News 2005

IRS Special Agents Present Atate's First-ever 'Adrian Project' at ISU

December 9, 2005

Nearly half of the state's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal investigation special agents visited accounting students on the campus of Indiana State University to offer an up-close look at forensic accounting and possible future careers as criminal investigators.

Students from Indiana State Professor Tom Harris' fraud, tax and auditing classes attended what's known as the Adrian Project, an event which uses real-world fraud cases to show how forensic accounting investigations work. The day-long event on Friday allowed ISU students to put their accounting and criminal investigation skills to the test.

The IRS' Detroit field office developed this hands-on project about five years ago as a recruitment tool, said Jack Massey, a special agent for the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. Adrian College (Mich.) was the first to host the event at that time. As a result, the agents adopted 'Adrian' as the project's formal name. Indiana State University is the first institution or organization in Indiana ever to host the event.

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IRS Agents Visit ISU to Teach Forensic Accounting Dos And Don'ts to ISU Students

December 8, 2005

Nearly 20 special agents from the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division will visit Indiana State University's College of Business to give students an up-close look at forensic accounting based on situations from real investigations. This activity -- the first ever presented in Indiana -- has been dubbed the 'Adrian Project' because of its first-ever occurrence at Adrian College in Michigan (the event was developed by the Detroit IRS's criminal investigations unit).

These CI special agents are duly sworn law enforcement officers who investigate complex financial crimes associated with tax evasion, money laundering, narcotics, organized crime, public corruption, and much more. Only about 40 agents serve the entire state of Indiana. Three of Tom Harris' (ISU assistant professor of accounting) classes will be participating in the experience: more than 40 students from his fraud, tax and auditing classes.

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State Farm Contributes $100,000 to Indiana State University, Names it a "Priority School" for MIS

December 7, 2005

Thanks to a $100,000 contribution by the State Farm Companies Foundation, Indiana State University's College of Business will be able to build on the strong reputation of its Management Information Systems (MIS) program and further enhance the levels of education and experiential learning opportunities for students preparing for financial services careers.

In addition to its monetary support for initiatives within the College of Business, State Farm also has named ISU a "Priority School" in regard to its MIS program. This falls on the heels of another big achievement for the College - being honored as one of only four "Systems Schools" in the country earlier this year.

"For nearly 20 years, State Farm has enjoyed a great partnership with ISU," said Barb Wanthal, assistant vice president of systems at State Farm. "That partnership has led to success for State Farm's systems department through our internship program and ability to recruit and hire the best and brightest from ISU."

<< Full Story (Web Archive) >> << Quotes (Web Archive) >>

ISU Media Expert Available to Discuss TRIA Extension

December 7, 2005

House Passes TRIA Extension Bill

The House of Representatives has approved legislation that would extend for at least two years the federal backstop for insurers facing losses from future catastrophic terrorist attacks.

The bill, which the House passed this afternoon on a vote of 371-49, would create so-called "silos" for different lines of coverage and subject them to differing deductibles before individual insurers would tap the backstop created by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002.

Indiana State University professor William Warfel is available to talk to the media about the TRIA extension and how this could impact the industry, as well as what part the government should play in the process.

Warfel has written for professional journals on the topic, including an article in Risk Management  entitled "Amending TRIA" and another in the CPCU eJournal entitled "Terrorism and Disruption in Insurance Markets:  The Need for a Permanent Solution."

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ISU Business Briefs

November 16, 2005

Distributed monthly by Indiana State University's Office of Communications & Marketing
Vol. 1, Issue 2 - Nov. 16, 2005

Contents:

Charles Lingenfelter named to insurance advisory council
NFI kicks off corporate mentor program
North Carolina big 'I' names ISU alumnus “agent of the year”
ISU alumna named IBEA emerging professional for 2005
Students gain experience, knowledge at surplus lines symposium
Networks scholarship application deadline Dec. 2
ISU insurance students attend gamma conference

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ISU's Networks Hosting Forum on Social Security Reform

November 7, 2005

"The Social Security Dilemma: When and How It Should Be Reformed"

Is Social Security in trouble? If so, what is the solution to the problem? What reforms are most likely and when? These topics and more will be discussed and debated by nationally known experts as part of Networks Financial Institute's (NFI) Financial Forum Series.

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Indiana State University Honors Four with G.O.L.D. Awards

October 27, 2005

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Indiana State University Alumni Association has announced the recipients of the G.O.L.D. (Graduate of the Last Decade) Awards. The G.O.L.D. Award was created as a means of recognizing the achievements of recent alumni. The 2005 recipients will be honored at a reception and banquet on Friday, Nov. 4, in Dede III in Hulman Memorial Student Union. Two of the 2005 G.O.L.D. Award recipients are:

Jennifer M. Petersen

Jennifer PetersenJennifer Petersen's strong advocacy for professional development earned her the 2002 North Central Business Education Association Distinguished Service Award as Emerging Professional of the Year. Petersen, a current business teacher and head girl's cross-country coach at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Ind., received a Bachelor of Science in business education and a minor in information processing at Indiana State University in 1998.

After graduation, Petersen accepted a position at Chesterton High School in Chesterton, Ind., as a business teacher. That same year she was the recipient of the National Business Education Association Award of Merit. As an assistant coach, Petersen guided the Chesterton girl's cross-country team to many top-ten state finishes.

In 2002, she accepted her current position at Ben Davis High School and began implementing a progressive teaching method called Differentiation Cadre in her classroom. Differentiation Cadre recognizes the ineffectiveness of "one-size-fits-all" teaching and encourages attendance to each student's unique learning style.

Petersen has been a member of Business Professionals of America since 2002 and Pi Omega Pi, an honorary organization for business education majors, since 1995. She has been a member of the National Business Education Association since 1998, and has held various positions such as vice president and president of the Indiana Business Education Association.

Petersen returned to Indiana State in 2002 during the Annual Business Education Clinic as a personal finance roundtable presenter and was a part of ISU's Networks K-12 Financial Literary Task Force in 2003. She currently resides in Indianapolis.

Keith T. Richards

Keith RichardsAfter attending ISU on football and academic scholarships, Keith Richards graduated cum laude in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and in quality and decision systems (now operations management and analysis) and a minor in management information systems.

Richards accepted a position at Crown Equipment Corporation after graduating and has remained there since. He served as manufacturing quality engineer in Greencastle, Ind., corporate quality system administrator in New Bremen, Ohio, and North America program manager in New Bremen. Richards is the current global program manager at Crown Equipment Corporation in Celina, Ohio, where he is currently directing a multi-million dollar project.

Since the beginning of his career with Crown Equipment Corporation, Richards has developed and led key initiatives that have improved market share, improved quality and increased profitability.

While at Indiana State, Richards was active in the Dean's Student Advisory Committee and the American Marketing Association. He served as vice president of Alpha Lambda Delta Honors and as president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Remaining actively involved at ISU, Richards founded the Quality and Decision Systems Organization, an organization for quality and decision systems majors.

Richards is the son of Brian and Lisa Richards and the grandson of Walter and Martha Webb. He currently resides in Anna, Ohio.

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Indiana State University Honors Four with Distinguished Alumni Awards

October 14, 2005

The Indiana State University Alumni Association has announced the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. The 2005 recipients will be honored at a reception and banquet Friday, Oct. 21, in Dede I and II of Hulman Memorial Student Union. Among the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients is:

Josue (Joe) Robles, Jr.

A Puerto Rico native, Robles earned a master's degree in business administration from Indiana State University in 1979. From there, he went to the U.S. Army working his way up to Major General. From the Army, he became the chief financial officer at the largest provider of insurance to military families.

While earning his master's at ISU, Robles taught day classes in accounting and finance at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, while taking night classes to earn his degree. That hard work began his career with the Army. He moved around the world, serving in Korea, Vietnam, Germany and the Middle East. He even made a stop at the Pentagon as the Army's budget director and was commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One). He retired from the military in 1994, after 28 years of service, and headed to Texas.

Robles' military experience helped him land the job of USAA's senior vice president and chief financial officer. He handles all the finances of the Fortune 200 company that employs more than 21,000 people globally. He also has more then 600 people report directly to him. He works to build and protect the financial security of USAA members. In 1995, he also assumed the duties of corporate treasurer of USAA.

Robles was a featured alumnus in "Financial Focus," a Networks Financial Institute publication. He also serves on the Board of Directors for DTE Energy in Detroit.

Robles and his wife live in San Antonio, Texas. They have a daughter and two sons.

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Working Group Visits Indiana State's Top-Notch Insurance Program

October 6, 2005

Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration has launched a new initiative aimed at helping Indiana market itself better as an insurance hub, and Indiana State University was brought into the discussion as one of the top providers of insurance education - not only in Indiana, but nationwide.

Industry and government leaders visited Indiana State's campus Thursday (Oct. 6) to bring that initiative to Terre Haute and to learn more about what ISU has to offer the state's insurance sector and others wanting to set up shop or relocate here.

Mike Chrysler, director of insurance initiatives with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, says there's no clear understanding of all the insurance resources in the state, but one thing that is clear is ISU's strengths and value to all in the insurance community.

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ISU Business Briefs

September 30, 2005

Distributed monthly by Indiana State University's Office of Communications & Marketing
Vol. 1, Issue 1 - Sept. 30, 2005

Contents:

Preparing future professionals, recruiting key employees:
State Farm to visit ISU College of Business Oct. 3-5
College of Business to host career exploration panel
'Is your bubble about to burst?' forum set for Oct. 12
NFI to sponsor first-ever financial services career fair

<< Full Story (Web Archive) >>

Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State Accepting Applications for Next Class of Scholars

September 28, 2005

Networks Financial Institute (NFI) at Indiana State University is accepting applications for the 2006 class of Networks Scholars. Deadline for applications is Dec. 2, 2005.

Networks Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen who declare a major or minor through Indiana State's College of Business and who plan to pursue careers in the financial services industry. The 2006 class of scholars will represent the fourth year for this elite program.

Recipients of the Networks Scholarship receive a four-year, $20,000 scholarship to support the cost of tuition and fees, a $3,000 professional development account, and a new wireless laptop computer. Scholars also participate in a variety of professional development activities, including at least one paid internship, an international experience, interactions with an ISU faculty mentor during the freshman and sophomore years, and an executive mentor experience during the junior and senior years.

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Golf Outing Proceeds to Support Students, Initiatives of Indiana State's Insurance and Risk Management Program

August 30, 2005

Indiana State University's insurance and risk management program will be hosting its 8th annual Octoberfest Golf Scramble Sept. 22 at the Country Club of Terre Haute.

"This is our largest student-organized fundraiser of the year," said Mary Ann Boose, professor and program coordinator for insurance and risk management at Indiana State. "I'm very proud of the support we've received from our students, alumni and friends, and the insurance industry state-wide also has been tremendous."

Proceeds from the event will go to support many worthwhile, student-centered initiatives, such as attendance at local and regional industry events, travel to corporate tours, and support for students who are preparing for the national industry continuing education courses (CPCU and others).

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26 ISU Faculty and Students Awarded Fellowships

August 24, 2005

Twenty-six students and faculty members have been awarded fellowships from the Alliance for Excellence through Engagement & Experiential Learning to further Indiana State University's commitment to experiential learning and community engagement.

Among the awardees were:

Community Research Undergraduate fellowships - Fifteen undergraduate students were awarded fellowships, worth $5000 each, to participate in faculty-directed projects or research or community-based service and outreach experiences. Fellows were selected on academic achievement and community leadership.

Halee F. Cork, insurance and risk management, to conduct statistical analysis and survey research in order to aid the city of Terre Haute in reviewing alternatives to the current waste water treatment program under the direction of faculty member Mary Ann Boose and staff member Kevin Snyder

Faculty Fellows Program - These awards support excellence in experiential learning and community engagement. Six faculty members were awarded these fellowships, averaging $5000 for the faculty member and $5000 for his or her department.

Art Sherwood, organizational department, for his project Leadership Development Through Strategic Planning, which will identify best practices for strategic action planning for the Wabash Valley United Way and associated agencies.

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ISU Professor Receives Volunteer Award

August 17, 2005

Susan Moncada, an accounting professor at Indiana State University, received one of the first ever Volunteer of the Year Awards at the Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT) International Conference July 27 in Nashville, Tenn.

Award recipients' editors first nominated the volunteers, and the Project Directors' Council selected award recipients based on their dedication to MERLOT and its goals, their energy in helping to further the efforts of their respective editorial boards and their commitment to spreading the word about MERLOT.

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ISU Business Students Travel to Taiwan, Receive Real-world Education

July 8, 2005

Indiana State University business students left the classroom behind, traveled to Taiwan and received the education of a lifetime.

Four students - most affiliated with the Networks Financial Institute as Networks Scholars - accompanied ISU administrators to Taiwan's capital city, Taipei, June 3-10.

The trip was in accordance with the mission of Networks Financial Institute: to prepare students for careers in the financial services industry and to connect financial companies with business students. Networks is an outreach of the Indiana State College of Business and is funded by a $20 million gift from the Lilly Endowment.

The group visited Paul Lo, an ISU alumnus who is chairman of the Far East National Bank and of Bank SinoPac of Taiwan. He also holds the title of president and chief executive officer of SinoPac Holdings.

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International Monetary Expert Joins Networks Financial Institute as Director of Research

June 23, 2005

Dr. John A. Tatom, a distinguished economist and expert on monetary policy and economics, has joined Networks Financial Institute as Director of Research. He will also serve as associate professor of finance in Indiana State University's College of Business.

Tatom brings more than 30 years of experience in domestic and international monetary policy to NFI. As Director of Research, he will lead a team of research fellows from across academia and the business sector to construct a source of unbiased research that addresses the challenges facing the financial services industry and seek innovative solutions.

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Three ISU Profs Receive President's Medals

May 17, 2005

Indiana State University President Lloyd W. Benjamin III recently presented the university's President's Medal to three faculty members in recognition of exemplary performance and service.

The three are Douglas Herrmann, professor emeritus of psychology; Susan Powers, professor of curriculum, instruction and media technology; and Robert Thompson, professor of marketing.

Thompson has served the university for 35 years; He was an administrator in public affairs for 16 years prior to joining the College of Business faculty in 1984. His teaching focus is on marketing principles, salesmanship, and management while his research focuses on nonprofit marketing, sales training and marketing management. He is a past recipient of the university's Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award and the college's Excellence in Teaching Award. In addition, he has been named Marketer of the Year by the Wabash Valley chapter of the American Marketing Association.

"Dr. Thompson has blended classroom and experiential learning for his students and has encouraged them to conduct marketing studies and develop marketing campaigns for local businesses and organizations, thus broadening students' educational and professional experiences while simultaneously allowing them to give something back to the community," Benjamin said.

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NFI Graduate Fellowships Available to Those Planning on Financial Services Careers

May 13, 2005

If you are thinking about earning a graduate degree in preparation for a career in financial services, then Indiana State University invites you to take advantage of a unique opportunity - the Networks Graduate Studies Fellowship Program for Academic Excellence in Financial Services.

Indiana State's Networks Financial Institute (NFI) offers this fellowship program for first-time or returning graduate students in financial services fields of study, such as business administration, mathematics, computer science, technology, public administration or other areas. Deadline for applications is June 1 for fall 2005 admission.

The NFI fellowship program has been designed with high-achieving, research-oriented graduate students in mind. Its focus is on students who are coming to Indiana State to conduct research in areas within the financial services industry.

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ISU's Kester Earns Prestigious Summer NAPSLO Internship

May 5, 2005

Kylee Kester, a junior insurance and risk management major from Pimento, has been selected for a prestigious nine-week summer internship, sponsored by the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices, Ltd. (NAPSLO).

More than 50 students applied for this summer's internship opportunities, and 17 received on-site interviews. Ten were selected for paid summer internships and four of the ten will be selected to attend NAPSLO's annual conference in San Francisco this fall.

The clincher is that, as a NAPSLO intern, Kester will be eligible to compete for the top prize: the opportunity to serve a three-week internship in London during the summer of 2006.

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ISU Investment Club Earns Honors; Proposed Trading Lab Would Enhance Real-World Experiences

May 3, 2005

"If you can't see it and you can't apply it in the classroom, then you miss out on a lot."

These are the words of Bobbie Jackson, president-elect of Indiana State University's Investment Club, which just took first-place honors in the annual Oak Associates Investment Contest (Akron, Ohio).

"Dr. (Tarek) Zaher shares his actual portfolio with us, and he comes to class and talks about the gains and losses he's experienced over time," Jackson explained. "Not only do we have the textbook information, but we can also draw knowledge from his experiences."

Zaher, an ISU professor of finance, also has his students set up mock portfolio accounts on Yahoo.com, so they can see firsthand their investment performance. This later makes for great class discussions and real-life reactions to market trends.

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College of Business Faculty Honored for Teaching, Service

April 29, 2005

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Two members of Indiana State University's College of Business faculty have been honored for their dedication to teaching and service.

William Wilhelm, assistant professor and program coordinator of business education, information and technology, received a faculty recognition award for excellence in teaching. Tarek Zaher, professor of finance and chair of the College of Business faculty, received an award for exemplary service. Both were honored as part of the College of Business' annual honors program.

he awards, based upon performance within the past five years, are presented to faculty in recognition of their contributions to the mission and progress of the College of Business.

As the Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, Wilhelm is a "very respected and valued member of the College of Business faculty," said COB Dean Ron Green. After joining the faculty in 2001, Wilhelm played a major role at the University and within the College as part of the "Quantum Leap Team." This team was responsible for assisting in the development of the grant request that resulted in the $20 million Lilly Endowment grant to establish Networks Financial Institute, an outreach of the College of Business.

Zaher was honored with the College's Exemplary Service Award. "Dr. Zaher is truly an asset to our College of Business," Green said. "His dedication to service, especially at the College and university levels, has resulted in many positive benefits for the entire university and the community."

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Indiana State University Welcomes New Class of Networks Scholars

April 26, 2005

Indiana State University and Networks Financial Institute have announced the new class of 17 Networks Scholars for the 2005-06 academic year. Fifteen high school students and two students from the Indianapolis Center for Leadership Development were among this year's class of scholars.

This year marks the third year for this elite scholarship program, which is available to incoming freshmen who will be pursuing a major and eventual career in the financial services industry.

"The Networks Scholars program is a wonderful opportunity for career-minded students with an interest in the financial services industry," said Ron Green, dean of ISU's College of Business. "It is anticipated that this program will "jump-start" the scholars' careers and provide them with real advantages over others entering the field. The program has had a transforming effect on our College, injecting a large group of talented, inquisitive students into our programs each year."

This year's Networks Scholars are: Betsy Charlene Bender, business administration, Marshall, Ill.; Lacy Rachelle Betz, accounting, Shelburn; Robin Denise Bishop, accounting, Petersburg; Alana Marie Bradford, business administration, Sullivan; Christina Jahnee Cole, marketing, Indianapolis (CLD Scholar); Kelly Kay Fortner, finance, Coatesville; Zachary Alan Goodman, accounting, Linton; Kenneth Alan Gootee, insurance and risk management, Indianapolis; Scott Andrew Koressel, management, Evansville; Katie Renee Ladson, accounting, Linton; Casey Mae Lock, accounting, Chrisman, Ill.; Karrie Christina Pratt, business, Lawrenceburg; Andrew Kent Pyle, business administration, Vallonia; Bartholomew James Robertson, management, Depauw; Lashelle Lynn Stewart, marketing, Indianapolis (CLD Scholar); Racheal Nicole Titus, accounting, Toledo, Ill.; Kelsey Brooke Wilson, accounting, Marshall, Ill.

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Four ISU Seniors Receive Alan C. Rankin Distinguished Senior Awards

April 25, 2005

Four members of the Indiana State University Class of 2005 will receive the Alan C. Rankin Distinguished Senior Awards during commencement exercises at 2 p.m. May 7 in Hulman Center.

The awards were established to recognize outstanding members of the senior class who have contributed to the betterment of campus life at Indiana State University. Individuals selected to receive the awards must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have demonstrated dedicated membership and leadership ability in campus organizations, as well as in the community.

Named for ISU's seventh president, Dr. Alan C. Rankin who served from 1965-1975, the Rankin Awards are sponsored by the Student Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs. The award winner from the College of Business is Jessica Erin Robertson.

A finance major, Jessica Erin Robertson of Fort Wayne, Ind., is one of Indiana State's 2004 Alan C. Rankin Memorial Distinguished Senior Award recipients.

Active in Student Government Association, she has served as director of Investigative Affairs, Treasurer, and most recently, Chief of Staff. Robertson has served since 2003 as the student member of ISU's Board of Trustees.

A member of Sigma Kappa sorority, she served as vice-president of new member education in 2003 and as Triangle correspondent in 2004. Robertson has participated on a number of University committees including the Commencement Speaker Selection, MasterPlan 2025, Recreational Center Steering, the University Compensation Committee and the President's Commission for the Enhancement of Diversity Resources.

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Three to Receive Indiana State's Prestigious Gongaware Scholarship

April 25, 2005

Three Indiana high school students will be coming to Indiana State University this fall as the new class of Gongaware Scholars. Erik Andersen of Crown Point, Todd Byram of Clinton, and Jonathan Lough of Fort Wayne will round out the list to 21 scholars who have been named since the programıs inception in 1999.

Part of The Gongaware Center's mission includes recruiting top high school students into ISU's renowned insurance and risk management program and helping them build the technical, operational and leadership skills necessary to succeed in industry and in the communities in which they live.

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Two Indiana State Insurance Majors to be Honored with Benedetti Student Involvement Award

April 5, 2005

Opportunity to attend RIMS national conference in Philadelphia part of the package

Indiana State University students Zachary Cole and Kylee Kester will be recognized by the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) at the organization's national conference April 16-21 in Philadelphia, Pa.

There, each will receive the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Award for their outstanding leadership and involvement - at Indiana State and in the pursuit of insurance and risk management as an area of study and future career.

Cole, a senior insurance/risk management and business administration major from Covington (2001 graduate of Covington High School), and Kester, a junior insurance/risk management major from Terre Haute (2002 graduate of Terre Haute North), were selected to receive this award from more than 300 applicants nationwide.

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Cash Rules: Business Education Students Teach the ABCs of Financial Literacy

March 28, 2005

Did you know that once you sign the back of your credit card, it comes to life and talks you into making all sorts of unnecessary purchases?

Well, of course this doesn't happen in reality, but it is what happens in "Cash Rules," a DVD written, produced and directed by Indiana State University business education majors - members of Pi Omega Pi, the national business education teacher honor society.

The DVD project is aimed at bringing the issues of credit card ownership and financial responsibility to life. What started as a simple skit presentation to freshmen orientation students two years ago ballooned into a full-fledged DVD project and national conference exposure.

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Indiana State Students Get Up-Close Look at the Insurance Market - London Style

March 27, 2005

It's all about relationships.

That's what insurance industry professionals told Indiana State University students during their spring break excursion to London and Paris, March 18-28, as part of Mary Ann Boose's Insurance 449 course.

This was the second London class for Boose, professor and coordinator of the insurance and risk management program at ISU. She organizes the trips to give students a taste of the surplus lines industry from an international perspective. This year's adventure was overflowing with opportunities and information, as students visited and networked with executives from Lloyd's of London; Newman Martin and Buchan, Limited; AIRMIC (the Association of Insurance and Risk Managers for the U.K.); Swiss Re International; and Tillinghast Towers Perrin.

Insurance and risk management majors and minors participating in the learning experience were: Micah A. Carver, Plainfield; Halee F. Cork, Terre Haute; Jessica Y. Ervin, Loogootee; Jocelyn Gohman, Dana; Paul J. Gorrell, Roanoke; Michael P. Haseley, Argos; Kylee A. Kester, Pimento; Tessa L. Powell, Sullivan; Dawn M. Stanfield, Terre Haute; Mariko Watanabe, Fukuoka, Japan; and Jacqueline K. Zuerner, Terre Haute.

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Get Real: ISU Students Take Business Etiquette Lessons to Sullivan H.S. Without Leaving Campus

March 15, 2005

"Get Real: Providing Experiential Learning through Unified Collaborative Communications Technology" - this is the topic of one of four accepted student proposals for presentation at the national Pi Omega Pi conference March 25 in Anaheim, Calif.

ISU's team of students will be presenting this business etiquette learning experience to students in Glenda Jones' business class at Sullivan High School from 8:15 to 9:05 a.m. Wednesday, March 16. The students, and faculty mentor Kelly Wilkinson, will be facilitating the course from the 3rd floor of Normal Hall at Indiana State.

Team members for this project are: Brett Hoopingarner (senior, business education/business administration major, Fort Wayne), Bart Jochim (senior, business education, Terre Haute), Brandon Haston (sophomore, business education, Avon) and Jamie Wagner (junior, business education, Kokomo). Kelly Wilkinson, assistant professor of business education/information technology, served as faculty mentor on the project.

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Four ISU Business Education Student Groups Selected to Present at National Conference in California

March 14, 2005

Four group proposals, submitted by Indiana State University business education students, have been accepted for presentation at the national Pi Omega Pi conference March 25 in Anaheim, Calif.

"The opportunity for our business education majors to make presentations on current teaching topics at a national conference is an invaluable experience," said Bill Wilhelm, program coordinator and assistant professor of business education/information technology for the College of Business.

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Four Networks Scholars Attend Regulatory Reform Summit in Washington, D.C.

March 9, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four Indiana State University Networks Scholars were selected from the 29 scholars on campus to represent the university at Networks Financial Institutešs (NFI) second annual Regulatory Reform Summit March 2-3 in Washington, D.C.

Sophomores Michael Haseley, Ashley Cameron and Danielle Thompson and freshman Sean Harmon earned the opportunity to network with financial services industry professionals, policymakers and faculty as part of Summit festivities in the nation's capitol.

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First Insurance and Risk Management Career Expo March 9 at HMSU

March 8, 2005

The first Indiana State University Insurance and Risk Management Career Expo is set for Wednesday, March 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Dede I of Hulman Memorial Student Union.

Employers are seeking internship candidates as well as graduating seniors for their open positions, and more than 25 companies are expected to attend.

"I'm really enthusiastic about the number of employers and the wide range of jobs they wish to fill," said Mary Ann Boose, professor and program coordinator for insurance and risk management at Indiana State.

Some of the companies attending will include: Assurance Agency, Ltd; Auto-Owners Insurance Co.; Chicago Mutual Insurance Company; Classic Auto Insurance; Farmers Insurance Group; Federated Insurance; Forrest Sherer, Inc.; Hastings Mutual Insurance Company; Henriott Group; JW Flynn Company; Liberty Mutual Insurance; Lockton Companies; Metlife; Northwestern Mutual Financial Network; ONB Insurance; Progressive Insurance; Semler Financial; Signature Benefits; State Farm; The Hartford Financial Services Group; The Insurance Connection; Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; and Western & Southern Financial Group.

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State Business Education Leaders Discuss Impact of New Core 40 Requirements at Indiana State

March 8, 2005

Two business educators and one state-level administrator discussed the new Core 40 graduation requirements and how those will impact Hoosier business educators as part of Indiana State University's 65th Business Education Clinic March 4 at Hulman Memorial Student Union.

"Hot Topics for Business Teachers" was the focus of the clinic, which attracted a variety of middle-and high-school business teachers from throughout Indiana and Illinois. The new Core 40 requirements and their impact on students and the business education curriculum led off the day's discussions.

"I decided to include a panel discussion involving veteran business educators and our IDOE representative regarding the proposed Core 40 graduation requirements because there has been a lot of concern about the proposed requirements expressed not only by parents, but also by teachers," said Bill Wilhelm, assistant professor and business education/information technology program coordinator for the College of Business.

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ISU's Networks Financial Institute Hosts Second Regulatory Reform Summit in D.C.

March 7, 2005

The word "innovative" is defined as "ahead of the times." This is the word many are using to describe the Networks Financial Institute's (NFI) Regulatory Reform Summit and its ability to bring financial services leaders together for objective discussions about hot topics affecting the industry.

NFI, an outreach initiative of Indiana State University's College of Business, was created in 2003 with support from a $20 million Lilly Endowment grant.

"There isn't a group like NFI that has an interest in all segments of the industry, " said Charlie Richardson, chair of the Baker and Daniels Insurance and Financial Services practice group and a member of the NFI Advisory Board. "NFI, as a national thought leader and as an objective participant in that debate, can bring together all parts of the political spectrum to discuss current issues."

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Indiana State University College of Business to Host Risk Manager-In-Residence

February 22, 2005

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Jeffrey Vernor, an executive director in the enterprise risk management department at USAA in San Antonio, Texas, will be visiting the Indiana State University campus as part of the Spencer Educational Foundation's Risk Manager in Residence program, Feb. 23-24. As part of his visit, Vernor will share with faculty and students in ISU's College of Business his own expertise as well as information about current trends in the insurance and risk management industry. He will be making appearances in both Terre Haute and Indianapolis.

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ISU's Networks to Sponsor Financial Literacy Conference in Indy

February 18, 2005

Networks Financial Institute, an outreach of Indiana State University's College of Business, will sponsor an Indiana Financial Literacy Conference April 26 in Indianapolis.

"Foundation for Life" is the topic of the conference, which will take place at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (350 W. Maryland St.). The conference will highlight financial literacy as a vital component of the educational foundation of all Indiana students in grades Kindergarten through 12.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Michelle Singletary, whose Washington Post column "The Color of Money" is syndicated in more than 120 newspapers across the country. She has appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, Nightline, the Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, and NPR and will provide insight into financial issues that confront almost every American family. Indiana government leaders also have been invited to speak.

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"Hot Topics" Focus of ISU Business Education Clinic March 4

February 18, 2005

TIndiana State University will bring some "Hot Topics for Business Teachers" to the table March 4 as part of its 65th Business Education Clinic at Hulman Memorial Student Union.

This annual clinic attracts middle- and high-school business teachers from throughout Indiana and beyond and serves as a valuable resource, according to Bill Wilhelm, assistant professor and business education/information technology program coordinator for the College of Business.

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ISU's Networks Financial Institute to Host Second Regulatory Reform Summit in D.C.

February 17, 2005

Networks Financial Institute (NFI), an outreach of Indiana State University's College of Business, will host its second annual Regulatory Reform Summit, March 2-3, in Washington, D.C.

The summit gives ISU students and faculty the opportunity to join financial services industry leaders, policymakers and state and federal regulators to discuss current events and trends within the financial services industry.

The event, which will take place at Washington's Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, will include discussions on topics such as the state of regulatory reform in the United States, social security reform, the impact and potential of insurance reform as well as unique perspectives on the next four years in Washington.

This year's keynote speakers will include: Lou Dobbs, anchor and managing editor of CNN's Lou Dobb's Tonight; U.S. Rep. Richard H. Baker (R-La.), chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government-Sponsored Enterprises; U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee; and Greg Zerzan, acting assistant secretary for financial institutions for the U.S. Department of Treasury.

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ISU College of Business to Host Risk Manager in Residence

February 14, 2005

Jeffrey Vernor, an executive director in the enterprise risk management department at USAA in San Antonio, Texas, will be visiting the Indiana State University campus as part of the Spencer Educational Foundationšs Risk Manager in Residence program, Feb. 23-24. (See complete schedule below)

This marks the third consecutive year that Indiana State has received this prestigious grant from the Spencer Educational Foundation. As part of his visit, Vernor will share with faculty and students in ISU's College of Business his own expertise as well as information about current trends in the insurance and risk management industry. He will be making appearances in both Terre Haute and Indianapolis.

In addition to the New York-based Spencer Educational Foundation, the 2005 Risk Manager-in-Residence program is also sponsored by Networks Financial Institute - an outreach program of ISU's College of Business - the Indiana Chapter of RIMS (Risk and Insurance Management Society) and Indiana State University.

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