NEWS BRIEFS, November
2004
VCU PRESIDENT
EUGENE P. TRANI ADDRESSES INVESTORS CIRCLE MEMBERS AT
OCTOBER RECEPTION
On October 14, members of the Investors Circle,
the leadership annual giving society for
the School of Business, gathered for
a reception at the elegant Scott House on Franklin Street. The
Investors Circle, comprised of 150 alumni, friends and corporations,
contributed a total of $174,464 to the School of Business Annual
Fund in 2003-2004. Virginia Commonwealth University President Eugene
P. Trani thanked the group for their dedicated support and gave
an update on the Campaign for VCU.
“We have a lot to be excited
about,” said President Trani.
“The School of Business is entering a new era with the Monroe
Park Campus Addition. The Addition is a major priority for VCU
and we are very aggressively moving forward with our plans.”
For more information on
the Investors Circle and a list of current members call the Office
of Development & Alumni
Affairs at 828-1485 or visit http://www.business.vcu.edu/give
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NEW SEMESTER ABROAD PROGRAM OFFERED
 A new Education Abroad program has been initiated by School of
Business associate professors of Management, Dr. Michael W. Pitts
and Dr. Charles M. Byles.
VCU students in the School of Business are eligible to apply
to the Kufstein International Business Studies program at FHS
Kufstein
Tirol in northwest Austria. For several years Dr. Pitts and Dr.
Byles have led student groups on educational tours of Europe.
Now in the shadow of the 800 year-old Kufstein castle. VCU
students
can spend a semester enjoying a mixture of history, campus life
and international business. Students must take at least four
of the available business courses (all taught in English) and
one
German language course. Students pay VCU tuition and the only
additional expenses are room, board, and travel. To learn more
go to www.fh-kufstein.ac.at.
or contact Dr. Pitts (mwpitts@vcu.edu) or Dr. Byles (cmbyles@vcu.edu).
"This opportunity allows students to develop intercultural
and international business skills which will add value to both
their life and to their resume,” says Dr. Pitts.
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 DR. JOHN EVERETT: CALL HIM
MR. TAXMAN
Dr. John Everett, professor of Accounting, was presented the 2004
Outstanding Service Award by the American Taxation Association
(ATA). During his career, Dr. Everett has served on over 30 ATA
committees and held the positions of president and vice president.
He also is the coauthor of several textbooks, a past editor of
the ATA monograph Tax Planning for Educators, and has published
over 70 articles in professional and academic journals.
Dr. Everett's latest edition of TaxPoint, an interactive taxation
course, is available for
previewing on line. A tour of Module 10 can be reached at http://taxpoint.swcollege.com.
TaxPoint is recommended by ATA and other tax organizations as a
way to build essential technology skills. Dr. Everett coauthored
TaxPoint with Dr. Cherie O'Neil, Colorado State University
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DR DANIELS WINS SYDNEY FUTURES EXCHANGE
PRIZE
Dr. Kenneth N. Daniels, associate professor of finance, has
been presented the Sydney Futures Exchange prize for the best paper
on derivatives. Dr. Daniels' article entitled “The Effects
of Credit Ratings on Credit Default Swaps and Credit Spreads” investigates
the development of the credit default swap market and the impact
of credit ratings and macroeconomic variables on corporate bonds
and credit default swaps of corporate entities. Dr. Daniels will
present the award-winning paper in Sydney, Australia in December
2004 at the 17th Annual Australasian Finance and Banking Conference.
The Sydney Futures Exchange prize is annually awarded to encourage
leading-edge research in the area of derivatives and also distributes
a cash award.
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 ED FLIPPEN IS BUSH APPOINTEE
Edward L. Flippen, BS 65, Richmond attorney, dedicated alumnus
and friend of the School of Business has been nominated by President
George Bush to be inspector general for the Corporation for National
and Community Service. The appointment is subject to confirmation
by Congress.
The corporation, formed in 1994, operates three large-scale programs:
Senior Corps, Ameri-Corps and Learn and Serve America, and several
other faith-based and community programs. Flippen would be responsible
for ensuring that the agency complies with its mission and would
investigate any allegations of wrongdoings. Flippen has long been
active in higher education as a teacher of law and a member of
various advisory boards including the School of Business Alumni
Board, School of Business Business Council, VCU Foundation Board
of Trustees and VCU Board of Visitors
Flippen will leave his legal practice with McGuireWoods LLP, where
he is a partner, upon confirmation. He will continue to serve as
a distinguished senior fellow at VCU where he is developing educational
projects.
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TWO PROFESSORS NAMED
FULBRIGHT SPECIALISTS
Dr. Carol Rasnic, professor of Employment Law and Dr. Neil Murphy,
professor of Finance were approved for listing on the Fulbright
Commission Specialists roster. This listing is made available to
universities and institutions in other countries that might ask
for an expert in a specified area to teach short terms.
On November 19, Dr. Murphy will address the Richmond Association
of Business Economists on the topic "Deposit Insurance and
Financial Sector Reform in Transition and Emerging Nations." Dr.
Murphy also is an International Banking Advisor, Office of Technical
Assistance, U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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DR. BARKER OPENS CONFERENCE
Dr. Randolph T. Barker, professor of Management, Management Department,
was the plenary speaker for the opening session of the Association
for Business Communications October 28 in Boston. Dr. Barker was
recognized as the Outstanding Researcher Award Winner for 2003. Dr.
Barker is serving as the president of the Association for 2004-05
year.
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VCU STRONGLY REPRESENTED ON FPA BOARD
Two VCU financial planning faculty and a recent program graduate
have been nominated to serve on the Board of Financial Planners Association
(FPA) of Central Virginia. They are Dr. David E. Upton, chairman
of the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Department; Peter VanWinkle,
an instructor in the School's Financial Planning program and John
Sanderson, a graduate of VCU Financial Planning program. Their term
begins in January 2005.
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VCU
CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION CITES TEACHERS FOR ECONOMIC
LESSONS
On October 13 at a luncheon at the Federal Reserve Bank, Richmond,
12 area educators were recognized for their creative teaching of
economics TO k-12 STUDENTS. . The VCU Awards for Excellence in
Economic Education were presented by Suzanne Gallagher, director
of the VCU Center for Economic Education and William H. Baxter,
president and CEO of The Retail Merchants Association of Greater
Richmond. The winners and their innovative projects are reviewed
on the Center's website: http://www.bus.vcu.edu/econcenter/
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 ACCOUNTING
STUDENT ADDRESSES BUSINESS COUNCIL
Lori Vining, a senior accounting student, addressed the School's
Business Council on November 3 and offered her views on what she
called "an excellent decision for me to attend VCU School
of Business." The VCU advantages she cited include, participating
in school activities, developing a network in Richmond while still
in school, getting involved with student clubs and learning from
dedicated teachers. She described her two internships as "turning
points in her school life" and particularly her internship
with Ernst & Young where she will work upon graduation. She
also credited a semester abroad in Spain as broadening her outlook
on globalization and attendance at the Ernst & Young Leadership
Conference as a leadership experience that has helped her decide
that "auditing is the correct career step for her." Dr.
Charles Gallagher reminded the Council that last year over 200
business students held internships. He thanked those companies
that have participated in this valuable program.
Caption: Robert Hanley, managing partner, Ernst & Young and chairman
of School of Business’ Business Council welcomed Lori Vining,
accounting student who will be continuing her career with Ernst & Young
upon graduation.
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FIRST CAREER FAIR A GREAT SUCCESS
On November 9 the School of Business hosted its first Insurance,
Risk Management and Financial Planning Career Fair sponsored by
the VCU Insurance Studies Center and Gamma Iota Sigma, the risk
management and insurance fraternity. About 20 exhibitors sent representatives
to talk with students as well as offer three special presentations.
According to Debbi Little, Coordinator of Insurance Studies, this
fair is the first of several career opportunities that will be
offered through the Insurance Studies Center.
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Financial Services of Virginia
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Geico representatives and mascot
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BUSINESS STUDENT NETWORKING RECEPTION
RECEIVES RECORD ATTENDANCE
A record 91 students and 69 corporate representatives and alumni
gathered in the Student Commons for an evening of networking on
Monday, November 8. The semi-annual Business/Student Networking
Reception sponsored by the School of Business Alumni Board lets
juniors, seniors, and graduate students explore a variety of companies
and industries. The event also enables corporate recruiters to
meet many of our talented business students. Thanks to everyone
who participated!
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Attendance at the Alumni Board Networking Night exceeded all previous
events
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Cathy Redford and Martha Redstrom-Plourd,
event organizers.
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"UPCOMING EVENTS" ADDED TO HOME PAGE
Note the addition of an "Upcoming Events" category
that has been added to the School of Business' Home Page. This
site consolidates several efforts to maintain a calendar of
events within the School, and will compliment the overall VCU
calendar. http://www.business.vcu.edu/events
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EMBA NOW RECRUITING
The VCU School of Business Fast Track Executive MBA program is now
recruiting students for the next class starting August 2005. For
further details contact the EMBA office at (804) 828-3622.
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 TECH TUESDAY TO CONTINUE
On Tech Tuesday held on October 26, Scott K. Hammer, principal
of The North Highland Company made a presentation on security and
other critical problems facing the technology industry. This was
the second meeting of the group which drew an audience sufficient
to warrant the continuation of the program. Dr. Gurpreet Dhillion
initiated Tech Tuesday as a community service. The next meeting
will be November 16 at 7:30 a.m. in Room 1001, School of Business
building, 1014 Floyd Ave. Due to the holidays there will not be
a December meeting. For further information contact Maureen Carley
(804) 828-7074.
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Tech Tuesday has drawn a range of executives who want to learn more
about identifying and solving technology problems
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If you have News or Event information,
Comments or Questions about this Area,
Please contact
Frances E. Altman
Public Relations Specialist
School of Business
Virginia Commonwealth University
fealtman@vcu.edu. (804) 827-1801
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