Technology, innovation and imagination are words that aptly describe the 20th century. They will define the new century, too. But in what way? If we have learned anything from the past, it's that change is a constant. At the Robinson College, we are preparing to meet the challenges of this new century.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

As we begin a new year, we are forming strategic partnerships that will put us in good standing for a new century. The College recently joined with Scientific-Atlanta to offer our nationally ranked MBA program on site at their metro Atlanta headquarters. As you will read, the program is one more innovative way the College is reaching out this year to serve the needs of the business community.

In addition, the College will begin offering a lecture series and scholarships to women and underrepresented graduate business students as a result of a partnership with our long-term friend, Bank of America. In this issue, Robinson College alum and Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis provides more insight into the importance of partnerships and community involvement.

Our students also will benefit this year from a recent agreement with New York Life Insurance Company. Their contribution will enable us to establish a professorship in insurance and to offer scholarships to deserving international and minority students.

The College is also teaming with other schools inside Georgia State on programs of national and international scope. Recently, the Robinson College joined with the university's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies to establish the Ron Brown Institute in Sub-Saharan Africa. Named for the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the institute will expand human capital, create and strengthen small and medium-sized business enterprises, and build a favorable policy environment for the private sector.

NEW KEY APPOINTMENT

In addition to these new partnerships and initiatives, a new appointment in our Economic Forecasting Center will help us prepare for the challenges of the 21st century. I am pleased to announce that Dr. Rajeev Dhawan, formerly with UCLA, has joined us as director of the Economic Forecasting Center. As you read more about Dr. Dhawan in this issue, I'm sure you will feel as I do that he will bring great energy and recognition to our Center, building upon the strong foundation established by Dr. Donald Ratajczak. Based upon his recent coverage in local and national media as mentioned in this issue's Media Watch section, he already is off to a strong start.

LOOKING BACK

As we embark on these exciting initiatives, we are at the same time saddened by the recent loss of the College's first dean, Dr. George Manners. As you will read in this issue. Dr. Manners is largely responsible for taking the College from a small, unaccredited institution with just a handful of instructors in the late 1940s to a fully accredited school with top faculty. His leadership and guidance helped pave the way for the College's current success, and we shall forever be grateful.

Dr. Manners and other previous administrators gave the College its strong foundation. We can take pride in all that has been accomplished and anticipate an even greater future for our faculty, staff and students. If we dare to dream, venture boldly and work together, we shall continue moving the Robinson College toward its goal of being America's business school for working professionals, and one of the finest overall.

Sidney E. Harris
Dean
Robinson College of Business