In May 2009, Larry Jacobson was awarded the degree of Master of Philosophy in Organizational Dynamics and the Faculty Prize for Academic Excellence in the MPhil Program. Additionally, in 2009 he completed certificates in the Leadership, and Practitioner of Development and Change concentrations. Upon his graduation from the Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics program in May 2005, he won the Paul J. Korshin Prize for Academic Excellence in the MSOD Program.

You commuted from Chicago to participate in the OD program. Can you tell us what you do there?
I am a partner in a large Chicago law firm specializing in corporate and tax law. From 2000 through 2005, I was the Chair of the Board of Trustees of a private day school in Chicago and I am still a very active Board member. I started the MSOD program in the Summer of 2003 and graduated in May 2005. I finished up my MPhil studies and graduated in May 2009.

You seem pretty entrenched in Chicago. What motivated you to apply to Organizational Dynamics here in Philadelphia?
During the spring of 2001, I participated in a Wharton executive education leadership program where the group trekked in the Mount Everest region of Nepal. The trip was a transformative experience on many different levels. After the trip ended, many of my colleagues suggested that I associate with Penn in some manner. Since I had already received my MBA from the University of Chicago, obtaining another one from Wharton seemed unnecessary. One of my trek colleagues suggested the Dynamics Program and I looked into it carefully. Since I had just started my tenure as Board Chair at the day school, I felt that my "soft skills" in the areas of leadership and communication could use improvement. I felt the Dynamics program could enhance my skills in those areas.

Can you talk about your experiences in the MSOD and MPhil programs?
Sure. I have to differentiate between my experiences in the MSOD and MPhil programs. While in the MSOD program, I found that my personal relationships with students and professors were often as important as the course content. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the Program's unique emphasis on liberal arts type classes and their relevance in the workplace and professional environment. I took classes with heavy emphasis on areas such as literature, political science, sociology and international relations. The professors who taught those courses helped me to understand that ideas in the professional environment are as likely to be influenced by the study of liberal arts as by the study of business. As an MPhil student, I had the singular objective of developing a strong background in conflict management techniques. As a result, my studies were more concentrated than in the MSOD program. Most importantly, I wanted my MPhil Capstone Paper to serve as the launching pad for my future career objectives. In particular, working with Dr. Peter Steiner on my MPhil Capstone Paper really focused my thinking and writing.

What sort of impact has the program had on your personal and professional life?
From a personal standpoint, I would like to think I am a calmer person who is better able to work with people from different backgrounds or with different personalities. My conflict management skills have certainly improved too. From the professional side, I believe the Program has allowed me to see that a "second career" in the area of conflict management will meet my personal goals. In addition, after being in the Program, I now have a strong desire to teach and write in the area of conflict management.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell others about your experience in the Program?
Unlike most other students, I commuted great distances to participate in the MSOD and MPhil programs. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change a single thing. Notwithstanding the wear and tear, my participation in the Organizational Dynamics Program changed my life in terms of understanding the importance of relationships and the need to work with people and organizations in conflict management areas. My only advice to new students is that you get out of the Program what you put in. If you simply go to classes without developing relationships with fellow students and professors, you will leave with a degree, but will not get as much as you could out of the Program. I strongly urge new students to get as involved in the life of the Program as possible. If I could do it, given my commute, any student can do it!