Center for Global Business Hosts President of Brookings Institute

Tatiana Lurie, double major in International Business and International Studies, talks with Strobe Talbott during the reception and book signing sponsored by the Raj Soin College of Business, Center for Global Business Education and Research.  Lurie was Wright State’s head delegate at the 2007-2008 Model UN competition. Wright State took top honors for the 26th year in a row at the competition which included 3,200 students from around the world.

Dayton native Strobe Talbott, president of the Brookings Institute, an independent research and policy think tank, visited Raj Soin College of Business Wednesday, May 21, for a private book signing organized by The Center for Global Business Education and Research (CGBER).

Previously, Talbott worked at TIME Magazine for 21 years as editor-at-large and foreign affairs columnist before entering government as ambassador-at-large, Special Adviser to U.S. Secretary of State and Deputy Undersecretary of State under the Clinton Administration.

President David Hopkins, Provost Steven Angle and Executive Director of CGBER Riad Ajami welcomed Talbott to CGBER and the four agreed on the importance of global education at Wright State.

During the book signing, Talbott commented on the role of higher education in global governance. Talbott said there are increasing job opportunities for future U.S. mangers and public officials in the field of international business and affairs at international institutes and the role of higher education is to prepare students to work properly.

Talbott also mentioned American higher education is esteemed abroad, having gone global before globalization. Hopkins pointed out there are over 600 foreign students representing many countries around the globe studying here. Ajami added how Wright State students are also going and studying abroad.

The United States is still the choice destination for foreign students over Japan, China, Europe and Russia. “There is really an appreciation for American values emphasizing fairness and opportunities for all. Talbott went on to suggest the best way to leverage America’s assets and standing is to pursue a multilateral approach to solve the emerging problems of this planet,” said Ajami.

At the book signing, Talbott said he tries to get back to Dayton whenever he can. “He's comfortable with the world and comfortable with his roots from a small town like Dayton. That was what was impressive to me as a human being,” said Ajami.

Joseph Petrick, Professor of Management, Ph.D, said students could learn from Talbott. “The best students from Dayton can become the best leaders anyplace in the world,” said Petrick.

In parting, Talbott said, “Focus on something that really matters to the world and matters to you.”

Released in January, Talbott's book, “The Great Experiment, The Story of Ancient Empires, Modern States and The Quest for a Global Nation” is the story of how globalization has happened since the time of Eden to present. Talbott is said to have an insider's view because of his own experiences with world leaders' interactions.

“If you were a student and want to know how globalization happened and where it's going, this would be a book to read,” said Donna Schlagheck, Political Science Department chair.

Elaborating on the theme of “The Great Experiment” based on his own discussions with Talbott, Ajami said America needs to be a state of this world, returning values built on individual freedom. “We started this journey as a colony 'till the end of World War II, when we were a force of good to build global institutions. If we don't work together to build a city of man, others may not be able to do it without us,” said Ajami.

Ajami also said humanity and the U.S. benefit from this engagement. “From the title of Talbott's book, the quest for a global nation is a gift Americans can give to themselves and to the rest of the world,” Ajami said.

Talbott’s visit is the first of several events CGBER will sponsor, including a prospective conference on the global oil markets that will invite experts, corporate executives and technocrats. The center recently took students enrolled in European Business Operations to Paris to meet world-renowned experts in management.

by Chelsey Levingston   Wright State University student, double major in Accountancy and Journalism

Strobe Talbott (second from left) meets with Dr. Riad Ajami (third from left) , Professor and chair of the Department of Management and International Business and Executive Director, Center for Global Business Education and Research.  Dr. J. Michael Bernstein (far left) and Dr. Joseph Petrick, Professor and Director of the Institute for Business Integrity (far right) are also pictured.
Dr. Andrew Lai, Professor Ermitus and Director of the China MBA program, discuss foreign policy and global business trends.	Donna Back, Corporate Advisory Board Member, also attended the book signing and reception to honor Strobe Talbott’s visit to the Dayton region.