VCU MARKETING TEAM COLLABAORATES WITH UR LEGAL TEAM
TO DELIVER INTERNATIONAL MARKETING PLAN TO CLIENT

The VCU School of Business Department of Marketing claimed another success with the completion of its highly acclaimed International Market Plan Project (MRBL 657) this spring. Each year the Department of Marketing teams up with the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond to deliver a truly unique ‘real-world’, hands-on market planning experience for their students.

A team of 12 graduate students from the School of Business explored market opportunities in two different regions of the world, while a team of five law students from the University of Richmond explored the legal aspects in those same regions. The client, Performance Fibers, received a comprehensive report and a professional presentation at the completion of the course.

The VCU Marketing team was directed by adjunct marketing professor Jeff Geiger, an International Marketing Specialist at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. He believes that …

The VCU Marketing team was directed by adjunct marketing professor Jeff Geiger, an International Marketing Specialist at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. He believes that …

“The IMPP course is a win-win for all involved. The client company gets low cost, high quality market research, and graduate students gain experience working as consultants in a professional environment. The knowledge and insights that students get from this course bolster their resumes and give them a competitive advantage when entering the job market,” Jeff Geiger, International Marketing Specialist, VEDP and IMPP leader. Read more about MRBL 657’s marketing project.

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PARSONS CHALLENGE GRANT OFFERS
EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE

An extraordinary opportunity to participate in a matching grants fund is now available. The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, based in Richmond, has announced a $1 million matching grant for the Campaign for the School of Business. In order to receive the grant, $1 million in new gifts and pledges from alumni and friends must be raised by the end of October 2006.

“We’re using the challenge grant as a great opportunity to reach out to our alumni for support, because any new or increased pledge to the campaign, received through the end of October, will qualify toward the matching dollars,” says Doug Knapp, director, Office of Development & Alumni Affairs for the School of Business. “We are preparing to conduct a phone campaign in upcoming weeks to more than 10,000 alumni. In addition, we are communicating with other potential friends and supporters as an additional incentive to them.”

Anyone interested in learning more about this matching-funds opportunity should contact the Development Office at (804) 828-1485.

Dr. Jon Ackley Dr. Michael Pitts

MANAGEMENT PROFS BUILDING A NASCAR REPUTATION

The legendary loyalty of NASCAR fans was the focus of a June interview with Drs. Michael Pitts and Jon Ackley, professors in Management, by Tom Graham, host of WMRA, the National Public Radio affiliate in Charlottesville, VA. They were joined by Larry DeGaris, director of James Madison University’s Center for Sports Sponsorship.

DeGaris’ research into NASCAR sponsorship and the phenomenon of fan’s recognition of it has gained national attention. Drs. Pitts and Ackley have earned acclaim in three dozen publications for their innovative about their management class “The Business of NASCAR”.

To read Dr. DeGaris’ comments click on http://www.jmu.edu/madisonscholar/feature004.shtml

MEDIA CALLS ON FACULTY FOR EXPERT COMMENTS

School of Business professors have been discussing a wide variety of topics with the news media locally (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Style Weekly, Virginia Business, Richmond.com) as well as such high-circulation national publications as The New York Times, Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Several also have appeared on television and on radio. Review their media activities by clicking on the Faculty Media Activities Report http://www.bus.vcu.edu/news/faculty_sp_2006.html

Three FIRE Chairs! Dr. Neil B. Murphy, professor emeritus, center, was on hand to wish Dr. David Dubofsky, left, bon voyage along with Dr. David Upton, professor of Finance and current Finance Department Chairman, right. Dr. Murphy served as department chairman from 1992 to 1997 and Dr. Dubofsky served as chair from 1997 to 2002.

DR. DUBOFSKY NAMED ASSOCIATE DEAN AT LOUISVILLE

Dr. David A. Dubofsky, professor of Finance, has accepted the position of Associate Dean for Research and Director of MBA Faculty at University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.

Dr. Dubofsky came to VCU in 1997 after 16 years with Texas A&M. From 1997 to 2002 he served as Chairman of the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Department (FIRE). From 2003 to 2005 he was a visiting academic scholar at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He is the author of two textbooks, and over 25 journal articles. He also worked with Dr. David Upton to establish a strong Certified Financial Planners program in the School of Business. VCU gives him our best wishes.

NEW UNIVERSITY COLLEGE TO PERSONALIZE ACADEMIC ADVISING

Recent formation of the VCU University College (UC) will provide consistent new and improved academic advising to all first-year and transfer students. “A part of the VCU 2020 Strategic Plan, the consolidation of advising services within the UC will allow for more consistency across the university’s schools and colleges”, said Seth Sykes, director of the Discovery Programs, which works with students who have not declared majors. To learn more about University College click on http://www.vcu.edu/uc/

STAR PROGRAM ADDS READING PROGRAM

STAR is the annual orientation program for incoming students and their parents. During STAR students are given the opportunity to sign up for classes, take tests, tour the campus, and locate their classrooms. Parents are invited to informative presentations about business classes. This year Dr. Margaret Williams, associate professor of Management, is among the STAR presenters. About 200 students are introduced to the School of Business through the STAR program.

Star Students

INCOMING FAST TRACK EMBA STUDENTS ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED

The Fast Track Executive MBA Class of 2008 (that starts this August) is officially SOLD OUT (with a waiting list), reports Bill Miller, FTEMBA Director

“Thanks to all of you that have helped make the program a success and also recommended the program to potential students,” said Miller. The School of Business’ FTEMBA program has consistently attracted many students who have advanced degrees.

Here is Class of 2008 statistics (based on 48 students who have been offered admission).

Average 14 years of work experience
33 male students
15 female students
8 international students
9 advanced degrees
12 engineering and computer science degrees
8 accounting degrees
16 business undergraduate majors
540 average GMAT score (for those who have had to take it, some have placed out - i.e. advanced degree, accountants, engineers)
3.1 average undergraduate degree GPA

DRS. WETZEL AND STRATTON PRESENT PAPER

Dr. James N. Wetzel and Dr. Leslie S. Stratton, professors of Economics, presented their paper at the 81st Annual Conference of the Western Economics Association June 30 to July 3 in San Diego. In the category of “Issues in Higher Education” they presented the paper “College Enrollment, Attrition and Degree Progress.”

DR. SEERS TO ADDRESS ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT

August 11 to 16 Dr. Anson Seers, professor of Management, will be attending the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, in Atlanta, Georgia. He has co-authored two papers for presentation on this year’s Academy program. One is entitled “Leadership in Emergent Events: Exploring the Interactive Process of Leading in Complex Situations” and the other paper is entitled “Not all Shared Leadership is Equal: Differential Effects of Exchange Structures on Work Outcomes in Virtual Teams.”

As President of the Southern Management Association (SMA), Dr. Seers also will convene the mid-year meeting of SMA Officers and the Board of Governors which is held during the upcoming Academy meetings in Atlanta.

In other news, Dr. Seers was recently appointed to the Editorial Board of the research journal Management Communication Quarterly.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS NAMED BY RICHMOND IMPORT-EXPORT CLUB

M. Caitlin O’Rourke is an MBA Graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University and a Graduate Assistant for the Department of Management. Her outstanding academic performance is demonstrated by her 3.75 GPA. Caitlin is focusing her academic studies on international business because she understands that in order to be successful, a global orientation is essential. She has served as a Small Business Development Volunteer in Haiti where she worked with a group of women in identifying solutions to problems in the local community. Caitlin is currently working on establishing an import business of Haitian crafts to aid the declining profits of the community due to the drastic decrease in tourism.

Milena P. Ivanova is completing her Master of Science in Global Marketing Management at Virginia Commonwealth University. With a focused academic program in International Business and Marketing, Milena has earned a GPA of 3.5 in her academic major. Being born in Bulgaria, Milena is fluent in Bulgarian and has studied Russian as a high school student in her home country. Through international organizations and companies such as the Idaho Department of Commerce – Division of International Business and NYK Line, Milena has had the opportunity to work with international customers and help provide customized solutions. She currently is the Graduate Assistant to the VCU Philip Morris Endowed Chair in International Business where she has been instrumental in the development and implementation of numerous international business educational programs, forums and seminars.

Richmond Import/Export Scholarship Recipient Milena P. Ivanova, center, at left Dr. Frank Franzak, right Dr. Van Wood	Richmond Import/Export Scholarship Recipient Caitlin O’Rourke, center, at left Dr. Robert Trumble, right Dr. Van Wood

The hallways in the School of Business rang with students speaking French during the last days of June. It was all part of VCU’s hosting of the 20th annual Governor’s Foreign Language Academies for rising Virginia high school juniors and seniors. Nearly 300 students participated on the Monroe Park Campus. The academies feature a concentrated learning experience in French, German, Spanish, Latin, Japanese or Russian. Students learn about the language, history, culture and customs of another country. They set up an international market in the Student Commons and participated in an Olympics-style competition on July 3. The Governor’s Foreign Language Academies were held on several college campuses before moving to a combined setting at VCU three years ago. For more information, visit http://www.vcu.edu/uns/news/vcuview/archives/2006/jun/gov.htm

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HOSTS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE

”Partnership for the Future” will be holding its sessions in the School of Business during July. This program targets promising students as sophomores in high school, then envelops them in a three-year-long program of mentorship and college guidance, that includes working in paid internships with local companies. The opportunity for matching scholarship funds encourages the students to save their earnings.

The students get exposure to the discipline, hard work and social skills needed to succeed in the real world. They meet at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday at the Business School. Buses provide them with free transportation to work. On Fridays, they attend free seminars at VCU on everything from preparing for the SAT to filling out college applications and applying for financial aid. to taking bus tours of area colleges.

The program was established in 1995 by Alan Kushner, chairman and CEO of Marcel Corporation, Glen Allen. Partnership for the Future has seen 100 percent of its students enter college, with a retention rate of 81 percent — far higher than the state and national averages.

Certified Financial Planners (CFP) Open House - Northern Virginia, Tuesday, August 15, call (804) 828-3165 for additional information.

CFP Open House - Richmond, Thursday, August 17, 6 to 7:30 pm, Room 1129, School of Business

SHRM Learning System Orientation - Tuesday, August 22, 6 to 7:30 pm, Room 1129, School of Business. First class is Tuesday, August 29.

Six Sigma Green and Black Belt Certification - Classes begin the week of September 11

Fiduciary Workshop - November 2 and 3, Kingsmill Resort.

For additional information, please visit the Center for Corporate Education website www.bus.vcu.edu/cce