Organic chemistry was the game changer for Mike Glenn, the former executive committee member at FedEx and committed Ole Miss alumnus. The Memphis native came to Ole Miss in 1974 as a pharmacy major. He made it through his freshman year, but as a sophomore his attempt at organic chemistry let him know quickly he would not be counting pills for a living.
“I changed my major and entered the business school, which was a much better fit for me,” said Glenn. “Most of the classes, except for accounting, came fairly easily for me.”
“It’s funny when you think about it,” he continued. “If it were not for the challenges I had with organic chemistry, I would have never had a career with FedEx.”
Rising Through the Ranks at FedEx
Glenn credits not just the school and his degree, but also what he learned as a student in the business school, to give him the skills and knowledge he needed to move through the ranks at FedEx into senior leadership.
“My experience at Ole Miss and, specifically in the business school, provided an excellent academic foundation for my professional career,” he said. “The basic marketing principles I learned in the business school were the same ones we applied at FedEx to build the brand and grow the business.”
“When I spoke to our FedEx intern class each year, it was always fun for me to identify the interns from Ole Miss and let them know how proud I am to be an Ole Miss graduate.”
The importance of interacting well with people, and treating others in a professional and respectful manner, were also skills Glenn learned while in school. In turn, he has served as a guest lecturer for the MBA program, and worked with undergraduate students by presenting them with FedEx case studies.
“I served on the business school advisory board, and also provided guidance to a number of students as they were preparing for their careers,” Glenn said. “The most fulfilling part has always been the interaction with the students.”
Making an Impact on the World
“Mike is an outstanding supporter of the business school and the university,” said Ken Cyree, dean of the UM School of Business Administration. “He has given back in many different ways, including talking to students via programs and class, serving on search committees, hiring our graduates and providing financial support.
“Mike is a shining example of what it means to be an Ole Miss Business Rebel, and the impact our graduates have in the world.”
A little over an hour northwest of Oxford is Memphis, the global headquarters of the $60 billion publically-traded company. Many Ole Miss business students vie for positions within the company.
“When I spoke to our FedEx intern class each year, it was always fun for me to identify the interns from Ole Miss and let them know how proud I am to be an Ole Miss graduate.”
Glenn confessed his bias to Ole Miss when asked what sort of advice he might offer a high school student considering the university.
“We have the most beautiful college campus in the country, outstanding academic programs, an increasingly diverse student population with a wonderful school spirit,” he said. “I continue to be impressed with our leadership, faculty and staff, and the school’s vision for the future.”
A Big Presence on Campus
Because of Glenn’s enthusiasm for the school, and that so many graduates have been and still are employed by FedEx, it was important to Glenn that the company be a visible presence on the campus. This enthusiasm resulted in the company’s sponsorship of the FedEx Student Athlete Academic Support Center and additional financial support for other academic programs.
“Mike is an extraordinary leader who always ignited confidence and pride in the employees who worked for him,” said Parul Bajaj, a native of Clinton, Mississippi, who received her MBA from Ole Miss in 2007 and worked for FedEx from 2007 to 2014 as a senior communications specialist. “Fed Ex is an internationally recognized and respected brand because of his leadership.”
“I continue to be impressed with our leadership, faculty and staff, and the school’s vision for the future.”
“Mike Glenn is a truly exceptional individual who has a tremendous impact on every endeavor he undertakes, from effecting change at a global company to nurturing the development of students,” said Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter. “Mike is to be commended for his deep commitment of time, energy, passion, and resources that have contributed to the transformation of our university.
“We are so grateful for his leadership and his unwavering support as a fiercely loyal member of the Ole Miss family.”
Wife a “Walk-On” Alumna!
Glenn met his wife, Donna, over 30 years ago, when they were both new employees at the company. Donna was a graduate of the University of Memphis. However, throughout their courtship, she came to learn how important Ole Miss was to Glenn and that she would be marrying into the “Ole Miss Family.” Over the years, Donna has come to love and appreciate the university as well—so much that Glenn often refers to his wife as “a walk-on alumna.”
In 2017, Glenn honored Donna by endowing an Ole Miss Women’s Council Scholarship in her name. “Donna has a degree in journalism and she is a very talented communications professional,” he said. “After her career at FedEx, she has continued to use those skills in support of numerous charitable organizations in Memphis.
“The scholarship will support a student majoring in journalism, which seems appropriate given Donna’s degree and professional background.”
Glenn credits his education at the Ole Miss Business School to giving him the confidence he needed when he began his professional career as a sales representative in the elevator division of Dover Corporation in Memphis, and two years later began taking classes in the evenings to earn his MBA degree at the University of Memphis.
After completion of his MBA degree, he went to work for FedEx, where he ultimately came to serve as the company’s Executive VP for Market Development and Corporate Communications, and a member of the corporation’s five-person executive committee.
Glenn stresses the cultivation of strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team. “Unfortunately, I have seen many very bright individuals fail to maximize their potential, because they lacked the strong communication skills and could not be a productive member of a team.
“Finally, it is never too early to for a student to start developing his or her leadership skills.”
“My undergraduate work in the business school really prepared me for the MBA program,” he said. “Ole Miss provides an outstanding college experience, and I really enjoyed my time in the business school.
“I will never forget how much fun it was and the impact it had on my career.”
By Stella Connell