The King's Connection Magazine Volume 25 // Number 1 | Page 16

LEDER UPDATE

BUSINESS SCHOOL IGNITED

M

uch has happened since the launch of the new Leder
School of Business this past fall. The school has
expanded its team, connected with industry and has gone
global. With a 50 per cent increase in applications from
students wanting to join the program, the school appears to
be on the right track.
Two new staff members have recently been added. Ryan
Young, Director of Applied Learning, started in November.
He brings a wealth of experience and connections to
industry both in Edmonton and in Asia. Dr. Daniel Kim
will be joining in July to expand the international and
entrepreneurship areas of the program. Dr. Kim has a PhD
from India Institute of Technology and has also managed a
Korean multi-national corporation in India.
The Leder School of Business has also signed agreements
with universities in Holland, Thailand and Lithuania so
students can spend a semester studying around the world.
Three students have already taken the opportunity to study
global business ethics at Christelijke Hogeschool
Ede (Holland) this past winter. Other plans in the works
include a study tour to Burundi where King’s Adjunct
Professor George Watts is currently on a two-year
teaching assignment.
Closer to home, the Leder School of Business has been very
active in connecting with local businesses and leaders.
Former Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and King’s supporter and independent businessman Art Dronkelaar came

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Summer 2015 THE KING’S CONNECTION

to King’s to speak on the importance of faith and ethics in
business. Management consultant (and King’s supporter
and Board of Governor member) Jerry Bouma recently spoke
at an evening event on campus with Edmonton realtor Kathy
Schmidt about the importance and ways of networking.
Students are also gaining practical advice through
consulting projects and through case competitions. One
team participated in the Alberta Not-For-Profit Case
Competition which tackled a live issue in the nonprofit
field while another team is preparing for a competition that
focuses on Canada’s energy industry. Another class helped
King’s Marketing department choose a new supplier of
promotional gifts by developing criteria and vetting
companies as part of a Request for Proposal process while
getting academic credit for it in the process.
Many other exciting plans are currently in the works
including new programs, partnerships and conferences.
The all-important first meeting of the Leder School of
Business Advisory Council, is to come soon too.
Keep up-to-date by following the business school on