Soules College of Business Newsletter

Dean's Message

SwimbergheNovember 2020

As we are in November, my thoughts turn to memories of the past, thoughts of family and good friends, life lessons learned; and the many reasons I have to be thankful. As I begin to reflect on these things, I am mindful of what a chaotic and challenging year 2020 has been. On top of the normal challenges that college life can present, we are also going through a volatile election year and learning how to function day-to-day through a global pandemic. Through all of this, it has made me very proud of and thankful for our Patriot students, faculty and staff, who in the face of unprecedented challenges emotionally, physically and financially, and have continued to persevere with true Patriot spirit and determination.

There has never been a more important time to stop, reflect and be thankful. November is also a time when we as a nation remember our veterans. Veteran’s Day is very special to me personally because I was raised only about 15 minutes from the Word War I trenches in Flanders Fields (Belgium). On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Great War ended with Germany signing an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiegne, France, and an unprecedented, costly, chaotic and devastating time in our history came to an end. I am eternally grateful for all the veterans who served and sacrificed their lives. We all continue to be in the debt of those servicemen and servicewomen who continue to serve and give their lives for our freedom as a nation. It is because of their service and sacrifice that we can enjoy life as we know it today and have the ability to passionately pursue our hopes, dreams and opportunities–even in the face of difficult challenges and circumstances. November is also special because of Thanksgiving, a time that brings families together and allows us to say thank you to those who we love and cherish. 

This issue of the college newsletter represents some of the many reasons we have to be thankful for the students, faculty, staff and alumni who are continuing to achieve great things at the Soules College of Business. The stories featured this month are about a father and son pursuing their Master of Business Administration graduate studies together and how a diverse faculty in the Soules College of Business have seized the opportunity during these challenging times to develop new and meaningful research projects and course content. You will also learn about how a Tyler entrepreneur and human resource development doctoral student is putting his business on the map as a premier player in the medical diagnostic field while serving our community, Texas and the nation.

We can all agree that 2020 has been incredibly challenging, but there are also many reasons to be thankful! In closing, let me also say a huge “THANK YOU!” to all of you who continue to sacrifice and give of your time, talent and finances to UT Tyler and the Soules College of Business. I humbly challenge others to join the great work and investment being made by others to support the growth and development of the Soules College of Business. The need is great, and now is the best time and opportunity to help us shape the lives of our students as they prepare to become tomorrow’s leaders in our community, businesses and world.

I wish all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Dr. Krist Swimberghe

Interim Dean, Soules College of Business