2015 Best EMBA: Father Pete McCormick

Father Pete McCormick, CSC
University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business

For some, earning an Executive MBA is about more than making more money and landing a corner office. For Father Pete McCormick, returning to school was about learning new ways to spearhead a larger mission: To better serve God as a more effective leader. At Mendoza, Father Pete has been a role model to students and faculty alike. The director of the campus ministry, Father Pete has earned the 2011 Rev. William A Toohey, CSC, Award for his preaching and the 2013 Senior Class Fellow award, given to a member of the Notre Dame community who has had a significant impact on the graduating class. He also serves as the chaplain to the Notre Dame men’s basketball team

Age: 38

Location: South Bend, Indiana

Undergraduate School: Grand Valley State University

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science, biology

Where are you currently working? University of Notre Dame, Director of Campus Ministry

Favorite Courses: Accounting: Evaluating Financial Performance, Strategic Thinking, Supply Chain Management, Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation, Leadership Communication

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I realized that my ability to serve the people of God as a priest could be enhanced through my understanding of what it takes to be a leader today.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…I’d be more risk averse and far less strategic.  In addition, I would have missed out on so many meaningful relationships that I have established with the EMBA community.”

What are your long-term professional goals? [I want] to help the Catholic Church continue to proclaim the Gospel in a compelling manner that deepens faith and provides hope [and] further the excellence of Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame and work to assist other campus ministers throughout the United States.

Which academic or professional achievements are you most proud of? I’m most proud of how I have pushed myself to try new academic endeavors and expand my understanding of the world with the goal of serving others. After graduating with a degree in biology, I then earned a master of divinity, which is rooted largely in theology and philosophy. More recently I have been working to complete the Notre Dame EMBA. All three of these degrees have challenged me in different ways, but also provided insight and perspective that has been critical throughout my priesthood.

Who would you most want to thank for your success (and why)? There are many people who supported me in this journey: parents, friends, and relatives.  However, the person instrumental to my success is Fr. Jim King, CSC. Fr. King currently serves as the Religious Superior of all the priests at Notre Dame. It was Fr. King who believed in me, when I became anxious about entering into a new academic discipline. Fr. King saw my potential and encouraged me to stay focused on the task ahead. I would not be in this program if it were not for him.

Why did you choose this executive MBA program? Notre Dame has a reputation for excellence, and a strong commitment to values-based learning. That fact, coupled with my commitment to the wider mission of the University as a priest working on campus, made the Notre Dame EMBA a logical and excellent opportunity.

What did you enjoy most about the executive MBA program? I enjoyed being a part of the EMBA community, especially the cohort of 2015. I continue to be grateful for the people that I have come to know over the course of the past 21 months. The dedication of my classmates to work, family and fun has inspired me in a variety ways.

Read the entire story on the Poets & Quants website.