- Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
- Center for Global Business and the Economy
- Center for Leadership Development and Research
- Center for Social Innovation
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Helen K. Chang, 650-723-3358, Fax: 650-725-6750
Welcome MBA Class of 2007, Largest Class in School's History
September 2005
STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS—In his address to the incoming class of MBA students, Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admissions Derrick Bolton welcomed the 378 members of the Class of 2007, which he called the largest group in the history of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
"You hold passports from 50 different countries… [and] join the Stanford community from 273 different organizations spanning 61 different industries," Bolton told the class in his welcome address on Sept. 12. International students comprise 39 percent of the class, and women 32 percent.
Individually, the 378 students each represent a compelling story, said Bolton. Touching on the rich diversity of experiences, accomplishments, and interests embodied in the incoming class, he highlighted some examples:
- A class member from London received an award for his role in shifting the United Kingdom's policy on HIV/AIDS in the developing world.
- A Peruvian marketing manager directly oversaw sales of 4,287 million cases of Pepsi annually in Mexico, worth about $800 million.
- A classmate from Pakistan managed two factories in Mumbai, India, and Bangkok, Thailand, and recently negotiated an end to a 14-month strike with two unions.
- An Algerian classmate founded the seven-restaurant London and Paris sushi chain Yo! Sushi.
- A classmate was COO of the Chinese television network Dragon TV.
- A healthcare manager in the class captained the Icelandic national soccer team.
- Two classmates founded microcredit lending organizations: one in the Gaza Strip and West Bank; the other in Kenya.
The class includes many scholars, including Coro, Gardner, Rhodes, Rotary, Truman, and Fulbright scholars. Advanced degrees had been earned by 29 class members, who include medical doctors, certified accountants, attorneys, and a Ph.D.
"We offered admission to about 11 percent of applicants, which again places Stanford among the most selective business schools in the world," said Bolton.