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from the president
Enduring values
Even in times of change, T-bird mystique survives
Thunderbird was a
familiar place to me
when I arrived in
April 2012 as interim
provost. I first experienced
the energy on campus more
than 25 years ago as a guest,
and I quickly developed an
admiration for the school
and its global mission.
Over the years I have
known four Thunderbird
presidents — including
my immediate predecessor
Barbara Barrett. So I thought
I understood what people
meant when they talked
about the Thunderbird
mystique.
I was wrong. Although I
had a surface knowledge, I
lacked a close-up view.
Serving as interim provost
and now as the school’s
president and Chief Academic
Officer has deepened my
appreciation of Thunderbird
through daily interaction
with the people who carry
the brand.
Thunderbird faculty, staff,
students, alumni and other
friends of the school are
global explorers with passion
for diversity and quest
for adventure.
They speak English in a
range of accents, and many
have lived in multiple countries.
This is Thunderbird.
The community is also
philanthropic. I saw this
firsthand during the recent
Thunderbird Global Council
meeting, when dozens of
senior leaders from multiple
industries visited campus
ready to share their expertise.
The volunteer group
included alumni and other
friends of the school who
regularly take time out of
their schedules to give back.
Worldwide, Thunderbird
alumni in more than 140
countries donate an average
of 84 hours per year in volunteerism.
This is Thunderbird.
Perhaps more than anything
else, the community is
close-knit. T-birds build lifelong
friendships that span
continents and cultures.
They learn from each other
and help each other succeed.
The camaraderie was on
full display March 2, 2013,
when the “Old Boys” returned
to the campus rugby
pitch to challenge the rising
generation in a friendly
match that has become an
annual tradition.
The same week, hundreds
of T-birds from alumni chapters
around the world met
during Super First Tuesday
to reconnect and build new
friendships.
This is Thunderbird.
As the school moves forward
in a new era with Laureate
Education, Inc., (page
4) these core values will
endure. Thunderbird will not
forget its roots as the school
expands its global reach.
Thunderbird will remain
independent and committed
to the highest academic
standards. The people who
made Thunderbird special
in the past will continue to
create sustainable prosperity
worldwide. New generations
of students passionate about
global business will continue
to come to Thunderbird for
a world-class education delivered
by top-tier professors.
Thunderbird’s partnership
plan will bring new
opportunities, but it will not
change the school at its core.
Thanks to people like you,
the mystique I felt more than
25 years ago as a guest will
endure in the 21st century.
Larry Edward Penley, Ph.D.
Thunderbird President
and Chief Academic Officer
thunderbird magazine 3