Haslam College of Business - Haslam College of Business Dean Chosen for Secretary of Defense Program

KNOXVILLE—Stephen L. Mangum, dean of the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will participate in the U.S. Department of Defense’s oldest and most prestigious orientation program for America’s top business and community leaders.

Mangum, who also serves as the Stokely Foundation Leadership Chair, will be one of 40 participants from across the country to take part in the Joint Civilian Orientation CourseAugust 14-20 in Washington, D.C. They will attend briefings on key defense and national security matters and also travel together on military aircraft to visit bases at each branch of the military throughout the Southeast.

The secretary of defense selected participants from 150 nominees named by senior members of his own staff as well as military service chiefs and the department’s highest-ranking generals and flag officers around the world. Mangum was nominated by the commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command.

Participants include five senior leaders from academia, including executives from Duke University, the University of North Carolina and the University of Chicago. Other program members are leaders from Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations and the media and entertainment community.

“I look forward to learning more about our nation’s military capabilities and service member preparedness firsthand,” Mangum said. “I am honored by this opportunity to better understand national security and military issues.”

Managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Civilian Orientation Course program began in 1948. It is designed to educate and inform national opinion leaders on the strength and readiness of America’s military. It also exposes participants to the challenges faced by military members and their families and the support needs of veterans. By increasing the understanding of business and government leaders, the program enhances public understanding and support of military missions and members.

As dean of the Haslam College of Business, Mangum leads and supports 4,700 undergraduate and graduate students and more than 125 faculty members. The college confers approximately 20 percent of UT’s undergraduate degrees and 15 percent of its graduate degrees.

Since 2004, the college has prioritized service to the aerospace and defense industry. Its Aerospace and Defense Business Institute is recognized as a leading source for business education, training and research in support of the industry. The Aerospace and Defense MBA program has graduated more than 275 industry leaders, and thousands have participated in the college’s executive education short courses. The college’s professors have done more than $54 million of applied research and custom training for the Air Force since 2006.

“It’s a great honor for Dean Mangum to receive this tremendous opportunity,” said Andy White, director of the Aerospace and Defense Business Institute. “The lessons and insights he takes away will help us to better support America’s defense and our nation’s warriors.”

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CONTACT:

Tanya Brown (865-974-1570, tgbrown@utk.edu)

Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)