Thunderbird 4+1 programs help graduate gain competitive advantage


Photo of Frederick Rauner

For Frederick Rauner, one of his undergraduate career highlights was meeting and befriending a peer and diplomat for Sierra Leone during one of the in-person sessions. “To me, two people from completely different worlds working together and creating a friendship is what Thunderbird is about,” he said.

|

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2022 graduates.

Global management undergraduate Frederick Rauner holds many passions; being a part of the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University and improving society are two major ones.

“The thing I love most about being a T-bird is being part of something bigger than myself,” said Rauner. “Thunderbird is not just a school. It is a community of people working together to make the world a better place through humanitarian action and commerce.”

Rauner earned a Bachelor of Global Management from Thunderbird and is continuing his education in a 4+1 program and plans to earn his Master of Applied Leadership and Management, with a concentration in global and public affairs.

“As part of the 4+1 program, I attended in-person sessions in the new F. Francis and Dionne Najafi Thunderbird Global Headquarters,” said Rauner. “The sessions helped create a bigger connection for me to Thunderbird and a better understanding of its history. One of my undergraduate career highlights is meeting one of my peers, Pat Kamara nee Sondai, a diplomat for Sierra Leone, during one of the in-person sessions. To me, two people from completely different worlds working together and creating a friendship is what Thunderbird is about.” 

As for words of wisdom, Frederick offers the following advice: “T-birds are unique, diverse and adventurous. Be open to them and their experiences.”

Question: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

Answer: With $40 million dollars, I would begin to work on the world’s energy crisis. Boosting renewable energy globally will increase energy independence and the ability of developing nations to grow sustainably.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at Thunderbird?

A: Dr. Roy Nelson has been an amazing guide and mentor to me in this program. The most important lesson I learned from him is fully valuing myself and my experience.

Q: What advice would you give to a student just starting a program at Thunderbird?

Answer: I have two pieces of advice:

  1. Take brief calculus ASAP.
  2. Embrace the experience.

Q: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

A: I am most grateful for my family. I could not have made it through this program without their support and understanding.

More Science and technology

 

Two gloved fingers holding a bullet

Glass powder may be magic bullet in solving crimes

Using shattered glass to glean clues from a crime scene is nothing new.Broken pieces of glass can indicate where a criminal was…

Three men sit at a table in front of a display screen

Opportunities in ASU-Mexico partnership equip talent for North American microelectronics jobs

One country can’t accomplish it all when it comes to the semiconductor or microelectronics sector. While Arizona is a…

Students sitting on stairs, one holding a cell phone.

AI-powered educational experiences underway at ASU

An AI-generated patient on which to practice behavioral health techniques.An on-demand study buddy to help with language learning…