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(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Melissa Ford of Ozark, an accounting graduate student in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business, recently was honored with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Student Leader of the Semester Award. The Enterprise Foundation award recognizes SIUE business students who are nominated by student organizations for outstanding participation and responsibility.
Ford’s award recognizes her work as president of the SIUE chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the national honor society for top accounting majors. The organization strives to foster relationships with fellow accounting majors as well as faculty and future employers. Ford was chosen for this award because of her hard work and dedication to the society. She has achieved numerous accomplishments so far this year including competing in the national Beta Alpha Psi case competition and participating in the Planning Committee for Relay for Life on behalf of Beta Alpha Psi.
In addition, Ford has organized two very significant events for the honor society: the inaugural Meet the Firms event, which allowed students to network with 12 potential employers, and the Accounting Fall Awards Banquet in which employers, faculty and students joined to celebrate the accomplishments of accounting students. “Melissa also has excelled in willingly leading the officers and members in a constant effort at improving organization and performance in her Beta Alpha Psi chapter,” said Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting and faculty advisor to the SIUE chapter. Adding to these accomplishments, Ford also has maintained a 4.0 in the School’s master’s accounting program.
The award carries with it a $100 stipend and certificate. In addition, Ford will be recognized at a reception in the spring that will honor all Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Award recipients, while providing SIUE business students an opportunity to network with Enterprise executives.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 10 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The School has been AACSB International accredited since 1975. This assures that students receive the highest quality in strategic resource management, interaction with faculty and achievement of learning goals. In addition, the SIUE Accounting Program also is accredited through AACSB International. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.

Shown here are Melissa Ford (at center holding award certificate) along with Lee E. Lewis Jr. (second from right), community relations manager for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation. They are joined by (at far right) School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, (at far left) Tina Diehl, Group Rental manager with Enterprise and (second from left) Tom Preusser, area manager with Enterprise. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Norman Wohlschlaeger of House Springs, Mo., a graduate student in the Accountancy program at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business, is among five winners of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)/ Accountemps scholarship.
The $2,500 scholarship is given nationally to accounting, finance or information systems majors with a minimum 3.0 grade point average who demonstrate leadership, academic excellence and future career interests in accounting and business. The AICPA administers the scholarship program and Accountemps funds it.
Wohlschlaeger, who graduated summa cum laude from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis with a bachelor of science in accounting and psychology as well as minors in business administration and information systems, is a graduate assistant for the SIUE Department of Accounting and for the associate dean of the business division. In the future, he plans to earn a doctorate in accounting and teach at a university.
He is a member of the Missouri Society of CPAs, AICPA, the National Society of Accountants, the American Psychological Association, Beta Alpha Psi, and the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. His previous awards and honors include Eagle Scout, MSCPA LEAP Scholarship, NSA Scholarship, MBU Trustee (Full Scholarship), Papa John’s Scholarship and a Sam Walton Scholarship.
The other AICPA scholarship winners are at Auburn, the University of North Carolina Charlotte, the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia. The application deadline for the 2009-2010 AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship program is April 1.
The AICPA (www.aicpa.org) is the national, professional association of CPAs, with more than 350,000 members in business and industry, public practice, government, education, student affiliates, and international associates. It sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of private companies, non-profit organizations, as well as federal, state and local governments. The AICPA also develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 10 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from the AACSB-I. Only 30 percent of business schools in the United States are accredited by the organization.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business students had an opportunity yesterday to speak one-on-one with the new president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
St. Louis Fed President James Bullard appeared at an invitation only event with SIUE School of Business students and faculty about how the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank can work with the School to enhance business education. Bullard is a former instructor for the School. The faculty took part in an informal discussion with Bullard about possible partnerships with the Federal Reserve in regard to graduate business education.
After a brief reception, Bullard spoke to students about the role the Federal Reserve System plays in the U.S. economy. Afterward, Bullard conducted a brief question and answer session with the students. “We are pleased and excited that Dr. Bullard returned to SIUE to share his insights and experience with our students,” said School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 10 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Only 30 percent of business schools in the United States are accredited by the organization.
Photos from Dr. Bullard's visit are below.





The SIUE School of Business International Program recently sponsored a Travel Study to Juarez, Mexico Jan. 5 through 12, 2008.
Those who participated were 20 college students and 3 professors, all embarking on a service learning mission, used to enhance their education of foreign language and business alike.
As a component of their coursework, the group was welcomed by University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) president, Dr. Diana Natalicio, a St. Louis native, for a series of lectures about the economic and business climate on the border. Speakers included two UTEP faculty members, Dr. Tom Fullerton of Economics and Dr. Kathy Staudt from Political Science, as well as two prominent El Paso technology entrepreneurs, Ron Munden and Bill Holmes.
In addition to their academic pursuits, students and professors got their hands dirty. “[Students] were challenged with the requirement of working as a team in building two cinder-block homes in a matter of just a few days,” reports Greg Gomez, Director of Recruitment.
Camaraderie between student and professor develops from working together under the strenuous conditions of building two homes in such a short amount of time. This is clearly a definitive aspect of the study’s overall appeal.
“In no other environment do the teacher and student come work with each other’s character as they do in helping the impoverished of Juarez Mexico,” emphasized trip leader, Dr. George Watson. “Living studying, and working with these energetic and enthusiastic college students on a 24/7 basis is absolutely the best educational experience I have ever had,” added Gomez.
The country and the people also played a major role in determining what students would take away from this experience.
“Juarez really makes you appreciate the things we have back at home,” remarked graduate student, Chris Toenjes, who participated in the program. “I thought I would want to leave by the end of the week, not having the necessities of home, but I got used to them and didn’t want to leave.”
A senior Spanish secondary-education major, Ben Flunker, remarked “Juarez is extremely rewarding and fulfilling, especially to know you are changing someone’s life and improving the world that we live in.”
Juarez, unique in its service learning initiative, sits on the opposite end of the learning spectrum from other programs offered. “You simply can’t get this [experience] in a classroom,” concluded Watson.
Emeritus Management Professor Arthur E. “Art” Hoover, who was instrumental in the success of SIUE’s off-campus MBA program that served many servicemen throughout the country, died Dec. 11 at his home in Madison, Wis. He was 86.
Joining the SIUE faculty as a professor of business administration and assistant dean of what was known in 1968 as the Business Division, Hoover later was named chair of the Department of Business Administration. He subsequently directed SIUE’s off-campus MBA program and then became director of the MBA Program for the SIUE School of Business. He retired in 1984 as emeritus professor of management.
Taking the fledgling SIUE weekend off-campus MBA program, Hoover directed the program to great success. It gave opportunities to those in the Armed Forces to earn graduate degrees while serving on military bases including nearby Scott AFB. For some two decades, the program enrolled several hundred MBA students annually.
Hoover also created the Learning Through Integrated Faculty-Student Teamwork (LIFT) program that was groundbreaking then, but today is considered a major key to success in a residential campus environment. At a time when SIUE was a commuter campus, the LIFT program enrolled junior business students who studied and virtually lived together as a “cohort.” Using his psychology background, Hoover encouraged the LIFT faculty to engender group interaction to help insure academic success. Later, LIFT won the Innovation in Higher Education Award from the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.
A native of Chicago, Hoover earned a bachelor of science in 1945 in nautical science and shipping economics at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY; a bachelor’s in psychology in 1947 at Roosevelt University in Chicago; a master of science at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago in 1951; and a doctorate in psychology at the institute in 1954.
He served 10 years in academe and 16 years in the business sector before coming to SIUE. During the 1940s, Hoover had been stationed in New York as second mate and watch officer, directing a crew of 20 in cargo handling and stowage. He also was assistant sales manager in the Domestic Appliance Division of the Hill-Shaw Co. in Chicago.
Hoover was an administrator at the University of Akron (OH) in 1954-55 and then became a professor of psychology and eventually dean of Student Services. He went on to become professor of management and chair of Akron’s Personnel Administration Department. He also was administrator of that university’s Ft. Sheridan extension program and graduate advisor in the MBA program.
A consultant from 1965-68 before joining SIUE, Hoover noted in his résumé that his “education and teaching consistently overlap with applied experience, reflecting a long-established behavior pattern of 60-70 hour work weeks.”

Tim West, from Peoria, Ill., a senior business student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently was honored as a recipient of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Student Leader of the Month Award. West graduated from SIUE in December with a bachelor of science in Business Administration.
The award recognizes students who are nominated by their organizations for outstanding participation and responsibility. West’s award recognizes his work as a member of the ELITE (Emerging Leaders Improving Through Experience) student organization. The organization serves as a liaison between faculty and students in the SIUE School of Business, while encouraging student interaction.
West was chosen for this award because of his hard work and dedication to ELITE while serving as its vice-president. During his involvement in ELITE member participation has increased substantially. He has assisted in developing new programs, including “Lunch and Learn,” which provides students the opportunity to meet with School of Business professors and alumni to gain insights into career paths.
During his time at SIUE, West worked as a web developer for the School of Business and operations director for WSIE-88.7 FM Radio.
The award carries with it a $50 stipend and certificate. In addition, West will be recognized at a reception in the spring that will honor all Enterprise Rent-A-Car award recipients while providing SIUE business students an opportunity to network with Enterprise executives.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 10 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The School has been AACSB International accredited since 1975. This assures that students receive the highest quality in strategic resource management, interaction with faculty and achievement of learning goals. In addition, the SIUE accounting Program also is accredited through AACSB International. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.
Cole Ramsey of Bowen, who graduated earlier this year from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a bachelor’s in business administration/finance, recently learned he won the annual HSBC Bank prize for his scholarly achievement at Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, England.
Ramsey was a student at Sheffield during spring semester as part of an exchange program with that university through the SIUE School of Business International Program. Ramsey earned the honor for his work in an International Trade Finance module, offered through Sheffield's Department of Organization and Management.
He finished third in the module class. He also has been invited to a special ceremony to receive the award in Sheffield this week.
The SIUE program helps to prepare students for successful careers by providing them with international educational opportunities through faculty exchanges and study abroad, travel study courses, and service learning experiences. The program also provides students with current information about global business practices in the St. Louis area by bringing professionals on campus to speak about their experiences in international business and providing support for the international business student organization, the International Business Association.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business has been ranked as a Best 290 Business School in the 2008 edition of the Princeton Review.
Results are based on student surveys and institutional data from 2007. The Review stated students surveyed indicated they were drawn to the SIUE School of Business because of its reputation and its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-International. Students also said they were attracted to “the convenience of night and weekend courses” and the school’s affordability—being the most affordable tuition in Metropolitan St. Louis.
“We are pleased that the Princeton Review has confirmed that our School ranks among the country’s best,” said SIUE School of Business Interim Dean Tim Schoenecker. “Even more gratifying is that this recognition is based, in part, on feedback from our students.”
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 10 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from the AACSB. Only 30 percent of all business schools in the United States are accredited by the AACSB.
The Princeton Review, based in New York, is known for its test-preparation courses, education services, and college and graduate school admission services. To learn more about the Princeton Review, visit the Web site: www.princetonreview.com.
The School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville welcomes three new faculty members for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Jenni Hunt, instructor in Management and Marketing, earned her MBA from SIUE. Her teaching interests include Human Resources and Organizational Behavior and her goal is to grow her career and eventually pursue her doctorate degree.
Clay Williams, assistant professor in Computer Management and Information Systems, earned his doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. His goal is to apply his years of practical experience to teaching.
Gregory Sierra, instructor in Accounting, earned his doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis. His teaching interests include Financial Accounting. His goal is to encourage students to discover and pursue their career and life goals.
Dr. Tim Schoenecker, Interim Dean for the School of Business, believes that the students at SIUE will receive an enriched educational experience because of what these three faculty members bring. “We’re pleased to have Jenni, Clay, and Gregory join our faculty.” Schoenecker continued, “Each brings an excellent combination of professional and academic qualifications to SIUE.”

Dr. Rik W. Hafer, a member of the SIUE School of Business faculty, has been appointed to the Illinois State Treasurer’s first ever External Investment Policy Committee. The Committee provides the state treasurer’s office with independent advice and outside opinion on the department’s investment activities.
A key objective of the Committee is to increase the transparency of actions taken by the Treasurer’s office in its investing of state funds. The makeup of the Committee is broad and diverse. The nine members come from both the public and private sectors. Four members come from the Illinois General Assembly, the other five are chosen by the Treasurer’s office from other occupations.
Hafer worked with the Treasurer’s office in the past. For several years he has made presentations to the Public Investors Financial Forum held in Springfield. The symposium brings together representatives from municipalities and counties throughout the state. The purpose is to provide them with updates on changes in investing, financial markets and the economy.
When asked about his appointment, Hafer said that “This is a great opportunity and responsibility. I am honored to be chosen and to represent SIUE in this new endeavor. I hope to take much of what I am learning back into the classroom.” Added Tim Schoenecker, Interim Dean of the School of Business, “Dr. Hafer's expertise regarding financial markets and the banking system make him perfectly qualified for this appointment. I'm confident that he will serve the State Treasurer well in this capacity.”
Dr. Hafer has been with the SIUE School of Business since 1989. Prior to coming to SIUE he was a Research Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. He has been Chair of the Department of Economics and Finance since 2001. In 1999 he was named as Director, Office of Economic Education and Business Research. This spring Hafer was named Distinguished Research Professor at SIUE.
Associate Professor Ralph Giacobbe, a member of the management and marketing faculty since 1988, has been named chair of that department in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business. Associate Professor Joseph F. Michlitsch, who has been chair since 2002, stepped down as chair Aug. 15 and is teaching during the current semester.
Coming to SIUE in 1979, Michlitsch’s areas of expertise includes strategic management and planning, general management, management education, analytical thinking and writing, organization development and training. He previously taught at two universities in South Dakota and as a graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota.
Michlitsch has reviewed textbooks, written case teaching notes, instructor’s manuals, and test banks, and is on a team that authors a Principles of Management Textbook, now in its fifth edition. He received the SIUE Teaching Excellence Award in 2001.
Giacobbe, who joined the SIUE faculty in 1988, has extensive business experience and has served as a retail management consultant, marketing research consultant and has presented seminars throughout his career. He has published articles in several academic- and practitioner- oriented journals including the Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, Journal of Business Ethics, Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Professional Services Marketing, Journal of Marketing Education, International Journal of Retailing and Distribution Management, Marketing Research, and Services Marketing Quarterly. In 1997, Giacobbe received SIUE’s Teaching Excellence Award and in 2006, the Master of Marketing Research Distinguished Faculty Service Award. Before joining the SIUE faculty, Giacobbe was a graduate assistant at Arizona State University, an assistant professor and MBA program director at Lewis University, and taught at DePaul University in Chicago.
He received the 1984 Ken Coney Memorial Award for Academic Achievement, was selected as the 1984 American Marketing Association Doctoral Consortium Fellow and received the Harold Leonard Stuart Scholarship Award from the Illinois Institute of Technology and was a recipient of the Johnson and Johnson Award for Academic Scholarship.

SIUE School of Business Department of Management and Marketing professor Dr. Tom Douglas and College of Arts and Sciences professor Dr. Tom Lavallee led eleven students to Shanghai, Suzhou and Xiamen as a part of the Travel Study program to China in May 2007. While in China the group visited four businesses, a food and beverage exposition in Shanghai, the Illinois office of the Department of Commerce in Shanghai and many other cultural sites.
Among the foreign-owned enterprises the group visited were Andrew Telecommunications, a company that designs and manufactures equipment for telecommunication systems globally, and Sloan Valve Company, producers of valves for the restrooms of many large commercial companies and institutions around the world. Both companies are headquartered in Chicago. Managers of these two companies provided the students with an overview of how they have adapted and developed their operations in China.
The SIUE group also toured two Chinese businesses in the Xiamen area. The Tenfu Tea Group, founded by the Taiwan businessman Lee Rie-ho, grows, packages, and sells teas of all varieties. The Yinlu Beverage Company bottles juices, flavored teas, and waters. Students developed a more sophisticated appreciation of the complexity of doing business in China through their experience of visiting multinational enterprises.
Students also were uniform in their positive reflections of the experience, especially with regard to the students they interacted with at Soochow University and Xiamen University.
One student noted that "this trip to China helped me experience a wonderfully rich culture, make long-lasting friendships, and see the global world of business in a whole new light."
In October, four faculty members and one graduate student from Xiamen University will visit SIUE to continue the relationship that is more than 10 years old.
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Federal Reserve of St. Louis, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Business, and University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) are collaborating to offer a course entitled, “Making Sense of Money & Banking,” for elementary and secondary educators. Mary Anne Pettit of SIUE, Barbara Flowers of UMSL, and Federal Reserve of St. Louis staff will be teaching this seven-day course for educators interested in integrating money and banking into their coursework. Teachers attending the course will earn three graduate hours toward certificate renewal plans.
Pettit, assistant director of Economic Education at SIUE, said, “All teachers attending will receive training and the CD Virtual Economics - a collection of strategies and materials for all grade levels.” Attendees not only receive the CD, they also receive lesson plans, videos, and publications to assist them in their own classrooms.
The course is offered June 18-22 and 26-27, 2007, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis in downtown St. Louis. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided daily compliments of the St. Louis Federal Reserve. For more information, please contact Mary Anne Pettit in the Office of Economic Education and Business Research at SIUE at 618-650-2583 or by e-mail at mpettit@siue.edu.

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) – Jill M. Bernard of Wayne City, Ill., recently was honored with the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award. Bernard is a 2007 graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Masters in Business Administration.
The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award is a collaborative effort between the Journal and participating institutions to honor exceptional students. Each participating college or university can nominate one student every year.
Interim Dean Tim Schoenecker said, “We're pleased that Jill received the Wall Street Journal Award. She has been a dedicated student and graduate assistant during her time at SIUE, and she is very deserving of this recognition as an outstanding student."
Bernard graduated from Fontbonne University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing, in 2005. During Bernard’s undergraduate career at Fontbonne University she received the Outstanding Business Administration Student and The Dunham Student Athlete Award. She also gave the student address at her commencement from Fontbonne University. Bernard is also part of Delta Mu Delta, the national business honor society and Kappa Gamma Pi, the national Catholic honor society.
Bernard has this to say about receiving the prestigious award, “I feel so honored to have received such an amazing award. My professors have offered a tremendous amount of encouragement and support, and I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to study and learn here at SIUE.”
The Wall Street Journal presented Bernard with a complete student award package including a commemorative award medallion; a one-year subscription to The Wall Street Journal; a congratulatory letter; and a published listing of Bernard’s name in a full-page announcement in The Wall Street Journal.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 15 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The SIUE School of Business has been AACSB accredited since 1975. This assures that students receive the highest quality standards relating to strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students in the education process, and achievement of learning goals in degree programs.
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently congratulated 20 new graduates of the Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) executive education program. The program, which has been in place for three years, is a joint venture of Southern Illinois University’s Schools of Business and Engineering.
The Construction Leadership Institute was developed for construction industry professionals who are interested in leadership roles. The program provides the knowledge, framework and strategy that individuals need to “lead” in a challenging business environment.
Two professional organizations, including the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis and the Southern Illinois Builders’ Association, worked closely with the Construction Leadership Institute Advisory Board to develop and market the program. The program faculty includes industry experts, construction industry leaders, and university faculty.
The program focuses on managing risk factors of construction projects in order to maximize profitability and minimize costs. Participants learn key management strategies important to their futures as corporate leaders, including legal issues, human resource issues and financial issues; aligning the organization to identify new business opportunities; and anticipating and responding to future developments, including economic and workforce trends.
The following participants successfully completed the 2007 Construction Leadership Institute at SIUE:
Jeff Boyer, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. Scott Naeger, The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC
Mike Christ, Impact Strategies, Inc. Brian Nuehring, S.M. Wilson & Co.
Dennis Corrigan, Corrigan Brothers, Inc. Scott O’Brien, S.M. Wilson & Co.
Jeff Erker, Johnson Controls, Inc. Tim Rehkemper, Rehkemper Construction
Lloyd Flowers, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. Kevin Roche, Keely & Sons Construction, Inc.
Yvonne Hollingsead, HS Contractors, Inc. Andy Row, The Korte Company
Mark Kamphoefner, Panattoni Construction, Inc. Dave Schlueter, Holland Construction Services, Inc.
Adam Knoebel, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. Dan Suarez, B. Garcia Trucking
Mike McAullife, Corrigan Brothers, Inc. Nick Walker, One McKnight Place Construction Co.
Ryan Molen, Walton Construction Company LLC John Whitworth, Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc.
For more information on this program, contact the Office of the Dean, SIUE School of Business, Campus Box 1051, Edwardsville, IL 62026, or phone 618-650-3822.
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The ELITE organization, Emerging Leaders Improving Through Experience, was recently honored with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Student Organization of the Year Award for the 2006-2007 school year. ELITE is an organization that promotes student activity within and outside of the School of Business.
This award was given to the organization whose activities best support the organization’s mission and stated goals. They also had to demonstrate how its membership serves the organization and how the organization serves its stakeholders.
The Mission of ELITE: Our organizations serves as a liaison between students, faculty, alumni and others affiliated with the School of Business. We help organize, promote, and sponsor student interactions and activities throughout the university community. In doing so, we strive to enrich and expand the experience of the student community both in and out of the classroom, as well as provide current students an opportunity to develop professional, communication, and leadership skills.
Dr. Timothy Schoenecker, School of Business Interim Dean and faculty advisor to ELITE, had this to say about receiving the award, “I’m very proud of all the members of ELITE; collectively they have put forth a great deal of time and effort on behalf of the School of Business.” Schoenecker continued, “Whenever we need assistance with a project, we’ve been able to count on ELITE to come through for the School. Receiving the Enterprise award is great recognition for all of this hard work.”
During the 2006-2007 year ELITE put new programs into place. They had the first-ever ELITE Welcome Back BBQ, the 1st Annual ELITE Golf Tournament and ELITE Month. During ELITE month they had Alumni speakers and a once a week event in the halls where they handed out pizza, administered surveys and promoted events that ELITE was doing in the future.
Josh Smucker, current President of the ELITE organization, had this to say about receiving the award, “We are very proud that our efforts in the ’06-’07 academic year have been recognized- keep an eye on us because some of the most promising world leaders of the future are ELITE!”
The award carries with it a $2500 stipend. In addition, ELITE will be recognized at a reception in the spring that will honor all Enterprise Rent-A-Car award recipients and will provide SIUE business students with an opportunity to network with Enterprise executives. ELITE plans to use the money to continue to make the environment in the School of Business better for fellow students.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 15 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, a seal of approval that the SIUE School has earned each year since 1975. SIUE’s accountancy program also is accredited through AACSB. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.

A master plan for life and career hasn’t really worked for SIUE alumnus Dion Joannou (BS ’89), but adapting to situations and making himself flexibility in problem-solving have served him well.
Anyone would probably agree Joannou’s style has been successful—after all, the 42-year-old South African native is president of Nortel North America and at the same time has managed to carve out a full family life with his wife and three sons.
“There never really was a master plan for me in searching for a career,” Joannou told a roomful of students and School of Business faculty members recently during the School’s Annual Power Breakfast. “It wasn’t until I was a sophomore at SIUE that I really began to think about what I would do as a career.”
Joannou had come to Ritenour High School in St. Louis County as an exchange student from South Africa, joining the tennis team. Then-SIUE Tennis Coach Bob Meyers recruited him to the Cougars. While playing at SIUE, Joannou was named an All-American in men’s doubles in the 1988 NCAA Division II roster.
“Bob was very concerned about academics for his athletes,” Joannou said. “He told me that I was a pretty good tennis player but that I’d never make a living at it, so that’s when I started thinking about another career.”
He earned a bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in marketing at SIUE in 1989 and went on to the University of Miami to earn an MBA in international studies. “My career at SIUE was a very important part of my life,” he told the audience. “Because of my experience at SIUE, I decided to stay in the United States.”
Always thirsting for knowledge, Joannou gravitated to the toughest professors at Miami. “I sought out the professors who pushed their graduate assistants the hardest so I could learn,” Joannou said. He taught tennis lessons and worked in restaurants and, after graduating from Miami, took $5,000 he had saved and decided to backpack around the world.
When he came back to Miami, a friend told him of a temporary job available at Motorola-Nortel. Joannou took the job and, after impressing the president of the company, was offered a permanent position. “I began at the bottom, I worked there for 15 years and now I’m the No. 2 man in the company in charge of 5,000 employees,” he said.
“I didn’t plan this, but I did treat every job I did for the company as a project rather than a career. At every meeting, I always volunteered for the challenging jobs. And, when each project was done, I would have a great sense of accomplishment.” Such achievement allowed him to rise through the ranks.
He encouraged the business students at the breakfast to “extend yourselves beyond your comfort zones.” He also noted that this style isn’t for everyone. “Don’t follow success lightly,” Joannou said. “Make sure whatever career you choose suits your personality.”
As he moved up the corporate ladder, Joannou said he was working 70-80 hours per week. Once he married and had children, he realized he would have to strike a balance in his life between career and family. He accepted his latest position only after the corporation board agreed to let him do the job from Miami.
Joannou also encouraged the students to take full advantage of their experiences at SIUE. “College is the only time in your life when you will have the time to think clearly about the decisions you’ll make. Now, I fix problems 24 hours a day,” he said. “It’s difficult for me to find time to learn.”
To the students, Joannou gave these specific pieces of advice: 1) learn how to interview; 2) find a mentor; 3) ignore politics in the workplace; and 4) realize that performance is paramount. “I try to treat people with respect and trust,” Joannou said, “just like I conduct myself in my personal life.
“I’m always re-evaluating myself,” he said, “adapting to situations and re-inventing myself. At any given time, you only have about 10 minutes to solve a problem. You’ve got to know yourself well.”
--Written by Gregory Conroy, Director of University Marketing and Communications
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Two Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professors recently were recognized for their outstanding scholarly work and pursuits, said Stephen Hansen, SIUE’s associate provost for research and dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Rik W. Hafer, a professor and the chair of the Department of Economics and Finance in the School of Business, and Krzysztof Jarosz, a professor and the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, have been recognized as this year’s Distinguished Research Professors for their scholarly contributions to their disciplines and to SIUE.
Both professors were chosen based on a decision by Hansen and SIUE’s Committee of the Graduate Faculty. Driving the decision were each recipient’s quality of research publications, the extent of grant activity, student mentoring and other scholarly initiatives.
“The Distinguished Research Professor rank recognizes professors’ contributions to their disciplines and to SIUE,” Hansen said. “Members of the faculty who have made outstanding contributions to research as a result of their continued commitment to scholarship after their promotion to professor are recognized.”
Before coming to SIUE as a faculty member in 1989, Hafer was a research officer with the Federal Reserve banks of Atlanta and St. Louis, and held teaching positions at Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He also was a visiting associate professor and then adjunct associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
His research initiatives include the study of monetary policy in the U.S. and abroad, specifically how monetary policy actions influence the economy. Hafer has published 27 articles, three books and received 13 grants and contracts.
“I approach research as a means to answer interesting questions,” he said. “Research activity should be defined broadly, extending beyond publishing articles in academic journals, writing books and participating in professional meetings.
“While such output provides a foundation to gauge someone’s success in research, I think that other research-based activities also merit attention.”
Jarosz has been with SIUE since 19880. His area of research interest is modern analysis, which is a new line of research of international significance that incorporates mathematic concepts involving Banach and topological algebras and function spaces to solve long-standing, open problems. He has published dozens of articles in top mathematics and statistics journals.
He also has received 10 grants and contracts with which to study from such prestigious sources as the International Exchange Board, the Endowment for the Humanities, the National Research Council, the National Science Foundation and the Fulbright Scholar Program.
Jarosz has presented his research and collaborated with other professionals at the the University of Cantabria, the University of Madrid and the University of Granada; as well as four Italian universities, five Indian universities and universities in Estonia and Poland.
“I strongly believe that the researchers, especially the more senior ones, have an obligation not only to contribute directly to the advancement of knowledge by conducting scientific investigations and publishing research papers, but are also responsible for making indirect impact on the discipline by serving as editors, organizing international meetings, delivering research lectures and mentoring students,” he said.

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) – Associate Professor Susan Yager, a member of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Computer Management and Information Systems (CMIS) faculty since 1999 and chair of the School of Business Computer Management and Information Systems Department, recently received notification that she was awarded the Boeing Welliver Faculty Fellowship for the summer of 2007.
The Bowing Welliver Faculty Fellowship aims to provide faculty with a better understanding of the practical industry application of engineering, information technology, and business skills. In addition, it aims to influence the content of undergraduate education in ways that will better prepare tomorrow’s graduates for careers in a global environment.
In response to the fellowship award Yager said, “This is a great opportunity for me to learn more about what makes Boeing a successful company and bring insights back to students at SIUE. In addition, it has been 15 years since I have worked in the industry, so I am looking forward to updating my knowledge and experience.” In fact, faculty participating in the program are asked to apply the knowledge and understanding they receive from the program within their course and disciplines and to influence broader curriculum changes in a holistic way that addresses the needs of the practitioner.
The fellowship will begin in June with a workshop session with other Welliver Fellows in Long Beach, Calif., and will end in August at the Boeing Leadership Center in St. Louis. While in St. Louis, the Welliver Fellows will present a collaborative report to Boeing officials that will contain both collective observations and suggestions for improvement.
Tim Schoenecker, interim dean of SIUE’s School of Business, said, “In addition to being a great learning experience for Susan, her selection as a Welliver Fellow has strategic significance for the School and University as we attempt to strengthen our relationship with Boeing and other area businesses. We are very proud of her achievements and are confident that she will represent our School well.”
Yager holds a doctorate from the University of Northern Texas. Her 20 years of industry experience includes various accounting positions and technical expertise in the agri-business and construction industries.
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) – The Department of Accounting in the School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is now accepting applications for the second annual Accounting Awareness Program (AAP). The program will take place this summer from June 13-15 on the SIUE campus.
AAP is a three-day, non-residential program designed to inform high school students about career opportunities in the field of accounting. The students will have two days of on-campus activities and one day of field trips to business offices in St. Louis. The on-campus activities include campus tours, presentations from the accounting faculty, interaction with student organizations, alumni, university administrators, and community business leaders.
While the program is targeted to students from underrepresented groups, it is open to all high school students who will be starting their junior or senior year in the fall of 2007 and to seniors graduating in May 2007. Students who wish to participate must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, complete an application, submit a letter of recommendation, and show involvement in school, community and/or church activities.
Twenty-five students will be selected to participate in this summer’s AAP. Students selected to participate in AAP will receive a full scholarship for the three days that covers all tuition, meals, supplies, and transportation. The only cost incurred by the student is a $25 application fee, charged only to those accepted into the program. Financial assistance for the $25 application fee is available for students who need assistance. The application deadline is April 30, 2007. Applications can be obtained by having a school counselor contact Dr. Rose-Green at 618.650.2107 with the name(s) and address(es) of interested students.
SIUE’s accountancy program is designed to provide students with an educational foundation upon which they can grow professionally in the practice and study of accounting as they progress throughout their careers. Fewer than 15 percent of business schools worldwide have earned the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, a seal of approval that the SIUE School has earned each year since 1975. SIUE’s accountancy program also is accredited through AACSB. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Carl Hausmann, President and CEO of Bunge North America, spent the day at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville on January 18 speaking to students and administration of the School of Business. His visit included discussions regarding international studies as well as the role of Bunge in both local and global markets.
Bunge Limited is an integrated, global agribusiness and food company operating in the farm-to-consumer food chain with worldwide distribution capabilities and primary operations in North America, South America and Europe. Hausmann was appointed President and CEO of Bunge North America in January of 2004. Prior to this position, he held the position of CEO for Bunge Europe.
“Mr. Hausmann brought decades of global business experience to our students, in addition to his perceptions of world today,” said Dr. Tim Schoenecker, Interim Dean of the SIUE School of Business. “It was an invaluable experience that our students will benefit from both during their education and future careers.”
During his visit to SIUE, Hausmann met privately with a small group of international business students to discuss their past and future experiences abroad as well as a variety of business topics. Over the course of their discussion, Hausmann supplied the students with advice for getting the most out of their travels and international business career.
In addition to speaking with international business students, Hausmann met with an undergraduate Organizational Behavior class to talk about his experiences, the global role of Bunge as well as current trends in the agribusiness industry.
After growing up in New Jersey and attending Boston College, Hausmann spent four years in the U.S. Navy. Since then, has lived and worked on four continents and dozens of countries and learned to speak six languages.
The SIUE School of Business has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1975. Fewer than 15 percent of business schools worldwide have earned this prestigious seal of approval which represents the highest standard of achievement.
The Princeton Review, known for its college rankings based on how students rate their schools, recently released the current data in the 2007 edition of its annual guidebook, Best 282 Business Schools.
Fewer than 15 percent of business schools worldwide have earned the prestigious AACSB accreditation, a seal of approval that the SIUE School has earned each year since 1975. SIUE’s accounting program also is accredited through AACSB. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.
According to School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, the ranking reflects the excellence of the MBA program, as well as the School of Business as a whole. “This recognition is the result of the collaborative efforts of our talented faculty, dedicated staff and high-quality students,” Giamartino said.
“We offer our students a rigorous and challenging curriculum, as well as numerous opportunities for foreign study, business internships, work-study programs, and interactions with regional business leaders.” School of Business alumni can be found leading corporations in the St. Louis region, nationally, and around the globe.
The rankings, according to The Princeton Review, were compiled based on results of surveys of students and on institutional data from those schools. Survey respondents described SIUE business professors as “very knowledgeable and well-prepared for classes” and “very interested in providing an excellent learning environment.” Students said they are drawn to the SIUE School of Business because of its excellent reputation and AACSB accreditation.
Headquartered in New York, The Princeton Review is known for its test-preparation courses, education services, and college and graduate school admission services.
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The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business will host a Bike Ramble on Saturday, Oct. 7, beginning at 9 a.m. This event is part of Homecoming Weekend activities planned by the University.
Participants may enjoy SIUE’s colorful fall foliage as they bike the 5-, 10-, or 15-mile routes with family, fellow alumni, students, and friends. In addition to the bike ride through campus, participants also may enjoy other Homecoming activities including the Custom and Classic Car Show, the sounds of Sh-Boom, novelty attractions and the first SIUE Club Football game against the Effingham Panthers.
The Fall Bike Ramble is being organized by School of Business alumni and students. Registration is $5 per person, which includes a free T-shirt and refreshments. A registration form is available here. Parking is available near the Vadalabene Center in Lot F. For more information or to register, contact Gale Hoedebeck, (618) 650-3363, or, by e-mail: ghoedeb@siue.edu.
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As development in China increases, China’s influence around the world is growing exponentially. “A partnership with Soochow University would greatly enhance SIUE’s international programs,” explains Giamartino.
Established in 1900, Soochow University has an enrollment of nearly 40,000 students on six campuses. More than 80 colleges and universities around the world actively participate in international exchange relationships with Soochow University.
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Dean Gary A. Giamartino said, “The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award is recognized by our faculty and students as representing outstanding student accomplishments. Molly’s future is bright and we expect her to continue to be a leader in her profession and her community.”
Anderson has received numerous honors throughout her college career including the title of student laureate in the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, an honor only 48 students received in the State of Illinois. She states, “It’s a great feeling to be recognized for your hard work and accomplishments at your university.” In addition, Anderson has been on the Dean’s List, received the American Marketing Association Student Organization Scholarship, the Darrell Lee Davidson Honors Award in Marketing, and the Undergraduate Award in International Marketing. She served as president of the American Marketing Association student organization at SIUE, and was a member of the School’s ELITE Student Organization (Emerging Leaders Influencing Things Everywhere). She currently is an associate for Nies/Artcraft, a Consolidated Graphics Company in St. Louis, Mo.
The Wall Street Journal presented Anderson with a complete student award package including a commemorative award medallion made of sculpted brass and embedded in a Lucite paperweight; a one-year subscription to The Wall Street Journal; a congratulatory letter; and a published listing of Anderson’s name in a full-page announcement in The Wall Street Journal.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 15 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from AACSB. The SIUE School of Business has been AACSB accredited since 1975. This assures that students are receiving the highest quality standards relating to strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students in the education process, and achievement of learning goals in degree programs.
On Tuesday, February 23, a reception was held for exchange students and a visiting professor from Hannover, Germany. The reception, hosted by the SIUE International Business Association, was held in the Dean’s Suite of the SIUE School of Business. On Thursday, February 21, the University community was invited to a presentation entitled "Can you Compete?" Dr. Stephan König from Fachhochschule Hannover in Hannover, Germany, current exchange students visiting SIUE, and recent study abroad participants shared many insights on business education at SIUE School of Business partner institutions.
Visitors from the local business community included Terry Arndt, President of Success Consulting, Tom Borcherding, Senior Vice President, Global Medical Sales at the ROHO Group, Robert Greene, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gannon International, Eric Herrera, Manager of Midwest Language Specialists and Consultant to firms wishing to do business in Latin America George Hibbard, former Director of the Industrial Offset Group at Boeing, Larry Kirschner, Senior Vice President of Foreign Exchange at Wells Fargo, Larry Taylor, consultant to firms wishing to do business in Asia Aziotics, Kyle Woolsey, Contract and Pricing Administration at Boeing. Each speaker brought unique perspectives and experiences to the classes they visited.
The School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an active participant in international exchange programs, sending SIUE faculty and students each year to its exchange partners in France, Germany, Mexico, Hungary, The Netherlands, and China. Please visit the International Program website at http://www.siue.edu/BUSINESS/internationalprograms for more information about International Programs.
The first three days of the trip were used building the new home. Materials and local experts (maestros) awaited the group, who dug into the project. The cinder blocks were quickly organized and the team began mixing the cement and mortar by hand. As the participants formed the walls, some of the Spanish-speaking students took the opportunity to converse with the curiously observing family and local children. The group helped pour the cement floor and assemble a solid roof, replacing a wooden pallet and cardboard structure with one of cinder block for the family to live in.
Midway through the week, the group had the opportunity to visit a manufacturing facility of the type in which one of the family members worked. The trip to the maquiladora of Johnson Controls, an international company that offers interior design services and temperature control devices, among other products and services, included a round table discussion with the Human Resources Director, a tour of the facility, and some Q & A time with the Director of Operations. This was a great opportunity for everyone to gain first-hand experience with seeing the factory conditions, learn about the government’s environmental regulations, and the conditions of the border economy.
After experiences building the home and exploring the border economy, the group took a day trip to downtown Juárez for a taste of the local culture. A local museum provided an exhibit of information and artifacts from the Spanish Revolution, which started in 1936. The downtown also held a cathedral, many shops and street vendors, and outdoor eateries. The air was filled with the sounds of a large band, the smells of the local fare, and bustling energy. The group trekked throughout the town and ended up at an indoor market, where they bartered for gifts and souvenirs. Their final dinner together was at Viva Mexico, a restaurant that provided music, a simulated cockfight, cultural dances, and a very lively and interactive atmosphere.
One student participant, Petra Flores, commented on her experience, “I absolutely gained a great deal of perspective on the trip…I think most of us expected poverty and sadness, to a certain extent, but we didn't really find that. People were happy; they were thankful for what they have, not mournful for what they lack.” When asked if she would recommend the trip to other students, she replied, “I would wholeheartedly recommend a study abroad trip to anyone considering it. You not only learn about the world and its people, you learn about yourself and your abilities. It made me realize not just how lucky I am for what I have, but that I need to use what I have been given to make changes in the world, and I am capable of doing so.” The group recently met at La Fonda restaurant in Edwardsville for a reunion to share new-found perspectives, pictures, new friendships, and to relive the stories of their adventure.
Sarbanes-Oxley was enacted July 30, 2002, as a means to increase the public’s confidence in big business in an era of corporate scandals. It established new and enhanced standards for corporate responsibility and accountability. Sarbanes-Oxley pertains to all public companies in the United States. The compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley is a lengthy process that involves many aspects of the organization. However, Accounting and Information Technology are two areas that work heavily in the compliance process. For these reasons, this Symposium was both groundbreaking and important for both professionals and future professionals.
The day-long event included presentations in the morning regarding Sarbanes-Oxley and its impact on information technology. In the afternoon, participants took part in a FAQ panel and breakout sessions. The blending of information and interaction led to many interesting and important discussions.
Presenters included Ann Ficken, general partner at Edward Jones and an SIUE School of Business alumna, Steven Newstead, partner at RubinBrown, Greg Smith, manager at RubinBrown, Bev Palmer, principle of internal audit at Edward Jones, David West, internal SAP consultant at Monsanto and an SIUE School of Business alumna, and Sheila Burkett of Edward Jones. Participants in the panel and facilitators included Dave Mayo, director of information systems at Edward Jones, Kirk Skiles, IT compliance consultant at Ameren, Rebecca Jordan, analyst at Royster-Clark, Vince Kutzera, information security manager at Smurfit Stone, Brian Ashworth, HR director – IT division at Edward Jones, Mark Ward, Assistant Professor of CMIS at SIUE, and Rich Barron, director of IT at IBM Global Services. The planning committee included representatives from Edward Jones, RubinBrown, Royster-Clark, Monsanto, and SIUE. In addition, IT and Accounting students played a large role in the symposium. Students introduced the speakers and served as recorders and reporters in the sessions. The program gave SIUE students a valuable opportunity to learn about the industry and interact with business leaders in their field.
The symposium was sponsored by Monsanto, Edward Jones, RubinBrown, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Photo - 1 Students, alumni, and visitors will readily identify the SIUE School of Business from the new signage that will be installed over the holiday break this year. A flat, cut-out, aluminum sign will be installed on the wall between the first and second floor of the main stairs in Founders Hall.
Photo - 2 Students will be able to receive the latest business information from this continuous feed DLP front projection television. The 90” diagonal screen will project news broadcasts, stock quotes, weather, and School of Business events. A new student lounge area also will be created by the television screen.
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The event is based around the premise of managing a mock manufacturing company. The training leading up to the competition took place throughout the semester. The team was required to submit a decision set via the Internet each week from February through early April. The culmination included teams making 10 more business decisions during an intense three-day competition in California. Finally, the team was responsible for a strategic business plan, an annual report, and one formal oral presentation to judges sitting as the firm’s Board of Directors. These judges are senior business executives at Cisco Systems, Ernst & Young among other firms.
The participants competed against 27 other business teams from the United States, Canada, Great Britain and the United Arab Emerates to capture the title for Best Business Model. In addition, the SIUE students were awarded the Best Reports designation.
The competition is an important exercise in preparing students for the corporate world by enhancing classroom knowledge with real-world experience. Michlitsch said, “The competition provides an almost life-like opportunity for the students to apply all that they have learned to the many aspects of management of a business. This includes application of discipline-related knowledge as well as interpersonal skills.” He went on to say, “The formal presentation (report on company results for a specific year) to the judges/board of directors was especially good. All team members were prepared. The presentation was based on evidence and reasoning and was informative to the board of directors.”
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The program was developed by an industry steering committee. The instructors include practitioners, industry experts and university faculty who can apply theory to practical problem- solving and decision-making skills. The program focuses on managing risk factors of construction projects in order to maximize profitability and minimize costs. Participants learn key management strategies important to their futures as corporate leaders, including legal issues, human resource issues and financial issues; aligning the organization to identify new business opportunities; and anticipating and responding to future developments, including economic and workforce trends. For information about the program, please contact Mary Sumner at 618-650-2093.
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(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) ¬— The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business accounting students will offer income tax preparation through the VITA program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Students and low-income citizens are eligible to receive assistance from qualified SIUE students under the supervision of instructor James Dixon. Over the past several years, the VITA program has aided hundreds of local taxpayers.
Tax returns will be prepared at the SIUE Accounting Department offices located in Founders Hall, room 2114 at the SIUE campus. Services are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from February 12 through April 9. Times of operation are Monday and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. No service is available the week of March 6 through 13.
In addition, SIUE students will prepare tax returns at the Edwardsville Public Library each Saturday beginning February 12 through April 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Services are not available Saturday, March 12.
Individuals should bring social security cards and driver’s licenses for themselves and all dependents, along with exemptions that are being claimed. They also should bring all supporting documentation such as Forms W-2 and all relevant 1099s. Individuals are encouraged to provide a copy of the previous year's tax return.
VITA student volunteers prepare tax returns for U.S. citizens filing Forms 1040 EZ and 1040A only. Students do not prepare Form 1040, known as the long form. No dual state income tax returns can be prepared. A state return is prepared only if the individual worked and resided in a single state for the entire year. VITA personnel reserve the right to refuse to prepare any return based on their review of the situation.
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(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is holding its first Alumni Reunion that will give special recognition to the 25th anniversary class of 1979. Special reunion events for the School kick off Saturday, October 16 with a timely lecture, An Economist Looks at the 2004 Election, presented by Garett Jones, Ph.D., at 1:30 p.m. in the Korte Classroom located in Founders Hall, room 2407. Alumni can then renew friendships and network with former classmates, faculty, and the Dean of the School of Business at the Reunion Reception that same day at 6:00 p.m. in the Art Gallery at the Morris University Center followed by a dinner at 7:00 p.m. The weekend festivities end with a School of Business Alumni Brunch Sunday, October 17 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Dean’s Suite in Founders Hall, Room 3307. Cost of the dinner is $35 per person; the brunch is $15 per person.
For more information or to make reservations, contact Cheryl Camp at 618.650.3363 or email chcamp@siue.edu.
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The SIUE School of Business is pleased to announce the names of the following finalists for the 2004 Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year Awards.
Illinois Small Category finalists are Freer Auto Body & Accessories and White’s Greenhouse, Inc. both located in Godfrey, Ill., and SUNCON, Inc. in Alton, Ill. Illinois Medium Category finalists are Fischer Lumber Company in East Alton, Ill., and Korte & Luitjohan Contractors in Highland, Ill. The Illinois Large Category finalist is Luhr Bros. Inc. in Columbia, Ill.
Missouri Small Category finalists are Nikco Sports Memorabilia in Chesterfield, Mo., Branneky Hardware in Bridgeton, Mo., and Lackey Sheet Metal in St. Louis, Mo. Medium Category finalists in Missouri are Da-Com Corporation in St. Louis, Mo., Salon De Christe in St. Peters, Mo., and Commercial Letter, Inc. in St. Louis, Mo. The Missouri Large Category finalist is The Western Group in St. Louis, Mo.
The Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year Award is presented to a company with a strong commitment to both business and family. In addition to business success, those recognized demonstrate positive family business values, have multigenerational family business involvement, use innovative business strategies, and make personal contributions to their industries and communities.
Winners in each category will be announced at the 10th Anniversary Dinner held Friday, November 5, 2004, at the SIUE campus. Tickets can be purchased in the amount of $125 per person and will include a reception with the finalists and sponsors, dinner, and awards presentation. Contact Cheryl Camp at 618.650.2317 or email chcamp@siue.edu for more information.
Sponsors supporting this year’s awards program include Colarelli Meyer & Associates, Lexow Financial Group, MassMutual Financial Group, Moto, Inc., Partners Bank, Polsinelli Shalton Welte Suelthaus PC, Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc., St. Louis Business Journal, TheBANK of Edwardsville.
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) -- On April 22, the SIUE chapter of Tau Alpha Chi, a national honorary tax association, held its inaugural installation ceremony for new student members. According to the chapter sponsor, Dave Mason, associate professor, Department of Accounting, this new honorary tax association will provide important benefits to the students at SIUE who have an interest in pursuing a career in taxation. Membership is open to both undergraduate and graduate students in accounting with an interest in taxation.
The inaugural members inducted into Tau Alpha Chi were Jeremy Bearth, Donna Bock, Jill Branch, Kristen Buehrer, Sara Coulter, Jason Finke, Dave Forth, Amanda Heusinkveld, Cindy Holesko, Andrew Kenny, Lacey Langenfeld, Karen Maske, Ken Shepard, Suzanne Sherman, Au Vicharnakorn, Adam Ward, and Cassie White. Officers for 2004-2005 are Cassie White, President; Jason Finke, Vice President; Cindy Holesko, Secretary; and Andy Kenny, Treasurer.
The School of Business at SIUE leads the region in preparing students and business professionals by creating high quality innovative programs to serve Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area.
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Seniors: Lesley Anne Barker of Belleville, Illinois, Brandi Nicole Bunn of Gillespie, Illinois, Leora Christina Clapp of Edwardsville, Illinois, Erin Louise Donnay of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Donna Marie Eilerman of Batchtown, Illionis, Laura Ann Ellner of Prairie Dr Rocher, Illinois, Drew Alan Hesker of Okawville, Illinois, Amanda Louise Heusinkveld of Alton, Illinois, Cynthia M. Holesko of Gillespie, Illinois, Andrew Joseph Kenny of Alton, Illinois, Tina Louise Klostermann of Breese, Illinois, Jamie Mae Kruckeberg of Edwardsville, Illinois, Robert Joseph Leifeld, Jr. of Waterloo, Illinois, Courtney Renee Mowen of Quincy, Illinois, Jarrod Lee Rhodes of Junction City, Illinois, Rachel Magdalene Salanik of Swansea, Illinois, Jacqueline Annette Straube of Highland, Illinois, Jodee Marie Stroud of Belleville, Illinois, Vaniece Vincent of Granite City, Illinois, Garrett Damien Wagner of Chicago, Illinois, Nathan Alvin White of Waterloo, Illinois, Vincent Richard Zehme of Lansing, Illinois.
Graduate Students: Karen Lynn Buescher of Edwardsville, Illinois, William Raymond Eernisse of Granite City, Illinois, Burcu Eke of Istanbul, Turkey, Pelin Guven of Ankara, Turkey, Rayna Michelle Mercer of Belleville, Illinois, Troy James Pingsterhaus of Germantown, Illinois, Brandi Susanne Tuggle of Waterloo, Illinois.
Second Certificates: Jennifer Ann Deem of Summerfield, Illinois, Patricia Ann Nash of Jerseyville, Illinois, Linette Warnecke of Troy, Illinois, Keri Ann Wieduwilt of Highland, Illinois.
The School of Business at SIUE leads the region in preparing students and business professionals by creating high quality innovative programs to serve Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area.
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The awards will be presented on Friday, November 5, 2004, at the Morris University Center at the SIUE Campus. This recognition event supports the goals of the SIUE School of Business to educate future business and community leaders.
Sponsors of the 2004 SIUE School of Business Family Business of the Year Awards include Colarelli Meyer & Associates, Lexow Financial Group, Mass Mutual Financial Group, Moto, Inc., Partners Bank, St. Louis Business Journal, and TheBANK of Edwardsville.
Applications for this year’s awards can be obtained by calling Cheryl Camp at the SIUE School of Business 618-650-3363, or visit www.siue.edu/BUSINESS for more information.
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business leads the region in preparing students and business professionals by creating high quality innovative programs to serve Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area.
The Homer Jones Memorial Lecture honors a man who was pivotal in monetary economics and policy. Homer Jones (1906-1986) was the research director and senior vice president at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, and he was a major contributor to the Bank’s leadership in monetary research and statistics. Jones worked at Rutgers University, the University of Chicago, The Brookings Institute, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. before beginning his appointment at the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis. The memorial lecture series began in 1987, shortly after Jones’s death. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Gateway Chapter of the National Association for Business Economics, St. Louis University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Missouri St. Louis, and Washington University co-sponsor this annual lecture.
For more information about the 2004 Homer Jones Lecture, contact the SIUE School of Business at 618-650-2317 or email jwoodru@siue.edu. The School of Business at SIUE leads the region in preparing students and business professionals by creating high quality innovative programs to serve Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area.
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The idea appealed to Günter, and the process of applying for the prestigious Fulbright grant began in earnest during the spring of 2003. He began by completing the application and developing a detailed research outline along with collateral materials to submit to the Fulbright Program. At SIUE, through Pug, a pledge of support was provided and a place for Günter and his family to stay was arranged. Also, Pug issued an official letter of invitation and made preliminary contacts to facilitate Günter’s research once he arrived. By mid September of 2003, the groundwork was laid and the application submitted.
Their work paid off when it was learned Günter was one of only two people selected in February to receive the honor and recognition of becoming a “Fulbrighter.” Günter arrived at SIUE in March to begin his research, “Member Relationship Management in Trade Associations,” studying a services marketing approach to comparative analysis of trade associations in the United States and Germany. During his four-month stay in the United States, in addition to his research, Gunter will speak with students in a variety of classes including GBA300 – a required, entry-level business and liberal arts class that covers the foundations of business knowledge – International Marketing and Management, Public Administration and Policy Analysis, and German.
Günter earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Westfälische Wihelms – Universität Münster (Germany). He serves as professor of Business Administration Services Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hanover, Germany. He also is the International Coordinator for the School of Business in Hanover, which means he coordinates the student and faculty exchanges for the school.
While at SIUE, Günter and his wife, Monika, will reside in Clayton, Mo., with their three sons Sebastian (10), Felix (9), and Dominik (7). The children attend school in Clayton while Monika keeps up with the family business long distance. When asked how he likes the St. Louis area, Günter replied, “It is not so different from Hanover. We have one and a half million people in the city of Hanover, which is surrounded by farmland and rolling hills much like the area surrounding St. Louis.”
Günter is the epitome of what it means to be a Fulbrighter…”Fostering these – leadership, learning, and empathy between cultures – was and remains the purpose of the international scholarship program…It is a modest program with an immodest aim – the achievement in international affairs of a regime more civilized, rational and humane than the empty system of power of the past…” (Senator J. William Fulbright). Günter is very clear about what he wants to accomplish while at SIUE, and he is striving to meet three objectives: “first and foremost, to conduct my comparison research project; second, to encourage more students and faculty to travel to Germany through the International Exchange Program; and finally, to enhance the relationships between my home university and SIUE through building relationships among the two universities and area businesses.”
Sidebar . . .
The Fulbright Progam is the U.S. government’s flagship program in international education exchange. It was introduced in 1945 by Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. In the aftermath of World War II, Senator Fulbright envisioned a program that would promote “mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world.” The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Fulbright Visiting Scholar Awards are granted to approximately 800 foreign scholars annually. Since the program began, more than 250,000 participants from 140 countries have been able to observe each other’s political, economic, and cultural institutions.
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The answers to these and other challenges faced by leaders in the construction industry are tackled in a new and innovative program created cooperatively by the School of Business and the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Construction Leadership Institute is an executive program designed to help managers in the construction industry develop and enhance their leadership skills, and to provide the knowledge, frameworks, and strategies individuals need to lead in a dynamic business environment. "We in the School of Engineering are very pleased to work with the School of Business and with our construction industry colleagues in developing and presenting this very successful program," stated Paul A. Seaburg, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering.
The first session of the program began January 16, 2004, and ran for 10 weeks on alternating Fridays and Saturdays, ending March 27. Twenty-five participants attended from 23 area construction firms including Sachs Electric, McCarthy Building Companies, Guarantee Electrical, Tarlton Corporation, Johnson Controls, Inc., Rhodey & Son Construction, J.F. Electric, Inc., Fred Weber Inc., Alberici Constructors, TM2 Construction, BRK Electrical Contractors, LLC, C.E. Jarrell Contracting Co., ICON Mechanical, Kozeny-Wagner, Inc., The Korte Company, BSI Constructors, Inc., Mosely Construction, S.M. Wilson & Co., The Kilian Corporation, Clayco Construction, Kwame Constructor LLC, Affton Fabricating & Welding Co., Inc., and The Legacy Building Group.
The Construction Leadership Institute was developed by an industry Steering Committee, and course instructors include practitioners, industry experts, and university faculty. “Working with our partners in the construction industry to help educate its next generation of leaders has been an outstanding opportunity for the School of Business to serve the metropolitan business community,” stated Gary A. Giamartino, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Business.
Instructors apply theory to practical problem-solving and decision-making skills, focusing on managing risk factors of construction projects in order to maximize profitability and to minimize costs. Participants learn key management strategies important to their futures as corporate leaders, including how to align the organization to identify new business opportunities and anticipating and responding to economic and workforce trends. Dean Seaburg stated that, “Comments from the participants indicate they have gained knowledge and skills that will be very useful to them as they advance their careers in construction.”
The Association of General Contractors of St. Louis, the Southern Illinois Builders Association, and the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program were sponsors of this inaugural program at SIUE. For more information about future Construction Leadership Institutes, contact the Office of the Dean, SIUE School of Business at 618-650-3822 or email camanni@siue.edu.
Those not able to attend the open house are invited to call 618-650-3363 or visit www.siue.edu/BUSINESS to learn more about earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business.
The School of Business at SIUE leads the region in preparing students and business professionals by creating high quality innovative programs to serve Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area.
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The Wentz scholarship is awarded each spring to an SIUE MBA student in their last semester of study. The award is sponsored by Charles Alvin Wentz, Jr. of Edwardsville, Ill. Wentz earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1986 and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University. Wentz’s philanthropy extends to other local high school and college scholarships.
Maedge is proud to receive this honor recognizing her work ethic and academic achievement. Maedge said, “By being a student in the MBA program, I have gained the knowledge and tools I will need to have a successful professional career.” She receives a $1,000 stipend and recognition at the University’s annual Honors Convocation.
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The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of St. Louis provided scholarship support to three minority contractors attending the Construction Leadership Institute at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The recipients of the scholarships were Marion Hayes III of BRK Electrical Contractors, LLC; Terry Hampton of TM2 Construction; and Todd Weaver of The Legacy Building Group. Each scholarship covers the cost of tuition to the Construction Leadership Institute. The AGC offered this assistance to promote the growth of underrepresented contractors in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
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“International Business Week” Has Events for Students and the Community
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) ¬— The School of Business and the International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) are proud to present “International Business Week” March 1-6. The week provides an opportunity to bring international education and regional business leaders to the community. Events are sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Excellence in Undergraduate Education fund.
Four international faculty members will be visiting SIUE from its exchange partners in France, Germany, Mexico and China. Albrecht Sonntag is from Angers, France and is a member of the faculty at the École Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d’Angers. He specializes in the political economy of the European Union. Hans Gühlert comes from Fachhochschule Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Germany, and specializes in marketing and marketing research. Sara Isabel García of Toluca, Mexico is on the faculty at the Institute Tecnológico Y De Estudios Superiores De Monterrey. Her expertise is in marketing, with specialties in advertising, sales promotion, marketing planning, and business ethics. Chen Yan is from Xiamen, China, and is Associate Professor in the International Trade Department at Xiamen University.
These experts in international business along with Rick Dreyer, vice president of international sales at T.J. Gundlach Machine Company in Belleville, Illinois, and Stewart Dahlberg, manager of export sales at J.D. Streett & Company, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, will lead a panel discussion Monday, March 1, 2004, in the Maple-Dogwood rooms in the Morris University Center at SIUE. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with the panel discussion beginning at
7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Topics will include international trade and the state of international business.
Admission is free to the general public, but reservations are requested. Please contact Vivien Shao at yshao@siue.edu or (618) 650- 2452 to register and reserve seating.
The international faculty members also will speak to faculty, staff, and students from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Alumni Hall Room 2401 on Tuesday, March 2, 2004. This focus on International Business will take place during the normal “Business Hour” time slot and is sponsored by the SIUE School of Business. This will provide students with a greater knowledge of and appreciation of the global business environment and how social, legal, political, cultural, and economic forces shape business practices in various countries.
The School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an active participant in international exchange programs and sends SIUE faculty and students to its exchange partners each year.
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Tax returns will be prepared at the SIUE Accounting Department offices located in Founders Hall at the SIUE campus, room 2114. Services are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday and begin February 9 through April 5. Times of operation are Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No service is available the week of March 8 through 14.
In addition, SIUE students will prepare tax returns at the Edwardsville Public Library each Saturday beginning February 7 through April 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Services are not available Saturday, March 13.
Individuals should bring social security cards and driver’s licenses for themselves and all dependents, along with exemptions that are being claimed. They also must bring all supporting documentation such as Forms W-2 and 1099. Individuals are encouraged to provide a copy of the previous year's tax return.
VITA student volunteers prepare tax returns for U.S. citizens filing Forms 1040-EZ and 1040-A only. Students do not prepare Form 1040, known as the long form. No dual state income tax returns can be prepared. A state return is prepared only if the individual worked and resided in a single state for the entire year. VITA personnel reserve the right to refuse to prepare any return based on their review of the situation.
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WHO Five family businesses from 11 finalists were selected to receive the 2003 Family Business of the Year awards.
The winners are:
Large
More than 250 employees ----
Four Seasons Group, Lake Ozark
Medium
More than 50 to 250 employees Budnick Converting, Inc., Columbia R. J. Liebe Athletic Lettering Company, Chesterfield
Small
Less than 50 employees Lynn Furniture Company, Sparta Lutesville Motor Company, Marble Hill
WHY The annual event honors the growth and success of outstanding Missouri and Illinois family businesses creating opportunities for these individuals, civic and community leaders to network and celebrate together. This recognition event supports the goals of the SIUE School of Business to educate future business and community leaders.
WHEN Winners were announced Friday, November 7, 2003, at a black tie awards dinner and program at the Starlight Roof at the Chase. Each finalist received an inscribed medallion. In addition, winners received specially crafted crystal trophies depicting family members holding a diamond in up reaching hands.
OTHER Several Missouri and Illinois businesses provided sponsorship support to recognize these family businesses. They include:
Patron Edward Jones
Donors TheBANK of Edwardsville
Colarelli, Meyers & Associates
D&K Healthcare
The Korte Company
MotoMart
Partners Bank
Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab Engineers
SIUE School of Business proudly announces the following winners of the 2003 SIUE School of Business Family Business of the Year Awards:
ILLINOIS MEDIUM COMPANY WINNER
Budnick Converting, Inc.
When Mark and Ann Wegmann purchased a lathe slitter for their company, Budnick Converting, Inc., in 1986, they quickly discovered a niche market for specialty converting of adhesive tape products. The company, that began in 1952 as a distributor of tools and accessories, has grown in that niche market ever since, expanding in locations, technology, and staff to meet the demand. Budnick operates a 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility and employs 115 people. The company plans to open a new 100,000 square foot facility in 2004.
Lance Schneider, Budnick’s e-commerce manager, said he and the Budnick staff were thankful to SIUE and the voting committee for the distinction. “It is truly a great honor,” he said. “The family and employees of Budnick Converting look toward a bright future of growth and innovation in the specialty converting of dhesive-backed materials.”
Contact information: Lance Schneider, 618-281-8090, ext. 182ILLINOIS SMALL COMPANY WINNELynn Furniture Company
In 1914, two brothers from Sparta, Illinois took a risk — they quit their jobs with the railroad and opened a furniture and funeral business. When the brothers divided the businesses into separate operations in 1938, Wyman Lynn became the sole owner of Lynn Furniture Company with his daughter, Lucille, and her husband, Klondis Pirtle. Pirtle ran the business for 40 years. Lucille, 90, sold furniture for 60 years.
Lynn Furniture is Sparta’s oldest family business. Three generations have continued the commitment to service that made Lynn Furniture successful. Today, Pirtle’s son, Klondis T. (Konnie), is president of the company, and his daughter, Carole Anthony, is vice-president.
Carole said it was nice to be recognized as an outstanding family business. “We are customer-oriented and we are proud to be recognized for that. We know our customers could shop at larger stores but they choose us because we provide excellent service. It’s nice to know others think we are doing a good job as well.”
Carole, upon accepting the Family Business Award, dedicated it to her grandfather, who started the business 89 years ago. Contact information: Carole Anthony, 618-443-2129
MISSOURI LARGE COMPANY WINNER
Four Seasons Group
Four Seasons Group at Lake Ozark, Missouri, began when Harold Koplar, son of St. Louis hotelier Sam Koplar, opened The Lodge of the Four Seasons in 1964. In 1989, Susan Brown, Harold’s daughter, became president of The Lodge of the Four Seasons. Together with her husband, Peter, they slowly built the business into a thriving, year-round resort and development company. They are one of the largest employers in the community, supporting more than 600 employees in six businesses.
Peter and Susan Brown accepted the award along with Peter, Jr. They said they were deeply honored to have received this award. “It is a very positive contribution to the local communities that SIUE goes out of their way to put together such a first class recognition program for family owned businesses," Susan said.
Contact information: Nancy Adams, 573-365-8530
MISSOURI MEDIUM COMPANY WINNER
The R. J. Liebe Athletic Lettering Company
No photo available
The R.J. Liebe Athletic Lettering Company was founded in 1923 in the basement of a St. Louis home. Robert Liebe and his wife started out with a pair of Singer sewing machines embroidering letters and sewing them onto jerseys. The Liebe Company now manufactures lettering for nearly all of the Major League Baseball teams as well as professional basketball, hockey and football organizations.
Robert Liebe’s son, Robert Jr., developed and patented the first fusible high-gloss vinyl used for lettering, making the names and numbers on jerseys easier to read on television. Robert III and his brother, Bill, have continued the tradition of quality and innovation. Robert III heads the lettering division that uses lasers and computers to design and cut lettering, and Bill leads the Webster Fabric division that developed poly-pro twill, the sport garment industry’s standard of excellence for years.
Contact information: Rob Knoll, 636-532-1914
MISSOURI SMALL COMPANY WINNER
Lutesville Motor Company
Roy B. Underwood, owner of Lutesville Motor Company of Marble Hill, Missouri, died suddenly in 1957, and the entire family rallied to save the business. Roy’s wife, Margie L. Underwood, went to work at the dealership making her one of the first female Ford dealers in the country. In 1972, Margie turned the dealership over to her children, Rick Underwood and Mary Thomas. The family knows of no other Ford dealership passed from mother to daughter and son.
The dealership employs more than 26 people. Mary’s husband, Dave Thomas, has been general manager for 38 years. Other family members involved with the business include Mitzi Thomas Rhodes who handles advertising and customer relations and Nick Underwood who is the parts and service director.
Lutesville Motor Company has won 25 distinguished service awards since 1996 and is a six-time winner of the president’s award, the highest honor Ford bestows on dealerships.
Contact information: Mary Thomas, 573-238-3381
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The Economic Summit is designed to help solicit ideas on ways to help create jobs and economic growth for every region in the state. The daylong conference focused on approaches to help the Illinois economy move forward.
Participants at the conference represented a host of industries, government entities, non-profit institutions, and civic organizations, covering topics such as technology, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and logistics and transportation.
The conference began with a brief address from Governor Blagojevich, and then broke into sessions.
The entrepreneurship session opened with an introduction from Giamartino.
“Governor Blagojevich knows that small businesses have a big impact on the diversity and strength of the Illinois economy, which is why he is creating entrepreneurship centers around the state to foster the growth and development of small businesses,” Giamartino said. “The Governor’s plan calls for 20 such centers to be up and running by 2005.”
The SIUE School of Business received a $150,000 grant for its Entrepreneurship Center provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in August.
As part of a network of centers throughout the state, the SIUE Entrepreneurship Center will serve as a catalyst for creating an entrepreneurial climate in the region by delivering specialized services to businesses with high-growth potential. The center will enhance SIUE’s business resources already available to the region through the School of Business.
The new Entrepreneurship Center’s will focus on offering assistance to high-growth potential companies. The centers plan involves networking with small business service providers in Illinois.
“Entrepreneurship is a vital key to economic development through job growth and wealth creation in Southern Illinois,” Giamartino said.
“The Illinois Economic Summit has made more of us aware of issues facing entrepreneurship in our state. That awareness will guide the strategy as we develop our centers.”
Panelists at the entrepreneurship session included Ed Williams, chief executive officer of Firefly Energy; David Ahmari, co-founder of EpiWorks, Inc.; and Thomas Allen, owner and manager of American Fiber Comm, LLC.
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The SIUE School of Business received second place in the Mid-Continent East AACSB Innovation in Leadership of Business Education Award 2003. The regional arm of AACSB International sponsors the award to recognize curriculum innovation in university business education. SIUE was cited for its graduate level course, “Ethics and Corporate Responsibilities in the World of Enron, Andersen, and Worldcom: An Innovative Graduate Business Curricular Enhancement.” The course was offered during the Spring 2003 term.
The multifunctional and interdisciplinary course provided an overview of recent corporate misconduct and ethical lapses and discusses their implications for individuals’ personal business ethics, managerial decision making, and areas of corporate accountability.
“It’s not just a matter of teaching our future executives to make wise choices,” said Gary Giamartino, dean of the School of Business. “We need to teach students to better recognize an ethical dilemma. It could be that we’ve taken for granted that people know an ethical dilemma when they see it.”
The course received funding from SIUE’s Excellence in Graduate Education, a program that funds innovative graduate program initiatives.
Professor Madhav Segal organized the course with assistance from Professors James Wilkerson, and Joseph Michlitsch. The full faculty team included Professors Bijoy Bordoloi, Chris Dussold, Ralph Giacobbe, John Gilbert, Thomas King, David Mason, Brad Reed, Jacky So and Susan Yager.
“We intentionally took the multi-disciplinary approach,” Segal said. “It gives us a chance to see the issues from multiple angles and with the benefit of varied backgrounds. It’s not only an issue of what the regulations say, or how to properly develop an economic forecast. It is all those things and more. Most especially, it is a managerial issue.”
The award included recognition at the October 12-14 meeting of the Mid-Continent East Association to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Chicago, and a prize of $1000.
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(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) – Jo Ellen Moore, associate professor of Computer Management and Information Systems at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, was appointed in September to the Editorial Board of MIS Quarterly as an Associate Editor.
Moore’s research focuses on the management of MIS professionals and technology. She has been published in scholarly journals such as the Academy of Management Review, the MIS Quarterly, the Academy of Management Learning and Education, and Communications of the ACM. She has also co-authored chapters in Strategies for Managing IS/IT Personnel.
MIS Quarterly, a peer reviewed scholarly journal, publishes research concerning both the management of information technology and the use of information technology for managerial and organizational purposes. It is considered one of the world’s premier academic journals in information technology.
Moore obtained her Ph.D. in Management with a concentration in MIS from Indiana University. She has extensive experience as a MIS Manager, Project Leader, Systems Programmer, and Applications Programmer and Analyst. She has been on the faculty of the SIUE School of Business since the fall of 1997.
Moore’s new position as Associate Editor involves several responsibilities, including disposition decisions on manuscripts submitted and annual attendance to the International Conference on Information Systems to participate in strategic decisions on the direction of the journal. The term of the appointment will start January 1, 2004, and last a maximum of three years.
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(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich today announced at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville that the state would fund an Entrepreneurship Center through the SIUE School of Business. A $150,000 grant for the project is being provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
As part of a network of centers throughout the state, the SIUE Entrepreneurship Center will serve as a catalyst for creating an entrepreneurial climate in the region by delivering specialized services to businesses with high-growth potential. The center will enhance SIUE’s business resources already available to the region through the School of Business.
The new Entrepreneurship Center will focus on offering assistance to high-growth potential companies. The center’s plan involves networking with small business service providers in Southwestern Illinois.
School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino said the new center will provide a valuable resource. “Through this effort, the School of Business will have an opportunity to deploy its resources and intellectual expertise to enhance entrepreneurship in the region,” Giamartino said.
Giamartino said the center will utilize student teams led by faculty members to provide various services. “These projects might include development of business plans, market research, feasibility studies, and research and development for high-growth, high-market potential ventures.”
Blagojevich said the SIUE center is the third of six that have been officially opened throughout the state, the first at the University of Illinois–Chicago and the U of I at Champaign-Urbana. Other centers are planned at SIU Carbondale, Western Illinois University, and at Rock Valley College.
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Pursuing a bachelor of science in the SIUE School of Business, Peebles is active in the university’s Student Leadership Development Program and Joint Neighborhood Ministry. She also is a recent recipient of SIUE’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship and Humanitarian Award. While at Roosevelt High School in South St. Louis, she was a member of the National Honor Society and named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
“I chose to attend SIUE because I needed to stay somewhat close to my support system in St. Louis,” said Peebles, referring to former teachers and a late relative. “Without their support, I don’t know how I could have made it.”
Peebles is currently in Durban, South Africa, for the summer as part of an overseas study program through SIUE. “Receiving the Messing Scholarship was truly a blessing,” Peebles stated. “The scholarship has helped me pay my student loans and made it possible to attend this study- abroad trip, with a little living money.”
The Messing Scholarship Fund was created to honor commitment to business and education, as well as to encourage underrepresented populations to pursue a degree in higher education. Through the generous contributions of the Messing Charitable Foundation, the SIUE scholarship is granted each year to a business major who ranked in the upper 25 percent of his or her high school graduating class and who has made a contribution through community service or activities in high school.
A qualified full-time student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better, as well as a similar GPA in business courses. The Messing Scholarship provides tuition and fees, books and supplies, and campus room and board for two semesters in a single academic year. This one-year scholarship may be renewed annually for up to 4 years.
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The responsibilities and title of Mary Sumner, Assistant Dean and professor of Computer Management and Information Systems, have been enhanced. She is now the Associate Dean for Executive and Continuing Education, and will lead initiatives of the School of Business to expand non-degree educational services to the business community. She attained a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, New Jersey. She has published numerous texts and research papers on electronic communications systems, the management of end-user computing and electronic commerce.
Sumner also serves as director of the undergraduate program in Computer Management Information Systems (B.S. in CMIS), and coordinator of the MIS Advisory Board.
Associate professor Joseph Michlitsch was appointed Chair of the Department of Management and Marketing. Michlitsch obtained his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Minnesota. His expertise is consulting strategic planning and strategy development, and strategic management implementation.
Michlitsch is the recipient of 2001 SIUE Teaching Excellence Recognition Award and the Outstanding Reviewer Service Award from the Academy of Management, Management Education, and Development Division.
John F. Schrage, associate professor, was appointed Chair of the Department of Computer Management and Information Systems. Schrage received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He has extensive information technology experience in education, business, and government settings. He has worked with the U.S. Government on computer planning, design, programming, fund accounting, personnel management, and budgeting.
Schrage holds several certifications with CSP (Certified Systems Professional). He continues to work on the development of a software portfolio for use in the beginning business environment.
Marketing and Marketing Research professor, Madhav N. Segal was named the new director of the Master of Marketing Research (MMR) program. Segal is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a Ph.D. for Marketing and Marketing Research and a MBA for Marketing. His extensive experience includes expertise in consumer and industrial marketing research and strategic market planning.
Segal has previously served a director of the MMR program from 1985 to 2000. He received the 1997 Paul Simon Teaching Research Laureate award, honoring his success in linking outstanding research with excellence in teaching, and the 2000 Great Teacher Award.
Gertrude P. Pannirselvam, associate professor of Management, was appointed as coordinator for the School of Business GBA 300 program. Pannirselvam received her Ph.D. in Operations Management from Arizona State University. Her research and teaching interests include quality management, operations strategy, process analysis, facilities design, and scheduling. She is especially interested in the measurement of quality and customer satisfaction.
Pannirselvam is involved with several professional organizations, including the Decision Sciences Institute, Production and Operations Management Society, and the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science.