The School of Business’ Information Systems Department and the Computer Science Department of the School of Engineering are fielding three teams of students for the Microsoft Imagine Cup U.S. National Software Design Invitational competition May 4 to 6 in Redmond, Washington, the headquarters of Microsoft Inc.  This is the final round of the U.S. competition. These students are among 15 finalist U.S. teams competing. The teams and students are:

“With three out of 15 teams competing, VCU's chances at domination are high,” said Jeff Babb, IS instructor, team advisor and mentor. I'd like to also point out that we have a great mix of Computer Science and Information Systems students represented amongst our teams. This bodes well for future cooperation and coordination between these two departments. I hope this success encourages students who were interested this year, or are interested for next year, that this dream is very possible.” Babb has accompanied the teams to Redmond and will be reporting back daily. Keep up with the progress of our teams in this year’s competition by visiting Jeff’s blog: http://vcuic2006.blogspot.com/

Fifty U.S. teams initially entered the U.S. competition, completed on February 24. Worldwide more than 20,000 students participate in six categories, with entries from more than 90 countries. In his blog Jeff Babb reviews our current team makeup and past successes. This year’s theme is “Imagine a world where technology enables us to live healthier lives.”

ALUMNI AWARDS

Ken Thomas, President of the Alumni Board, presented the Board Service Awards and the Alumni of the Year Award at the 2006 School of Business Honors Program on Tuesday, April 18 at SunTrust. Service Award recipients included Richard O. Bunce (MBA ’97), Carl P. Caron (MBA ’97), Martha A. Redstron-Plourd, Ph.D. (BS ’77, MS ’79) and Gregory B. Vaeth (MBA’88). The Alumni of the Year Award went to Tom and Vickie Snead, both 1976 graduates More>>>

School of Business Alumni Award recipients are congratulated by Ken Thomas, Alumni Board President. Left to right, Greg Vaeth '88, Vickie Snead ’76, Tom Snead ’76 and Dick Bunce ’97.

ALUMNI BOARD HOSTS BUSINESS/STUDENT NETWORKING RECEPTION

On Tuesday, April 4, 16 VCU School of Business alumni came to campus for an exciting night at the Business/Student Networking reception. Hosted by the School of Business Alumni Board, the reception allowed the alumni and 43 corporate recruiters to mingle with talented juniors, seniors and graduate students from all business disciplines.

Cathy Redford, BS’80, Senior Vice President with Technology Leasing Concepts, helped organize the reception. “The VCU networking event is a great opportunity to connect with the school, students, alumni and area businesses. Our students are bright and they have an unusually strong work ethic. They are going to be leaders in the business world. Getting involved is a great way for me to give back to a school has done so much for me.”

Alumni and recruiters who participate in the semi-annual event enjoy sharing their career-planning advice and experience with current students, as well as promoting their companies and looking for potential hires.

If you would like to receive an invitation to next fall’s networking reception, please send your name, company, job title, phone number and email address to bus-rsvp@vcu.edu or call Katherine Oliver in the School of Business at (804) 828-1485.

Ken Whaley, MBA'85, talks with juniors Alicia Ward and Christine Campbell about job opportunities with Priamerica.	Kim Yenkevich, Accounting '95, Philip Morris USA, describes opportunities with Ashley Imbt, a junior Marketing major, and Chris Budd, a senior Accounting major.

Melissa Ng, Accounting '05 (left), and Mandy Gambacini, Psychology '95 (right), both with CarMax, talk with Jan Allen, Director of the VCU Center for Corporate Education.

(text by Katherine Oliver, photos by Anita Vause)

On Friday and Saturday, March 31- April 1, students from the VCU chapter of Phi Beta Lambda competed at the State Leadership Conference in three events and captured one 2nd Place and two 3rd Place wins.

Richard Tu, senior, Business Administration major, received third place in Computer Concepts.
Oliver Arthur, junior and a Finance major, placed second in Job Interview.
Jessica Purshock, a junior received third place.

Also from the VCU Phi Beta Lambda chapter, Johnathan Brown has been elected Virginia State Historian for the organization.

EXECUTIVE MS DEGREE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS NOW REGISTERING

“Many CIO’s are involved, the lectures are intriguing and insightful; we are all sharing experiences, and the execution of the class is fabulous,” says Circuit City’s Chris Borglin, in describing the first few weeks of this new master’s class.

Due to the managerial focus of this program, the Information Services Department has sought considerable practitioner input into its development. One unique feature is that all course material is developed and delivered by a team of VCU faculty and industry professionals. Course delivery methods include lectures, case study, and hands-on labs. Students also will be assigned a CIO mentor for the duration of the program.

The next information session is on Monday, May 15 at 5:45 p.m. in Room 1132, VCU School of Business, Snead Hall, School of Business
301 W. Main Street. For registration or additional information contact Maureen Carley (804) 828-7074; mecarley@vcu.edu.

FIRST WELCOME RECEPTION HELD

On April 7 the first School of Business Welcome Reception for Newly Accepted Students was held in the University Student Commons. About 50 students accompanied by parents or guests attended and had the opportunity to talk with faculty and staff members and learn more about VCU and the School of Business. “It was a good tie-in with Open House that was held the following day, Saturday, April 8. It is one more opportunity for students to become acquainted with the logistics of the school,” said Dr. Walter Griggs, Dean for Undergraduate Studies.

Dr. Rasoul Tondkar, professor of Accounting, talks with newly accepted student and mother at Welcome Reception.	Accepted student Tarun Bavani, middle, and his sister Aarti Bavani chat with Craig Robinson ’02 at right.

SIX SIGMA OFFERS MODULE III FOR BLACK BELTS

Recently Stephen Tyler, a graduate of the Six Sigma series, told us how he has applied it on the job. He is the National Training Manager for LandAmerica Finance Group. ---

“Having seen Six Sigma used in other organizations, I was curious to learn more about the DMAIC process (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). At the time when I enrolled in VCU’s Six Sigma program, I was just beginning a large project to evaluate and improve the way LandAmerica launches major training programs to our offices across the country. I was also involved in a project where the training implications involved process improvements. As I completed each of the three classes in the Six Sigma series, I applied many of the tools and methodologies to these projects."

“For example, when redesigning the processes used to implement a national training initiative, I reviewed the value that each step offered to the success of the outcome, and I eliminated redundant steps. With an ongoing perspective, I have found value in beginning projects by defining things that are critical to quality (CTQ), defining performance standards, establishing a data collection plan and validating a measurement system.”

FOURTEEN AWARDED FIDUCIARY DESIGNATION

In February, ten businesspeople completed the Accredited Fiduciary Investment Studies program sponsored by the Center for Fiduciary Studies at the VCU School of Business Center for Corporate Education. To obtain this designation candidates must complete a comprehensive study of investment processes and related fiduciary standards. Upon completion of the program all of the participants are authorized to use the AIFA® symbol with their name.

Participants completing the program and qualifying for this designation are John Bowen, Bowen Financial Services; Tom Cain, UBS Financial Services; Craig Massey, Evan Energy Investments; Dave O’Brien, Genworth; Donna Miller, Miller Musmar; Thomas Phillips, Jr., UBS Prime Consulting; Pete Hartmen, Eaton Vance; Thomas Byer, UBS Financial Services; Tim Thompson, Old Dominion Asset Management, Inc.; Daniel Weintraub, Richmond Jewish Foundation; Scott Word; David Kissner, UBS Prime Consulting; Clara Woody, Richmond Retirement System and Nicole Lambert, Genworth.

Julia Borland

AMA CASE STUDY ON GM’S HUMMER WINS FIRST PLACE
FOR VCU & UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND TEAMMATES

On April 1, Julia Borland a VCU School of Business junior with a marketing minor, found herself unexpectedly joining two University of Richmond marketing students, Molly Frazee and Steven McCann, to compete in the American Marketing Association (AMA) case study competition. They pulled together their skills, knowledge and background to win first place and share a $500 prize.

Second place winners were all from VCU School of Business: Melissa Hodges, Velisia Escober and Heather Swinson, '06. Each of the VCU students is a current or past officer of the VCU AMA chapter. More>>>

LARGEST TURN OUT FOR MARKET DAY

The 5th annual Mini-Economy Market Day was held April 26 and attracted 575 elementary students to participate at Siegel Center. The program teaches students to about economics, and in particular the manufacture and sale of products or services. Suzanne Gallagher, director of the VCU Economic Education Center in the School of Business was the moderator for the program which was reported and televised by Richmond Times-Dispatch.com on April 27. To access this Sights and Sounds video, go to the TimesDispatch.com homepage. Click on Metro & Virginias in the menu,. Then click on Special Reports; then Sights and Sounds.

Insight, a VCU Mass Communications student production company, also filmed the activities which will be broadcast on Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. and again on May 7 at 7 p.m. on National Public Television, Richmond, Channel 24.

Exactly 575 elementary students set up tables in the Siegel Center for Market Day.

MARKETING 371 ENDS SUCCESSFUL SEMESTER
PROVIDING REAL WORLD STRATAGIES AND SOLUTIONS

Integrated Marketing Communications 37l has concluded another successful semester of providing promotion strategies to real-world companies such as the Greater Richmond Transit System (GRTC).

“The quality of these presentations has been outstanding, and certainly more than we had expected.” said John Lewis, CEO of GRTC, at the conclusion of presentations by three student teams. Each team had designed and developed a variety of ideas ranging from rider tickets and brochures to guidelines for a “buddy rider plan” and bingo promotions.

Other clients this year included Cool Riders, Baggio, Flynn's Foods, VCU's Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory, and Town and Country Health Services & Supplies.

Seventy students were in the classes this semester that includes marketing, merchandising design, fashion, and business majors.

Five marketing students combined talents to provide Julie Williams, the owner of Cool Riders, with a marketing communications plan. “Awesome!” she told the team members. Girls from left to right: Kristin Johnson (white jacket/yellow t-shirt). Bridget Nistico (bright green jewelry)Jessica Nelson at top of display board, Melissa Brown, wearing glasses, and Julie Williams, fashion entrepreneur and owner, Cool Riders.

GTRC president John Williams praised the teams from Marketing 371 for their quality ideas and workmanship. Left to right, Chad Angle, Frederick Wilkerson, Ryan Fick, Jack Williams, Steve Coggins, John Lewis, CEO GRTC, and Kathy Shaw, GRTC Director of Marketing & Public Relations

CARMA OPENS MAY SUMMER COURSE

The Center for the Advancement of Research Methods and Analysis (CARMA) will begin its 2006 Summer Short Course on May 15-17. Sage Publications will again be a sponsor. For more information about the Workshop and other upcoming CARMA activities click on http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/carma/

Graduate students and guests gather in the School of Business to watch the webcast of Dr. John Hollenbeck’s presentation. Subscribers in about 20 other universities watched the same webcast.	Dr. John Hollenbeck, professor in management, Michigan State University, was the April 7 lecturer for the Center for the Advancement of Research Methods and Analysis (CARMA). His lecture was on “Contributing to Applied Psychology with Laboratory Research.” He is joined by Dr. Larry Williams, CARMA director.