Learning From a Distance

The UND MBA program makes distance learning a possibility for students around the United States Daryl Olson, born and raised on a farm near Bowman, North Dakota, has taken his talents to the east coast, serving as the Director of Advancement Services for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies/Pastoral Ministry from Trinity Bible College and a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Olson decided to go back to school to obtain his MBA. In his current role, Olson oversees certain aspects of the operations side of fundraising for the seminary, which includes management, marketing, financial, and legal components. “My MBA studies are assisting me in my career path by creating a framework for making decisions based on sound business processes and approaches,” says Olson. Olson has always held high respect for the University of North Dakota’s educational reputation. When he started considering an MBA degree program, Olson was impressed with the school’s affordability and convenience. With three small children, a full-time job, and other commitments, Olson knew that UND’s MBA program was the perfect fit for him. The MBA program features courses in a variety of disciplines, including management, marketing, accounting, economics, information systems, and finance. This broad scope has served Olson well, as he did not have any undergraduate business experience. “What I really like about the MBA program is that it gives opportunity to gain a broad knowledge in a variety of business areas,” says Olson. “I love to learn about a lot of different things, and so the ability to grow my understanding in several areas, all related to business, has been very appealing to me.” Olson has enjoyed his experiences in the program thus far, and looks forward to the semesters to come. “I am not sure where my career will take me, but the skills I am learning will serve me well wherever that path might lead,” says Olson