CONTACT: GEORGE McCRORY
100 Old Public Library
Iowa City IA 52242
(319) 384-0012; fax (319) 384-0024
e-mail: george-mccrory@uiowa.edu

Release: Immediate

UI MBA program extends classes to Des Moines

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa ­- In January Des Moines-area professionals working toward a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa can hit the books closer to home.

The University of Iowa's School of Management, ranked among the nation's top 50 MBA programs, will offer evening MBA classes at the Junior Achievement of Central Iowa's W.A. Krause Center for Entrepreneurial Education in Des Moines -- extending the program from its UI Newton center, where many of the students taking classes are from the capital city.

According to Colleen Downie, director of the UI Evening MBA Program, Des Moines residents account for 60 percent of the students in the Newton evening MBA program and 70 percent of newly admitted students at Newton.

"We are making our program more convenient for Des Moines students by offering three classes in town, reducing their driving time to and from classes," Downie adds.

The addition of UI MBA classes to Des Moines is possible through the cooperation of Junior Achievement and Krause Gentle Corp., which last February donated $500,000 for the purchase of the center -- the largest single gift in Junior Achievement's 43-year history. The center (formerly an IMT Insurance claims office) at 6100 Grand Ave. will hold spring classes beginning Jan. 20 in a new addition to the building, also funded through the generosity of the Krause Gentle Corp. Courses will include corporate financial reporting, corporate finance and staffing organizations.

"Through this partnership with Junior Achievement and Krause Gentle, we can bring the resources of the University of Iowa to serve the Des Moines-area business community," says Gary Fethke, dean of the UI College of Business Administration.

W.A. Krause, president and CEO of Krause Gentle Corp., and W. Terry Click, president of Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, Inc., support the UI's expansion into Des Moines, saying the move will strengthen educational opportunities in the area.

"We are thrilled to join the synergies of the Junior Achievement organization with the University of Iowa's MBA program in central Iowa. This union will continue to put Iowa's strong minds on the map," says Krause, a longtime supporter of both organizations. Krause and his son, Krause Gentle Corporation COO Kyle Krause, are both UI alumni. Kyle Krause also serves as chairman of the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, Inc.

"This is a milestone in continuing business education at the college level in the metro area," Click adds. "It's gratifying that our vision of teaching the world of business to all levels of learners is being so quickly realized."

Gary Gaeth, associate dean for the UI MBA Program, says the Des Moines classes will be tailored to the educational needs of the business community. For example, earning an MBA provides the opportunity for employees in Des Moines' large financial services industry to use new skills and add value to their companies and careers. All Des Moines MBA students will receive full UI credit for their classes.

The UI MBA program will maintain its presence at its Newton Polytechnic Center, holding seven classes there next spring. To complete their MBA degree, Des Moines students will still need to take about half their courses in Newton.

Full-time UI business faculty will teach the Des Moines MBA courses. Cost of the program is $765 per class.

In addition to its full-time, on-campus MBA and an Executive MBA, the UI School of Management also operates an Evening MBA in Newton, the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids, and beginning in January, a Manager's MBA in Muscatine. The UI MBA is ranked among the top 50 programs in the U.S., according to Business Week magazine.

Registration for the Des Moines MBA classes is now under way via the Internet, or by phone, fax or mail. For more information, contact the UI School of Management, C140 Pappajohn Business Administration Building, the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; call toll-free at 1-877-EVE-MBAS (1-877-383-6227) or email: IOWAMBA@uiowa.edu.

11/23/98