EMBA Elite Spotlight: Matt Bogue

• April 28th, 2014
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Last Friday, March 25, 2014, was a day of celebration and remembrance for the Dutch Pharmacies’ grand opening in Tuscaloosa.  Matt Bogue, EMBA Class of 2014, and Vice President of Dutch Medical Clinics for The Dutch Group and his wife, Amy, welcomed the Tuscaloosa community and the University of Alabama EMBA family (classmates, faculty and staff) to the opening of their 83rd store.  This is the first super store venture in Alabama for The Dutch Group, founded in 1972.

The company, founded by Matt’s grandfather-in-law, Joe Gillis, grew up not far from the new pharmacy located next door to Sprint Mart at 445 15th Street, East in Tuscaloosa.  “In the aftermath of the tragic tornado that struck Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011, my grandfather wanted to do something for the community, to give back to a place that has meant so much to him,” said Amy Bogue.

For over 40 years, The Dutch Group has introduced innovative business concepts from the design of commercial buildings to the operation of convenience stores with fuel, travel centers, fast food operations, pharmacies, and commercial shopping centers.  They pioneered many other new marketing concepts, such as starting a pharmacy business within a traditional convenience store in 1990, maintaining competitive prices and delivering personal touch. “Being part of the local community is key for The Dutch Group,” said Matt, “our pharmacies are independently operated to provide a true hometown service.”

In addition to celebrating the grand opening, Matt is also looking forward to graduating from the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program at UA, on Saturday, May 3.  Matt will become the second in his family to graduate from the EMBA program.  His father-in-law, Rex Gillis, President of The Dutch Group, graduated in 1991. Roll Tide!

Manderson EMBA Alumni Celebrate A-Day 2014

• April 23rd, 2014
• in EMBA Alumni Network

There is nothing that Alabama fans like more than football, except maybe lots of food with football.  We suffer some withdrawal pains if we don’t see some crimson and Houndstooth, spot Big Al somewhere, hear the Million Dollar band, or yell “Roll Tide” at someone.  It’s more than just a game at Alabama. It’s a way of life.

Last Saturday, April 19, Culverhouse College of Commerce EMBA and MBA graduates, arrived in Tuscaloosa to attend the Manderson Graduate School breakfast before the A-Day game.  Alumni and their families received t-shirts, buttons and shakers to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Our youngest fan arrived in a stroller and our most senior graduate, Frank Chandler, was from the MBA Class of 1970.

EMBA graduates from the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville programs from 2004-2012, showed up to reminisce and show their team spirit.  Tim Smalley, EMBA Class of 2009, arrived with his son, Drew, who will be graduating from Alabama with an M.B.A. in 2015.  The 2012 class had the most members to attend: Ben Paulk, Michelle Wooten and Allyson Welch.

Check out more pictures from A-Day on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UAEMBA.

Prospects try EMBA Sample Class at UA

• April 10th, 2014
• in EMBA Uncategorized

For those considering graduate school there can be some trepidation in returning to the classroom. And, when the class is statistics stress levels start to rise. To counteract the anxiety the EMBA Program at The University of Alabama began offering Sample Classes for Prospects.

Kicking off the first EMBA Sample Class in Huntsville on April 10, was a Statistic Introduction by Dr. Brian Gray, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Business at UA.
Different from Open Classroom Days, where prospects attend a current class, the sample class is specifically designed for prospects to walk them through what will be covered in a course, answer questions regarding technology and cases used, and how the content is beneficial to the student and their company.

According to Dr. Gray, “Informed decisions require intelligent interpretation of statistical data and statistical analysis.” The students also were introduced to MiniTab and discussed a use of statistics in a law suit.

Onisa Allen who works at Verizon and attended the session found the Statistics Sample Class to be helpful in calming her fears. “In a brief period of time we learned the importance of how data can be pulled together that can impact major decisions in a corporation,” said Allen.

For more information on UA EMBA, and to RSVP for a future Sample Class contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.