News 2010
Business Advice: ISU Students Help White Violet Center
December 22, 2010
For several business students at Indiana State University, their schoolwork led them to a class project with a unique client: a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring natural resources.
Five students in the Sycamore Business Advisors group worked with the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, in a semester long project to give the organization support to improve the business. The Sycamore Business Advisors is a program in the Scott College of Business at ISU that provides consulting services to small and mid-size businesses, as well as not-for-profits, such as the White Violet Center.
The group advising the center consisted of seniors Stephanie Flora, an accounting major from Scipio, Ind.; Shayne Boling, a business administration major from Farmersburg, Ind.; Crystal Giordano, a business administration major from Blanford, Ind.; Andy Jones, a management major from Terre Haute, Ind.; and Sarah Sallee, a financial services and business administration double major from Paris, Ill.
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Accounting Major to Receive Hines Medal at Commencement
December 14, 2010
Four Indiana State University graduating seniors have been selected to receive the Hines Memorial Medal during winter commencement Saturday at noon in Hulman Center. Named for Linnaeus Hines, who served as Indiana State's fourth president from 1921 to 1933, the award recognizes the graduating student or students with the highest cumulative grade point average.
Among the four is Whitney Nicole O'Brien of Terre Haute, an accounting major, who plans to work for Dauby O'Connor and Zaleski, a public accounting firm, beginning at the end of December. O'Brien is the recipient of the President's Scholarship, Networks Scholarship and the Indiana CPA Society Scholarship.
At Indiana State, O'Brien was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. A graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School, she is the daughter of Jerry and Penny O'Brien.
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ISU Networks Scholars have New Opportunities Through Professional Development, Scholarship Program
November 24, 2010
When Kelsey Throckmorton was a sophomore at Indiana State University, she remembered learning about a European trip offered by the Networks Professional Development Program in the summer of 2008. But when she and several other students asked about a similar offering for 2009, they learned that one wasn't being coordinated that particular year.
So they did it themselves.
Throckmorton, now a senior, was among the group of 18 students who planned the 2009 trip to New York City and Europe. Trips such as these provide opportunities for Networks Scholars to experience different cultures and international financial services industries, as well as explore professional opportunities.
Seniors Abigail Carver, Katie Wheeler, Kelsey Throckmorton and Kali Diethrich, students at Indiana State University and members of the Networks Professional Development Program, pose for a photo in Times Square during a trip a group of Networks Scholars made to New York City and Europe. Several Scholars helped plan the trip, which included stops at financial institutions in the New York City and Europe.
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Board in Class: Students Confront Ethics in Business During Simulation
November 22, 2010
Bill Minnis interacted with several groups of ISU students during simulated board of directors meetings. The role-play was in a class taught by Bill Wilhelm, coordinator and associate professor of business education, information and technology. The project was designed to teach the students about ethical decision-making in business. In the role-play, Minnis, the real-life president and CEO of Citizens National Bank, acted as a president of a fictitious bank that was purposely misleading investors about risky loan-making practices it embraced to increase profits. The students acted as members of the fake bank's board of directors who had to determine during the meeting the best course of action to take.
In October, before the role-plays began, Minnis and George Rogers, chairman of the board for Citizens National Bank, spoke to the students about the work of the bank's board of directors and president. The students then learned a bit more about how boards work through the simulation.
George Rogers (left) and Bill Minnis
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Financial Expert to Discuss Economic Affairs in Evansville
November 15, 2010
A nationally known financial expert associated with Indiana State University will discuss economic affairs during an upcoming event in Evansville.
R. Christopher Whalen, a research fellow with Networks Financial Institute (NFI) at ISU, will speak on "A New Deal for the American Economy" on Nov. 30. Whalen's presentation is an outreach on behalf of NFI and the Scott College of Business at Indiana State; Whalen spoke at ISU in October and in Northwest Indiana on Nov. 8. In his Evansville presentation, Whalen is expected to discuss topics from his upcoming book due out in December, and describe some changes to monetary, fiscal and trade policy that he believes would help restore balance to the world economy.
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Financial Expert to Discuss Economic Affairs in Merrillville
November 3, 2010
A renowned financial expert associated with Indiana State University will discuss economic affairs during an upcoming event in Northwest Indiana.
R. Christopher Whalen, who is a research fellow with Networks Financial Institute (NFI) at ISU, will give his speech, "A New Deal for the American Economy," on Monday, Nov. 8. Whalen's presentation in Merrillville is an outreach on behalf of NFI and the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University; he spoke on the ISU campus last month and will be in Evansville later this month.
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ISU's Networks Financial Institute Recognized for Student Development Program
October 28, 2010
A four-year curriculum with focused activities designed to cultivate the professional skills of Indiana State University students has been recognized as an award-winning initiative.
Networks Financial Institute, an outreach of Indiana State's Scott College of Business, garnered third place in the 2010 Innovation in Business Education Award by the Mid-Continent East Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. NFI received the award for its Networks Professional Development Program, a multi-year, coached, experiential professional development program designed for high potential undergraduate business majors at ISU.
"I initially helped create the program seven years ago," said Arthur "Art" Sherwood, associate professor of management and senior fellow for leadership development at ISU. "It's developed into a much stronger program than I ever thought it could be."
In the program, students participate in different activities that have a different developmental focus for each year: their freshmen year, events focus on the foundations for leadership and career development, sophomore year events focus on team leadership development and professional skill-building, juniors focus on advanced multi-team leadership development and professional internship preparation and seniors focus on self -leadership and preparation for entering the professional world.
ISU sophomore Dan Walters, junior Mitchell "Zack" McAdams, senior Kelsey Throckmorton, freshman Stephen Borkowski and senior Brittany Faulkner walk the stage during the Networks Professional Dress Fashion Show. More than 17 scholars participated in the event, and more than 85 people attended.
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ISU Students use new Sales and Negotiations Laboratory to Reinforce what they Learn
October 26, 2010
Students toiling in a new laboratory at Indiana State work to improve their chemistry - though it isn't quite an exact science.
In the new Sales and Negotiations Laboratory in ISU's Scott College of Business, students practice sales calls and negotiation sessions to hone their skills and develop what they've learned in class. Jon Hawes, a professor of marketing and director of the Sales and Negotiation Center, created the lab to help sales students. In his classes, students read and discuss the material they are learning and then watch someone engage in a selling technique before they practice it themselves in the lab.
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Financial Expert: People Must Decide what kind of Economy will help Country move Forward
October 15, 2010
Americans must determine the kind of economy they want to improve the country, prominent financial expert R. Christopher Whalen told a crowd at Indiana State University Wednesday.
Whalen, who described the current economic conditions as similar to those in the 1920s, said that people need to start having more discussion on economic issues. He spoke to an audience of more than 70 people that included students and members of the business community. His appearance in Terre Haute was sponsored by Networks Financial Institute (NFI) at ISU, an outreach of the university's Scott College of Business.
Whalen spoke about a variety of conditions impacting the economy, from the history of American economics to free trade and banking. The financial expert told the audience that he believes that the United States is at a crossroads.
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Set Sale: Professor Creating, Expanding Sales Education Opportunities for Students
October 14, 2010
When Kayla Tucker attended a sales contest last spring that featured students competing from more than 50 universities, she wasn't angry at her judge after she didn't win. After all, he's now one of her coworkers.
The competition Tucker attended featured a simultaneous career fair. Though Tucker, who graduated from Indiana State University in May, didn't win, one of her judges was so impressed with her that he recruited her for an interview with his company, which ultimately led to her full-time job.
Tucker wasn't the only ISU student to attend the event. She and Emily Stites competed at the urging of ISU professor Jon Hawes, who uses competitions as a way to introduce and educate students about sales careers. Although neither student won, they both made contacts that led to full-time jobs amidst the historic unemployment levels of the Great Recession.
"So far, we have participated in two sales competitions. The outcome has been two excellent sales jobs for our students," Hawes said. "That's really good. This year we'll bump that up dramatically."
The university's board of trustees approved the new Sales and Negotiations Center in February. Hawes, the center's director, has been working to establish the sales program and help get ISU recognized as a great place to recruit sales talent. In addition to his workload as a marketing professor, Hawes' tasks run the gamut from planning events for students to cultivating relationships with prominent members of the business community. His goal is to prepare students for outstanding sales careers, which he admits they might not yet be aware of during their first few years of college.
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ISU to Host two Events for Money Smart Week Indiana
October 11, 2010
Indiana State University will be hosting two events as part of Money Smart Week® Indiana from Oct. 16 to Oct. 23.
Bart Colwell, president of Terre Haute Savings Bank, will give a presentation titled "Avoid the Pitfalls of Credit Cards!" on Tuesday, Oct. 19 in the Scott College of Business 11th floor conference room. A reception will be held from 5 to 5:30 p.m. before the presentation, which will last from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. People can RSVP for the reception by calling 812-237-2442 by Oct. 12. People who do not RSVP will still be able to attend the presentation. The event is sponsored by Gamma Iota Sigma and Networks Financial Institute (NFI) at ISU.
"This presentation will discuss the common mistakes and common misconceptions of credit card usage as well as the new credit reform and how it affects users as far as advantages and disadvantages," said Brittany Greene, assistant director of financial literacy for NFI.
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, accounting firm Larry E. Nunn and Associates will give a presentation titled "International Financial Reporting Standards." Faculty and students from the Scott College of Business are invited to attend a presentation about the current developments with IFRS, its history, the differences between IFRS and U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and where the United States stands on the issue.
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Indiana State Honors Four with Distinguished Alumni Awards
October 6, 2010
The Indiana State University Alumni Association will honor four recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award at a reception Friday, Oct. 8, in University Hall. Among this year's recipients was:
R. Brent Beeler graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management in 1975 and has been widely recognized in the business community. Until his recent retirement, he built a 24 year career with Berry Plastics; an Evansville based plastic packaging company. During his tenure at Berry, Indiana's largest privately held company, Beeler successfully assisted with the organic and acquisition growth as Chief Operating Officer. He was responsible for the sales and profits of Berry's $ 4.1 billion business. Outside of his work at Berry, he is extremely involved in the community in which he lives and also with his alma mater. He is on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Foundation Board and the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville. Beeler is a member of the ISU Foundation Board, ISU Scott College of Business Dean's Executive Council, ISU Alumni Association, and member of Lambda Chi Alpha Social Fraternity. As a member of the Scott College of Business' Dean's Executive Council he has worked tirelessly to advance the mission of the college in many respects including student recruitment, program development, and alumni connectivity. Beeler and his wife, Cindi, also an ISU graduate, live in Evansville and have two children, Brandon and Brittany.
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Gift from Scott College Alumni Funds Max E. Douglas Student Advising Suite
October 5, 2010
A gift from Indiana State University alumni Jeff and Penny Taylor will establish a student advising suite in the new home of the Scott College of Business, the former Terre Haute Federal Building.
The six-figure gift will fund renovation of office space for the Max E. Douglas Advising Suite within the Student Academic Support Center. The gift recognizes Douglas' more than 40-year commitment to students, said Jeff Taylor who, like his wife, holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Indiana State.
Douglas is a "true example of devotion to students, their learning and professional growth," said the college's dean, Nancy Merritt. "We are grateful to the Taylors for their contribution and their recognition of the role of this outstanding professor in teaching and advising students."
Douglas retired in May. He had served the Scott College and its students since 1968 as instructor and, later, professor of management; as an academic adviser and as assistant dean. He was committed to excellent teaching as well as advising, Taylor said.
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Financial Industry Expert to Give Speech at ISU
October 1, 2010
A prominent financial industry expert is visiting Indiana State University to speak about economic issues affecting the nation.
R. Christopher Whalen, who is a research fellow with Networks Financial Institute (NFI) at ISU, will give a speech titled "A New Deal for the American Economy" on Wednesday, Oct. 13. In the presentation, Whalen is expected to discuss topics from his upcoming book due out in December, and describe some changes to monetary, fiscal and trade policy that he believes would help restore balance to the world economy.
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University Dedicates Scott College of Business
September 17, 2010
Indiana State University on Friday (Sept. 17) formally dedicated the Scott College of Business in recognition of a retired businessman who knows firsthand the type of graduates the college produces and the building that will be its new home.
As owner of Terre Haute's Sycamore Agency and then president of Old National Insurance for a total of more than 40 years, Don Scott hired students and graduates of the college's nationally recognized insurance and risk management program.
Scott also made frequent visits to the downtown Terre Haute building that will one day house the college that now bears his name. He regularly walked to the Federal Building to pick up his mail from P.O. Box 443.
Now, thanks to a significant gift from Scott and his wife Susan, and state approval that came just one week ago, work will soon begin on renovating the 1930s-era structure. The former Federal Building will house the Scott College of Business and allow it to better serve its 1,200 students from across Indiana and around the world.
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'48 Alumna Still Working to Change the World
September 13, 2010
Myra Janco Daniels doesn't reveal her age but a little simple math offers no reason to dispute her claim of being "probably the oldest CEO in America."
The 1948 Indiana State Teachers College graduate was among the first women to excel in the male-dominated advertising world. Still active in her second career in the arts, Daniels is chairman, president and chief executive officer of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla.
Daniels' first business venture came before grade school but it was Indiana State and Terre Haute that helped launch her on the road to lifelong success, she said during a campus visit last week.
She chose to attend what is now Indiana State University over the University of Chicago and Northwestern University after college President Ralph Tirey met her at the bus station when she came to visit campus and took her to lunch. Tirey noted her success as a high school debater and suggested she'd be a good fit for the college debate team.
It wasn't until her father pointed out that merely making a product wasn't enough that she recruited someone to handle marketing - a boy who happened to walk past the family's home every afternoon. Janco Party Favors turned a profit of several hundred dollars - and it was run by youngsters in a steel town in the midst of the Great Depression.
Daniels' advertising career began after longtime Terre Haute Star editor Marsee Cox refused to hire her. The Indiana Statesman had won several awards under Daniels' leadership as student editor - as a freshman. But Cox was unimpressed, saying "We're not hiring paper dolls."
The brash teen-ager walked two blocks to the Meis department store. Advertising manager Sol Korshak hired Daniels on the spot after she quickly typed up some ad copy.
She would go on to design an ad that resulted in 700 dresses practically flying off the racks of one of Terre Haute's most prestigious department stores. She eventually launched her own agency, Wabash Advertising, and built it into a $1 million per year business in its first year.
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State Budget Committee Approves Scott College/Federal Building Project
September 8, 2010
The State Budget Committee on Wednesday authorized Indiana State University to move forward on a project that will turn the Terre Haute Federal Building into the new home of the Scott College of Business.
More than half of the funding for the $20 million renovation will come from private donations to the ISU Foundation, including a gift from retired businessman Donald W. Scott, for whom the college was named in October 2009.
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Reception to Welcome Networks Visiting Scholar to Scott College of Business
September 2, 2010
The Donald W. Scott College of Business at Indiana State University will host a reception Tuesday to welcome Sandeep Gopalan, head of the department of law at the National University of Ireland and a visiting scholar with ISU's Networks Financial Institute.
"We are fortunate to have attracted Dr. Gopalan to ISU to share his passion and scholarship with members of our campus and community," said Terrie Troxel, executive director of Networks Financial Institute.
Gopalan is the first visiting scholar the institute has arranged since the relocating its headquarters to Terre Haute.
During the 2010-2011 academic year, Gopalan will be in residence on the Indiana campus in three two-month periods working with students and Scott College faculty to enhance curriculum. He will also conduct research in financial services law, regulation and public policy issues. Some of his projects have already begun, including an evaluation of the role of ethics training in business.
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All in an Actuary's Work
August 30, 2010
An Indiana State University student's summer internship is having a significant impact on the bottom line of a major U.S. insurance company.
Kali Diethrich, an ISU senior from Terre Haute majoring in insurance and risk management, spent the summer working in the corporate headquarters of Allstate Corp. in Northbrook, Ill. There, it was her responsibility to determine insurance product pricing for a six-state region of the United States.
Her progression from student to professional has been a calculated process, and her careful planning and preparation has allowed her to undertake the sort of work most won't encounter until after graduation.
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Insurance and Risk ManagementProgram to Host Octoberfest Golf Outing
August 25, 2010
The Scott College of Business' insurance and risk management program at Indiana State University will host more than 100 community supporters and industry executives in insurance and financial services for the 13th annual Octoberfest Golf Outing Sept. 24 at the Country Club of Terre Haute.
"This event is our largest fundraiser and networking event of the year and allows students in the program to network with executives they might not otherwise have an opportunity to meet," said Maria Greninger, director of external relations for the Scott College of Business and organizer of the event. "It also gives our industry partners a chance to become more familiar with our top students."
The golf outing, which benefits the insurance and risk management program and the Gamma Iota Sigma fraternity, raised more than $24,000 last year. These dollars went to support the preparation of students for national industry exams, travel to corporate tours and conferences, and attendance at local and regional industry events.
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Insurance and Risk Management Student Serves Prestigious Internship
August 19, 2010
Terri Ketzner, an insurance and risk management major in Indiana State University's Donald W. Scott College of Business, has completed a prestigious nine-week summer internship sponsored by the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO).
During her internship experience, Ketzner learned all aspects of the surplus lines segment of the insurance industry. Surplus lines is a segment of the specialty insurance industry that provides coverage for risks that cannot be placed with standard insurance carriers. While surplus lines represent a small percentage of the commercial insurance market, it is important in the handling of unique, unusual or hard-to-place risks.
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$700k Bequest From Retired Indiana State Couple to Benefit Students
August 10, 2010
Jack Johnson and Lavelda Johnson Goble dedicated their professional lives to Indiana State University. Now, their devotion will continue in the form of a bequest to the university's first comprehensive fundraising campaign. The $700,000 gift will help provide financial support to students via "March On! The Campaign for Indiana State University." With the upcoming disbursement from Goble's estate, the value of scholarships set up in her name and that of her late husband will increase by eight times.
Goble worked in the university president's office from 1961 to 1987, during the tenure of Presidents Raleigh Holmstedt, Alan Rankin and Richard Landini. Johnson retired from the political science department faculty in 1982. The couple had great empathy for students and found their greatest pride in student accomplishments, according to those who knew them.
The Jack T. Johnson Political Science Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students majoring in political science who maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher. The Lavelda Johnson Goble Scholarship is awarded to a Linton-Stockton High School graduate enrolled in Indiana State's Donald W. Scott College of Business. Linton was Goble's hometown.
Brianna Henico, a sophomore business major, and 2010 accounting graduate Thomas Wilson are among Linton residents who have benefitted from the Lavelda Johnson Goble Scholarship.
The Johnson and Goble scholarships currently provide between $1,000 and $3,000 per year. Eventually the income from the two scholarship endowments could provide full-ride scholarships for the deserving students selected to receive them, said Joel Harbaugh, associate vice president for development with the foundation.
Lavelda passed away on February 2, 2008.
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2010-11 Gongaware Scholars Announced
August 3, 2010
Four students have been chosen by the Gongaware Center in the Donald W. Scott College of Business at Indiana State University as the 2010-11 class of Gongaware Scholars.
Valued at $6,500 per year, the Gongaware Scholarship not only assists recipients with tuition, but it also provides professional development accounts and creates networking possibilities by placing them in paid internships and assigning them a faculty mentor during their college experience. Gongaware Scholars also receive a laptop computer.
Candidates for Gongaware Scholarships are evaluated based on competitive grade point average, high school class rank, ACT/SAT scores and their interest in studying insurance and risk management or financial services at Indiana State. Established in 1999, the scholarship is made possible with funds from Don and Patricia Gongaware. Don Gongaware is a retired senior executive at Conseco Inc.
Indiana State University welcomes the following 2010-2011 Gongaware Scholars:
Jocelyn Boyll, daughter of Darren and Emily Boyll of Shelburn, is a graduate of North Central High School. In high school, she was a member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and a class officer. She was captain of the varsity basketball team her sophomore, junior and senior years and captain of the varsity volleyball team during her senior year. She has won numerous awards for basketball, volleyball and perfect attendance.
Patrick Harpenau, son of Gary and Jennifer Harpenau of Clinton, is a graduate of South Vermillion High School. In high school, he was a varsity letter winner for football and basketball. He was a teacher's assistant, a tutor at Ernie Pyle Elementary School, a youth basketball camp coach and a page for the Indiana House of Representatives, as well as a member of National Honor Society.
Bradley Ketzner, son of Joseph and Karen Ketzner of Ferdinand, is a graduate of Forest Park High School. In high school, he served as president of Beta Club and president of Business Professionals of America. He participated in National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Renaissance Club, spirit club, 4-H and youth group. He played tennis, baseball and intramural basketball.
Logan Mendenhall, son of Greg and Pam Mendenhall of Oblong, Ill., is a graduate of Oblong High School. In high school, he was a member of the science club, math team and band. He served as vice president of the foreign language club, president of student council and president of National Honor Society. He played baseball, basketball and football, winning the second team All-Little Illini Conference Award as offensive lineman his senior year.
Jocelyn Boyll, Patrick Harpenau, Bradley Ketzner and Logan Mendenhall
Scott College of Business Welcomes Seventh Class of Network Scholars
August 2, 2010
The Donald W. Scott College of Business at Indiana State University welcomes its seventh class of Networks Scholars.
Recipients of this prestigious award, presented in conjunction with Networks Financial Institute, receive a four-year scholarship that covers tuition and fees, a professional development account and a new ISU laptop.
Networks Scholars also enjoy the opportunity to participate in a paid internship, international experience and a faculty mentor relationship.
Candidates are considered for this award based on grade point average, SAT/ACT scores, class rank, written essays and a personal interview. Indiana State welcomes the following Networks Scholars for fall 2010:
Chelsea Abanathie, daughter of William H. III and Beth Abanathie of St. Charles, Mo., is a graduate of Frances Howell North High School and plans to major in business.
Stephen Borkowski, son of Veronica Clement and Len Borkowski of Dyer, is a graduate of Lake Central High School and plans to major in marketing.
Brittany Hunt, daughter of Chris Hunt and Jennifer Myers of Greensburg, is a graduate of Greensburg High School and plans to major in accounting.
Brittany Kirk, daughter of Mike and Cheryl Kirk of Casey, Ill., is a graduate of Casey-Westfield High School and plans to major in business.
Ellen Lamb, daughter of Chad and Fran Lamb of Pendleton, is a graduate of Liberty Christian High School and plans to major in management and finance.
William Lehman, son of Mark and Paula Lehman of Nineveh, is a graduate of Indian Creek High School and plans to study system and decision science.
Phillip Newbill, son of Ed and Barbara Newbill of Bunker Hill, is a graduate of Maconaquah High School and plans to major in business.
Cody Raymer, son of Chris and Amy Raymer of Paoli, is a graduate of Paoli High School and plans to major in management and finance.
Garrett Smith, son of Charles and Sandra Smith of Hoopeston, Ill., is a graduate of Hoopeston Area High School and plans to major in accounting.
Nathan Smith, son of Bernie and Brenda Smith of Lafayette, is a graduate of McCutcheon High School and plans to major in management and finance.
Jessica Weesner, daughter of Jerry and Debbie Weesner of Cambridge City, is a graduate of Lincoln High School and plans to major in accounting.
Lindsey Butorac Honored by Alpha Lambda Delta
July 27, 2010
An Indiana State University honors student and Networks Scholar is one of 35 students nationwide to receive a 2010-2011 Jo Anne Trow Scholarship, presented by the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society for first year students.
Lindsey Butorac, a sophomore management and marketing major from Bloomington, Ill., was among more than 110 applicants nominated for the scholarship from more than 60 chapters nationwide. She will receive $1,000 for the 2010-11 academic year.
In addition to serving as president of Indiana State's Alpha Lambda Delta chapter, Butorac has served as hall council president and as a resident assistant for Rhoads Hall. She is active in the University Honors Program, Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, where she is treasurer and mentor to pledges and is director of the sophomore special events team for the Networks Scholarship program.
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MBA Program to be Delivered in Indianapolis Area
June 11, 2010
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education on Friday approved a request from Indiana State University to begin offering a professional Master of Business Administration degree in the Indianapolis area.
ISU will begin offering the degree program in the fall semester of 2011. It's geared toward underemployed individuals, junior professionals who aspire to rise within their companies to executive ranks, and those looking to return to the workforce after an absence or layoff.
Students will complete their studies in six consecutive ten-week semesters. Courses will require students to meet in face-to-face sessions five to six times throughout the semester and classes will be taught by full-time, Terre Haute-based, tenured or tenure-track faculty.
Study Finds Insurance is not a Systemic Risk
May 20, 2010
Research completed by a Networks Financial Institute fellow has concluded that systemic risk is not a feature of the insurance industry because the failure of American International Group in 2008 did not adversely affect major insurers.
Martin F. Grace, a professor of legal studies and risk management and insurance at Georgia State University who serves as a senior research fellow for Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University, presented his findings earlier this month in Washington, D.C. to a group of industry leaders, regulators and lawmakers.
Grace offered his new methodologies for assessing systemic risk in the insurance industry - which includes system breakdown, causality of loss and uncertainty in evaluating the relative strengths of insurance companies - in an effort to inform decision makers and to contribute to the discussion about increased federal oversight of the insurance business.
<< Full Story >> << Networks Financial Institute Publications >>
Terre Haute Pizzeria Owners Look to ISU Students for Advice
May 5, 2010
A Terre Haute pizzeria that opened for business in April has a plan for how to succeed during its next three years of operation thanks to a group of Indiana State University students. In January, Zack Wise and Joni Foulkes had done little more than obtain a piece of property and consider a list of potential restaurant names before they began working through the steps of opening the downtown restaurant that is Wise Pies. Without the experience they needed to open and operate a business, the two turned to ISU's Sycamore Business Advisors - a senior business experience class that operates under the direction of an ISU professor - to develop a business plan.
Under the direction of ISU Professor Arthur Sherwood, students organized themselves into teams to address the needs of Wise Pies. Students spent the spring semester analyzing the potential product, the operation, the management of employees and the anticipated customer base. The ISU students designed menus and newspaper ads. They collected information about competitors' prices and delivery methods. They confirmed for Wise and Foulkes that their plan to serve pizza by the slice topped with fresh and unique ingredients was a good one.
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Four Seniors Honored with Rankin Awards
May 4, 2010
Four Indiana State University seniors have been recognized for their achievement and service to the university with Alan C. Rankin awards. Named for ISU's seventh president, who served from 1965-1975, the Rankin Awards recognize outstanding seniors who have contributed to the betterment of campus life at Indiana State. Individuals selected to receive the awards must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25 and have demonstrated dedicated membership and leadership ability in campus organizations as well as in the community.
Sycamore Ambassadors (formerly the Student Alumni Association) and the Office of Alumni Affairs sponsor the awards.
Regina Atkins, Andrew Beaven (chemical physics major and chemistry and math minor), Michael Scott Jr. (political science and social studies education major) and Paige Williams are this year's recipients.
Regina Atkins, a public relations major and marketing minor from Indianapolis, is active on campus, serving as Hulman Memorial Student Union Board president, coordinating the Black Leadership Conference, and participating in the President's Scholars Association. She has also participated in a number of community activities, including Relay for Life, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Walk for Autism, Donaghy Day and the Keep Terre Haute Beautiful project. Atkins has been an advocate for Indiana State through her positions in the Office of Admissions and as an ISU blogger for prospective students.
Paige Williams, an insurance and risk management major from Terre Haute, was active on campus and in the community. She served as associate director of Sycamore Business Advisors and vice president of Insurance and Risk Management Honors Corps. She served as vice president of community service and public relations for Gamma Iota Sigma, a business fraternity. She was a member of Chi Omega, a women's fraternity, serving as housing chairperson and vice president. Williams studied abroad at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia and at Lloyd's of London, a British insurance and reinsurance market. She is a President's Scholar, Networks Scholar and a recipient of numerous other scholarships. She volunteered at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Habitat for Humanity, Ryves Hall Youth Center and the Multiple Sclerosis Walk. Williams was an Indianapolis 500 Festival Princess in 2007.
Regina Atkins and Paige Williams
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Alumna to Speak at May Commencement
May 3, 2010
The Indiana State University class of 2010 will hear from an alumna who oversees the interests of 124,000 Verizon employees and a graduating senior who overcame the odds to be at Indiana State.
Connia Nelson, a 1977 graduate of ISU with a bachelor's degree in business, will serve as alumni speaker for the university's May commencement. Shanel Poole, a senior legal studies and communication major, will serve as the student commencement speaker.
Nelson, is senior vice president for human resources with Verizon Telecom. Nelson previously worked with General Telephone of Indiana in human resources, management education, curriculum development and employee development in Westfield, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.
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Hines, President's Medals to be Presented to 12 Graduates
May 3, 2010
During spring commencement ceremonies Saturday (May 8), 12 Indiana State University graduates will be recognized with the Hines Memorial Medal. The award, named for Linnaeus Hines, who served as the university's fourth president from 1921-1933, recognizes those students with the highest cumulative grade-point average during the pursuit of a bachelor's degree.
Among the Spring 2010 recipients of the Hines Memorial Medal are:
Ryan Paul Beard of Clinton, a business administration and management major, plans to begin his career near his hometown.
Erin Elizabeth Braun of Newburgh, a finance major, plans to relocate to Phoenix, Ariz. to begin a position in supply chain management in the corporate headquarters of PetSmart.
Eric Michael Gettelfinger of Depauw, an insurance and business administration major, plans to begin in June 2010 as a personal lines market underwriter with Westfield Insurance.
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Faculty Honored for Service, Teaching, Research
April 29, 2010
Indiana State University recognized 13 educators during a Faculty Recognition Banquet Thursday.
President Dan Bradley presented the President's Medal, the university's highest award for faculty, to Sister Alma Mary "SAMy" Anderson, professor of art and graphic design, and Max Douglas, professor of management in the Donald W. Scott College of Business
Since joining the ISU faculty in 1968, Douglas "has demonstrated success in teaching, advising and mentoring thousands of students," Bradley said. "His rapport and continued contact with alumni is outstanding and his extensive career truly reflects his dedication to the ideals of life-long learning and his belief that students need to contemplate and discuss their core values and ethics before beginning their careers."
Douglas' teaching and research emphasizes ethics in the workplace and servant leadership. Douglas has co-authored an introduction to business textbook. He previously received the Ethics in Education Award from the Scott College and the college's Outstanding Teaching Award. He has served on the Presidential Teaching Scholars Community and was a teaching fellow in the Center for Teaching and Learning. Max has previously received the university's Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award.
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23 President's Scholars Selected
April 23, 2010
Indiana State University has awarded President's Scholarships to 23 incoming freshmen for fall 2010.
The President's Scholarship is Indiana State's most prestigious financial award and is valued at $15,000 per year. Selection is highly competitive and is based on both academic and personal accomplishments and interviews.
This year's President's Scholars boast an average high school grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. About 75 percent of the scholars have been involved in band, choir, National Honor society and various volunteer activities in high school. Half have played high school sports and are involved in student government. Many are also involved with other forms of artistic expression such as art and dance and are active in various academic teams and clubs.
Among those selected are:
Ellen Lamb is a senior at Liberty Christian School and plans to major in finance. During high school, she was involved in the Youth Leadership Academy of Madison County, Summer Scholars Program at Taylor University, international trips, cheerleading and drama. She served as vice president of National Honor Society and as a math tutor. She is the recipient of the Who's Who in Leadership Award and the Who's Who among All-American Scholars Award.
Lauren Morgan is a senior at Western Boone Jr.-Sr. High School. She plans to major in management. In high school, she was secretary of National Honor Society and president of Foreign Interest Club. She participated in choir, musicals, Sunshine Society and Quiz Bowl.
Jacob Sapp is a senior at North Posey Senior High School and plans to major in business. During high school, he was a varsity letter winner in football and served as captain of the team. He participated in track, church youth group, German Club, Varsity Club and National Honor Society. He received the All-Conference Defensive Back Award, All-State Honorable Mention Running Back Award and the Academic Scholar Athlete Award.
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Business Alumnus Funds European Experience for Students
April 14, 2010
Indiana State University graduate Steve Whitman helped build a successful computer software company not in California's Silicon Valley but in Lexington.
Whitman wants today's students in Indiana State's Donald W. Scott College of Business to know that they, too, can be successful. The Evansville native is lending a helping hand by offering to take selected students abroad to help them better compete in the global economy.
The Whitman European Business Student Experience is intended to educate students about European business operations, connect them with potential internship or jobs in Europe and make them more familiar with international business practices.
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Ex-con Challenges Students to Act Ethically
April 1, 2010
Indiana State University students filled Hulman Memorial Student Union this week wearing suits and professional attire for the 2010 Ethics and Social Responsibility Conference.
The class of Network Scholars from the Scott College of Business believes young professionals need to dress the part and also understand how important ethical standards and values are to their careers.
The conference featured Patrick Kuhse, who shared lessons he learned as a stockbroker in San Diego. His obsession with money was so great that he became involved with a financial fraud scheme. Kuhse's unethical behavior began with keeping clients in the dark about a number of important issues. The situation became worse when a friend offered Kuhse a position as the investment advisor for the multi-billion dollar investment portfolio of the state of Oklahoma.
Once he was making a great deal of money, he was giving money to his branch manager to get better commission rates. Unethical? Under the state law, his 4.75 percent commission rate was under the maximum 5 percent. Kuhse never thought that he was committing a federal offense. Finally, after a couple years of wheeling and dealing, Kuhse became the target of an investigation. The charges against Kuhse included conspiracy, bribery, money laundering and criminal forfeiture.
Kuhse was offered 15 months in a federal prison if he confessed, instead Kuhse fled to Costa Rica hoping that all of his problems would go away. Kuhse was an international fugitive who avoided Interpol for four years and lost his wife and kids before he came to the realization that turning himself in was the right thing to do.
Kuhse served time in a third-world prison before coming back to America to serve four years in a federal prison. While incarcerated, Kuhse earned his degree. By the end of a year in prison, Kuhse had gotten over 100 inmates to participate in study groups to work towards degrees as well. After being release in 2001, Kuhse spent some time working as a truck driver for minimum wage and reconnecting with this ex-wife and kids. He now devotes himself to speaking to audiences all over the world about ethical behavior and its importance.
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Student-organized Conference Promotes Ethical, Social Responsibility
March 17, 2010
"Buddy or Business," "How Close is Too Close" and "Winning at All Costs" are just some of the ethical and social responsibility sessions taking place during the fifh annual Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Conference at Indiana State University on March 29. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ISU Hulman Memorial Student Union, the conference will feature a variety of keynote speakers and sessions discussing ethical and social responsibility issues that individuals may face in their careers.
The event, hosted by the junior class of the Networks Professional Development Program, is free for students and faculty from colleges and universities, industry professionals and community members.
The featured keynote speakers include Paul Lo, president of Paulink Co. in Taiwan, executive director of Taurus International Corp. in Shanghai and chairman of Cosmos Bank in Taiwan; Patrick Kuhse, international speaker, trainer and consultant on business ethics; and James Bixler, vice president of ethics and compliance at WellPoint, Inc.
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Book Co-edited by ISU Researcher Examines Emerging Chinese Markets
March 1, 2010
The rapid expansion of financial markets in China offers great opportunities for investors, according to a new book co-edited by John A. Tatom, director of research for Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University.
"China's Emerging Financial Markets: Challenges and Opportunities" is designed to help the reader understand the dynamics of China's economy, the ongoing evolution of its financial system, its new role on the global stage and its future opportunities. The comprehensive publication brings together analyses from 41 renowned financial and policy experts, more than half of whom are Chinese.
The book is an outgrowth of "China: A Two-Way Street," a U.S.-China business conference conducted in Indianapolis in 2007 by Networks Financial Institute, an outreach of the Donald W. Scott College of Business at Indiana State, and China's Liaoning University.
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Scott College Graduate Among GOLD Award Winners
January 29, 2010
Indiana State University will recognize four recent graduates with the Graduate of the Last Decade Award. The award recognizes graduates who are outstanding in their professions; have made significant contributions to their communities, states or nation; and have exhibited interest in the university and/or the ISU Alumni Association since leaving the campus.
GOLD Award recipients for 2010 are wildlife ecologist Travis DeVault, trial attorney Anne Newton McFadden, insurance agency owner Daniel Pigg and recreational therapist Heather Sedletzeck. The Alumni Association will present the awards during a banquet Feb. 12 in Hulman Memorial Student Union.
Among the winners is Daniel Pigg, a 2001 alumnus of the Donald W. Scott College of Business and a 1996 graduate of West Vigo High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in management with minors in insurance and risk management and criminology. Pigg went on to complete an MBA from the University of Missouri's Henry W. Bloch School of Business in Kansas City. He is co-owner of the Howard Clare Insurance Agency in Terre Haute.
University to Host Risk Manager in Residence
January 27, 2010
Richard Roberts, a corporate risk manager for Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc., will visit the Indiana State University campus next month.
Roberts will come to the ISU campus February 9, 10 and 11 as part of the Spencer Educational Foundation's Risk Manager in Residence program. The Spencer Educational Foundation awards grants to colleges and universities to cover transportation, housing and incidental costs for a lecturing risk manager. This is the eighth year that ISU has been awarded the grant.
Roberts is based in West Hartford, Conn., has worked in the risk management field for more than 20 years and is a consultant and educator. He designs, develops, and manages risk management programs for aircraft manufacturers, explosive assemblies and pet food products. He also has developed programs for real estate management and real estate development projects.
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Lilly Endowment Awards New $6m Gift for Networks Financial Institute
January 25, 2010
On the heels of a global financial crisis, the Indiana State University Foundation has received a $6 million gift from Lilly Endowment to advance financial services public policy, research, and education.
The gift will benefit Networks Financial Institute (NFI) and the Donald W. Scott College of Business. It comes as the nation continues to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and amid proposed national reforms of insurance and other industry operations.
The latest gift brings the total amount invested in NFI by Lilly Endowment to $29 million since 2003 and supports three areas: public policy and research in insurance and other financial services sectors, financial literacy, and professional development for top financial services students in the Scott College of Business.
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Student-run Coffee Cafe Comes to the Donald W. Scott College of Business
January 12, 2010
A new student-run coffee house in the Donald W. Scott College of Business will officially begin operation on January 19. ISU business students put together the business plan for the new Executive Express coffee café, and continued daily operation will be managed by students. In addition to coffee, a variety of drinks and pre-packaged food will also be sold.
Assistant Professor of management David Robinson's students took on the responsibility of surveying more than 200 campus consumers to determine their food and drink preferences. In addition, the business students chose the products Executive Express will serve, completed site renovations, created a marketing plan and convinced Bradley to loan them $6,000 for startup costs.
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