Arts, Media & Entertainment Management Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Schulich’s Arts Media and Entertainment Management program celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala reception dinner—including tours and toasts, tributes to the founders, lots of reunions, happy memories, and a birthday cake.
Dean Dezsö Horváth, who was lauded for his continuing support for the program, noted in his remarks that “Schulich’s very first MBA specialization remains unique, drawing students from around the world who come to Schulich solely because of the program’s world-renowned status.”
Program Director Joyce Zemans received a standing ovation in tribute to her outstanding leadership over 25 years. In her remarks, she reflected on the program’s evolution noting: “It is especially momentous that we have so many people here tonight who were instrumental in the founding of the program.” These included Don Rickerd, Jim Fleck and Paul Schafer, who would become the program’s second director establishing the program’s core curriculum including the policy course which remains a central element in the program.
Founding director, Brian Dixon, was represented by a video interview with alumna, Tricia Baldwin (MBA ’86). Zemans also paid tribute to the late Joe Green, who played a key role in founding the program and, as its director (1981-94), expanded the program to formally include the media industries.
Zemans observed that, for the last 50 years, “Our alumni have assumed leadership roles across Canada, and internationally in, among others, the US, the UK, Australia, France, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Latin America.”
Master of Ceremonies Frank Paul (MBA ’17), Communications and Strategy Manager, Toronto Entertainment District BIA welcomed guests. Speakers included Bill Poole (MBA ’73), recently retired after an illustrious career in arts management and education, and Kim Gaynor (MBA ’89), General Director of the Vancouver Opera.
More than 150 alumni, past and present faculty, advisors, and students celebrated the pioneering program and its achievements. The evening was generously sponsored by Bell Media, 9 Story Media Group and Invesco Canada.