AACSB Congratulates the University of Florida Post-Doctoral Bridge Program Graduates TAMPA, FL (September 3, 2009)—On Sunday, August 30, the Hough Graduate School of Business of the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business graduated its second group of participants in the AACSB-endorsed Post-Doctoral Bridge to Business Program. Offered through five AACSB-accredited institutions, this innovative bridge program prepares experienced doctoral faculty from non-business disciplines for new careers as business faculty. The 16 graduates of the University of Florida program hold doctoral-level degrees in a number of fields, including psychology, economics, education, hotel administration, jurisprudence, and medicine. Six of the 16 enrolled in the international business and entrepreneurship track; five were in the marketing and management track; and 5 were in the accounting and finance track. The graduating individuals by category are: Le-Quita Booth, Donald Causey, Suparna Chatterjee, Christopher Miller, James Page , E. Kevin Renshler (international business and entrepreneurship); Wade Durin, Marsha Lay, Kevin Cooney, Anna Helm, Zahed Subhan (marketing and management); and Robert Jinkens, Jason Jia, James Page, Young Seob Son, Brian Sloboda, Mary Zephirin (accounting and finance). "The Post-Doctoral Bridge to Business Program continues to demonstrate its value by carefully assimilating uniquely qualified PhDs for disciplines that are in great need of academically qualified faculty," said John J. Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. "We congratulate the newest University of Florida graduates on their recent achievements, and look forward to welcoming them to their new roles within colleges of business." All participants of the Post-Doctoral Bridge to Business Programs must have a doctorate degree from an institution recognized for producing successful scholars, and as appropriate, the institution must maintain any necessary specialized accreditation for that field. Candidates must show excellent capabilities for conducting scholarly research and teaching in a field related to the business discipline for which they are applying. Graduates receive a certificate of completion indicating that they are qualified to teach in their respective business discipline at an AACSB-accredited school for five years from the date of graduation. To maintain academic qualification past the five-year period, each graduate must perform appropriate activities as both a scholar and a teacher. For more information on the Post-Doctoral Bridge Programs, including information on graduates or program requirements for each of the participating institutions, visit the Post-Doctoral Bridge to Business Program on the AACSB International web site. About AACSB International AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), founded in 1916, is an association of almost 1,200 educational institutions, businesses and other organizations in 74 countries. AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation and thought leadership. AACSB accreditation is the mark of quality distinction most widely sought after by business schools — less than 5% worldwide have earned the achievement. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, the association also conducts a wide array of conferences and seminar programs at locations throughout the world. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA and its Asia headquarters is located in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.aacsb.edu. ###