On January 4, Dean Glenn Hubbard welcomed Columbia Business School’s newest accelerated-term students to the School. "This is a very special class to me," Hubbard told them. "Because this is my first J-term class as dean." J-term classes complete an accelerated MBA program in just 16 months and graduate in May with the rest of that year’s class. This year’s class of 183 represents 32 countries and speaks more than three dozen languages. More than half of the class was born outside of the United States and nearly one quarter is women. The class includes an Olympic rower, two Fulbright scholars, a member of the Iraqi interim government, two ballerinas and a staff writer for Money magazine, as well as entrepreneurs in fields as varied as film production and organic food distribution. Linda Meehan, assistant dean and executive director for admissions and financial aid, congratulated the students on their accomplishments and lauded their decision to join the class. "Your achievements and talents add to our heterogeneous community and contribute to a dynamic family," she said. Hubbard and Professor Safwan Masri, vice dean and Samberg faculty director, also emphasized the diversity of the Columbia community and the value of students' three strongest networks: faculty, alumni and each other. "We’re in the people business," Hubbard said. "What makes a great business school is people.” Columbia is unique among top business schools in that its faculty and curriculum bridge the theory and practice of business, Hubbard said. The Columbia experience is a marriage of ideas and impact, with faculty members, alumni and students connected both to the School and the world. “You are going to learn by osmosis and benefit from everything that every one of you has done," Masri said. “You are about to be on the ride of your life," Hubbard said. "Roll up your sleeves and get ready to begin."