Menu

CEGE Connection

Share.Learn.Inspire.Transform

Connect and Join the Dialogue

Archives for Joseph Macdonald

Celebrating Milestones: The 20th Anniversary of the MBA(FS) Class of 1999

1 Comment

Class of 1999 MBA(FS)
Graduations signify passages and transitions, of moving forward and of accepting new ventures and challenges.

Today, the Class of 2019 will walk across the stage to accept their degrees, marking the culmination of a rigorous academic journey.

“On behalf of the University Senate, we hereby attest that Dalhousie University has awarded the degree of…”

The emotions of gratitude and anticipation mingle together as graduates join the ranks of a vibrant alumni community. Even so, there is a wistful look back over the miles travelled since the arrival of the first textbooks.

Twenty years ago, on the eve of a new millennium, the Class of 1999 was the first to achieve the degree, MBA (Financial Services).

Over the summer months, I reached out to those who witnessed the graduation ceremonies under the banner of the Office of External Graduate Program.  The inaugural convocation of the MBA(FS) was a profound and moving experience for the students, but also for those who were applauding from the sidelines.

Class of 1999 MBA(FS)

Joseph A. Macdonald

Convocation 1999 remains top-of-mind to this day. I recall the following observations made that eventful evening. I have never been one to attend my own graduations. For me, the educational process had always been about getting the information and the designation and moving on to the next stage of life.  However, my commitment to attending the MBA (FS) graduations was 100%.

Since the 1996 beginnings, our administration team had shared our students’ journeys professionally and personally. We spent time reassuring them, tutoring them, listening to their challenges and even providing a shoulder when times were especially tough.

As I stood on the corner of the graduation stage and watched each of these dedicated individuals shake the Chancellor’s hand and receive their parchment from the Registrar, I was touched, to my core, with a sense of pride that comes from watching a sibling, a close friend or one’s own child graduate.  This was a far stronger and deeper feeling than anything that I had experienced following my personal achievements.

It was obvious that this group of individuals would go on to achieve much. And they have.

Michelle Hunter

Great reflection piece, Joseph.  While I was fairly new to the MBA FS program team, I felt a real connection right away with the class of 1999.  To this day, I beam with pride and get goose bumps as I watch graduates walk across the stage to receive their degree.

Morven Fitzgerald

I agree with Joseph and Michelle. I feel like my children are graduating. Every convocation leaves me with a warm fuzzy (and sad as they say goodbye) feeling.

 

Dalhousie University

CEGE Connection would like to recognize the contribution of the MBA(FS)Class of 1999 as they commemorate their twentieth-year anniversary. All our best goes out to these graduates on this very special milestone year. Thank you for your commitment to excellence, life-long learning and the communities in which you live and work.

To the graduating Class of 2019 – congratulations  We are proud of your success and wish for you the very best in your future endeavours.

Reflections on the Class of 1999 Convocation

6 Comments

Class of 1999 MBA(FS)

Fall convocation is only a few days away, with the ceremonies scheduled for October 2nd and 3rd.  The Class of 2017 will walk across the stage to accept their degrees, marking the culmination of a rigorous academic journey.

Graduations signify passages and transitions, of moving forward and of accepting new ventures and challenges.

“On behalf of the University Senate, we hereby attest that Dalhousie University has awarded the degree of…”

The emotions of gratitude and anticipation mingle together as graduates join the ranks of a vibrant alumni community. Even so, there is a wistful look back over the miles travelled since the arrival of the first textbooks.

On the eve of a new millennium, the Class of 1999 was the first to achieve the degree, MBA (Financial Services).

Over the summer months, I reached out to those who witnessed the graduation ceremonies under the banner of the Office of External Graduate Program.  The inaugural convocation of the MBA(FS) was a profound and moving experience for the students, but also for those who were applauding from the sidelines.

Class of 1999 MBA(FS)

Joseph A. Macdonald

Convocation 1999 remains top-of-mind to this day. I recall the following observations made that eventful evening. I have never been one to attend my own graduations. For me, the educational process had always been about getting the information and the designation and moving on to the next stage of life.  However, my commitment to attending the MBA (FS) graduations was 100%.

Since the 1996 beginnings, our administration team had shared our students’ journeys professionally and personally. We spent time reassuring them, tutoring them, listening to their challenges and even providing a shoulder when times were especially tough.

As I stood on the corner of the graduation stage and watched each of these dedicated individuals shake the Chancellor’s hand and receive their parchment from the Registrar, I was touched, to my core, with a sense of pride that comes from watching a sibling, a close friend or one’s own child graduate.  This was a far stronger and deeper feeling than anything that I had experienced following my personal achievements.

It was obvious that this group of individuals would go on to achieve much. And they have.

Michelle Hunter

Great reflection piece, Joseph.  While I was fairly new to the MBA FS program team, I felt a real connection right away with the class of 1999.  To this day, I beam with pride and get goose bumps as I watch graduates walk across the stage to receive their degree.

Morven Fitzgerald

I agree with Joseph and Michelle. I feel like my children are graduating. Every convocation leaves me with a warm fuzzy (and sad as they say goodbye) feeling.

Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2017. We are proud of your success and wish for you the very best in your future endeavours.

 

The Next Chapter: Joseph A. Macdonald

3 Comments

Joseph A. Macdonald Strategic & Business Development Specialist

Joseph A. Macdonald
Strategic & Business Development Specialist

“Each of us possessed a passion and commitment to the program and the students that was unrivaled in any other environment I have encountered before or since.  We were a team of equals whose one job was to get the job done and done better than anyone else could do it.  These individuals remain my close friends to this day.”

Joseph A. Macdonald

On November 30, 2016 Ray Klapstein and Rosaire Couturier celebrated the 20th Anniversary of CFAME’s MBA (FS). An idea written on the back of a paper placemat transformed the way professionals acquire sector-specific graduate degrees. Twenty years later, CFAME continues to offer an innovative blended learning model designed to provide practical, relevant and experiential “real world” learning.

An idea requires champions.  Many graduates will remember Joseph Macdonald, the first Program Director of the MBA (FS) program, from September 1995 to January 2000.  In a recent interview, Joseph recounted how the idea became a reality.

How did you become involved in the MBA(FS) initiative?

Joseph: I had just returned from 2.5 years volunteering in Botswana (southern Africa) and dropped in to see Ray Klapstein at the School of Business.  Ray told me about the proposed MBA (FS) Program that was awaiting senate approval.  He was very optimistic and said that he wanted me to spearhead the internal processes that would be required to implement the Program once it was approved.

There was a lot to be coordinated between Graduate Studies, The Registrar and Student Accounts. The term length, admission criteria and payment process were all non-traditional, and it was imperative that there be consensus among all parties in order to move forward.

Once this process was in place, it became apparent that someone had to carry the ball for implementation.  Ray again tagged me for the job.

How many students were in the first classes?

Joseph: There were 35 students in the first class and within the first 12 months there were in excess of 100 students in the open enrollment classes and a separate 40 student class of exclusively BMO employees.

What were the significant milestones during your tenure?

There were many remarkable milestones that occurred during the formative years.

Having the first courses finalized on time to deliver to the September 1996 inaugural class.  This was especially significant given that we were having the course materials developed while we were marketing the Program and collecting registration fees.  As well, delivering the first course intensive sessions in Toronto in January 1997.Coming to agreement with BMO to provide independent classes of their employees.  One class of 40 students commencing each year. Delivering the first summer course intensive session on campus at DAL.  We planned events such as a harbour cruise and a lobster boil for the students during their one week in Halifax. Commencing the first cohort of students in the Caribbean and delivering the first Caribbean intensive session in Jamaica.

I witnessed the graduation of the first MBA (FS) students at the Fall convocation in 1999.  There were 100 graduates and by that time there were an additional 300+ students enrolled in the program.

As the program grew, so did the full-time staff; we originally employed work term Co-Op students. The first full-time staff member was Margie Bush, then Michelle Hunter, who was followed by Morven Fitzgerald. It is important to understand that having a staff was not the highlight; the highlight was the people who now made up our team.  Each of us possessed a passion and commitment to the program and the students that was unrivaled in any other environment I have encountered before or since.  We were a team of equals whose one job was to get the job done and done better than anyone else could do it.  These individuals remain my close friends to this day.

What did you enjoy most about being at the beginning of something new?

It has always been an emotional rush for me to be on the leading edge of implementing something that others say can’t be done, and there were plenty of those, ranging from internal faculty to other educational institutions who saw us as a threat to their regional turf.  All of this and working as part of a team that I could not have dreamed up, made the early stages of building the Program a magical experience.

A reminder to our vibrant alumni community in Calgary.  CFAME is holding a special event on March 7, 2017.  Joseph will be there and invites you to join in on the festivities. Stay tuned – more information on its way.

20th Anniversary Celebration