BusinessWeek Recognizes Global Energy Management Program at Bauer College.

Bauer Ranks #40 in Overall List of Top Public Undergraduate Business Colleges

HOUSTON -- The C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston is home to one of the nation's most impressive niche programs for business students, according to BusinessWeek, which ranked the college #40 on its list of the best public undergraduate business schools in the United States.

BusinessWeek released its 2008 list of the Best Undergraduate B-Schools in late February and prominently featured Bauer College's Global Energy Management program, noting the college's use of "local industry and corporate connections to build a national profile" and to "train the next generation of energy executives."

The publication reaches 4.8 million readers each week in 140 countries. The March 10 issue of the magazine, now on newsstands, includes its annual rankings of undergraduate business schools, along with a sidebar on "niche" programs at some schools on the list. Only four such programs, including Bauer's GEM program, were featured in the spread, and of those, Bauer was one of two schools photographed for the magazine. Finance/GEM senior Mario Bejarano was photographed at the ExxonMobil complex in Baytown, which highlighted the Houston area's unique tie to the energy industry.

"Being recognized by a national publication like BusinessWeek is a validation of the important role our GEM program plays in educating the world's energy leaders," Dean Arthur D. Warga said. "Houston is a global energy hub, so we're able to bring in some of the industry's most knowledgeable experts to teach and mentor our students, who ultimately leave Bauer College with all the necessary tools to advance into top management at the world's leading energy companies."

The program is the ideal solution for the energy industry's shortage of skilled professionals as its average labor base approaches the age of retirement, said Finance Department Chair Praveen Kumar. Under the Global Energy Management Institute, the college is providing world-class recruitment, specialized training, research and networking resources for the energy industry.

For the last six years, Bauer College has further recognized the importance of the industry in Houston by organizing its annual Energy Trading & Marketing Conference sponsored by GEMI. This year, the conference will be held on March 11 and focus on the notable growth in energy trading volumes and the increasing prominence of biofuels.

"I came to the C. T. Bauer College of Business specifically for the GEM program," finance/GEM student Atiba K. Henry said. "I have always had an interest in the energy sector, and what better place to study about the energy sector than Houston, the energy capital of the world? The GEM program is a challenging program that gives you the quantitative skills needed to advance in the energy/finance environment."

In its feature, BusinessWeek recognized the blend of courses students must take before being accepted into the GEM program, including calculus, linear algebra and trigonometry, as well as three upper-level science courses. Additional electives and courses in the GEM program will be added to focus on alternative energy to keep up with the changes in the energy industry, Kumar said. Because of this comprehensive education, energy companies are turning to Bauer College to recruit top talent, he added.

"The GEM program exemplifies the major effort that the college and the University of Houston are making to serve the critical needs of the energy industry," Kumar said. "Houston is viewed as the 'energy capital' of the world, and the guiding vision behind the GEM program is to be a world-class educational and recruiting resource for the large and diverse energy corporate community. GEM graduates are having a major impact not only in Houston, but internationally, worldwide, given the worldwide scope of the energy industry."

Overall, Bauer College moved into the 40th position among public undergraduate business schools in this year's BusinessWeek rankings of the Best Undergrad B-Schools in the U.S. Bauer was 49th among public undergraduate business schools in last year's list. There are 1,100 business schools in the United States.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

About the C. T. Bauer College of Business

The C. T. Bauer College of Business has been in operation for more than 60 years at the University of Houston main campus. Through its five academic departments, the college offers a full-range of undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in business. The Bauer College is fully accredited by the AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In August 2000, Houston business leader and philanthropist Charles T. (Ted) Bauer endowed the College of Business with a $40 million gift. In recognition of his generosity, the college was renamed the C. T. Bauer College of Business.