Wake Forest Reaches Out to Local Students

Earlier this month, the Wake Forest University Schools of Business and Law welcomed 24 students from Hill Arts Magnet Middle School to the Worrell Professional Center on April 9, 2010 as part of the Achievement Through Partnership Adopt-a-School program. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. had the vision to raise expectations for these students to not only attend college, but to consider graduate educations in business or law.
Christopher Martin, the Guide Right Director of the Winston-Salem Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, organized the event with the help of Dr. Derrick Boone (below), Associate Professor of Marketing, Dr. Timothy Davis, Professor of Law, and Eugene Young, President of Wake Forest University’s Black MBA Association.
The 7th and 8th grade students had the opportunity to attend an MBA or Law class, tour the campus and take part in a question and answer session with graduate students, professors and working professionals.
This field trip to Wake Forest University was one in a series of activities for the Achievement Through Partnership Adopt-a-School program. In March, students took part in a career assessment exercise to match their talents and passions with career fields.

To view a video about the program, go here.

Face Time With the Original Ben & Jerry…?

Hello, everyone. I wanted to provide a update. I have been selected as one of four finalists to ask the founders of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream a question at the NC CEO Forum (www.ncceoforum.com) next month. I am eager to represent Wake Forest (the other finalists are from three other MBA programs).

I can’t do this alone. I need everyone to click here starting Friday to vote for my entry. Vote frequently and vote often. If I win, I will be tweeting at the event (perhaps while on stage) and will share the entire experience via this blog. This requires a massive team effort ... I need your support!

~ Paul Davis

Here is a snippet of the letter I received this morning from the organizers:

Congratulations! You have been chosen to represent Wake Forest University as a finalist in the 2010 N.C. CEO Forum's "CEOs of Tomorrow" contest. As stated in the contest-entry rules, you will be granted admission to the May 18 event to participate in valuable face-time and networking with hundreds of the area's business leaders and CEOs – but the grand prize is still up for grabs.
Starting Friday, April 30 until Monday, May 10, your name and question will be posted to the "CEOs of Tomorrow" section of the N.C. CEO Forum website (www.ncceoforum.com) for public voting. Using your online social and professional networks, it is your job to drive votes in your favor for a chance to ask your question on stage to keynote speakers Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. at the event. Encourage your supporters to vote multiple times throughout the contest.

Wake Forest Honors Graduating Seniors

Wake Forest University Schools of Business students, faculty and staff gathered at Wake Forest’s Bridger Field House on Tues., April 6, to celebrate the pending graduation of the senior class of 2010 and recognize their outstanding achievements.
As the evening’s keynote speaker, James Evans (MSA ’03) shared his life’s journey that led him to Wake Forest University and talked about the key mentors that guided him through his collegiate experience and postgraduate career. After losing both of his parents by the time he was 10 years old, Evans was raised by his older sister and an encouraging church community in Kernersville, NC.
Evans first fell in love with Wake Forest when his family attorney took him to a basketball game, setting him on his eventual path. Evans applied for every conceivable scholarship available hoping to become the first member of his family to receive a college education. He received a scholarship from Wake Forest that allowed him to pursue his dreams and capitalize on the opportunities his community provided. Once at Wake Forest, Evans entered the accountancy program and was mentored by Betsy Hoppe, associate dean of student academic affairs, who would advise him through the rough patches he encountered while pursuing his degree.
During his remarks, Evans spoke about the importance of hard work as well as the responsibility and duty to make good on the opportunities that have been provided. Evans challenged each to recognize the team of people that helped set them up for success. He imparted his belief that there is no such thing as an individual achievement and that each accomplishment is due to the support system offered by a team that includes family, friends, faculty and staff.
“I was honored when the leadership from the Schools of Business asked me to speak,” Evans said. “I hope my words helped the students to see how fortunate they are to have had the opportunity to attend Wake Forest. The University is such a great and supportive place, but it can be difficult to appreciate just how special it truly is without the proper perspective that comes with time. Hopefully my words conveyed just a bit of that to the graduating seniors and in time I hope they grow to love the University as much as I do. It is truly a magnificent place that supports students in a way that other institutions just cannot match.”
Following Evan’s address, Dean Steve Reinemund and Gordon McCray, senior associate dean, recognized nearly 20 graduating students who are members of Beta Gamma Sigma. They also presented individual student academic achievement awards for Schools of Business majors: accounting, business and enterprise management, finance, and mathematical business.
Schools of Business students with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on all college work and who are members of Beta Gamma Sigma are invited to apply for “honors” recognition. A project, paper, or readings and an oral presentation or examination are required. In the past 10 years, fewer than five students have achieved this honor. This year, one student, James Harold Smith will graduate with “honors” in finance.
Andrea Joyce Kensy received the Delmer Paul Hylton Accountancy Award, which pays tribute to Professor Hylton by recognizing the outstanding academic achievement of a graduating accounting major. Kensey was also a member of the Wake Forest Schools of Business team who represented the U.S. and became the World Champions when they won the KPMG Global case competition in Athens last month.
Christopher Michael Langley received the Wall Street Journal Award, which is given annually for outstanding achievement by a graduating finance major in the Schools of Business. Ellen Margaret Abbott received the Lura Baker Paden Award, which honors outstanding academic achievement by a graduating business major.
Daniel Lewis Ruehr received the Award for Academic Excellence in Mathematical Business, which honors the outstanding academic performance of a graduating mathematical business major in the Schools of Business.
Susan Michelle Manship received the Spirit of Wayne Calloway Award, which honors an individual who exemplifies the best that the School has to offer the business world and society. The recipient is an individual whose actions and attitude convey high personal and professional integrity; whose effort level is indicative of a strong sense of personal responsibility; whose goals reflect a commitment to personal and professional growth; and whose achievements demonstrate uncommon dedication and talent -- an individual who is admired by, and inspiring to, others.
Dean Reinemund closed the evening congratulating the award recipients and all future graduates in the class of 2010, noting the pride that comes with introducing this graduating class to the professional world.

~ Republished from the Wake Forest University Schools of Business website.

Lessons in Leadership

“It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s where you can go,” said Sandra Miller Jones, founding chair of Segmented Marketing Services, Inc. The Winston-Salem native spoke this evening to several female Wake Forest University MBA faculty, staff, students and representatives from companies across the country; this was the kickoff event for the inaugural WFU MBA Women’s Weekend.

She left Winston-Salem to attend Howard University in Washington, DC, where she achieved her degree in Sociology. At the time, she was not entirely certain where the future would lead her – though she was learning valuable life lessons. In her last year of college, she worked for the National Housing Authority. She and a group of colleagues had completed a study and decided to take their thoughts to Capitol Hill for a proposal to Congress; they were shot down. Jones quickly learned that it wasn’t entirely about how much she studied or how many activities that she was involved in, but also very much about who she knew. The moral of her story: never underestimate the importance of building and maintaining business relationships – they are essential to one’s career and can aid one in truly making an impact in their chosen field.

Next Jones set her sights on an MBA from North Western University located in Chicago. She worked very hard, citing the fact that she knew that scholarship money was available from 1^st National Bank in Chicago and so she went and asked how to attain the funding, and received the scholarship. “Sometimes it is just being there and asking for what you need,” she said.

Afterwards, she went on to work for Quaker Oats where initially she was one of three women within the marketing department. “Now over half of managers in marketing are female, why is that?” Jones questioned the intently listening audience. As she went on to explain the increasingly important role that women play within the business world, Jones brought up a conversation that she had recently with the Susan Ivey, the chairman and CEO of Reynolds American. “It’s not so much gender challenges, as it is balancing work and life,” Jones said, citing Ivey. Women still face the challenges of not only being a leader within the work place, but also the challenges of being moms, wives, etc. “It is not about what you have, but asking yourself ‘what am I willing to give up?’” she said.

As a leader within the Quaker Oats company, she led several initiatives to market products, such as Instant Grits, to those in the Southeast and to African-Americans. By getting out into the communities and giving out gift bags and products samples, Jones was able to use her personal experiences and values to create profitable opportunities for her company. “Bring your personal understanding and empathy to your brand,” she said.

As she went on to close, Jones encouraged the women around her to make decisions “for your life” and “set priorities for yourself” without the focus being on how others will perceive you. At the end of the day, it is about fostering and maintaining the relationships within our lives and each day, remembering that all you can do – is the best you can do.

-Molly Nunn

Wake Forest to Hire Diversity Advocate

Diversity efforts continue at the Wake Forest University Schools of Business.

Dean Steve Reinemund on Friday announced that the Wake Forest University Schools of Business is conducting a search for a new diversity and inclusion advocate, creating a position that is in line with other efforts to build a more inclusive faculty and student body.

At a meeting last week with evening MBA students, Reinemund said the school was close to hiring two Hispanic women for tenure-track posts (historic firsts for the schools of business) and was in negotiations to add a second African-American to the faculty.

The school is also looking to hire a new director of student services, who would handle admissions, career services and student affairs. Those roles have been held by Charles Iacovou (right), who will take on a greater role assisting the dean in faculty related matters.

Here is the complete letter that Dean Reinemund sent to the student body this afternoon:

 

Dear Schools of Business Students:

We have made great strides over the past two years as a result of the tremendous commitment of our faculty and staff. In particular, Michelle Roehm’s commitment to our faculty has been outstanding. In her short tenure she has led remarkable improvements toward the excellence we all seek in teaching, research, and service. This commitment has come with an enormous personal sacrifice to her family and has taken her away from teaching and research. In a decision that I announce with regret but with complete support, Michelle has decided to step down from the team and return to her position as a full-time professor. It has been my great honor to have worked with Michelle and I know you will join me in thanking her for her exceptional service and wish her well as she transitions out of this position. As much as I will miss her important contributions to the team, I am confident she will continue to lead in creative, compassionate and critical ways. 

Michelle will continue serving as the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty until December and then Charles Iacovou will step in to this role. Michelle and Charles are committed to a smooth transition over the next seven months. 

With Michelle’s departure, we are rethinking the structure of the senior leadership team in order to continue our drive for excellence. We will be dividing the role that Charles has played into two positions: one will concentrate on the full-time MBA, Working Professionals MBA, MSA and MA programs; and the other will oversee the student services area consisting of Admissions, Career Services and Student Affairs.

We will also be building our team with a diversity advocate who will drive all our diversity and inclusion efforts.

I am pleased to announce the following senior leadership team and the undergraduate and graduate program directors:

Senior Leadership Team:

· Faculty: Charles Iacovou, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty

· Graduate Programs: Scott Shafer, Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Business Programs

· Undergraduate Programs: Gordon McCray, Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Business and Auxiliary Programs

· Diversity & Inclusion: search in progress

· Alumni: Gordon Soenksen, Associate Dean of Advancement

· Staff and Financial Accountability: David Patterson, Assistant Dean of Administration

· Student services (Admissions, Career Services, Student Affairs): search in progress

The undergraduate program directors will continue to be:

· Accounting – Yvonne Hinson

· Business & Enterprise Management – Pat Dickson

· Finance – Bill Marcum

· Math Business – Umit Akinc

There are some changes to the graduate program directors. The graduate program director team will consist of:

· MSA Program – Yvonne Hinson, Director of Accountancy

· Working Professional MBA Programs (Charlotte and Winston-Salem) – Bill Davis, Associate Dean of WPP

· Full-time MBA Program – Sherry Moss, Director of Full time MBA Program

· MA Program – Derrick Boone, Director of MA Program

Changes will be effective upon graduation this spring with the exception of those related to the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty. Michelle will transition out of the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty in December and Charles will come in then.

I want to acknowledge the enthusiasm and devotion of our team members who have served or will serve as the senior leadership team or program directors. Their support in these vital roles is critical to our success in reaching our objectives. Thank you again to Michelle Roehm for your past leadership, to Gordon McCray, Gordon Soenksen, David Patterson, Yvonne Hinson, Pat Dickson, Bill Marcum, Umit Akinc, Bill Davis and Sherry Moss for your ongoing leadership, and to Charles Iacovou, Scott Shafer and Derrick Boone for stepping into your new roles.

We are committed to continuing to evolve our programs, to better serving our students and alumni, and to providing new opportunities for our faculty and staff for their personal and professional development. I hope that you are excited at the possibilities that these enhancements will bring and hope you will join me in congratulating our colleagues on their new responsibilities and thanking those who have served in these roles over the past couple years for their remarkable contributions. 

Regards,

Steve

All in the Family

Family businesses are the backbone of the economy and the North Carolina Family Business Center is set to  honor the efforts of four businesses. This year’s awards event will be held at the Discovery Place Museum in Charlotte on May 6 from 6:30-9 pm.

Here are the 2009-2010 winners:

Small Category:                         Griffith Real Estate Services, Charlotte
Medium Category:                     Partners in Care, Charlotte
Large Category:                        Pate Dawson Co., Goldsboro
Century Award:                         Birch Brothers Southern Inc., Waxhaw

Congratulations!

Summer is Nearing … and We’re Still Blogging!

May is nearing, and for many students at the Wake Forest University Schools of Business that will mean a break from classes, except for the year-round evening program. Many of our bloggers will be participating in internships or taking international trips, and we will be sure to keep you up to date. I, along with several bloggers, will be in summer sessions, so there will be more going on even as the temperatures in North Carolina surpass 90 degrees.

*****

I want to take a minute to thank all of our inaugural bloggers for buying into a great concept: sharing their experiences to give others a window into the student life at Wake Forest. In particular I want to recognize two MA students who are wrapping up their time at Wake: Lauren Collins and Jen Ratliff. We can only hope they will keep us informed as to their future plans, and we wish them success in everything they do! Congratulations on your accomplishments!

We are also including a release that Wake Forest issued earlier this week, discussing our recognition in TopMBA.com and a wrap up of the many events covered by our team over the past three months.

Wake Forest's “Firsthand Experiences” blog recognized by TopMBA.com

April 20, 2010

The student blog for the Wake Forest University Schools of Business was recently recognized as a must follow website for perspective MBA candidates.
TopMBA.com promoted the Twitter account for “Firsthand Experiences” as a vital destination for those considering business school, calling it “a highly entertaining feed that gives great info” about the program. The account serves as a companion site for the student-run blog, located at www.wakeforestmba.blogspot.com.
The honor caps a busy stretch for the blogging team. In recent months, team members have played a critical role providing social media coverage for the 20th Annual Marketing Summit (www.marketingsummitlive.com) and for the 11th Annual Elevator Competition (www.elevatorcompetitionlive.com). The websites drew more than 50,000 visitors as the events took place.
Since August, the 12-member Firsthand Experiences team has provided an inside view of the courses, programs and clubs within the Wake Forest University Schools of Business, using the blog, Twitter and Facebook. The goal has been to give candidates and prospective students a window into student life.
Paul Davis, who leads the blogging team, said that he first envisioned the initiative as a way to unite the student body and provide an informational resource to prospects. “We are here to help people find out more about the Wake Forest Schools of Business, helping them understand what sets us apart from other programs,” said Davis.
“The best thing about the blog is that it addresses the entire student experience,” Davis added. “One day there might be insights from one of our many guest lecturers, and the next day you could see one of our bloggers discussing community service or an impromptu social event.”
Firsthand Experiences shares perspectives from across Wake Forest’s business school programs, giving readers a complete picture of graduate school. Full- and Part-time MBA students blog, along with candidates within the Master of Arts in Management program. Plans are in place to add contributors from the school’s Charlotte MBA programs and to include Master of Science in Accountancy experiences.
Other members of the Firsthand Experiences blogging team include Justin Berthelot (MBA ’11), Lauren Collins (MA ’10), Rahul Goyal (MBA ’11), Ahkesha Murray (MBA ’11), Molly Nunn (MBA ’11), Jen Ratliff (MA ’10), and Bobbie Shrivastav (MBA ’11).