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September 16, 2004

Back In The Saddle

God, it's good to be back.

My first day as a second-year MBA kicked off today with Elizabeth Stearns' Direct Marketing class. Officially, the UW starts on the 30th. Our group is taking this class in "block mode," which is an intensive six days of instruction (8+ hours per day) spread out over two weeks. There's about 40 of us; a lot of these folks are a real sight for sore eyes. I hadn't realized just how much I'd missed everyone over the summer.

Part of the assignment for the first day was to bring a piece of direct mail (don't call it "junk" in Stearns' presence or Bad Things Happen) that we thought was "interesting." My contribution is a tacky MBNA credit card offer sent to "Alumni and supporters of Western Washington University." What's remarkable about the piece is that it's about the fifteen-bajillionth piece of crap that I've received in the mail as a "valued Western alum." Basically, the school sold my name to anyone and everyone it could.

Anyone wanna guess how inclined I am to give to the alumni association when they come knocking? Exactly. The school made a few bucks by selling my name; that's all they'll ever get. Period.

Way to play the short game, guys.

A long day. Class ran until quarter to six, and, aside from a small dinner break, our small group was on campus until just before 10 PM taking care of the assignment for tomorrow. And I've still got four chapters to read before the fireworks start at 8:30 AM.

I'm off to catch the bus.

Posted by Gavin Shearer at September 16, 2004 9:50 PM. Posted to UW MBA.

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