Hello, extended Atkinson family,
What a year of incredible progress and achievements this has been! There is so much to be proud of as a community. This entire year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Atkinson's founding, ending the academic year with multiple festivities.
One of the most meaningful events for me, personally, was the MBA course Philanthropic Investment for Community Impact's annual end-of-year Awards Ceremony, the culmination of two semesters of work. This year, Atkinson students awarded $66,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations. We are so grateful to our donor, United Way, for making this hands-on, high-impact course possible. (Curious about this unique course? Learn more here).
Another high point was the Regatta weekend, drawing alums and family members from multiple generations in celebration of Atkinson's 50th (with gratitude to the O'Neill Student Investment Fund for their support towards the day's activities!).
The Mill Stream Float featured a variety of ice cream floats, as well as the more traditional aquatic version. After floating to the Mudd building, participants walked across campus to Kaneko, where they explored our new home, enjoyed the Atkinson welcome lecture, and participated in trivia games, puzzles, and other fun.
The day culminated in a 50th-anniversary BBQ on the Kaneko Patio. It was wonderful to see/meet so many of you there, celebrating with us!
Commencement was the perfect way to close out this milestone year, celebrating our graduates' hard work and the community's support throughout their academic journeys. It's always inspiring to watch our students cross the stage, knowing that they're prepared to go out into the world to make an impact.
Looking ahead, our upcoming Alumni Reunion Weekend offers another wonderful opportunity for the Atkinson community to reconnect, reminisce, and look forward to the future.
(Register here). I hope you'll be able to join us! Thank you to everyone—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—for making this a year to remember. The Atkinson community is stronger than ever, and I'm excited to see what we'll achieve together in the years to come.
Best regards,
Romana Autrey, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CFF, CFE
Dean and Associate Professor of Accounting
