2024 Alumni Award Recipient
Fall 2024
Faculty/Staff Service Award
Dr. George Lehman ’69
Professor emeritus of business and founder of Bluffton MBA program
Love for Bluffton
Dr. George Lehman received his undergraduate degree from Bluffton in 1969. Lehman chose to attend Bluffton because of the pure love he had for the institution. He was the third person in his family to attend Bluffton, so coming here just felt "right." From the campus to academics and everything in between, Lehman knew there was something special about Bluffton and a place he could call home forever.
“I love Bluffton,” said Lehman. “I had a very good experience during my time here. I made many friends and had great experiences with my professors. Just the spirit on campus is so good.”
In 1994, Lehman received a call from the academic dean at Bluffton about a job opening in the business department. Lehman knew he had to take this opportunity to teach at his alma mater. After 25 years, Lehman retired from Bluffton in 2020 and earned the title professor emeritus of business.
Passion for business
When Lehman began at Bluffton, the business degree completion program (BCOMP) for undergraduate students was just beginning. This program drew Lehman to Bluffton because of its uniqueness.
Lehman founded Bluffton’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Bluffton’s MBA is a cohort-based program. Lehman says this type of program is unique because you are with the same group of students throughout the entire program.
“The students in this program really develop a strong sense of community,” said Lehman. “Our MBA program is designed to teach students they don’t go through it alone but rather they have an entire support system encouraging them.”
Because of the community the program built, the program saw much success and high retention. Lehman credits the support the students gave each other for the initial success of the program.
Lehman said this program was a mutual learning experience for both the students and the professor. Learning from the adult students in this program, Lehman said, was a key and special component of the program. In 2001, Lehman became chair of the business department.
“We really developed a close set of relationships within the business department,” said Lehman. “The most effective staff trainings we ever had were being able to talk about the challenges we were facing.”
Active in community
Even after retiring from Bluffton, Lehman has remained active in the community. Lehman frequently presents workshops to area businesses on emotional intelligence (EQ). Lehman has also been involved in a village of Bluffton planning committee called Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs. Lehman remains active on Bluffton's campus and can be seen at many athletic events.
“When I go to these emotional intelligence trainings, I see Bluffton graduates I had in the MBA program,” said Lehman. “Seeing the students I taught in the program now working in leadership positions feels really good and makes me feel proud of the MBA program we started at Bluffton.”