CPA GIFT. Rick Wildes, Treasurer of the Virginia Society of CPAs, Richmond Chapter, recently presented a check for $1,000 to Charles Gallagher, Associate Dean for External Affairs for the School of Business. Also speaking to the group was Dr. Ronald Humphrey, professor of management, who spoke from his research studies and findings in emotional intelligence.

TOP ACCOUNTANTS Dr. Ruth Epps, Chair of the Accounting Department, reports that "The pass rate of our students on the CPA examination has ranked our Accounting Program as one of the top two quality accounting programs among the public institutions in the state of Virginia for the past four consecutive years." The results of the May 2003 CPA Exam indicate that VCU had the second highest pass rate among the Virginia public institutions. Congratulations students and faculty.

BUSY WEEK FOR EXECUTIVE EDUCATION CENTER The Certified Financial Planners' (CFP) modules ended its semester, and the SHRM classes on campus and at Bon Secour will be concluding this week. Also, on campus the Defense Supply Division and Capital One have been holding sessions taught by School of Business faculty. This is a part of the Center's capability of designing classes especially for corporations or organizations. The next SHRM class is being planned for January and CFP's introductory model will be offered again. Please consult CFP's new web page at www.bus.vcu.edu/cce for the Center's latest offerings.

OUTER LOOP FUN. There is no comparison with the Chicago Loop but the Transportation Department reports that the new VCU Outer Loop shuttle is the fastest way to go across town. The system which has been in place since August 18 is trying to get as many people as possible to ride it. Catch it or get off at the Convenience Store bus stop on Harrison St. Transportation tells us that Bus Stop Signs will soon be installed.

MOOSE ART. Last week ( Nov. 2) Dr. Walter Griggs, Associate Dean, had one of his nature photographs selected as the Photo of the Week by the Richmond Times Dispatch. Pictured was a moose drinking from a stream. As a contest winner, the photo appears on the back of the Sunday Travel section, then runs all week in the paper's electronic edition. The photo has now drawn comments from around the world, with people wanting to buy a copy of the photograph, etc. Congratulations.

DR. WOOD PROFILED Dr. Van Wood, was profiled in the November 4 issue of Richmond Times Dispatch by reporter Iris Taylor. He most recently has been teaching in Wu-han, China's fifth largest city. Many of his travels and his international work at VCU and earlier at Texas Tech University were reviewed as part of the profile. It can be viewed for the next few days by going to the paper's archives.