COVID-19 and the Adaptive University
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the way the world functions. Here at Emporia State University, staff, faculty, and students alike have done a tremendous job at making adjustments to norms to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines. After all, when things get tough, you “just keep swimming” like Dora in the movie Nemo. Back in March, Emporia State University made the decision to transition to completely remote learning. Professors were forced to quickly transition their courses to an online format in the span of one week. Many professors opted to use Zoom, Panopto, and Discord to continue class lectures and discussions. As an example, Dr. John Rich used Panopto Video for recording lectures and provided Zoom sessions during the course’s scheduled time to provide students with a virtual discussion and question period. Although campus staff was not forced to become remote, students did not return to campus after they left for spring break.
Under the direction of Dean Ed Bashaw and Associate Dean Marc Fusaro, the Emporia State School of Business made plans for Fall of 2020. Courses were offered in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. Dr. Fusaro explained that in order to keep courses face-to-face, major adjustments had to be made, “We moved the classroom layouts to maximize the capacity subject to CDC’s 6-foot guidance and ADA aisles. We also examined the classroom capacities and enrollment numbers of all our classes. Then we adjusted class capacities, and we switched the room of some classes from the original schedule,” said Dr. Fusaro.
Students and faculty were required to wear masks and social distance, and faculty were required to sanitize the desks after each class. Maintaining the most face-to-face class time for students was a goal for the School of Business. Dr. Fusaro explained that “any class where capacity was less than enrollment was classified as hybrid. In this case, we set the enrollment cap equal to double the room capacity.” This allowed students face-to-face interaction with their faculty at least half the time. Many faculty split the class so that half would meet in class and the other half would meet virtually on one day, and on the next day, the groups would flip. Students, faculty, and staff have adjusted to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 by utilizing many technologies. As an example, the on-campus competition for the Hult Prize successfully did a completely remote competition on November 14, 2020, via Zoom.
For the Fall semester, students returned to campus for classes on August 17, 2020. The last day of on-campus learning was November 20, 2020. The last week of classes and finals were delivered remotely, ending the Fall semester on December 11, 2020. ESU made the tough decision to move commencement virtually on December 11 and 12. This ceremony will recognize Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and Fall 2020 graduates.
Students will return to campus for the Spring semester on January 25, 2021, a week later than normal, and in lieu of the traditional spring break, there will be two, three-day weekends during the semester. To plan for the Spring semester, the students were invited to participate in a survey in October to gauge how their semester was going and to gather information about their favorite method of classroom delivery. Overwhelmingly, the survey showed that face-to-face, followed by online, was their favorite method of classroom delivery. What it also showed us was that hybrid was their least favorite. With this information, we are planning our Spring classes with that in mind. With many moving parts, our goal is to shuffle classes around accordingly to accommodate as many face-to-face classes as possible. And the default to face-to-face is synchronous Zoom, which is a virtual class at the scheduled time, live with the instructor. Campus is hopeful for a normal Fall 2021 semester.
Cecil O’Brate and Walter Beech Inducted Into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame
Cecil O’Brate and the late Walter Beech have been announced as the 2020 Kansas Business Hall of Fame (KBHF) Contemporary and Historical inductees, respectively. In lieu of an induction ceremony, Dr. James Leiker, Chairman of the Board of the KBHF, and Dr. John Rich, KBHF board member, did a virtual induction ceremony at the KBHF earlier this month. Governor Laura Kelly also congratulated Cecil O’Brate on his recent achievement. Governor Kelly’s video was supposed to play at an induction ceremony in Garden City this month, but was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The ceremony marks the 32nd year of inductions into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame, located at Emporia State University in the School of Business’ Cremer Hall. Business leaders selected for the KBHF are widely known for their contributions to Kansas and for being role models to future business leaders. The KBHF recognizes historical contributors and present-day leaders who have made private enterprise work in Kansas and throughout the country.
For more information on the Kansas Business Hall of Fame and to read about all the past inductees, please visit http://www.ksbhf.org. Visit here for a virtual tour of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame.
BGS Inductees
Due to COVID-19, the School of Business moved our recognition ceremony for the newest inductees into Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) virtually. BGS is the business honor society reserved for AACSB accredited schools. Since this designation is only for the top 5% of worldwide business schools, new members are truly the best of the best. For undergraduates, a student must have 45+ hours from ESU and must be in the top 10% of their class. For graduates, students must be at least half completed with their program and in the top 20% of their class. We inducted 16 undergraduate students, 36 graduate students, and one faculty member. All are very deserving!
Becoming a BGS member is truly an honor and recognized by many worldwide business platforms, industries, companies, and more! Visit our Facebook page for more information @ESU.Business.
ESU Annual Hult Prize Competition
The Hult Prize is the world’s largest student entrepreneurial movement for social change and challenges students each year to develop entrepreneurial ventures that can solve world issues. Emporia State was the first college in the Midwest to host an on-campus qualifying competition that sends students to regionals in cities such as Boston, San Francisco, Mexico City, and more. This year, in the fourth year of ESU’s campus competition, they are one of less than 20 schools to host this prestigious opportunity for students in the Midwest. The Hult Prize Challenge this year was “Food for Good” and challenged students to develop entrepreneurial ventures that challenges supply chains, food production, and the relationship between food and culture.
Farhan Sadique, an international MBA student from India, and Carissa McAfee, Graduate Advisor in the BizHornet Center and a graduate student from Winchester, Kansas, served as the co-campus directors. Working with Dean Bashaw, Dr. Carol Lucy, and professors from across the School of Business and campus, they were able to register a record number of teams in this year’s competition. The competition featured students of more than 12 nationalities and more than 15 different majors, the majority being business.
On November 14, 2020, 10 teams competed in a virtual competition. One team qualified to compete in the Hult Prize Regional competitions—whether this competition will be virtual or not remains to be determined based on the situation in February and March. Judges for this round were Dr. Shawna Shane, Joyce French, Dr. Jasmine Linabary, and Dr. Bekah Selby.
The first-place team is called “Pocket Garden.” This team composed of Connor Griffey (MSIT), Erica Self (MBA), Wenli Cui (MBA), and Victoria Mackova (Graphic Design) developed an idea to allow the new generation to play a gardening game on their phones and receive real produce in return.
The teams that did not receive first place are still able to submit their ideas to be considered for regionals by submitting a general application. The teams who choose to do this will be judged along with other teams from all over the world for the chance to advance to a regional competition.
To learn more about Hult Prize, go to http://www.hultprize.org
Senior Computing Class
For almost 25 years, Computing for Seniors, a free course offered for individuals age 60 and over, has been offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Dr. Nona Berghaus, Professor Emeritus, is credited with starting the class. Jeline Harclerode, a retired teacher from Emporia USD253, began facilitating the class four years ago. Class sizes usually range from 30 to 38 students, some of whom have been taking the class for several years. The face-to-face class was offered virtually via Zoom this Spring for the first time and again this Fall due to COVID-19.
The curriculum each semester is based on student requests and needs, and through the years, has moved away from desktop computing to mobile computing. Dr. Ron Pedigo, Professor Emeritus and a current student, states, “The Computing for Seniors class is a great learning experience for the more mature members of the Emporia community. In the class, we look both back and ahead, reviewing material covered in previous classes and learning about new applications and technologies. Our instructor is not only highly knowledgeable but easily able to impart her knowledge as well as being very patient with us. Many of us have taken the course multiple times, and I look forward to attending the class many times to come. We are fortunate that the School of Business continues to support this worthwhile community service.”
Topics this fall included improving security and safety online especially during the pandemic; healthcare resources online (Medicare, medicine interactions, exercise websites, healthy cooking); productivity using the Docs and Sheets; looking at websites that can be beneficial particularly during COVID for ordering groceries online and the USPS Informed Delivery; social media tools; and communication via email texting, and videoconferencing. Elizabeth Voorhees, another student in the class explains that she has “personally benefited in many ways from my knowledge learned in the class—purchase of a Smartphone, iPad, software, etc.”
This free course is currently offered via Zoom. Please contact Linda Orear at lorear@emporia.edu for more information about enrollment.
Beta Alpha Psi Receives High Honors
The Lambda Psi Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) at Emporia State has received international recognition as a Superior Chapter, far exceeding the baseline requirements of BAP and has excelled in the areas of academics, professionalism, and leadership. Thank you to our BAP advisors Drs. George Durler and Juan Chavarria.
A letter from Rita Grant, 2020-2021 President of Beta Alpha Psi, reads:
On behalf of the Beta Alpha Psi Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate Professors Juan Chavarria, M. George Durler, and the Lambda Psi chapter on their outstanding efforts during the 2019–2020 academic year. We are proud to announce that the chapter has received international recognition as a Superior Chapter and an award of $500. The financial support for this award is graciously sponsored by KPMG and the KPMG Foundation.
Recognition as a Superior Chapter is a significant accomplishment. Under the leadership of both Professors Chavarria and Durler, the Lambda Psi Chapter has far exceeded the baseline requirements of Beta Alpha Psi and has excelled in the areas of academics, professionalism, and leadership. As Faculty Advisors for the chapter, Professors Juan Chavarria and M. George Durler have provided an invaluable service to your academic institution. I want to especially congratulate the chapter on its accomplishment during this particularly challenging year.
As we begin the 2020–2021 academic year, my heartfelt congratulations to the Lambda Psi Chapter for its accomplishments and best wishes for continued success.
Dean’s Leadership Class
Each year 20 new students are selected by application for The Dean's Leadership Class. By focusing on the students' abilities and strengths, Dean Bashaw and Leticia Rust create a high-impact learning environment in six sessions over the academic year using Strengths Based Leadership and Kansas Leadership Center principals. This semester was the third cohort of the Dean’s Leadership Class.
In case you missed the Alumni in the Spotlight interviews with our Outstanding Recent Graduate and Distinguished Alumni, you can find them here!
Miranda Manjgaladze – Outstanding Recent Graduate interview
Karen Clegg – Distinguished Alumni interview
Steve Coen – Distinguished Alumni interview
Ron Frierson – Distinguished Alumni interview
Beta Alpha Psi had a special guest at one of their weekly meetings. Alumni Matthew Wallace (BSB 11-Business Administration, BSB 12-Computer Information Systems) from Koch Industries presented on digital transformation. Thanks, Matthew, for sharing your knowledge with us!
Career Announcements:
Congratulations to John Boyle (BSB 92-Finance), Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer at ManTech, who was named as a leader in growth by the Potomac Officers Club – a division of Executive Mosaic.
Carl A. Ricketts (BS 80-Accounting, MBA 81-Business Administration), Lawrence, was appointed to the Board of Directors at Capitol Federal Financial as of August 1, 2020.
Awards:
Cassondra J. (Boston) Richards (BSB 09-Accounting, MBA 11-Accounting, Business Administration), Dallas, Texas, is a 2020 Athletic Hall of Honor Award recipient for her excellence in basketball.
Steve L. Sauder (BSB 68-Business Administration), Emporia, is an honorary 2020 Athletic Hall of Honor Award recipient for his contributions to ESU Athletics which have provided opportunities to countless student-athletes.
Arica N. (Shepard) Ahlvers (BSB 10-Marketing) has received the 2020 Athletic Hall of Honor Award for her excellence in volleyball posthumously.
Retirements:
Lana (Hampton) Richardson (AS 75-Office Services), Emporia, has retired from Hopkins Manufacturing where she was the executive secretary for more than 45 years.
Susan E. (Finch) Westfahl (BSB 78-Business Administration), Olathe, retired on July 1, 2020, ending her position as executive secretary and board clerk at USD 500 Board of Education.
Marilyn A. (Ronnau) Alberg (BS 77-Business), Pratt, retired on Sept. 24, 2020, ending her career as an administrative specialist at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.
Judith K. (Winterscheid) Schade (BSE 74-Business Education), Olpe, retired on July 31, 2020, after 36 years with Lyon County State Bank Emporia.
Announcements
Dr. Steven Lovett’s second novel, A Murder of Crows, has just been published. It’s the second in the series, after A Place With Dragons, and is available through Amazon and many other book retailers. Dr. Lovett is offering autographed copies through his author website www.stevenlovett.com (scroll to the bottom of his website for instructions).
While Dr. Md. Rakibul Hoque, Fulbright Scholar from the University of Dhaka, visited Emporia State, he and Dr. Ed Bashaw co-edited Cross-Border E-Commerce Marketing and Management. They wrote the lead article and are very proud of their work.
Read about our first Dr. John C. Rich Distinguished Accounting Professor, Mary Teal, in the Fall 2020 Alumni Spotlight magazine. Dr. Mary Teal is Chair of the Accounting, Information Systems, and Finance Department.
Thank you to these School of Business faculty members who volunteered to be Faculty Champions this year for ESU Athletics: Drs. Marc Fusaro, Carol Lucy, Jeff Muldoon, Joyce Zhou, and Jun Yu. Go Team!
Dr. Mohammed Sajedur Rahman, Dr. Juan A. Chavarria, Dr. William D. Senn, Dr. Geethalakshmi S. Lakshmikanth, Dr. Douglass Smith, Dr. Javier Flores, and Dr. Md. Rakibul Hoque (Forthcoming, 2021). “Toward Understanding the Technology Trust Calculus in Healthcare: A Generation Z and Millennial View.” Proceedings of the Fifty Fourth Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS-54), Virtual. January 4-9, 2021.
Dr. Md Rakibul Hoque, Dr. Mohammed Sajedur Rahman, Nymatul Jannat Nipa, and Md Rashadul Hasan (2020). “mHealth Interventions in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review.” Health Informatics Journal, 26(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458220937102
Xutong Yang, MBA student, worked with Dr. Joyce Zhou and Dr. Jun Yu on a research project titled “The Attitudes Toward Credit Products Among Young Chinese Consumers.” The paper was just published in the Journal of Applied Business and Economics, Vol. 22, No. 6.
Dr. Daehyun Moon’s paper titled "Continuous Risk Monitoring and Assessment: New Component of Continuous Assurance" has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, Fall 2020 (forthcoming).