LinkedIn: “In our ongoing strategy sessions with global consulting clients, we explained two recent events that paint conflicting pictures of where the audit companies are headed. First, PwC conducted its second round of layoffs since last Fall; it’s yet another example of the Big 4 trimming staff to adjust for continued over-capacity. At the same time, Baker Tilly announced its PE-backed merger with Moss Adams ; the new entity is positioned as an alternative to the massive multi-service firms that have audit as their backbone.

While the Big 4 adjust their resources, the “Little 4” seem intent on building more scale. We went through an acquisition cycle ~10-15 years ago when the Big 4 bolstered their consulting businesses by buying high-profile strategy management consultancies.

But that wasn’t the consolidation play we’re seeing today. Back then, the Big 4 were filling capability gaps to advance the premise of strategy-to-execution. In reality, “execution” was a euphemism for the implementation work that had become core to their business. Attaching a well-regarded strategy brand posited that they could set the strategy rather than just implement one developed elsewhere — thereby capturing more share of wallet.”

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Baylor Hankamer Names David M. Szymanski as Dean

Waco, TX: “Following a nationwide search, Baylor University Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., announced today that David M. Szymanski, Ph.D., has been selected as Dean of Baylor’s nationally ranked Hankamer School of Business, effective May 27. As The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean, Szymanski will succeed Sandeep Mazumder, Ph.D., who is set to become president of Berry College in Georgia on July 1.

A transformational higher education leader, Szymanski previously served as president of the University of North Florida, dean of the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business and on the faculty at the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University.

“I am excited to welcome David Szymanski to Baylor,” Brickhouse said. “He brings incredible leadership experience and expertise that will enable us to reach new heights as a Christian research university. He is eager to get to work on elevating undergraduate teaching, enhancing corporate relationships, building graduate programs and raising the academic reputation of Hankamer School of Business – and I am eager to both support and partner with him on these efforts.”

Brickhouse also expressed her gratitude to Mazumder for his leadership of the Hankamer School of Business over the past four years.

“His embodiment of our Christian mission and his commitment to academic excellence have had an important impact at Baylor,” she said. “We will miss him but wish him nothing but the best as he takes the helm as president of Berry College.”

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DON’T MISS: 2024 BEST & BRIGHTEST ONLINE MBA: GREG WOOLEN, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY (HANKAMER)

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86-Year-Old Earns Master’s at Emory Goizueta

Atlanta, GA: “At 86, Hurl Taylor is the oldest graduate in Emory’s class of 2025. And it’s not the first time he’s held that distinction.

He was also the oldest graduate in the class of 2016, when he completed a master’s of religion and public life (MRPL) at Candler School of Theology. This time around, he’ll be graduating with a master’s in business for military veterans (MBV) through a new program offered by Goizueta School of Business. He is part of its inaugural graduating cohort.

His degree count doesn’t stop there, though. He has two more from Emory: a 1985 juris doctorate and a 1986 master’s in litigation, both from the law school. He has five additional advanced degrees from other institutions.

“I have been accused of being a lifelong learner, and I plead guilty to it,” Taylor says. “It all started many years ago. As a young boy growing up, I used to try to read some of the novels that my mother had in her small library, like ‘Pride and Prejudice.’”

So, what keeps bringing him back to Emory?

“There’s great familiarity here, and it goes back to reputation,” he says. “Emory takes care of all its students. They look at their financial wealth, their health and their spiritual well-being. It’s just the complete package.”

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