Documentary Filmmaker Devin Smith Visits Wake Forest

Devin Smith, the vice president of operations at Brave New Films, is set to visit the campus on Oct. 28.

Smith, while with Robert Greenwald Production, co-produced the critically acclaimed documentaries, "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism," and "Uncovered: The War on Iraq." While in his current role, he has produced "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" and was also the supervising producer for two documentary television series: "The ACLU Freedom Files" and "The Sierra Club Chronicles."

Smith received his BS in Business from Wake Forest University's Calloway School of Business and Accountancy. He is also a graduate of the American Film Institute (AFI) where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in Motion Picture Producing.

His talk will be held at Carswell 111 (Annenberg) from 5-6:30 pm.

Win-Win: MA Action Learning Projects

In order to be better prepared when entering the workforce when they graduate, Wake Forest University's talented Master of Arts in Management (MA) students need practical experience to prepare for their careers. At the same time, local businesses desire outside consulting services to obtain creative solutions to unmet needs.

Action Learning Projects are the perfect marriage of addressing the students’ needs and the companies’ needs. This ALP Process is a win-win for all involved. Eighteen organizations will host teams of five or six MA students throughout the academic term. The MA students assume the role of business consultants and complete three different field projects. The ALP Sponsors receive quality work and the opportunity to evaluate student performance. Students get “hands-on” experience in data analysis, business process analysis and consulting.

“The MA students are bright, but they need context to apply what they have learned in class,” said MA program director Derrick Boone. “The ALP Process provides that field experience and adds value for the companies as well.”

ISP Sports is among seven returning sponsors. Last year, Wake Forest MA students helped ISP analyze which industries cut back the most in advertising spending. “The information went out to our sales team, and they used it figure out how to best use their time and which clients to target,” said Adam Raak, director of new business administration for ISP Sports. He said ISP also implemented many of the ALP Team’s recommendations to improve and integrate information sharing among its 60 offices.

Primo Water, another returning sponsor, will provide an opportunity for its team of MA students to be involved in historic growth at the company. “We are going to take our company public, and as we do that, the students will experience the process, see what it took to get to this point, and what happens going forward,” said Mike Reeves, Primo’s vice president of corporate development.

Students are eager to contribute to their sponsoring organizations. Natasha Wright (MA ’11) is a member of the  ALP Team working this year with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. "I want to go into healthcare operations. This provides an opportunity to work in the field and help address real-world scenarios,” she said.

Alfred Williams (MA ’11) is part of a student group working with the aerospace company, Triumph Group. “I think this will add a lot by making us more polished and marketable. It gives us more depth and I am looking forward to learning how the business works from the inside,” Williams stated.

Senn Dunn Insurance is one of the new sponsors. Public relations officer Chris Young said, “This is exciting for us. We plan to have our student group do a market analysis of our current products and apply that to business development.”

Legacy Consultant Pharmacy is on board for the first time. Jeff Schneider, pharmacy director, said he hopes to learn from the business students through this experience. “I would like my ALP team to help show us how to operationalize ideas, get them from theory to practice, and then develop a system to measure the success and results.”

John Lovett, director of student professional development for graduate business programs, thanked and congratulated everyone involved with the ALP Process this year. “This is a unique program and could not happen without our ALP Champions,” he said. “In business, it is not only what you know that matters…it is how well you can apply the concepts and influence others to see the benefits of your point-of-view. This is going to be a great year!”

The 2010-11 ALP Sponsors are: Amarr, Arbor Acres, BB&T, Debbie's Staffing, Hatch Early Childhood, Inmar, ISP, Legacy Consultant Pharmacy, Liberty Hardware, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Old Salem Museum & Gardens, Piedmont Federal, Primo Water, Southern Community Bank &Trust, Senn Dunn Insurance, Triumph Group, Vulcan Materials, and The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina.

The Wake Forest MA program is a pre-experience degree program designed specifically for recent liberal arts, science and engineering graduates. The 10-month team-based program develops great students into well-rounded business graduates, enabling them to pursue careers in a broader range of fields.

For more information, or to become a future Action Learning Project sponsor, contact Lovett, john.lovett@mba.wfu.edu or (336) 758-7379 or Lori Sykes, assistant director of corporate relations, Career Management Center, lori.sykes@mba.wfu.edu, or (336) 758-3850.

Investment Exec to Discuss State of the Economy

Wake Forest University will host B. Scott Minerd, the chief investment officer of Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, on Friday, Oct. 1.

Minerd, a frequent on-air contributor to CNBC and a highly respected voice in the asset management industry, will discuss the state of the economy and current trends in the financial industry. He will also field questions from the audience.

His appearance is part of the Demon Deacon Invest – Connect Series: Investing in a Changing Economy. His talk is scheduled from 2-3:30 pm at Pugh Auditorium in the Benson Center. The event is being presented by the Wake Forest University Office of Investments and the Schools of Business Finance Club.

Remembering Brent Rosenberg

Family and friends said goodbye to Brent Rosenberg (’09, MA ’10) during a memorial service earlier this week at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in Baltimore. He was a “Double-Deac” who had just moved to Malibu, Calif. in July to work as an analyst for Wilshire Associates. He died on Sept. 18 following an automobile accident.

After completing his degree in economics, Rosenberg entered the MA in Management program. He was an excellent student and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the highest honor a business student can receive in an undergraduate or master’s program at a school accredited by AACBS International.

There is a Facebook page in his memory where loved ones shared the following words:
“He will be forever missed and never forgotten. Brent lived more in his 23 years than most will do in a lifetime. While his passing is a great loss and things will never be the same, he would have wanted us to share stories, laugh, and remember the good times we shared.”

Contributions in his memory may be sent to Gilman School, 5407 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210. Click here for a link to view a guest book where you may share condolences.

Duke: Wal-Mart Still Has Much to Learn

Believe it or not, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. remains a work in progress, both domestically and abroad.

Mike Duke, who became the company’s CEO early last year, made it clear Tuesday at Wake Forest University that Wal-Mart has much to learn and can only get better, particularly when it comes to global expansion. Though recent growth has largely been an international story, Duke refrained from declaring victory while stressing that achieving full competence abroad is a work in progress.

“We need to be much better at leveraging and learning,” he told a standing room only audience of 120 people, while another 50 watched through videoconferencing equipment. “Many of the best ideas out there don’t come from the United States.”

(Wal-Mart operates in 15 countries, and international markets contribute to 25% of the company’s $400 billion in annual sales. Foreign markets made up 60% of new store square footage in the first quarter.)

While he did not highlight specific business practices, Duke touted the competitiveness of smaller retailers in many foreign markets. “Local competitors around the world tend to be very good,” he said. “They are outstanding because they can relate to the local customer.”

Another key hurdle internationally is distribution, given infrastructure challenges that impede transportation of goods. Emerging markets such as India and sub-Sahara Africa serve as particular examples. “We’re not into building roads and ports, so we’ll have to find ways to get products to customers,” perhaps by more “primitive” means, Duke said.

“We’ll solve those problems market by market,” he added. “There is no standard answer.”

Another big challenge is e-commerce, though Wal-Mart is set to pilot a new ordering system where customers can place orders online and then pick up items from a nearby store within four hours. It greatly benefits the company that it has 8,000 locations across the U.S. to serve as points of distribution.

Duke quickly conceded that more must be done with e-commerce, particularly the company’s website. “We’re not where we want to be today,” he told an audience that filled the lecture hall and two spillover rooms. “We need to be more timely, more personal, and more connected with you.”

Other interesting nuggets from Duke’s presentation:

· Wal-Mart expects total employment to grown 25% over the next five years, to 2.5 million employees. That equals 100,000 new hires per year over that period.

· The company is seeing success mentoring and training managers in foreign markets. In China, for instance, roughly 1 in 5 senior executives, and every store manager, is from the host country.

· More than 200 million customers visit Wal-Mart every week. “Every single one is important and you can’t lose one of them.” Duke visited local Wal-Mart stores while in Winston-Salem, engaging one customer about the lack of a specific brand of green chili peppers. “I assure you by the end of the day we will find a brand we carry that measures up to the one they wanted,” he said.

· Technological evolution is an ongoing concern. “If we can see more than 12 to 24 months out in the area of technology, then we’re doing pretty good,” he said.

· Duke believes the store will succeed at keeping the more affluent customers who started shopping at Wal-Mart due to the recession. “Everyone wants to be considered smarter” in terms of shopping habits, he said. A bigger concern is for Wal-Mart’s “core” customers since lower-income segments have felt the harsher blow of unemployment.

Dean Reinemund to Discuss “Principled Leadership”

This Thursday, Dean Reinemund will share his principles of leadership as part of a talk sponsored by the Graduate Christian Business Fellowship (GCBF). As part of his talk, Dean Reinemund will discuss how his own principles, including his time as the CEO of PepsiCo, have brought him success.

The event will be held at 4 pm in Room 1108 at the Worrell Professional Center.

Hit the Bricks (For Brian Piccolo)

This Thursday, Wake Forest University students, faculty and staff will compete in an eight-hour relay race around Hearn Plaza beginning at 11 am at Hearn Plaza (The Quad). Teams of seven to 15 participants compete to raise both money and awareness for the fight against cancer through the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Participants will walk a final remembrance lap for cancer victims and survivors, and the daylong event will end with a luminary ceremony at  7 pm in front of Wait Chapel. The is an admission cost to participate – but absolutely free to those who wish to observe and cheer. More information is available here.

Hit the Bricks has raised nearly $100,000 since the first race in 2003. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.

Smash: Students’ Perspective

Last weekend, Lydia Armstrong (lower left) and Jessica Talley in the MA program attended a special performance of “Smash” at Wake Forest University. Here is their report on the performance and the special panel discussion that followed.

*****

Friday night we attended the performance of “Smash” at Wake Forest’s MainStage Theatre in the Scales Fine Arts Center. This comedy was written by Jeffrey Hatcher and based on one of George Bernard Shaw’s early novels, “An Unsocial Socialist.” The play takes place at a girl’s school in England during the 1880s and its central theme is the clash between socialism and capitalism, as main character Sidney Trefusis decides to ironically bring about a revolution for socialism through means of personal wealth.

After the performance, we attended a discussion with the playwright and several Wake Forest University faculty  members: Professor of Sociology and International Studies, Ian Taplin, Associate Professor and Director of the Business and Enterprise Management degree program, Pat Dickson, and Chair of the Economics Department, Allin Cottrell. Over coffee and desserts, we listened to the panel tackle some in-depth questions that dealt with the play’s themes and underlying issues of politics, economics and romanticism.

Today, we see socialism through the lens of the 20^th century, but Shaw was viewing English society through the brutal lens of the 1800s. As Cottrell pointed out, given the absolutely horrible conditions in which the British working and lower class lived, it would have been surprising if an intellectual like Shaw weren’t enticed by the promises of socialism. All panel members agreed that there is a kind of nobility and romance to socialist ideals that is absent in capitalism - thus the basis of its appeal to writers. When Shaw was writing, there had been no large-scale violent political uprising since Cromwell. Thus, the peaceful transition to socialism expounded upon by Marx and Engels might have seemed more feasible, despite the absence of a labor movement.

As the discussion turned toward modern politics, the panelists talked about the need for a middle ground between socialism and capitalism. Hatcher suggested that dramatists during the time of this play were largely part of their audience’s world. This is less common today, though artists are still drawn toward the dramatic, rather than the moderate. This plays out in our national media, and the sensationalism of political stories may contribute to polarized views. All in all, it was a very rich discussion of one of Shaw’s lesser-known works.

Elevator Competition Names Co-Chairs

The Elevator Competition is proud to announce that the following students are joining the ranks of the planning committee as co-chairs:

MBA – Class of 2012: Julie Almendral, Daniel Van Der Merwe, Andrew Akers

MA – Class of 2011: Gabby Deathridge

Undergraduate Committee: Gavin Smith, Brett Patterson, Chelsea Dougherty

The 12^th Annual Elevator Competition

March 25^th-26^th, 2011

Denim and the Dean

On Friday, Oct. 8, we invite all students, staff and faculty to participate. Join Dean Steve Reinemund and Board of Visitor member, president and CEO of VF Corp., Eric Wiseman by wearing jeans to school and making a $5 donation to support Lee National Denim Day to help the fight against breast cancer.

Donations can be made online at www.denimday.com using Wake Forest’s school’s ID number 240773. If you would prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Lee National Denim Day and give it to Parul Patel in the Worrell building, room 2106.

Over the next week, you can also post your own Denim Day message on Twitter and Facebook. Encourage Twitter followers and Facebook friends to join you by signing up for Denim Day. You can also let Lee Jeans know what you are doing to celebrate. Share on Twitter and Facebook.com/LeeJeans.

Net proceeds from Lee National Denim Day benefit the Women's Cancer Programs of EIF and the Cancer Support Community – uniting The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club.

(Forgive our attempt at PhotoShop.)

Healthcare Lecture Focuses on Industry Reform

Healthcare in the United States is undergoing monumental changes and the industry needs bright minds to meet the challenges. That was the message to the students and faculty attending the first Wake Forest University Schools of Business Healthcare Lecture Series presentation of the 2010-11 academic year.

The Healthcare Club hosted Larry Hughes, Member-in-Charge of the Healthcare Services Group for Dixon Hughes, the largest CPA firm in the Southern U.S., who spoke about healthcare reform legislation and its implications to labor and supply chain management. Trent Messick, a Dixon Hughes member who specializes in healthcare consulting, joined Hughes in an interactive discussion with students.

Hughes described the current healthcare system, comprising 16% of our nation’s gross domestic product, as “one of the most dysfunctional businesses that you will ever have experience with.” He went on to explain how four different parties are involved in the current healthcare economic model. “The guy buying the service is not the guy writing the check. And the guy providing the infrastructure is not the guy who controls the care. You need to connect these dots to have a successful business model.”

(Keep reading after video.)

Do not expect the thousands of pages of healthcare legislation to connect those dots either, said Hughes. “We are totally shuffling the deck. Here is a very convoluted, complicated system, and we just made it tougher.”

But with the challenges come many career opportunities for business students. Healthcare organizations are looking for people and products to improve value while eliminating errors. “We see opportunity and need galore for people who are smart enough to figure it out. In fact, we have job applications on the table, Hughes proclaimed.

Right now, professionals at Dixon Hughes are spending countless hours going over healthcare legislation to find new ways to assist clients, according to Messick. While he expects much of the original legislation to change, “the key is to be out in front, not in somebody’s dust and we believe that in our firm that we are creating some products that people are not yet thinking about,” he said.

Students considering healthcare careers seized the opportunity to ask tough questions to the guest speakers. Ronald Williamson (MBA ’12) wanted Hughes and Messick to describe their vision for a more effective economic model for healthcare.

Susan Redmond (MBA ’12) inquired about the future management of a “bundled payment” to the various providers who serve a patient. Redmond, a student in the Winston-Salem evening MBA program, spends her days as Associate Director of Inpatient Physical/Occupational Therapy at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. “Healthcare is my passion and purpose in life,” she said. “As a leader already in the field, the more information I can get from various experts will help me be more effective in my job and with leading my group.”

Len Preslar, Executive Director of Health Management Programs at Wake Forest University Schools of Business thanked the guest speakers from Dixon Hughes. He worked closely with the firm during his years as CEO of North Carolina Baptist Hospital. In his closing message he emphasized, “We are going to be transforming healthcare from within. That’s where the opportunities are for young leaders to be innovative in health care.”

Dean Cikens of GE Healthcare is the next guest speaker in the Healthcare Lecture Series. His presentation will take place Thurs., Nov. 4 at 4 pm in the Worrell Professional Center, Room 3209.

Dean Reinemund Appears on CNBC

Wake Forest University Dean of Business Steve Reinemund, former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, appeared on a live CNBC television broadcast on Sept. 20 as part of the network’s coverage of the “Investing in America” town hall event with President Barrack Obama.

Reinemund was among a group of current and former business executives, and the only business educator, to offer commentary following President Obama’s remarks about the state of the U.S. economy, government initiatives and the Administration’s relationship with the business community.

Dean Reinemund said that he believed President Obama showed himself as an approachable leader and related to the town hall audience. However, he expressed disappointment in Obama’s continued emphasis on government regulation v. focusing on growth and giving confidence to the business community to invest in the future.

Here is the clip:

Capitalism and Socialism: Theater and Discussion

The BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism will host a panel discussion on capitalism versus socialism following the 7:30 pm performance of "Smash" on Friday, Sept. 24 in the MainStage Theatre of the Scales Fine Arts Center at Wake Forest University.

The discussion will explore questions raised in the play: How do capitalism and socialism each strive to achieve the common good? What are the core values of each? How can we understand these two competing approaches (especially in our partisan, polarized culture)? In practice, can either capitalism or socialism exist in its pure form? Can we successfully anticipate the unknowns? How can we find our way to “the best” common good?

Join the conversation as “Smash” playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, Schools of Business Professor of Strategy Pat Dickson, Professor of Economics Allin Cottrell, and Professor of Sociology Ian Taplin lead us through this timely and often misunderstood hot-button topic. Read an article on the production here.

Friday, Sept. 24, 2010
Time: 7:30-10:30 pm
Location: MainStage Theatre, Scales
Admission: $12-Adults, $10-Senior Citizen, $5-Students
Description: Jeffrey Hatcher's stage adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's comic novel, "An Unsocial Socialist."

It is a story about a young man with a dreadful moral dilemma. He is a newly-wed and filthy rich, with everything life could possibly offer. So what's his problem? He's a socialist. Naturally he has no choice but to throw it all away and join the working classes. To fulfill his naive and misguided attempt to subvert the British government, he goes to an Edwardian boarding school for young ladies disguised as a handyman. When his divorced wife, turned captitalist returns, the fun begins!

Wake Forest Ranks High For Entrepreneurship

The Wake Forest University Schools of Business once again ranks among the top-25 graduate entrepreneurship programs in the nation by The Princeton Review for Entrepreneur magazine. Wake Forest ranked 23^rd, beating out more than 2,000 programs across the country.

The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur eighth annual survey evaluated Wake Forest on key criteria in the areas of teaching entrepreneurship business fundamentals in the classroom, staffing departments with successful entrepreneurs, excellence in mentorship and providing experiential or entrepreneurial opportunities outside of the classroom, as well as non-traditional distinguishable aspects of the program.

“It is a tribute to our great faculty and students who have a genuine interest in pursuing the opportunities that an entrepreneurial career can bring, and investing their time and energy to help grow our portfolio of world class entrepreneurial activities,” said Stan Mandel, executive professor and director of the Angell Center for Entrepreneurship at Wake Forest.

“We are proud to be ranked again, as it marks the 10^th consecutive year we have been recognized by The Princeton Review,” he added.

“The ranking provides a unique look at top schools that offer the type of training, encouragement and direction that nurtures entrepreneurial skills,” said Amy Cosper, vice president and editor-in-chief at Entrepreneur. “It’s an excellent resource for those interested in academics as a pathway to their goals, and it can help tremendously in the discovery profess to finding the right program.”

The results of the survey, along with the analysis, appear in the October issue of Entrepreneur, available Sept. 21. You can also see the more information at www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges.

Need a Break From Classes and Studying?

SMASH is Jeffrey Hatcher’s stage adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s comic novel "An Unsocial Socialist." It’s a story about a young man with a dreadful moral dilemma. He is newly wedded and filthy rich, with everything life could possibly offer.

So what’s his problem? He’s a socialist. Naturally he has no choice but to throw it all away and join the working classes. To fulfill his naïve and misguided attempt to subvert the British government, he goes to an Edwardian boarding school for young ladies disguised as a handyman. When his divorced wife turned capitalist returns, then the fun begins!

Immediately following the Sept. 24 production, the BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism invites you to join us for a panel discussion as we explore the questions raised in the play: How do capitalism and socialism each strive to achieve the common good? What are the core values of each? How can we understand these two competing approaches (especially in our partisan, polarized culture, with its instant-perpetual news cycle)? In practice can either capitalism or socialism exist in its pure form? Can we successfully anticipate the unknowns? How can we find our way to "the best" common good?

Join the conversation as Hatcher, Schools of Business Strategy Professor Pat Dickson, and Department of Sociology Professor Ian Taplin lead us through this timely and often misunderstood hot-button topic. Coffee and delicious deserts will be served! The production will begin at 7:30 pm at the Scales Fine Arts Center.

SMASH performances are also Sept. 22, 23 and 25 at 7:30 pm and Sept. 26 at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Theatre Box Office at 758-5295.

International Cuisine on the Quad

The scene on campus was quite different Friday night as I rounded the corner and entered the quad at Worrell Professional Center.

The first sign that something was different came from the pronounced aroma of several dozen dishes, each carefully prepared by first-year students in the International Student Association. The event was the annual International Food Festival, which has emerged as a must-attend program for students and faculty from the Wake Forest University Schools of Business.

As I approached closer to the quad, I was amazed to see just how many booths had been set up in a horseshoe pattern around the open area. What was more exciting was the realization the Wake had a highly diverse student population: India, Korea, Egypt, and Trinidad were among the many nations represented at this year’s event. It was interesting to see so many people - faculty, MBA, MA and MSA students - at tables enjoying the food.

The best part of the festival is interacting with the other students as they proudly presented foods they had spent hours preparing earlier in the day. And the variety was wonderful! One could easily construct an international meal, ranging from Korean barbecue and a Peruvian lamb dish to terrific desserts that included plantains from West Africa and carrot halwa from one of the Indian teams. I can honestly say that each dish was delicious, and I greatly respect and appreciate the hard work each chef/cook put into their items.

Another part of the program that fascinated me was how the ISA built its teams. Each group was diverse, so certain students could learn about the other cultures within their programs and in the ISA itself. Learning extended beyond food. Most tables were equipped to talk about their cultures and one team went an extra step by wearing costumes to further the experience.

The entire event lasted less than three hours, though many people hung around the quad to socialize and enjoy the terrific weather. There was plenty of time to make multiple trips around the booths (not much food, if any, remained at the end of the night). I would however like to see the ISA sponsor another “mini” event, perhaps in the spring. I’m sure it is time consuming to put something like this together, but I would selfishly like another opportunity to experience and learn more about the diversity we celebrate at Wake Forest!

“Enormous Jumps” in Economist Business School Rankings

Dear Wake Forest Schools of Business Students,

Great News! The full-time MBA program in Wake Forest University Schools of Business has made significant strides in The Economist ranking of U.S. and international business schools released today.

Among U.S. schools, Wake Forest's ranking has risen from 40^th to 33^rd, a 17.5% shift. The surge upward was even stronger among all globally-ranked U.S. and international schools. Wake Forest moved from the 77^th to the 59^th spot, a 23% shift.

Some key factors influencing this ranking include the placement rate of Wake's MBA graduates, starting salaries and student satisfaction.

• With regard to job offers within three months after graduation relative to peer schools, Wake Forest jumped 22 spots from #72 to #50, globally.
• Pre-to-Post MBA starting salaries shifted 26% over the previous year to #31 globally, up from #42.
• The student satisfaction ratings saw growth in the areas of faculty, culture and classmates, program content/electives, and facilities/other services.

These are enormous jumps for us and very significant as we continue to solidify our MBA program reputation as a top-school globally. We will continue to focus our efforts on the School's Career Management Center, building strong corporate relationships, and investing in student services to provide a world-class education and experience for you.

The results of the survey, along with the analysis, appear in the Sept. 18 issue of The Economist. They can also be found online at (economist.com/whichmba).

Regards,

Steve

Making an Impact

Lydia Armstrong (right) is a new addition to our blogging team, representing the Wake Forest University MA program. She is in the process of evaluating various club activities, and this is her assessment of the Net Impact Club. She promises to keep us up to date about the organizations that she joins!

*****

The Net Impact Club had their first meeting on Wednesday, with a great turn-out of 30 MA and MBA students.

This club is part of a larger network (http://www.netimpact.org/) that works to create a more socially and environmentally stable world. The Wake Forest chapter gets students involved with local sustainability issues and community service opportunities. Second-year MBA student, Andrew Verga, will lead the club this year as president; his goal is to schedule a volunteer event every month.

The club is very open to new ideas of community service projects to add to the 2010-2011 schedule. Some ideas suggested during the first meeting include: a mentoring program for high school students and a network or speech panel of nonprofit professionals in the area. The first event is a “stream clean-up” as part of Winston-Salem’s “Adopt A Stream,” on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 25.

If you would like to get involved but missed the first meeting, it’s not too late: contact Andrew Verga at andrew.verga@mba.wfu.edu so your name can be added to the email list for further information.

Grisham: Seeking Justice in the Judicial Process

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to listen to author and advocate John Grisham participate as part of a panel at Wake Forest University. Grisham, who made his name writing about lawyers and the legal system, has turned his attention in recent years to instances of social injustice, wrongful convictions, and efforts to reform the judicial process.

In a highly engaging hour, Grisham detailed numerous instances where people were wrongfully accused and incarcerated. The Innocence Project, a nonprofit that seeks to exonerate such individuals, has successfully intervened in 450 cases in recent years.

Grisham, however, spent most of his time outlining best practices and suggested reforms that he believes will reduce the number of wrongful convictions in U.S. courts. Rather than focusing all efforts on overturning bad decisions, he hopes his advocacy will ultimately prevent such rulings from taking place. The drive behind his zeal was clear.

“I’m struck by a scenario where we wake up one day with the clear knowledge that we executed the wrong person,” he said, noting that advancements in DNA science will someday make such determinations possible. “What do we do then as a society?”

Such a scenario serves as the underlying plot for his next fictional work, The Confession. His efforts to fight wrongful convictions, however, goes back to his work on The Innocent Man, a nonfictional work detailing the life of an Oklahoma man who spent more than a decade behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.

Many of his proposals would address how investigations are conducted. A key first step would include the creation of a national association of forensic scientists, which would serve as a starting point for replacing “junk science” with consistent standards for criminal investigations.

Grisham pushed for police departments to record entire interrogations – not just the “15 minutes” when a confession is made. “False confessions fascinate me because no one believes they would confess to a crime they didn’t commit,” he said, directly addressing the audience. “After 15 hours in an interrogation, with no help and constant threats, some of you might break and say something to get out of the room.”

Judges also hold tremendous responsibility, charged with keeping false confessions, junk science and other bad practices out of the courtroom. “I get frustrated with the judges,” he admitted. He also supports allowing a suspect to plead guilty to get a life sentence rather than exhaust thousands of dollars pursuing a capital case.

Grisham also handed out criticism for most states, recommending that they come up with legal penalties and compensation policies to address wrongful convictions. He touted North Carolina, which recently made the N.C. Innocence Inquiry Commission a permanent fixture. The state-run agency is devoted to verifying claims of innocence by convicted felons.

Otherwise, it may take an increase in civil lawsuits to bring about change. “Litigation can bring about social good,” Grisham said. “You start letting these cities and counties and states get hit with big lawsuits – that’s how people pay attention.”

Though personally against the death penalty, Grisham made it clear that he is “not a bleeding heart” looking to overturn every case. In fact, he said during a media session that DNA evidence presented to the Innocence Project actually validates convictions for roughly half of those seeking the nonprofit’s help. “I find that incredibly frustrating,” he said.

In the end, Grisham said that the end goal for all parties – from the first investigator at the crime scene to everyone involved in the trial -- should be the pursuit of justice rather than “a brass knuckle fight to win.” He added, “If you get the right person the first time, you are going to reduce crimes and save lives.”

To view video of the panel discussion, visit here.

Working Professionals Graduate!

I can’t wait for my chance to enjoy this experience next year!

*****

The Wake Forest University Schools of Business Winston-Salem Evening MBA program’s Class of 2010 celebrated the end of their two years of hard work at a graduation ceremony on Friday evening. The 40 MBA graduates attended a reception and dinner at Forsyth Country Club, followed by an awards ceremony where they celebrated their accomplishments and recognized their peers and faculty.

“The class of 2010 is a great group of graduates. They’ve worked hard and will represent themselves, their employers and Wake Forest very well,” said Bill Davis, associate dean of the Working Professional Program. “For two years, they have balanced family, work and school to improve their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas, but most of all, they are becoming better managers and leaders as a result of their experience with us.”

Davis and Scott Shafer, senior associate dean for Graduate Business Programs, handed students their diplomas.
The students traveled from as far away as Raleigh, Davidson and Hickory to attend their evening classes at the Schools of Business. They represent companies that include BB&T Corp., RJ Reynolds, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Corp., Lowe’s, and B/E Aerospace.

Brian Patterson, who is currently the practice leader and administrative manager for SHDR Actuarial Services at BB&T, won the Leadership Award, as voted by his classmates. Patterson and four other students - Emilie Collins, Brian Kuebert, Jennifer Pearson and Brian Witz - were honored for academic excellence by graduating in the top 10% of the class.

Two faculty members also received the Outstanding Faculty Recognition Award, given by each MBA class for outstanding contributions to the educational and personal development of students. Derrick Boone, associate professor of marketing, was given the first-year award, and Dan Fogle, executive professor of strategy, received the second-year Faculty Recognition Award.

“It is always an honor and a humbling experience to receive a teaching award, because of the caliber of the teachers at Wake Forest University Schools of Business,” Boone said.

Fogel also commented on what an honor it was to be recognized by the students, and said that he believed the students would be very successful in their careers.

“I believe these students will thrive by being persistent and maintaining connections to those who have shared this educational experience with them,” Fogel said. “They will use their education to craft possibilities and maintain and create connections to attack important problems. So they will do well in various walks of life. It has been a privilege to be a part of their journey.”

The Wake Forest evening MBA program is designed for working professionals, managers, small business owners and entrepreneurs with strong job performance who want to advance into mid- and upper-level management. At least three years of full-time, postgraduate work experience is required as the program builds upon that professional career experience to sharpen students’ general management skills.

Understanding Investment Banking

The “Wake On Wall Street” alumni group and Dave Hanson (’05) are helping pave the road to Wall Street for Wake Forest University business students by sharing sage advice and strategies for securing internships and jobs in investment banking.

A standing room only group of 188 students packed into a classroom in Greene Hall on Aug. 30 to attend his “How to get a job in investment banking” session in conjunction with Wake On Wall Street, the Wake Forest Finance Club and University Career Services. Hanson is an associate at Deutsche Bank in New York City.

“You have to make your own opening,” Hanson told the group of undergraduate and graduate business students. “Sometimes people show you the door. Sometimes you need to open your own door. The door for me opened” when Wake Forest alum, Robert Gefaell (’96) “extended a hand.”

Hanson passionately described the opportunity in investment banking for graduates to gain a world class skill set and to work alongside dynamic, motivated people. He was upfront about 12-18 hour work days, meals at the office, cancelling vacations, and “basically cramming five years of a career into two years.” Hanson cautioned students who may be motivated primarily by compensation. “If you really don’t like finance, any compensation will pale in comparison to what you have to put into this role,” he said. However, he pointed out that investment banking is a meritocracy, and that hard work is recognized, encouraged, and rewarded.

An extremely strong work ethic, quantitative ability, intellectual curiosity, and excellent communication skills are essential for a job in investment banking, according to Hanson. He also said completing a relevant internship is crucial. “Consider them six to eight week interviews. The company interviews you in a real-world setting, and you get to evaluate whether the company is the right fit.”

Students attending the session learned about the structure of investment banks, banking titles, levels, and responsibilities, e-mail etiquette, interview preparation and how to appropriately connect with members of Wake Forest’s vast alumni network. “It is critical that you work with the University and do your own background work to develop a plan for how to prepare yourself for the right career path” emphasized Hanson.

“The presentation provided priceless information that I wish I had when I was a junior, because it offered a candid perspective, so students are not surprised further down the road ,” said Jay Warner (’11), co-president of the Wake Forest Finance Club.

Attendees left with a valuable list of hundreds of New York and Charlotte area alumni contacts working in finance related careers. They also received questions to help prepare for investment banking job interviews, courtesy of alumnus Ashley Larson (’03).

Wake On Wall Street is a network of alumni, parents and friends working to increase the awareness and brand value of Wake Forest University Schools of Business in the world of finance. The leadership team includes: Matt Hultquist (’01), Brian Lenker (’04), Dave Hanson (’05) and Bryant Schlichting (’06). The club recently expanded to Charlotte with the help of Matt Lindberg (‘02), Will Lloyd (‘04), Dan Niccum (‘04), Steve Hale (‘05), Matt Walters ('05), and Angela Damazyn (’07). The group can be found on Facebook and LinkedIn.

John Grisham on Campus

Here are some early pictures from today’s panel discussion on Innocence and Justice.

 

Weekly Events

The International Food Festival (IFF) is one of the most exciting and highly awaited events of the year. Organized by the International Students Association (ISA), this event is open to MBA, MA and MSA students.

This year, the IFF will be held on Friday, Sept. 17, at the Worrell Courtyard, from 5-7:30 pm. Come join your fellow students for a fun-filled evening and experience a wide variety of global cultures and cuisines. Have fun cooking with your team and enjoy delicacies from all over the world. Students, faculty and guests will cast their votes for the best dishes - the top three teams win exciting prizes!

*****

The Graduate Finance Club wanted to invite you to a presentation by Jim Dunn in Room 3209 on Sept. 15 at 4:30 pm. Come and learn from an experienced investment professional about effective strategies for investing, as well as hear his thoughts on the state of the economy and where he sees opportunities for growth in the near future.

Dunn is an excellent resource for students and, even if you are not preparing for a career in the financial industry, this is an outstanding opportunity to better understand the markets and gain tips on securing a great internship/job in this difficult hiring environment.

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The Museum of Anthropology’s annual exhibit, Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), will open Sept. 14 and close Dec. 17 and will feature a traditional Mexican ofrenda: a home altar with sugar skulls, colorful tissue paper cutouts, food and beverage offerings, marigolds, and photos of deceased relatives to honor the dead. The exhibit includes a section focusing on traditional Mexican crafts associated with the celebration. A children’s ofrenda and a photo essay illustrating different aspects of the celebration will also be on display. This exhibit features text in English and Spanish.

*****

And further out… Get ready to Hit the Bricks, the official benefit event for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Drive, on Sept. 30. Teams of 7-15 participants will be competing against one another in a competition designed to raise both money and awareness for the fight against cancer.

The deadline to register for the event is Tuesday, Sept. 28 at noon. All registration is now online.

Rational Choice and Morality

The BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism has lined up David Schmitz, Kendrick Professor of Philosophy, to lecture on "Humanly Rational Choice, and What It Has To Do With Being Moral" on Sept. 14 at 11 am in Kirby Hall.

Schmitz is also a joint professor of Economics and founding director of the Center for Philosophy of Freedom at the University of Arizona. He is a past president of the American Society for Value Inquiry. He serves on the board of BASIS High School in Tucson and collaborates with the Office for Economic Education at the Norton School of Family and Consumer Science at the University of Arizona. The most recent edition of the Philosophical Gourmet ranked Arizona tied for #1 globally (along with Harvard and New York University) in political philosophy. 

He is also the author of Rational Choice and Moral Agency (Princeton), Elements of Justice (Cambridge), Person, Polis, Planet (Oxford), and co-author of Social Welfare and Individual Responsibility (Cambridge) and A Brief History of Liberty (Blackwell). His essays have been reprinted over four dozen times (including Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, German, and Turkish translations) and his research has taken him to six continents and 27 countries.  Eleven of his former doctoral students all occupy faculty positions.

Registration is required and will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Free boxed lunches will be provided to students following the talk.

Get Involved: Club Activities Begin

I greatly enjoyed spending yesterday afternoon at the Wake Forest University Schools of Business Club Expo. In addition to getting a great roster of volunteers for the student blog, it was encouraging to see so many students involved in organizational activities such as the International Students Association, Finance Club and Graduate Christian Business Fellowship. Truly there is an organization or club tailored for every student this year!

It’s not too late to volunteer for the blog. If interested email me at paul.davis@mba.wfu.edu.

I am also going to post a few updates I have received on upcoming kick-off events for several clubs. Let me know if you have a club activity planned … I will do what I can to get the word out!

*****

Wake up and get ready to cheer on the demon deacons at the second tailgate of the year ... sponsored by the Marketing, Consulting and Accounting Clubs: Sat., Sept. 11, 10 am - noon at the BB&T Stadium Parking Lot.

Bojangle’s chicken & biscuits are sure to wake you up! Water, orange juice and soft drinks! Cornhole and other games!

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Wake Graduate Women in Business would like to welcome everyone to another great year! Please join us for the WGWIB Kickoff next Wed., Sept. 15. We will begin with a short meeting at 5 pm in Room 1102 followed by snacks, dessert, and drinks in the Worrell Courtyard from 5:30-6:30. Please feel free to stop by, grab a snack, mix and mingle with your fellow Wake Forest women!

WGWIB is committed to empowering female students through mentorship and social support, as well as helping female students gain the skills and training needed to successfully position themselves in the highly competitive workplace.

*****

Interested in joining the Strategy & Consulting Club, but missed us at the Club Fair? No worries. You can still come and join at our Kickoff Meeting, which will be held Tues., Sept. 14, from 3:30-4:30 pm in Room 1109. Faculty advisor Ram Baliga will give a brief introduction of the strategy and consulting field.

If you are interested in becoming a member, first year leader, or just want to learn more about a career in consulting or strategy, you won’t want to miss this meeting.

The Strategy & Consulting Club assists students in gaining employment within the strategy and consulting arenas by exposing club members to industry leaders, providing networking opportunities with alumni, professionals, and friends of the Schools of Business and increasing awareness of the quality of club members.

Embracing the Virtue or Patience

I recently heard a talk by Dieter Uchtdorf, former pilot and senior vice president of Lufthansa German Airlines and chairman of the Flight Operations Committee of the International Air Transport Association. He spoke about a patience, a value that in today's society is often neglected for immediate complacency. This talk was insightful and moving and I thought it would be appropriate to take a moment to summarize his thoughts and reflect on his words.

Our world consists of instant messaging, fast food, the one-minute button on the microwave, on-demand movies, and Google; an immense, impressive database of immediate answers to thousands of profound and trivial questions. How many of us have been in what we think is the shortest line of the grocery store, only to see the elderly gentleman at the front of the line pull out a checkbook. A checkbook?! At the grocery store? This is supposed to be an instant transaction of my money with your food via the quick sliding of plastic.

In the 1960’s a professor at Stanford University began a longitudinal study examining the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed one piece of candy before them, told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited 15 more minutes, they could have two pieces of candy. Only 30 percent of children could wait. As time went on the professor tracked the children. The children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems. Those that waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, had higher grades and incomes, and had healthier relationships.

Patience is a tolerance of delay; the state of endurance under difficult circumstances. It’s persevering in the face of provocation without acting on annoyance or anger. Patience, a purifying process, deepens happiness, focuses attention and refines our understanding. It requires actively working towards goals without getting discouraged when results are not instantaneous.

Patience is active waiting and enduring, not passive resignation or failing to act because of our fears. It’s staying with something to the end, delaying immediate gratification and doing all that we can even when our desires are delayed. Patience is accepting what we cannot change and facing it with grace, faith and courage.

Without patience it’s difficult for us to learn the lessons that life throws at us; we are not able to mature and we are selfish. With patience we have self-control, waste less time and make better decisions. We acknowledge the present - we start being rather than becoming.

The next time you find yourself pressing the elevator button more than once, step back and reflect on how you are embracing the virtue of patience.

~ Courtesy of the CMC newsletter

Dawn With the Dean is Back!

The third year of Dawn with the Dean is on a record pace with the largest turnout ever of Wake Forest University business students, faculty and staff making the three-mile foot journey around campus. With a temperature of 60 degrees, the weather was perfect to start the season. Runners of all ability levels pounded the pavement.  Seasoned second year graduate students enthusiastically cheered on the first timers.

Dean of Business Steve Reinemund started this tradition because of his belief that exercise leads to both healthier bodies and sharper minds. He told participants, "We hope that through your involvement here, you will build a lifelong habit of physical fitness."

During these runs, students have the opportunity to chat with the Dean about the new school year and current events in the business world. When asked what motivates him to get up early for the Thursday morning event, Andy Rinehart (JD/MBA'13) laughed and joked, "I am a glutton for punishment. Seriously, it’s a great way to help stay in shape."

Rinehart, an Iraq War veteran, is among the most dedicated runners in the group, having attended almost every session last year. Always a good soldier, he helps keep track of fellow runners to ensure nobody gets lost or left behind.

It is not too late to lace up your sneakers and join in the fun!  Dawn with the Dean happens every Thursday morning during the school year. The group gathers on the Wake Forest University campus in the Worrell Professional Center parking lot at 6:20 a.m. and departs at 6:30 a.m. sharp.

Former Ben & Jerry's CEO to Speak at Wake Forest

Bob Holland, a managing partner at Essex Lake Group LLC, will visit the campus in November as part of the Wake Forest University Schools of Business fall speaker series. Holland is also a corporate director at Essex, a profit-enhancement firm with offices in China, India, London, Madrid and New York. His background also includes posts as a general partner with PE firm Cordova, Smart & Williams; CEO of WorkPlace Integrators; and CEO of Ben & Jerry's. Holland joined Ben & Jerry's in 1995 as the Vermont ice cream maker was moving to a more mainstream company from the cult-like firm that existed before. He also serves on the boards of Carver Federal Bank, Lexmark International Inc., Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. and Yum! Brands Inc. Holland will speak on Nov. 11 from 4-5 pm in Room 1312 at Worrell Professional Center. We will provide more details as we learn more about his topic.

Alumni News: Gordon Named Heckmann President

Heckmann Corp. of Palm Desert, Calif., has hired Charles R. Gordon (MBA '84) as president and chief operating officer, effective Oct. 1.

Gordon was most recently president and CEO of Siemens Water Technologies, a global business unit of Siemens AG. He served as executive vice president of the Siemens Water & Wastewater Systems Group from 2005 to 2007 and as executive vice president of the USFilter Water & Wastewater Services and Products Group from 1999 to 2005.

Gordon received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota and his MBA from Wake Forest University. He also serves on the board of Insituform Technologies Inc., where is a member of the audit and corporate governance/nominating committees.

Heckmann builds and manages water-related infrastructure such as pipelines.

International Trips ... Detailed!

While combing around the Wake Forest University Schools of Business online archives, I discovered a pair of blogs discussing recent class trips to India and China. There were some interesting perspectives in both, so I am including links. This should provide good views as you consider your own trips.

Here is the blog for India: http://business.wfu.edu/apps/blog/india10/index.cfm/2010/5

And one for China: http://business.wfu.edu/apps/blog/China10/index.cfm/2010/5

Speaker to Discuss "Income and Wealth Inequality"

Alan Reynolds, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, will lecture on “income and wealth inequality” on Nov. 3 from 4-5:30 pm at Annenbury Forum, Carswell Hall, and Wake Forest University. His topic is a major bone of contention between free-market thinkers and those who would advocate greater government regulation of markets and industries.

Reynolds is a former director of economic research at the Hudson Institute. He served as research director with the National Commission on Tax Reform and Economic Growth, an advisor to the National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education, and as a member of the OMB transition team in 1981. His studies have been published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Joint Economic Committee, the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and St. Louis and the Australian Stock Exchange.

Author of Income and Wealth (Greenwood Press, 2006), Reynolds has written for numerous publications since 1971 including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, National Review, The New Republic, Fortune and The Harvard Business Review. A former columnist with Forbes and Reason, his weekly column is now nationally syndicated.

BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism

The BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism at Wake Forest University welcomes graduate students to the a new semester! Whether returning from vacation, starting a new semester, or coming to campus as a new student, we hope you are looking forward to an exciting and dynamic new year.

Wake Forest’s BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism was founded in 2008 through a generous grant from BB&T, with a goal of broadening the understanding of capitalism and its issues. Exploring issues relevant to business and the functioning of free markets is the focus of our effort within the Schools of Business -- through involvement of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students at Wake Forest, courses that are taught, guest speakers and events, providing timely news about capitalism, and supporting interesting research by our faculty.

Please visit and explore our website, www.capitalism.wfu.edu, to learn more about the Center, connect with current events in markets and politics, and take advantage of the resources and events that are offered.  We will regularly post the week’s upcoming Center-supported events to this newsletter, but please check the calendars in the weeks and months ahead to plan and schedule for the many exciting speakers, panels, forums, and more that we will offer.  We have included several of our September events in this newsletter.

Also please contact us with ideas or ways in which we can help you or your club.  We look forward to working with you on this teaching and learning journey to excellence!

Dr. Page West
Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Director, BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism

Experts to Discuss Healthcare Reform Logistics

Next week, the Wake Forest University Schools of Business will host a Dixon Hughes Healthcare Services Group Lecture. The event will feature Larry Hughes, the member in charge of the firm’s healthcare group, who will discuss healthcare reform.

The program will include an informative lecture, designed to provide an overview of healthcare reform and a discussion on how operations and supply chain consulting is so critical to this reform. The event will start at 3 pm on Thursday, Sept. 9, at Room 3209 at the Worrell Professional Center.

Joining Hughes will be Don McCall, Trent Messick, and David Hall, a Wake Forest alum. We’ll offer refreshments afterwards and time for students to interact personally with the speakers. Although reservations are not required we are asking attendees to sign up via DeaconLink if planning to attend, so we can plan well.

Fresh Faces: Faculty Preview, Part II

Lisa Austin

Adjunct instructor in accounting. Austin (MSA ‘09) was a teaching assistant and part of the faculty search committee as a student at Wake Forest. She earned the Federation of Schools of Accountancy Award for exemplary academic achievement, leadership and motivation and was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies. She has industry experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Elizabeth Baker

Visiting Assistant Professor comes to Wake Forest University Schools of Business from Virginia Military Institute where she was assistant professor of economics and business. She earned a Ph.D. in Business with a Concentration in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has a MBA from the University of Arizona and a B.A. in Physics from UNC-Chapel Hill. Her primary research and teaching interests include Management Information Systems and Entrepreneurship.

Anna Cianci

Assistant Professor of Accounting, graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University, a M.A. in Pastoral Theology at St. Joseph's College, a M.S. in Psychology from Wake Forest University and a Ph.D. in Accounting from Duke University. A CPA, her academic research primarily focuses on judgment and decision making behavior in financial accounting and auditing settings. She is published in numerous journals, including, Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Accounting, Organizations and Society and the Journal of Applied Psychology. Her teaching interests include financial accounting, managerial accounting and auditing.

Christoph Hinkelmann

Visiting Assistant Professor of Finance, graduated from the University of Virginia, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics and went on to complete his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Rochester. Last year, he served as a vice president and portfolio manager for Allianz Global Investors Capital. He has taught Advanced Investment courses to MBA students at Auburn University and has published numerous journal articles focusing on macroeconomic risk and student performance in finance classes.

Melenie Lankau

Associate Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior, received her B.A., MBA, and Ph.D. from the University of Miami, School of Business Administration. She has worked at the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business as an Associate Professor of Management and at Cornell University, as an Assistant Professor of Management. Lankau is the recipient of numerous academic awards and honors, including the Lothar Tresp Outstanding Teacher award from the Terry College of Business. She is widely published in Organizational Behavior and Management journals including The Academy of Management Journal and The Journal of Management.

Charles A. Lankau

Professor of Practice; Business Law, Communication and Negotiation, completed his B.A. in Psychology/Business Management at the University of Miami and received his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. He spent 10 years as a criminal prosecutor and civil trial lawyer before transitioning into academia at Cornell Law School and The University of Georgia, Terry College of Business. He has received nine Teacher of the Year Awards at UGA, and the MBA Teacher of the Year Award in 2007 and 2008. His academic interests are in Business Regulation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Legal Aspects of Insurance, and Tort Reform.

The 2nd Year Begins!

What an amazing, crazy, busy, relaxing, unexpected three and a half months it has been. I find myself back on campus for the start of my second, and final, year of the MBA program at Wake Forest University. I've had a full slate of classes, met some of the first years, and begun the madness that is sure to be the remaining two semesters.

*****

China
In a word, China was absolutely amazing! The trip started with us being deplaned due to the smell of smoke and further delays, meaning our arrival was much later than anticipated. First stop was Beijing and all the sites and attractions it has to offer. Highlights were definitely the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Xi'an and the terra cotta Warriors was next, followed by the World Expo in Shanghai. The trip capped off with a few magical days in Hong Kong. We saw tons of cool sites, met amazing people and learned a ton about doing business in China. If you have the means, I can't recommend it enough.

The Internship
Again, awesome. My number one choice sent me to Chicago for the summer. Anyone who's ever been to Chi-town knows how awesome it is during the summer and I can assure you, it lived up to its hype ten fold! My internship saw me getting lots of exposure to parts of the business I never expected, traveling to many different cities and learning from great people. It reaffirmed why I wanted to work there in the first place and I remain committed to making that work.

The Second Year
So now, the second year has begun. I don't know why, but I had the impression the second year was easier than the first. WRONG! It seems like there is more work, less structure, and much more responsibility. It's one thing to work on three group projects simultaneously when you're in one group for all three; it's quite another to have three separate groups. On top of that, we are now the head dogs in terms of clubs and organizations. No more learning from the older class on what it takes to lead a student club, now it's up to us to keep things moving forward and motivate and include the new first years. It'll be quite a challenge, but one I'm sure we're all up for!

Here's to a great second year!

~ Justin Berthelot is a second year in the full-time MBA program.

Ambassadors Needed for 2010-2011 Year

We want you … to carry on the tradition!

Help recruit the next class of WFU Graduate Business Students. Apply to be a Graduate Business Ambassador.

Ambassadors partner with the Office of Graduate Business Admissions to help with student hosting, contacting admitted and prospective students, and volunteering during admissions events.

Ambassadors are energetic graduate business students (full-time MBA, Working Professional MBA, and MA) who are dedicated to recruiting top students to join the Wake Forest Schools of Business.

Interested? Applications and program expectations will be distributed via email. Stop by the Ambassadors table at the Club Expo on Sept. 9 if you have any questions or want more information. Interviews will be scheduled the week of Sept. 13. Applications are due Friday, Sept. 10, by noon.

* Selected applicants will be invited to serve as a 2010-2011 Ambassador. More detailed information regarding volunteer requirements will be reviewed during the interview process.

Have questions or need an application? Contact MBA Ambassador Director, Brian Price, brian.price@mba.wfu.edu or Staff Advisor, Allison Neal,allison.neal@mba.wfu.edu

Facts About Incoming Graduate Class

Several hundred new graduate students are soaking in the Wake Forest University Schools of Business experience and getting to know fellow classmates and faculty.

Classes started for the School’s Full-time MBA, Winston-Salem and Charlotte Evening Working Professionals MBA, and Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) programs on Aug. 26. The Master of Arts in Management (MA) began in July.

Of the 64 incoming full-time MBA students, 15 are international students from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, India, South Korea, Nigeria, Panama and China.

Seven of the incoming MBA students came directly from the military, including Bridget and Jon Wilson, who met as platoon leaders while deployed in Iraq. Bridget (left) is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Jon is a Vanderbilt graduate. Both served more than five years as engineer officers in the Army.

“The family environment and support systems here are unbeatable. We are both excited to dive immediately into our studies,” Jon Wilson (right) said. “It is enthralling to return to an academic environment and mentally challenge ourselves, hopefully making some good friends along the way.”

The MA program reached record numbers this year with 96 students from 62 different undergraduate institutions. This was also the first year the program enrolled international students, who are citizens of Sierre Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe, China and Vietnam.

The incoming MSA program totals 87 students. The students are from 33 different undergraduate schools, including 35 students who graduated from Wake Forest University. Seven percent are international students.

The 79 incoming Working Professional students in the Winston-Salem and Charlotte MBA programs represent more than 60 companies from across North Carolina, including BB&T, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, PepsiCo., Boeing Co., SPEED Channel, and R.J. Reynolds.

Of the incoming students in all of the programs combined, 37% are female students, and 25% are traditionally underrepresented groups - up from 21% from last year.

WFU Schools of Business MBA Orientation Student Panel from WFU Schools of Business on Vimeo.

Community Plunge 2010 from WFU Schools of Business on Vimeo.