Reflecting On A Transformative Year
As the Spring 2025 semester draws to a close and we reflect on another academic year, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our students, faculty, staff, and supporters. This year has brought many meaningful achievements, but also a sharper awareness of the complex and evolving challenges facing higher education today.
Every academic year brings milestones worth celebrating. Yet this one has underscored the urgent need for institutions like ours to adapt, innovate, and lead. Rising operational costs, shifting public perception, declining enrollments, and increasing demands for flexible, affordable, and career-focused education are reshaping how we serve our students and fulfill our mission. These challenges are no longer abstract; they are present in every classroom, every advising conversation, and every campus experience.
At the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, we are proud to meet these realities head-on. Our faculty are not only educators but trailblazers—preparing students for careers that didn’t exist a decade ago. Our students are not only learners but leaders, engaging with real-world problems from their very first semester. And our staff, often working behind the scenes, continue to be the foundation of all we accomplish. Together, we are not merely responding to change—we are helping to shape the future of business education.
This year, our efforts were reflected in several powerful ways. We launched new programs, expanded our industry partnerships, and elevated student opportunities. Our new MS-SHRM graduate program exceeded expectations in its first year, with 22 students enrolled, and its first graduate, Susan Fleming, also recently completed her MBA. Our inaugural Buff Business Trek took students to Southwest Airlines’ headquarters in Dallas, providing a high-impact leadership experience before classes began.
The spirit of excellence and engagement continued through signature events like the Faculty and Staff Awards on April 11, where we recognized outstanding contributions to teaching, service, and leadership. At the COB Symposium on April 23, we honored exceptional students and community partners, celebrating the vital relationship between education and impact.
This issue also features stories that illustrate our students’ diverse paths and perseverance. Megan and Doug Shields, a married couple commuting weekly from Littlefield, Texas, earned co-honors as Outstanding Undergraduate Students. Kevin Furlong, a lifelong learner and physician, adds an MBA to his academic and professional achievements list. Ryan Spillman, a determined transfer student from Lockhart, Texas, found renewed purpose through WT’s flexible programs. And we recognize the well-earned retirement of David Clark, Instructor of Accounting, after 14 years of service to our college and his students.
Finally, we spotlight the inspiring journey of AJ Johri, a 1993 WT MBA graduate who now serves as Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley, overseeing $2 billion in assets. His story is featured in our latest BuffSpeak podcast episode—one of the many ways we continue to engage with our broader community.
We are proud of our people, our progress, and our purpose. The work we do matters, and your continued support and engagement make it possible.
As you explore the many stories in this edition, I invite you to stay connected year-round through ProfSpeak, our faculty blog, and BuffSpeak, our fast-growing podcast series. These platforms continue to grow in reach and relevance, bringing fresh insight and thought leadership to our community.
To our graduates: Congratulations on reaching this milestone. You leave us with not just a degree, but a mindset grounded in integrity, adaptability, and purpose. To our returning students, faculty, and staff: thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission.
As we move into the summer months, I hope this season brings you renewal, reflection, and continued inspiration. Here’s to continued success and a bright future for our College of Business community.
Warm regards and Go Buffs