prayers remain with our alumni and friends who are still coping with the effects of natural disasters and turmoil around the world. We hope you will all take time to reach out to each other during this period when so many are dealing with so much. The Johnson community is strong and committed to helping one another.
I am pleased to be able to report many positive activities. First, I have just come off a period of global travel and was thrilled to connect with many alumni and supporters in business and the media in all locations. Have a look at my Facebook page (and if you haven't already, sign up to be my friend) to see where I have been.
Upon my arrival back to campus, I was delighted to be able to introduce our 2011 Durland lecturer, Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever. Polman delivered what was truly an inspiring talk about what an organization can do to create and grow sustainable solutions and business practices with perseverance and desire. If you weren't able to watch the live Web cast, I hope you can take a few minutes to read the stories or watch the video of the talk through the link above.
We continue to make progress on our Strategic Plan, and we had an opportunity to share some of those updates live with students recently at a Town Hall event hosted by Adam Beane, MBA '10. While I have been sharing news about the Strategic Plan in various messages to you, we will soon make all updates available to everyone in one location on the Web so that you can track the school's progress on our goals from wherever you are and whenever you can.
At the Town Hall event, I also announced to students that the university provost's office has formally begun the search for my replacement. While I cannot believe we have nearly reached the end of my five-year term, we have accomplished a lot together and will continue to do more through the end of my tenure as dean in July 2012. The provost's office has retained the professional search firm of Spencer Stuart to assist in the search process. They come highly recommended and will be coming to campus in early May to speak with the different constituencies of the school as part of their initial efforts. In the next few weeks, the provost will be finalizing the membership of the search committee. We have set up a confidential mailbox (JohnsonSchoolDeanSearch@cornell.edu) for the search, and I encourage you to submit any comments or suggestions you might have, as well as any thoughts regarding potential dean candidates. We are aware of the vital importance of this choice given the exciting yet volatile environment in which we compete, but know that I remain committed to Johnson as its dean until the last day of my formal appointment and following that, as a faculty member and life-long friend and ally.
Speaking of the coming year, our numbers for the incoming class look great. In terms of GMAT scores, work experience, diversity, and overall passion and excitement about being at Johnson, our incoming students are outstanding, and it will be so exciting to welcome all to the lifelong, global Johnson community.
Finally, along with our competitors, we continue to face an improved but still challenging job market. I am proud of the work that the CMC, our students, and alumni have done together to drive our career success into a better position this year. But we can't relax on this issue for one moment. We still have students seeking positions, and you can click here to view their resumes. You can search by class year, target function, and target industry. If you know of job listings, have one yourself, or wish to help our students as a JCoach, please email the CMC or call 607-255-4888.
Thank you for all you do for Johnson, your school. Remember to visit our Web site to see the latest news and to share your ideas. Also, remember to "friend" and "follow" Johnson on Facebook and Twitter. We have so many exciting things going on and we want to make sure we reach you with everything that's great at and about Johnson.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment and for representing all that we are wherever you go!
All best to you and yours,
Joe
Notes from Japan
Many Johnson alumni in Japan responded to the letter Dean Joe Thomas sent them expressing his condolences and concern last month following the devastating earthquake and tsunami there. Many also responded to his later message detailing students’ and other Johnson community members’ fundraising efforts on behalf of Japan. Here are a few brief excerpts from a small selection of the many responses our alumni in Japan sent to Dean Thomas in mid-March.
Katsuhiko Hanashima, MBA ’73
Thank you very much for your deepest sympathy and cordial consideration. We will overcome this hardship and rebuild our future with your support and encouragement.
Kunihiro Tazawa, MBA ’74
Thank you very much for your warm and thoughtful message concerning the earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan a few days ago. As far as myself and my family are concerned, we live several hundred miles away from the place they took place and, fortunately, we have not suffered. However we are seriously concerned about the present condition of the nuclear power plant which has been damaged by the earthquake and our TV is always on to monitor the situation. We do hope that this will end soon and casualties and damages are minimal. Thank you again for your kind message, which is really encouraging for us.
Kenjiro Ishihara, MBA ’84
We have to express our utmost appreciation to your concern and sympathy about Johnson Graduate School alumni in Japan. Fortunately my family and I are ok with slight disruption in my commuting back from the office in Tokyo on March 11. However, as you are already aware from the news report, the Tohoku region is totally devastated by the series of gigantic tsunami after the tremor. We are used to the earthquake and its aftermath here in Japan, but the magnitude of its calamity this time is just beyond our imagination with more than 50 feet tidal waves destroying everything in the towns hit in this tragedy. We are now facing the fear of the meltdown of the nuclear power plant in the region, and this is a really scary development. Among these hardships one thing we are relieved is people's resolution to help each other to overcome the difficulties. I believe we will keep up with our good spirit so that we could be able to realize an early come-back.
Yukinobu Ota, MBA ’86
Thank you for this timely and warmhearted message. … I myself and my family members did not suffer directly from the earthquake and tsunami, however, we Japanese all are facing mounting difficulties now and in the coming months or years. At this moment, due to short supply of electricity, daily lives of people living in Tokyo, which had little, if any, damages from the quake, are being affected in the form of crippled transportation system and near-empty store shelves. However, we are very much encouraged by warm messages and support offers from the friends around the world. Such friendships and senses of global co-support are the assets of Japan, which no disaster can destroy. When I was studying at JGSM, Japan had more self-confidence and brighter future. Recently such position has been threatened by other Asian nations and our economic grounds have been more fragile due to surging natural resource prices and domestic factors. Surmounting this once in a century hardship, we can, should, regain the previous strength.
Hirohisa Mikogami, MBA ’90
Thank you for your message. My family, my friends and myself are OK. There are still lots of aftershocks, of which frequency has been declined in the past three days. Power supply shortage had affected many aspects of life. It is true that we have a hard time to sustain the pre-quake life style. But, maybe we are too much accustomed to the affluent society. This week, I felt very happy every time when I got home. Just going back home safely to see my family made me feel very happy! I am hearing many warm words from the Cornell community, US and other countries. I really appreciate the support from all over the world. I believe Japan can successfully manage the current situation to comply with the expectations.
Masahiko Oshima, MBA ’91
I moved to Tokyo, Japan April last year, and experienced t he earthquake last Friday while I was in a serious meeting with one of my company's senior management. Since then, we had very tough time, but please understand that Tokyo is still a good place to live in and to work at, and the Japanese people are strong enough to incur this disaster. We will never give up! But, I would like to express that having heart-warming support from abroad is really helpful for us to keep our fighting spirit alive. I would like to reiterate my appreciation to you and Cornell society.
Yoshi Takashige, MBA ’93
Thank you for your thoughtful messages. My family and myself are fine. I am
living/working in Tokyo area, where we have been affected by the earthquake
but not that critical. It is very sad that many people lost their lives and
more remain suffering though they showed quite strong resilience under the
utmost hardships. We greatly appreciate generous supports from international
communities, and I am very happy to know that you, JGSM and Cornell
communities are connecting us and supporting those who need help.
Arthur “Wood” Bastian, MBA ’98 Thanks for the email and update. We’re toughing it out here in Tokyo getting coated with mild radiation and jiggled hourly with aftershocks. We’re also looking for ways to help. Jacob Reiner, another SCJGSM grad, and I are exploring ways to provide sustainable housing to the refugees.
Mariko Maki, MBA ’03
Thank you so much for the note you are sending to alumni. I encountered the earthquake at office in Tokyo; however, I confirmed all my family members are safe. Although one of my aunts is living in Fukushima – not far from the nuclear plant, and she is running short of food, my uncle is planning to get her out from there as soon as he can fill his car with gasoline. My sister in law is from the worst hit Sendai city, and her parents have lots of difficulties in life, but at least, they are safe. I myself am now in US, visiting my boss based in N.J. I flew out from Japan on Sunday, two days after the earthquake, to attend a conference in Miami. But my office is almost closed in Tokyo, so [it was] suggested [I] work here.
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