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Welcome from John Rich
Greetings from the School of Business at Emporia State. The fall semester was a busy one with a variety of events and experiences for our school. Our community relations have grown stronger as we continue to work together on joint initiatives, bring companies to campus to meet with students, and enhance marketing efforts to increase our recent recruiting and retention rates. Cremer Hall continues to go through its own transformation as we update classroom technology and broaden access to valuable resources like study rooms and communal areas. Beyond our internal activities, our alumni and faculty continue to represent us strongly in the worlds of business and academia. We are so proud of our students, faculty, and alumni and look forward to hearing more about their continued success. Go Hornets!
John C. Rich, Ph.D. and CPA
Interim Dean and Professor of Accounting
jrich@emporia.edu
School of Business News
Guest Speakers Bring Learning Experiences to Students
On October 8th, students and faculty at Emporia State had the opportunity to hear from two giants in their industries.
Kristin Oliver, Wal-Mart U.S.'s executive vice-president of people, spoke about the importance of leaving an impact in the world and fostering talent. She encouraged students to focus their efforts on service to their communities and companies over single-mindedly chasing distinction.
Bo Burlingham, editor-at-large for INC. and noted business author, spoke in the evening about his book "Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big" and how some businesses prioritize great products and customer service over simple profits. Burlingham was the second speaker in a three-part series held by the Koch Center for Leadership and Ethics. The series, aimed at students, focused on how ethical leadership leads to better business planning and decision-making.
For the complete story, click here.
Marketing Students Experiment with Drone Technology
In October, Dr. Joyce Zhou had the opportunity to take her Integrated Marketing Communications class out in front of Cremer Hall for a unique demonstration. Joseph Kern, instructional designer at Emporia State, and Matt Seimears, department chair and associate professor for Elementary Education/Early Childhood/Special Education, demonstrated the use of a relatively new technology to the marketing field: drones. Anastasia Rausch, senior marketing major, explained, “Drones and other innovative technologies will make it easier to capture the attention of our audience. With how numb they’ve grown to advertising, we need more creativity.” Students discussed the unique benefits and challenges facing companies that choose to utilize these new technologies.
Brent Wilson, senior management major, was impressed by the way Emporia State University is continuously taking advantage of new technologies saying, “Emporia State used to have a plane fly over campus and film the university, but now drones can do it for a lot better price. Drones can be exciting toys, but more importantly, they can be great tools for business projects.” Class demonstrations are an excellent opportunity to take students out of the classroom and expose them to real-life scenarios. Rausch expanded on this saying, “We can hear what’s available all the time, but actually experiencing it leaves so much more of an impact and boosts our creativity. It made me realize how open and creative the business world is and makes me excited to dive in after I graduate.”
KSCPA Member Value Day
This October, Emporia State accounting students joined a statewide event for students and professionals this year at the Kansas Society of CPAs Member Value Day. The Member Value Day allows KSCPA members and students to network in a non-recruiting setting, while sharing their excitement and passion for the field.
This year the KSCPA Member Value Day hosted a record number of accounting students from around the state, prompting a special Student-CPA Connect event with the organization’s “20 up to 40” Leadership Program participants. Kayla Lansing, senior accounting student, was deeply impressed by the event saying, “My biggest takeaway from the day was that the accounting profession is actually growing younger. I found it great to see that there are so many other students aspiring to be CPAs, and it makes me even more hopeful for the future.”
ESB Financial Tour
Accounting and Marketing Club students joined together on November 12th for a tour of ESB Financial. Seth Kattan, junior information systems major, shared his experience saying, “We had the opportunity to visit the bank’s different departments and learn about their products and services, as well as how they have evolved since 1901.” Community business tours are a big facet of the Marketing Club. By allowing students to see the inner workings of companies they interact with, club members get a better grasp on what it means to be in business today.
Beta Gamma Sigma Initiation and School of Business Scholarship Reception
The School of Business had the opportunity to recognize its donors, scholarship recipients, and Beta Gamma Sigma initiates at a reception on November 16th.
Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) is the highest international business school honor society available only to those at AACSB accredited institutions. This year, BGS inducted 12 members into their chapter, including former Interim President Dr. Jackie Vietti and chapter honoree, Gary Allerheiligen (pictured below).
Over 200 School of Business scholarship recipients were invited to attend this event, illustrating the extensive network of community, alumni, and faculty donors that join to make student education possible. Students receiving the Distinguished Business Scholarship, the Preston Scholarship, and the Reeble Scholarship were specially recognized on stage for their accomplishments. Mr. Gary Allerheiligen (BSB ’70) served as the keynote speaker for the afternoon, touching on his 40 years of experience in public accounting and the importance of standing out as an ethical leader. He was joined by his wife, Patricia.
High School Business Career Day
On November 18th, approximately 600 high school students from 45 schools around the state of Kansas came to Emporia State University to participate in the annual School of Business High School Career Day. At Career Day, students learn about the School of Business from current students, hear about the possibilities of careers in business from individuals in the industry, and participate in team building challenges. This day offers a great opportunity to expose students to fields of study and potential careers they might be interested in pursuing.
To view the Emporia Gazette’s coverage of the event, click here.
Accounting Etiquette Dinner
This fall, Dr. John Rich held an etiquette dinner for his Professional Development and Leadership for Accounting Majors class. The dinner was sponsored by Tim Wright (BSB '86), School of Business alumnus, and was held in both Emporia and in Overland Park. Emporia High's Future Business Leaders of America and their sponsor Jana Marstall were special guests for the Emporia event, while Linda Sinnett (BSB '79 and MBA '14) CFO at Design Resources, Inc., was the keynote speaker at Overland Park.
Business etiquette is an important skill for young business graduates but may be difficult for a student to acquire on their own. During each event, June Coleman, director of Career Services, provided students with tips and techniques that would be useful in a business type setting.
Student Organization Works with Local Business to Better Community
 On December 1st, members of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), the honorary accounting organization on campus, joined with the Wright CPA Group PA to host a Fraud Alert Workshop for religious and non-profit organizations within the Emporia community. Tim Wright, 1986 alumnus and president of the Wright CPA Group, expressed the need for fraud education saying, “This Spring we became aware of another embezzlement in a local non-profit, one who had the same thing happen years before. Most of us are aware of other non-profit thefts in our local community over the years. Our firm wants to leverage our accounting skills and expertise to serve churches and non-profits by helping them to understand ways that fraud can occur and develop better procedures to protect themselves.”
This workshop provided an excellent opportunity for the community and university to join forces to combat a prevalent problem. Kristina Johnson, senior accounting major, said, “Churches and not-for-profits are a common and likely target for fraudsters. Often, these types of organizations are uneducated about how to protect themselves from fraud and even how to detect fraud.” Beta Alpha Psi managed much of the advertising and publicity for the event, while Mr. Wright was the primary presenter. Casey Teichmann, senior accounting major, shared her optimism for a continued partnership saying, “My group will be able to connect the community and Emporia State University to achieve a common goal. Hopefully, the connection will continue in the future.”
For the complete story, click here.
U.S. News & World Report Ranking
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Emporia State University’s online graduate programs among the best in Kansas for 2016. ESU received the No. 3 rank among Kansas universities for online MBA programs. Nationwide, the Report ranked 228 schools and found ESU to be No. 110 for MBA programs. Online programs offer a flexible balance for students that may be living outside of Emporia or balancing a career and family. The School of Business offers an online master’s degree in both accountancy and in business administration.
To read the complete story, click here.
New Graduate Referral Program
Community participation in helping promote our Graduate Business Programs is the most powerful marketing tool we have. Referrals from current students, alumni, and business professionals produce highly qualified applicants. If you know someone who might be interested in one of our business programs, please refer them by completing the online form. If your referral results in a full enrollment into one of our graduate business programs (MBA or MAcc), you will receive a $50 Visa gift card as a thank you.
To refer a potential graduate student, click here.
Year in Review
Be sure to take a look at our latest publication, the 2014-2015 Year in Review! Look at the clickable link on the bottom of our School of Business homepage.
Student News
Will Carey
 Will Carey, senior accounting major, has been working with Dynamic Discs since the end of last school year and plans to continue with them until his graduation in May. His primary responsibilities include billing tournament entrants, allocating shipping costs, and coordinating efforts with their Dallas location. When speaking to students seeking internships, Carey says, “Stay as involved as possible in student organizations and hold a leadership position. When asked about these organizations in an interview, students know exactly what their strengths and weaknesses are and are able to point to areas of growth.” Carey attributes much of his success to his active role in Beta Alpha Psi, Ambassadors, and his fraternity, Alpha Kappa Lambda. He acknowledges that developing the skills necessary for his internship weren’t always easy, saying, “It didn’t happen overnight but was a process, including tough and happy times. I’ve pressed on through it all and am becoming a better leader for tomorrow.”
Ashley King
 Ashley King is a senior studying marketing at ESU. She interns for Dirty Kanza Promotions and has since the beginning of the fall semester. She focuses on social media marketing and event promotion for the organization. King says, “My entire experience has been great. My favorite part is being able to use what I learn in classes in the workplace and stretch my abilities for each new project.” When looking for internships she encourages students to, “Think about which position will be the biggest benefit experience-wise. I feel that the experience I’ve gained this year will give me an advantage in my post-graduation career."
Faculty News
SAAC Faculty Mentor Award - Dr. Kamal Lamsal
Dr. Kamal Lamsal, assistant professor, received the Student Athletic Advisory Committee Faculty Mentor Award for the fall 2015 semester. Dr. Lamsal joined the School of Business faculty in the fall of 2014. Brent Wilson, senior management major and ESU Hornets’ quarterback, took Professor Lamsal’s Operations Management course last year. Wilson spoke highly of him saying, “He was a tremendous teacher who really showed interest in his students. He always asked me questions about football and my career goals.”
Lamsal was inspired to mentorship through his own experiences in school saying, “I went to graduate school because many years ago a young professor took interest in me and invited me to work with him for the summer. I want to make the same impact on a student someday. That’s what keeps me going.” Of course, student and faculty relationships are not merely a one way street. “I love the uninhibited creativity undergraduates bring to research,” shares Dr. Lamsal. Students and student athletes alike have a great need for faculty mentorship, and the example set by Dr. Lamsal proves to be a wonderful model of the two-way communication that contributes to the excellence of Emporia State University.
Faculty Publications and Awards
Dr. Antionina Bauman:
Bauman, A. (2015). The Use of the Repertory Grid Technique in Online Trust Research. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 18(3), 362-382.
Dr. Mohammad Chowdhury and Dr. Joyce Zhou:
Zhang, L., Zhou, J. X., & Chowdhury, M. (2015). Battle for Beautiful Faces: A Case Study and Marketing Suggestions for Foreign Cosmetic Brands in Chinese Market. Journal of American Academic Research, 3(9), 67-76.
Guo, X., Zhou, J. X., & Chowdhury, M. (2015). Marketing Plan for Green Energy Market in China: Case Study of Edison Energy Saving Technology Co. LTD in China. Journal of American Academic Research, 3(9), 101-109.
Dr. Lei Wen:
Wang, Z., Zhang, M., Liu, H., & Wen, L. (2015). Investment Optimization Decision and Degree of Internationalization. Journal of International Business and Economics, 15(4), 73-82.
Dr. Lei Wen, assistant professor of Accounting and Finance, received a Katherine K. White Faculty Incentive grant in December 2015.
Dr. Joyce Zhou:
Westjohn, S. A., Magnusson, P., & Zhou, J. X. (2015). Does the Value of Global Brands Apply to Both Foreign and Domestic-Based Global Brands? Entrepreneurship in International Marketing (Advances in International Marketing), 25, 267-286.
Alumni News
Distinguished and Recent Graduates
On October 23rd, the School of Business hosted a panel discussion and reception for our 2015 Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Recent Graduates. This year we were pleased to host:
Cory F. Falldine (BSB ’06, MBA ’08), Chief Information Officer of ESU; 2015 Outstanding Recent Graduate from the School of Business
John D. McPherson, Jr. (BSB ‘59), Retired president and COO of Florida East Coast Railway; 2015 Distinguished Alumni recipient
Dr. Ilene K. Kleinsorge (BSB ‘81), Former executive dean of the College of Business and Division of Business and Engineering at Oregon State University; 2015 Distinguished Alumni recipient
Col. Guy C. Beougher (BSB ’80), Executive director of operations for the Defense of Logistics Agency of the U.S. Army; 2015 Distinguished Alumni recipient
Richard “Dick” Hawk (BSB ’56, MBA ‘57), Former chairman and CEO of Hawk Management & Financial Services and owner of Gaslight Grill; 2015 Distinguished Alumni recipient
Nominate an Outstanding Recent Graduate
The Outstanding Recent Graduate Award recognizes an outstanding recent graduate from each of the undergraduate colleges and schools at Emporia State University. Selection for this award is based on criteria determined by each school/college and the stipulation that the recipient be no more than 10 years past graduation at Emporia State University. This award is sponsored by the ESU Alumni Association.
To nominate an Outstanding Recent Graduate, click here.
KSCPA Service Award - Kate Grant
Kate Grant, alumna of Emporia State and audit manager at Kirkpatrick, Sprecker and Company, LLP, was awarded the 2015 KSCPA Service Award by the Kansas Society of CPAs on October 28th. This award is given to members who dedicate themselves in service to the accounting profession, the Society, and their fellow members. Grant graduated with her MBA from Emporia State in 2000 and moved to Wichita where she has been diligently serving the accounting community through her membership on various committees and task forces.
Jason Baker
 Jason Baker (BSB ’08, MBA ’09) was named CEO of The Scott Cooperative Association, a farmers’ cooperative and agricultural business in October 2015. Mr. Baker was an accounting and MBA graduate from Emporia State. Prior to becoming CEO, Baker served as the company’s controller for three and a half years.
For the full release, please click here.
KSCPA Women to Watch Nominees
Kate Grant (MBA '00) and Stephanie Whitacre (BS ’06, MBA ’08) were both nominated by for the Kansas Society of CPAs Women to Watch award for the 2015 year. Grant currently works as audit manager at Kirkpatrick, Sprecker and Company, LLP, and Whitacre was recently promoted to senior audit manager at BKD, LLP.
For more information, please click here.
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