developing leaders in global business and innovation.
What is the J.D. Edwards Honors Program?
Director of and Professor for the J.D. Edwards Honors Program
The J.D. Edwards Honors Program develops leaders for a technology driven world. It is a recognized leader in interdisciplinary computer science and business management education for high ability students. The program's philosophy is based on surveys of industry leaders' perceptions on requirements for leadership potential. We go beyond the classroom to prepare our students for the opportunities ahead and to develop leaders and entrepreneurs for the increasingly information technology-driven business world.
President, Microsoft Business Division
Jeff Raikes is a division president for one of the world's best-known companies. And he wishes there would have been a program like the J.D. Edwards Honors Program when he was in college.
A Nebraskan - growing up on a farm near Ashland - Raikes is a corporate board member and adviser to the J.D. Edwards program. The Microsoft Business Division president is engaged in the program and committed to supporting its success, because he believes in the program, the students, and in the future of Nebraska.
"The J.D. Edwards Honors Program is unique in that it is the premier program bringing together the domain of computer science and information technology with business. We need industry and government leaders who understand both of these domains in order to prepare for a global, information-based economy," he said.
Because Microsoft values the kind of skills prepared in the J.D. Edwards Honors Program, and because Raikes is a Nebraskan, he stays connected to the program by attending corporate board meetings, but also through visiting with students, faculty and other business leaders in Nebraska and the world.
"I think the J.D. Edwards Honors Program is a great opportunity to tap into the talent within the student. If they're interested in technology, or if they're interesting in business, or if they're interested in how the world will be transformed by technology, this is the program that will tap into their passion and bring out the energy and enthusiasm that they have."
"At Microsoft we have students who have graduated from the J.D. Edwards Honors Program and they've taken on important positions and important roles at our headquarters and at our software development programs, and we couldn't be more pleased with the capabilities that these students can bring to our company."
Nebraskans can feel proud that the program attracts top talent to the state to study, and helps keep its brightest students where they can benefit their state, according to Raikes.
"The J.D. Edwards Honors Program benefits Nebraska by attracting top talent into a premier program that prepares the best leaders for a global, information-based economy. Some of them will go on to start up companies. There have already been start-ups that have come from the talent of the students here. Some of them will join local companies. Some of them will take on key positions in companies like Microsoft elsewhere.
"But I think that anybody who's been to Nebraska, or grown up in Nebraska, knows the deep connect that comes from being here. And even people who move on to another part of the country, I think their heart will always be with this university and this program and what it can do for the world."
