The Last Word
A New Beginning

In our executive education programs, we urge participants to develop a commitment to continuous learning and to take on new personal risks and professional challenges. One of our very early advertisements for Wharton's executive education programs featured a photo of a motorcycle with the headline: "Malcolm Forbes learned to ride a motorcycle at 50. What have you learned lately?" This was the spirit of challenge and innovation that was a rallying cry for our work here.

I have had the good fortune to work together with an outstanding group of school leaders, faculty, staff, alumni, and other executives to establish Wharton as one the world's leaders in executive education. True to Wharton's "tradition of innovation," we took a fresh, entrepreneurial look at this task, not just in our motorcycle ads, but in every aspect of our programs.

I have found continued professional challenges at Wharton, where I've been involved, with a few detours into the private sector, since 1973. This is a very long time to stay with a single organization, a reflection of my strong connections to this institution's ability to consistently present learning opportunities through new and interesting challenges. In all this time, I can honestly say, there has never been a dull moment.

Today, however, my pursuit of new challenges and learning is taking me in a new direction. I have recently accepted the position of dean of the Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business, effective June 30. This is a very exciting opportunity and a chance to assume a broader leadership role in building an outstanding school. I am very much looking forward to taking on this new task.

I won't miss digging out of the snow in the winter, but I will miss, and be grateful for, the outstanding community I have had the privilege to be a part of at Wharton. I would like to thank my colleagues and the many participants in our programs for your insights, feedback, and support in the important work that we've accomplished here. I encourage you to keep asking yourselves, as we did from the beginning of our work at Wharton: What have you learned lately?

You may be surprised where the answer takes you.

Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.
Vice Dean and Director
Wharton Executive Education

• Wharton Executive Education
  
  
• The Wharton School

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