In the News, 2008
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Lilly Endowment grant will fund collaboration in business and engineeringThe university has received a five-year $500,000 Lilly grant that will expand the co-op program to business and engineering students. In addition the grant will support curriculum development, career and professional training initiatives, service learning projects, and entrepreneurial projects that promote collaboration between USI’s College of Business and the Department of Engineering within the Pott College of Science and Engineering. The grant is an expansion of a $1 million grant that USI received in 2003 for its engineering program. Scott Gordon, dean of the Pott College of Science and Engineering, said this current grant has paid for 165 junior and senior engineering students to work at more than 75 companies as of last July by paying for half of their salaries. These co-ops typically are during the summer, but sometimes during the fall or spring semesters." After finishing the work experience, students may receive a $1,500 scholarship. Dr. Linda L.M. Bennett, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said USI has realized many unexpected benefits from the 2003 grant. "We expected the grant to increase the number of co-op placements and establish new relationships with firms that employ engineers, but we were surprised by the rapid development of research relationships with the various firms, businesses, and manufacturing entities," she said. "This initiative has increased stakeholder awareness of and interest in faculty expertise. As a result, some unique research relationships have been established between the USI engineering faculty and businesses in healthcare and manufacturing sectors. In fact, the existence of a vibrant co-op program with the possibility of research opportunities has been important in new faculty recruitment." Not only will the expanded grant allow business students to participate in the co-op experiences, it also will help establish an endowment to perpetuate the program, Gordon said. USI President H. Ray Hoops said, "This grant allows our Engineering Department to continue its successful co-op program and extends that benefit to students in the College of Business and more area employers. Partnering with area businesses and firms is highly effective in keeping graduates in Indiana, where they can contribute to economic and community development. By providing the means to further collaboration between the Department of Engineering and the College of Business, the grant allows the University to further advance its STEM mission to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in southwest Indiana and encourage entrepreneurship in science and technology-related fields." Gordon said he also is hoping the engineering and business programs will use some of the new grant to establish a Center for Careers and Professional Training to teach students the kinds of skills and business interactions they will need to know. Both colleges will be housed in a new Business and Engineering Center, which is expected to open in 2010. Adapted from articles:
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Connie Wellmeyer named USI Distinguished Accountant The Distinguished Accountant award recognizes professional achievement, service to the region and/or the University, and service to the accounting profession. It is presented by the USI College of Business accounting program and the Accounting Circle, an advisory group. Wellmeyer began her career in accounting at George S. Olive (now BKD, LLP) in Evansville and later was associated with American General Finance and Tri-state Medical Management. Volunteering at USI has been a longtime priority for Wellmeyer. She served on the Alumni Council from 1992-94 and on the Varsity Club Board of Directors from 1992-95. She has served as an alumni career counselor and was a volunteer in Campaign USI, the University’s first capital campaign. She is a member of the Regional Advisory Committee for the Center for Applied Research, an outreach of the University's Office of Extended Services. A member of the Accounting Circle since 2003, she served as president in 2006-07. On receiving the award, Wellmeyer said, "USI and the Accounting Circle have been organizations that are near and dear to my heart. Volunteering has never been a 'job' at any time. I look forward to future ways to be involved." Wellmeyer also serves on the board of the Gibson County Economic Development Corporation, the steering committee of the Indiana Business Diversity Council, and the advisory council of The Women’s Hospital. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1984 at USI and a master's degree in business administration in 1997 at Ball State University. The award was announced in November at the Accounting Extravaganza, an annual event for accounting students, faculty, and the Accounting Circle. Betty Vawter |
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Character, credit & capacity
"Character, credity & capacity" is an
article in the December 2008 Evansville Business Journal by Horace M. Lukens III. He recently retired after 51 years in the property/casualty insurance business in Evansville and currently is a lecturer in business, economics and finance in
the College of Business. Read the entire article... |
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Ideation competition winners
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College of Business Involved in Multiple Events Related to the Current Economic EnvironmentUSI’s College of Business has recently participated in a series of events that are related to the nation’s current economic environment. The first event, which was held on Monday, November 3, involved faculty from USI’s College of Business and USI’s College of Liberal Arts. Economics and finance faculty members from the College of Business, including Dr. Jong Rhim, Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar, Dr. Khaled Elkhal, Dr. Daria Sevastianova, and Dr. Mohammed Khayum (dean of USI’s College of Business) participated in the panel discussion. Political science and sociology faculty members from the College of Liberal Arts included Dr. Oana Armeanu, Dr. Niharika Banerjea, and Dr. Brian Posler (Assistant Provost of USI). The event, sponsored by the International Studies and Political Science Society, was held in Kleymeyer Hall of the Liberal Arts Center. The program covered topics related to the current economic environment, including such issues as the origins, global dimensions, and impact of the current financial crisis. |
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The Assessment Kaleidoscope: Aligning Diverse Facets to Affect Culture Change: Perspectives from Two SchoolsTo be given by invitation at the Description: How do business schools move beyond the shorter-term, fragmented approach often associated with assurance of learning to a more sustained organizational commitment to the assessment of authentic student learning outcomes? - By creating an assessment culture. Like a kaleidoscope, disparate facets must be carefully aligned in order to create synergy and a desired outcome. In this session, you will hear two Colleges of Business describe their perspectives in creating a culture of assessment and assurance of learning. In the Hull College of Business (a small b-school) the movement of the culture was accomplished through a four step process:
At the University of Southern Indiana (a larger school) primary embedding mechanisms (i.e., what is paid attention to, criteria for allocating resources, coaching, criteria for allocating rewards), secondary articulation mechanisms (organization procedures and formal statements of mission and values), and multiple stakeholders must be aligned to achieve synergy and affect systemic change. The results of these cultural shifts will provide the session participants with a framework for creating cultural change in a small and large college of business. |
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USI accounting team wins statewide competition fifth straight yearA four-member team of accounting students from the University of Southern Indiana College of Business has won first place for the fifth consecutive year in the annual Indiana CPA Society (INCPAS) Case Study Competition. |
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Center for Economic Education receives Development Award
The University of Southern Indiana’s Center for Economic Education will receive the 2008 Peter V. Harrington Economic Development Award at the Indiana Council for Economic Education’s annual awards program in November. |
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Founders Day program honors two from Business
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Mary Spahn receives Support Staff Award Established last year, the award “recognizes extraordinary professional contributions and quality service of support staff and their integral role in advancing the University’s mission and fulfilling its promise in preparing students to live wisely.” It includes a $500 prize and a trophy. Spahn was formerly a textbook assistant in the USI Bookstore. She joined the College of Business in June. Only full and part-time benefit-eligible support staff are eligible to nominate a support staff member for the award. Staff Council members cannot nominate a staff member or receive the award. Voting takes place April through June. |
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'At will' policies face negative response from workers
"'At will' policies face negative response from workers" is an
article in the August 2008 Evansville Business Journal by Dr. Dane Partridge, associate professor of management for
the College of Business. Read the entire article... |
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Brian McGuire named associate dean of USI College of Business Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the College of Business, said, "He is an accomplished faculty member who has generated an admirable record of scholarship, teaching effectiveness, and engagement in the community while leading our efforts in the maintenance of accounting accreditation. His keen awareness and knowledge of best practices in higher education will be of considerable benefit to the college in his new role." The appointment is effective August 2. As associate dean, McGuire succeeds Dr. Gregory B. Murphy, who has been named associate professor of management at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. McGuire’s teaching and research interests are in the areas of cost accounting, health-care administration, and accounting information systems. His research has been published in numerous journals, including Strategic Finance, Management Accounting Quarterly, and the Journal of Cost Management. He has received a number of research awards, including the 2007 Lybrand Silver Medal sponsored by Strategic Finance and Management Accounting Quarterly. McGuire earned a doctorate in business administration in 1996 from University of Central Florida. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of South Alabama. He has earned professional designations as Certified Information Technology Professional, Certified Business Manager, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Public Accountant. He has served on several international boards, including the Board of Directors of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), Board of Directors of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), and the Board of Regents of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. On the international level, he is chair of the IMA External/Member Relations Committee and serves as director of Administration and Development for BAP. He also serves at the regional and local levels for both organizations. BAP is an honor society available only to students enrolled in business programs accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance College Schools of Business. The College of Business recently earned extension of accreditation for its undergraduate and graduate business programs as well as extension of separate accreditation for its accounting programs by AACSB International. USI received initial ACSB accreditation for undergraduate and graduate business programs in 1997. The accounting program achieved separate accreditation in 2003. Accredited schools must be re-evaluated every five years to maintain accreditation. McGuire is president of the Board of Directors of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and active in a number of other community organizations, including the Buffalo Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of Raintree Council. |
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Two named department chairs in USI College of BusinessTwo faculty members in the University of Southern Indiana College of Business have been named department chairs. Their appointments are effective August 25. Dr. Leslie E. Nunn, associate professor of business law, will chair the Department of Accounting and Business Law. Nunn joined the University in 1998. He holds a J.D. degree from the University of Denver. As department chair, he succeeds Dr. Brian McGuire, who has been named associate dean of the College of Business and director of the master’s program in business administration. Dr. Carl Saxby, associate professor of marketing, will chair the Department of Marketing and Business Communication. He joined the University in 1997. Saxby earned a doctorate at the University of Memphis. He succeeds Dr. Sang Choe, professor of marketing, who will return to full-time teaching. Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the College of Business, said, "Both Les Nunn and Carl Saxby have many years of business experience. We look forward to many innovative contributions from them." |
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College of Business welcomes Deans Scholar KrekeThe University of Southern Indiana has selected the recipients of its top merit scholarships. With these scholarship programs, USI recruits and retains the best and brightest from the Hoosier state and the region. Included in these merit scholarships are the Deans Scholars which offer top Tri-state area students full tuition. We welcome to the College of Business Kelsey Kreke of Effingham, Illinois, a graduate of Effingham High School and winner of the Aline Nunn Renner Deans Scholarship. Kreke will major in accounting starting in the fall 2008. |
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USI Beta Alpha Psi Chapter Recognized as a "Superior Chapter"
For the second year in a row, USI's Lambda Mu Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi was recognized as a "Superior Chapter" at the 2008 National Beta Alpha Psi Conference in Anaheim, California. In addition to the excellent recognition, superior chapters receive a financial award contributed by the KPMG Foundation. Student members in attendance to accept the award included chapter officers Amy Oglesby, Bridgitte Cheesman, and Emily Shetler. In addition, faculty advisors Mehmet Kocakulah and Brian McGuire participated in the conference. Beta Alpha Psi is an honor society available only to students enrolled in business schools accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The organization recognizes the outstanding achievement of students enrolled in accounting, finance, and computer information systems programs. In order to be recognized as a "Superior Chapter," Beta Alpha Psi chapters must meet certain requirements that include submission of reports, periodic initiations, national/regional activities, professional activities and service activities. Since part of the mission of Beta Alpha Psi is to foster enthusiasm for service, chapters are encouraged to participate in service activities that benefit the campus and the community of the chapter. |
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McGuire Wins Multiple Research Awards
The award was presented by Clair M. Raubenstine, a former consulting partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (sponsor of the award) at IMA’s 88th Annual Conference in Phoenix. Kathy Williams, editor of Strategic Finance, said the journal receives 300 to 350 manuscripts each year, and approximately 10 percent are accepted for publication. Of the approximately thirty manuscripts accepted for publication each year, the top three manuscripts are awarded the gold, silver, and bronze Lybrand Medals. In addition, McGuire and his coauthors (Scott Okesson and Liv Watson, both former students at USI) won an “Articles of Merit Award” for the same article from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)and the article was published in IFAC’s 2007 Articles of Merit. The IFAC award was given for previously published international articles (selected by IFAC's Professional Accountants in Business Committee) in topics that can assist professional accountants in business with their management, strategic and financial decision-making issues. IMA is the world's leading organization dedicated to empowering management accounting and finance professionals to drive business performance. With a network of nearly 65,000 professionals, IMA provides a dynamic forum for management accounting and financial professionals to develop and advance their careers through its Certified Management Accountant program, cutting-edge professional research and practice development education, networking, and the advocacy of the highest ethical and professional practices. IFAC, which is the global organization for the accountancy profession, works with its 158 members and associates in 123 countries to protect the public interest by encouraging high quality practices by the world's accountants. IFAC members and associates, which are primarily national professional accountancy bodies, represent 2.5 million accountants employed in public practice, industry and commerce, government, and academia. |
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Groundbreaking for USI's Business and Engineering Center
A groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Southern Indiana's new Business and Engineering Center was held Thursday, July 10, 2008, at the southwest corner of the USI Quadrangle next to the Technology Center. |
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USI College of Business advisory groups announce chairs, new membersThree advisory groups that lend their expertise to the University of Southern Indiana College of Business have announced chairs and new members for 2008-09. Carl Chapman, president and chief operations officer at Vectren, will chair the Board of Advisors, an advisory group to all College of Business programs. New members of the group include Robert DiNardo, vice president and general manager of WOW!; Robert J. Keller, chief executive officer of Escalade, Inc.; and Michael Walsh, general manager-Americas for manufacturing operations at SABIC Innovative Plastics. The new chair of the Accounting Circle is Sally Joest ’74, vice president of Harding, Shymanski and Company. New members are David Armstrong, chief financial officer at Accuride Corporation; Tonya Borders ’99, vice president and chief operating officer for the Wealth Management Division at Integra Bank; Kevin Hammett ’90, chief financial officer for Regency Commercial Associates; Liv Watson, vice president for global strategy at EDGAR Online, Inc.; and Larry Whiteside ’80 M.B.A. ’95, associate director for international business controls at Mead Johnson. David Yoak, chief information officer at Red Spot Paint and Varnish Company, will chair the Information Technology (IT) Alliance. New members are Chris Boeke, director of application development and support at Vectren Corporation; Pat Fleck, Mount Vernon site IT leader, Americas/Europe Manufacturing IT operations leader for SABIC Innovative Plastics; Alan Letterman, manager for engineering and technology at Berry Plastics; Rex Masterson, IT leader for environmental, health, and safety at SABIC Innovative Plastics; and David R. Stefanich, corporate director, information technology at Accuride Corporation. The three advisory groups serve as a link between the business community and the College of Business to enhance the continued progress of the college. |
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USI accounting team wins national competitionA team of accounting students from the University of Southern Indiana has won first place in the national Student Case Competition sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants. Other teams in the final round of competition represented Rider University in New Jersey, Wright State University in Ohio, and Western Illinois University in Illinois. The teams made their presentations in the competition June 15 at the 89th IMA Annual Conference and Exposition in Tampa, Florida. This was the third straight year for a USI College of Business team to qualify for the national finals. As a competitor in the “final four,” the USI team received an award of $3,000. As winner, the team received an additional $2,000. USI team members were accounting majors Andy Dill of Princeton, Indiana; Brad Greene of Georgetown, Indiana; Angela King of Santa Claus, Indiana, and Amy Oglesby of Galatia, Illinois. Faculty sponsors were Dr. Brian McGuire, chair of the Department of Accounting and Business Law and professor of accounting, and Jeanette G. Maier-Lytle, instructor in accounting. Teams from universities throughout the country entered the first round of IMA competition. To qualify for the finals, each team prepared a 15-minute DVD presentation and submitted it for blind judging. Four teams were chosen to make live presentations in the final round. In the finals, each team’s 15-minute presentation was followed by a single common question from the judges. The case for the 2008 competition required the students to develop accounting processes that would provide the leaders of a nonprofit organization with useful information for decision support, planning, and control. Judges chose the finalists based on technical content and presentation skills exhibited in the video. Judges were selected from industry and academia across the country. Three students on the team that competed in Tampa have experience on other award-winning USI accounting teams. Oglesby was a member of the IMA competition team for the second year and also was on the 2006 and 2007 USI teams that took first place in the Indiana CPA Society (INCPAS) Case Study Competition. Greene and King also were on the 2007 team in the INCPAS competition. The USI College of Business team has won that competition four straight years. Dill completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in accountancy in May. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in business administration from USI. The USI team was recognized at IMA’s 2008 Academic and Student Awards Recognition Luncheon following the competition and will be honored again at the organization’s annual dinner on June 18. The Student Case Competition is sponsored annually by IMA to promote sound financial/accounting analysis and presentation skills. IMA is an organization for management accounting and finance professionals. It has about 70,000 members worldwide. |
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Elizabeth Childers is one of Indy's Best and BrightestTwo University of Southern Indiana graduates are among 100 persons honored as Indy's Best and Brightest for 2007. The awards, sponsored by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana and KPMG LLP, recognize outstanding young professionals (age 40 and under) in Central Indiana. Elizabeth Childers '00, business administration, is director of corporate relations for SGI. She was among 10 finalists in the health and life sciences category. The other USI graduate honored was Kena S. Hollingsworth '98, English and Spanish, in the College of Liberal Arts. |
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USI study looks at Old Courthouse futureBy THOMAS B. LANGHORNE
The master's of business administration students spent the past three months formulating their recommendations for the historical Downtown structure at the request of Commissioner Troy Tornatta. Tornatta said Tuesday the report is comprehensive enough that he has not had time to fully examine it. "(The USI students) felt they needed to immerse themselves in the Old Courthouse in order to be able to sell a plan about the Old Courthouse," he said. "That's what was intended when I got them involved. It's all about building bonds with new outside sources to try to bring new ideas to an old problem." The Old Courthouse, one of Evansville's most recognizable structures, has fallen into disrepair over the years. That has prompted the foundation to seek public and private money for a comprehensive overhaul that would cost millions of dollars and take years to complete. Vanderburgh County owns the 117-year-old landmark building, while the private, nonprofit Old Courthouse Foundation acts as its guardian and works for its preservation. The USI students' report includes, among other things, a fundraising plan for renovation and marketing the 15,500-square-foot building to private and corporate donors. Sections on the building's history, comparisons to similar facilities in several other cities and findings on the parking situation are buttressed by a comprehensive list of possible grant sources. "Our group has determined that there is no requirement for additional surface parking," reads a section on parking. "... To increase the accessibility to the courthouse and provide a more convenient parking solution to the patrons of businesses within the Old Courthouse, we are proposing a circular drive be constructed at the Vine Street entrance." The report envisions the Old Courthouse's basement as a possible spot for businesses that do "light manufacturing" and the main floor as a retail rental space. The second floor would be a space for preservation and rental, and the third floor would be devoted to rental to non-profits. Tornatta said the USI students have fulfilled their mandate and possibly performed a service to the county. "This report is a real life exercise. This could really happen," he said. "Somebody could take this plan and use it." |
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USI economists offer opinions from I-69 reportTaken from the Evansville Courier & Press PETERSBURG, Ind. — The "big punchline behind this meeting," economist Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar announced Wednesday night before sharing the results of an Interstate 69 community development study, "is to say towns that rapidly make infrastructure investment even before major highway construction are the ones that see the biggest gains."
About 40 people came to the Pike County Courthouse to hear two economists from the University of Southern Indiana present findings from a yearlong study designed to guide planning efforts to take advantage of the growth potential of the proposed interstate and minimize adverse consequences. "Successful communities have avoided the adversarial situations of creating an 'us versus them' competition," said Dr. Tim Schibik. "That wastes energy. Cooperation is the key." Focusing on towns along the corridor The study focused on the corridor communities of Oakland City, Petersburg and Washington. The economists researched interstates across the country and decided on three that most closely match the population densities of the non-metro counties in Southern Indiana. They were Interstate 68 in Garrett County, Md., Interstate 16 in Twiggs County, Ga., and Interstate 27 in Hale County, Texas. "Some towns experienced negative growth for 15 years after the interstate came through," Mujumdar said. "We took a look at what they did wrong so you can try not to repeat those mistakes." The new highway through Garrett County shortened the driving time to the Baltimore area by about an hour. "The people of that community really weren't prepared for what happened," Schibik said. "They couldn't think outside the box. They couldn't see their mountain location as a vacation option for big-city people, Eventually there were specialty shops and restaurants and the area prospered. All aspects need to be involved "My advice from that," Schibik continued, "would be to acquire the land near the interchange and control this land usage through zoning. Improve the school systems. Get involved with work-force development." Both men noted that Interstate 69 has opponents in this area. "We proceeded with our research by taking I-69 as a given," Schibik said. "We're not pro or con one way or the other." Benefits for all communities Before the presentation, Mujumdar said the new road's impact on Oakland City "would be to make it easier to get to Evansville. The bigger city could siphon some jobs. The upside would be that perhaps Oakland City could become a bedroom community for Evansville." Mujumdar said current I-69 plans call for the highway to bypass Petersburg. "There's no exit on the drawing boards," he said. "The Route 57 traffic would be drained to I-69. The best answer for Petersburg would be to make it a destination town ... to adopt some kind of Main Street program that would be unique enough to make people want to come." Washington, which is on course to have an exit, has already moved toward building an industrial park, Mujumdar noted. "One of the biggest mistakes that could happen would be to do nothing until the road is built," Schibik said. The project was funded by the Pike County Economic Growth Council and county commissioners, the Duke Energy Foundation, the City of Washington and the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation. Coordination for the study came from the USI Center for Applied Research. |
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2008 Faculty awards recognize dedicated professionals in research, service, and teachingThree College of Business faculty members were honored May 7, 2008, for outstanding achievement during the academic year. Receiving awards were Dr. Les Nunn, associate professor of business law, Excellence in Service; Dr. Manfen Chen, assistant professor of finance, Excellence in Research; and Dr. Katherine Sauer, assistant professor of economics, Excellence in Teaching.
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Business alumni receive 2008 Alumni Association awards
Wicks, 1991 business administration and 1997 Master of Business Administration graduate, served as president of the USI Alumni Association 2004-05 and Alumni Council member from 2000-06. A member of the USI Foundation Board from 2004-06, she is past chair of the Alumni Annual Fund Campaign, and a Phonathon volunteer. Additionally she has provided leadership to Alumni special events, Alumni Benefits & Services Committee, Alumni Travel Committee, and Advocates for Higher Education. She is the immediate past president of the Junior League of Evansville, board member of ANEW, Evansville Estate and Financial Planning Council, and the Museum Guild, as well as volunteering for her church, the Komen Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Girl Scouts, and Junior Achievement. One of USI’s most ardent cheerleaders and volunteers, Wicks continuously spreads the word of USI and its academic programs to the community and area students. Wicks is assistant vice president, trust officer at Fifth Third Bank.
Trockman, a 1981 management graduate, was appointed to the Vanderburgh Superior Court bench in December 1998 by Governor Frank O’Bannon. He was elected to a six-year term in 2001 and was re-elected for another term in 2007. Trockman served as chief judge of Vanderburgh Superior Court from 2003-08. In 2001, Trockman organized and implemented the first drug treatment court in Vanderburgh County. The court serves as an intensive sentencing alternative for non-violent felony drug offenders who have committed crimes in the county. The program has been made successful in part by creative funding efforts by Judge Trockman. A non-profit foundation was established to seek private community support for the program, along with various state and federal grants. Trockman is chairman of the Indiana Judicial Center Court Administered Drug Program Committee, serving as chair of the Drug Court Sub-Committee. He is also a member of the board of Governors of the Indiana Judicial Center and remains active in the Evansville Bar Association. Trockman has received numerous awards including a 2004 Jefferson Award for Public Service from the American Institute for Public Service. |
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Three retire from the College of BusinessMary McGrew, Joyce Babillis, and Arlene Campbell are all retiring from the University.
McGrew, senior administrative assistant, joined USI in April 1978. Babillis, administrative associate, joined in April 1990. And Campbell, administrative assistant, has been with the University since November 1990. Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the College of Business, said, “This poses a tremendous challenge and will be a test of our resiliency in the College of Business. With a combined 59 years of service within the College of Business these three individuals have been integral to the creation and refinement of many of the processes and procedures used by our College - particularly those related to interaction with students, parents, members of the community, and the rest of the University. They will be remembered because of their contributions. “We hope that they will come back to visit and wish that they realize their retirement plans and aspirations.” New business communication scholarshipJohn M. Lawrence, a 1973 accounting graduate, has established a new scholarship to recognize and reward excellence in business communication and to honor Bill and Helen Sands. Bill taught English Literature at USI for five years and Helen is a professor emerita of communications. The $1,000 scholarship is to be awarded to a full-time or part-time sophomore, junior, or senior in the College of Business with a 3.0 GPA or above. To apply students will provide a minimum of three written documents in both hardcopy and electronic copy to aid in the selection; preference will be given to writing using cross-disciplinary elements. The selection committee will be looking for standard business communication criteria: complete, concise, clear, correct, concrete, courteous, and considerate. The selection will be made by Dr. Jane Johansen or the senior business communication faculty member by rank and years in rank with the input and support of the business communication faculty. The first scholarship will be awarded March 2009. Writing samples should be submitted to Dr. Jane Johansen by December 6, 2008. College of Business computer students win
USI College of Business Computer Science major James Gosnell, Boonville, Indiana, received the second highest score (among 52 students) on the Institute for the Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP) Associate Computer Professional (ACP) examination at the 2008 National Collegiate Conference in April. Computer Information Systems major Ryan Greenlee, Lynnville, Indiana, also passed the test. Both students now hold ACP designation, a credential that substantiates their level of computing knowledge and offers proof of that knowledge for potential employers. |
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USI’s Beta Alpha Psi team finishes thirdIn a close competition, USI’s Beta Alpha Psi team finished in third place in the "Strategic Planning: BAP in 10 Years" competition at the 2008 Midwest Regional Meeting of Beta Alpha Psi in Chicago on April 5. The USI team members are Bridgitte Cheesman, Emily Shetler, Dan Berry, and Amy Oglesby, with Dr. Mehmet Kocakulah and Dr. Brian McGuire serves as the faculty advisors for the team. In addition to the excellent recognition, the USI Beta Alpha Psi Chapter received a monetary reward of $100 for future chapter activities. These types of activities, combined with the support that the students receive from the faculty, make USI a great learning experience! Indiana University-Bloomington won first place and Kent State University placed second. Basic Internet savvy boosts Web site
"Basic Internet savvy boosts Web site'" is an
article in the April 2008 Evansville Business Journal by Virginia Weiler, who is an adjunct instructor in marketing for
the College of Business. She is an independent marketing/communication consultant and a former brand manager for a major corporation. Read the entire article... Economics & Finance Club attends Investment ConferenceMembers of the Economics and Finance Club, along with their advisor, Dr. Manfen Chen, assistant professor of finance, attended the RISE VIII Investment Conference in Dayton, Ohio, March 27-29, 2008. The students attending were Earl Townsend IV and Adam House.
During the time there, the students were exposed to several hours of lively discussion. The topics included the following: the economy, the markets, the Federal Reserves Perspective, corporate governance and responsibility; political, regulatory, and legislative issues; and finally leadership perspectives. This Global Student Investment Forum included many guest speakers in the financial community from around the country, such as Patrick Dorsey, Director of Stock Analysis, Morningstar, Inc.; Dr. Finn E. Kydland, 2004 Nobel Laureate in Economics; Sandra Pianalto, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; and John P. Surma, Chairman & CEO, United States Steel Corporation. These individuals shared their wisdom on the financial market situation now and the near future of the United States and the world. One special guest speaker was Chris Gardner, the individual that Will Smith portrayed in the movie The Pursuit of Happiness. In his presentation, Gardner wanted everyone to find something you love in life and be “world class” at it. His presentation style was impressive, and his story was motivational. A first at this investment forum was the NASDAQ remote closing bell ceremony from the University of Dayton. Many students were invited on stage to be a part of this closing bell ceremony. When the bell was closed by all of the speakers and students, confetti filled the air and the stadium roared with cheering and applause. It was quite a moment for the attendees.! College of Business programs reaccredited by AACSBThe College of Business at USI has again earned accreditation of its undergraduate and graduate business programs and separate accreditation of its accounting programs by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. USI received initial AACSB accreditation for its undergraduate and graduate business programs in 1997. The accounting program achieved separate accreditation in 2003. Accredited schools must be re-evaluated every five years to maintain accreditation. As of April, 458 institutions in the United States hold AACSB business accreditation, of which 163 have additional specialized accreditation for their accounting programs. Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the College of Business said, "Extension of accreditation by the AACSB International is a clear affirmation of the high quality of business and accounting programs offered by our University. We have established that we are among a distinctive group of business schools worldwide with both business and accounting accreditation. Of the more than 7,600 business schools in the world only 7 percent have AACSB business accreditation. "Extension of accreditation demonstrates that our programs have attained a high level of overall quality, that we have a culture that is committed to continuous improvement, and that we are providing educational experiences that lead to measurable student learning outcomes. These outcomes suggest that our students are well positioned to respond to the challenges and opportunities of a dynamic and competitive global economy." Dr. Linda Bennett, USI provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said, "USI's College of Business has a growing reputation for excellence and AACSB accreditation confirms the outstanding work by the college’s administrative team, faculty, and staff. I’m certain that even with this achievement, the faculty in the college are already thinking about ways to develop new initiatives and new partnerships in the region." To achieve accreditation, business programs must satisfy the expectations of a wide range of quality standards relating to strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students in the educational process, and achievement of learning goals in degree programs. During the reaccreditation process, the USI College of Business was visited in February by a team of evaluators with detailed knowledge of management education, applying accreditation standards that are widely accepted in the educational community. AACSB International is an association of more than 1,100 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 70 countries. The organization is the longest serving and largest global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in business and accounting. |
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2008 Honor's Day
The College of Business held its Honor's Day Convocation on March 26, 2008. Six new scholarships were awarded to business students: Atlas World Group Technology, Jennings D. and Josephine K. Carter, Cowley-Vogelbach, Craig R. Ehlen, Northwestern Mutual Intern, and Jean Schneider Memorial scholarships. Other scholarships awarded to the College of Business for the first time were the Azteca Milling and Henry J. and Hazel D. Bennighof scholarships. One hundred thirty-seven business students received scholarships and awards. For a complete list of all recipients, click here.
Mark Hubbard presented Michael Tepsic, MBA student, with the H. Byron Hubbard Prize in Business Ethics for academic achievement, ethical conduct, and the best essay on a business ethics case. Dr. Peggy Shields, associated professor of marketing, presented the Wall Street Journal Award for an outstanding graduating senior to Christina Warren. Academic Achievement Awards were awarded to outstanding graduating seniors in each of the major fields.
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Marketing students compete in National Collegiate Sales CompetitionMarketing students Andrew Schenk and Blaine Craft competed in the National Collegiate Sales Competition March 13th though March 15th, 2008. Other Marketing Club members who attended the National Collegiate Sales Competition’s Career Expo included Jessica Bellian, Nicole Drake and Alyson Neel. The sales competition is a national event hosted at Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw Georgia where over 90 students competed. In the NCSC, students in sales and marketing test their selling skills in one-on-one sales call challenges. The NCSC brings the top sales students together with professionals from the business world to create exclusive networking opportunities. Recruiters from more than 32 sponsoring companies obtain a firsthand look at competitors in action and under pressure. Phenomenal Women of USI and the community honoredNancy Bizal, instructor in administrative systems, was honored at the sixth annual Phenomenal Women of USI and the Community Recognition Ceremony, sponsored by the USI Multicultural Center, Old National Bank, and the American Association of University Women. The program, emceed by Annie Krug, vice president for Advancement, was held March 20, 2008. Other USI honorees were Samoa Hempfling, fee waiver clerk in Student Financial Assistance; and Pam Doerter, career coordinator in Career Services and Placement. USI students honored were Jennifer Graham, a senior biology major with a pre-med concentration, and Janet Bett, senior social work major. Honorees from the community were Luzada Hayes, Mary Miller, and Dr. Victoria Pohl. You can read more about their achievements here.
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College of Business Students experience Europe
The students gained experience with exchange rates and foreign currencies, dealing with a language barrier, negotiating major subway systems, and making international phone calls. Ashly Hendrickson, majoring in business administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship, said, "This being the first time out of the country, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The group was great to travel with and the places were beautiful to visit. I would love to do it again." Highlights of the trip included London’s historic Trafalger Square, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and an excursion to Oxford. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Fountainbleau Palace were favorites. |
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College of Business Faculty PromotionsThe USI Board of Trustees approved the following College of Business faculty for promotion effective August 25, 2008:
College of Business Faculty receive grants for summer researchThree College of Business faculty members received 2008 Lilly Summer Research Fellowships. The recipients and their projects are:
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State OKs funds for Business and Engineering Center
Final approval to release funding came Monday for the University of Southern Indiana's new college of business project, meaning construction of the $36.5 million classroom facility can begin this summer. The state Budget Committee, which releases funding already allocated by the Legislature, approved USI's Business and Engineering Center on Monday. The building will house the college of business -- which will be moving from the Robert D. Orr Center -- and also will be home to the department of engineering. Construction is scheduled to start this summer, USI spokeswoman Kathy Funke said, and be completed in 2010. |
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USI Speaking Eagles student wins International district competition
Mike Provost, a member of the Speaking Eagles Club, is the winner of the Toastmaster's International district competition. Provost is the first student from USI to compete in the district competition. It was held on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Ivy Tech. He will go on to compete at the area competition in Louisville, KY on March 22. The student Toastmasters club is supported by the Accounting Circle, an advisory board for the accounting program at USI. All student fees are paid by funds raised by the club or donated by the Accounting Circle. |
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Accounting student is Homecoming King
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Leadership and 'street smarts'
"Leadership and 'street smarts'" is an article in the February 2008 Evansville Business Journal by Horace M. Lukens III, who recently retired as vice president of Jesse F. Stock Insurance, inc., in Evansville. He is an adjunct instructor in finance for the College of Business. Read the entire article... (Go to EBJ.biz) |
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USI takes on Courthouse taskBy Thomas B. Langhorne
Working at the behest of Vanderburgh County Commissioner Troy Tornatta, the master's of business administration students will submit their recommendations for the historical Downtown structure to the commissioners and the Old Courthouse Foundation. Vanderburgh County owns the 117-year-old landmark at Third and Vine streets while the private, nonprofit foundation acts as its guardian and works for its preservation. The graduate students and their instructor, Dr. Les Nunn, agreed to make the project their sole undertaking for the spring semester, which required a restructuring of their syllabus. Nunn said he and his students, several of whom work for marketing and real estate firms, are drawn to the challenge of "taking something that was built for one purpose and (plotting how to) innovatively use it for something else." "I want the students to be thinking about preserving historical structures"" he said. "The Old Courthouse is a symbolic tie from the old to the new and to the future." During a nighttime tour of the Old Courthouse last week, Tornatta told the graduate students that he and Old Courthouse Foundation officials are open-minded. "We're looking for ideas that would potentially take us to the next level with this useful space," he said. Tornatta also cautioned the students, who meet weekly, that they have been entrusted with an important mission. "Be ever mindful that the public views this building as the encompassing grail of Evansville," he said. "They see this building as a fixture in Evansville that cannot be torn down. It would be like ripping the heart out of somebody." The Old Courthouse, one of Evansville's most recognizable structures, has fallen into disrepair over the years. That has prompted the foundation to seek public and private money for a comprehensive overhaul that would cost millions and take years to complete. At the same time, the County Commissioners are pushing to maximize rent paid to the county by Old Courthouse tenants by leasing vacant spaces in a bid to make the building more self-sufficient. The county's investment in the Old Courthouse is considerable, a fact Tornatta stressed to the students. The county pays more than $500,000 annually to Evansville-based Energy Systems Group on a 10-year, $5.33 million energy savings contract signed in 2004. The money comes from the county's Cumulative Capital Development Fund, which generates about $1.5 million a year. As part of a far-ranging update of the Old Courthouse's aged electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems, Energy Systems Group worked with historical preservationists to ensure that new energy-efficient windows were historically sensitive. The updated facility's heating and air conditioning was upgraded, allowing the county to lease office space inside. Though then-Republican County Commissioner Suzanne Crouch objected to the size of the annual financial obligation, then-Democratic Commissioners Catherine Fanello and David Mosby said the contract would yield long-term cost savings. There are other expenses involved in maintaining the Old Courthouse. In 2007, the County Council budgeted $140,000 -- including a $30,000 supplemental appropriation at year's end -- for the commissioners to spend on utilities for the 15,500-square-foot building. But those expenses were only partially offset by $94,072 in rent from Old Courthouse tenants, plus $11,949 for special events such as craft shows. About 60 percent of spaces in the building are leased at a rate of $8 to $10 per square foot, and the County Commissioners are encouraging foundation board members to engage a commercial real estate agent to lease vacant spaces. But key members of the foundation board have taken a cautious, deliberate approach. When businesswoman Mary K. Hukill approached the board last month with a proposal to turn the Old Courthouse into a retail incubator, board secretary Kelley Coures had a measured response. Coures said the board is "not going to do anything in terms of a marketing plan" until the Old Courthouse's second-floor Wedgwood Room for receptions has been renovated and a planned new catering kitchen finished. Only then, Coures said, will the foundation board have something impressive and inspiring to show potential donors to the larger renovation campaign. "We will take a hard look at marketing the (remaining unoccupied spaces in) the building in a calm and rational way once we have the restoration work currently in progress, completed," he said. During last week's tour, the USI graduate students peppered Tornatta and foundation officials with questions about the Old Courthouse's zoning, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, potential uses and structural soundness. After giving them the assurances they sought, Coures told the students any stranger dropped at random on the Old Courthouse property would know immediately that he had landed in Evansville. "This building is what gives Evansville its sense of place," he said. |
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Finance major Alexander named Scholar All-Region
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Dr. Katherine Sauer elected membership committee chair in Young Evansville ProfessionalsTwo USI employees were elected 2008 officers in Young Evansville Professionals (YEP), Inc., a nonprofit group dedicated to connecting and engaging young professionals. Susan Fetscher, assistant director of development research, publications, was elected president elect and Dr. Katherine Sauer, assistant professor of economics, was elected membership committee chair. YEP was founded in 2001 and has more than 150 members |
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College of Business student volunteers offer free tax helpUSI senior accounting students provide annual free tax assistance through the USI College of Business Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). |
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Toyota gives $100,000 to Business and Engineering CenterShaun Koyama, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., (TMMI) presented a gift of $100,000 to the University of Southern Indiana on January 23, 2008 in support of the instructional facilities for the soon-to-be constructed Business and Engineering Center. He made the presentation before an economics class which had been studying concepts used in the company. |
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Connie S. Wellmeyer, assistant general manager for corporate services and public affairs at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana, has been named University of Southern Indiana Distinguished Accountant for 2008.
By Horace M. Lukens
Two sophomores and a freshman are the winners of the 2008 College of Business Ideation Competition at the University of Southern Indiana. The winners were announced in November as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The second event was held on Tuesday, November 4, in conjunction with the Evansville office of Smith Barney. The seminar on investment strategies featured Carmen Palladino, the Director of Equity Structured Products for Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. The event was in the David L. Rice Library on USI’s campus and was attended by students from several business classes at USI. The seminar covered topics in the investment area, related to the use of derivatives in portfolio protection and recovery strategies.
The third event, held on Wednesday, November 5, was a discussion session by Carmen Palladino with members of the Economics and Finance Club. Mr. Palladino discussed the current financial crisis and explained the mathematical theory behind options and how investors use financial instruments to increase their income.
The 2008 USI team included Bradley Greene, senior, of Georgetown, Indiana; Ashley Hancock, junior, of Evansville; Scott Roberts, senior, of Mooresville, Indiana; and David Ubelhor, senior, of Evansville. All four are accounting majors. Greene also was a member of USI’s winning team in 2007. 
The annual USI Founders Day program was held September 15, 2008. 
Mary Spahn, administrative assistant in the College of Business, is the recipient of the second annual Support Staff Performance Recognition Award. The award was announced at the Employee Recognition Luncheon on August 12, 2008. 
By Dr. Dane Partridge
Dr. Brian L. McGuire, chair of the Department of Accounting and Business Law and professor of accounting, has been named associate dean and director of the Master of Business Administration program for the University of Southern Indiana College of Business.
Dr. Brian McGuire (Professor of Accounting) won the Lybrand Silver Medal from Strategic Finance magazine for an article he coauthored entitled “Evaluating Possible Second-Wave Benefits of XBRL.” According to Strategic Finance, the flagship publication of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), the magazine provides the latest information about practices and trends in finance, accounting, and information management that will impact controllers, chief financial officers (CFOs), and their staffs. 
The Business and Engineering Center will include two engineering teaching computer labs, three business teaching computer labs, and one shared computer lab. There will be two business labs, 15 engineering labs, four business classrooms, three engineering classrooms, one general classroom, two tiered classrooms, and offices for 92 faculty members.
Barriers to communication
Awaiting evaluation by the Old Courthouse Foundation is a 50-page marketing proposal and business plan for Evansville's Old Courthouse produced by graduate students at the University of Southern Indiana.
Alumni Service Award
Distinguished Alumni Award
By Virginia Weiler
Nineteen students from the USI College of Business spent 10 days in London and Paris over spring break 2008. They were accompanied by Dr. Katherine Sauer, assistant professor of economics. The trip was an educational enrichment opportunity which aimed to expand the students’ world views and help them learn firsthand many valuable travel skills. 
(taken from the Evansville Courier and Press
University of Southern Indiana’s Homecoming king and queen for 2008 are Andrew McGuire, Greenwood, IN and Abbie Balbach, Mariah Hill, IN. McGuire and Balbach were crowned February 9, 2008, during halftime of the men’s basketball game against University of Indianapolis.
Casey Alexander, USI women's soccer senior and finance major, was named honorable mention Scholar All-Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Alexander is the first USI women's soccer player to earn the award.