Greetings from the School of Business at Emporia State. I wish I could say we were gearing up for our spring Honors Banquet and Advisory Council meetings; attending spring athletic events; sending students to the Hult Prize, Kansas Entrepreneur Challenge, and Capitol Research Days; and lastly, getting ready for our spring commencement and graduation reception, but I can’t. That doesn’t mean we aren’t thinking about our students and looking forward to the next time we can celebrate. As I write this during this unprecedented time, most of campus is at home working, as is true for the majority of you. For how long will this new normal last? We aren’t certain. But rest assured, we are still working, we are still teaching, we are still recruiting our next class of BizHornets and future alumni!  

This newsletter is written at a time where maybe you could use some good news. We are definitely looking forward to “normal”; we hope sooner rather than later. I can picture it now, Fall, students back on campus, a chill in the air, Homecoming. We hope you can picture yourself there, too! Our Fall will prove to be even busier than ever; a highlight will be an open house for our newly remodeled second floor (since our spring event was cancelled), featuring the Kansas Business Hall of Fame, the Koch Center for Leadership and Ethics, the Kansas Small Business Development Center, and the Bobbi and Steve Sauder Center for Entrepreneurial Development. In the meantime, sit tight, wash your hands, and if you’re like me, pray a lot.  

As always, please keep us updated on your professional achievements.  

Stay Healthy, and Go Hornets! 

In January, 22 Professional MBA students and two faculty members from Dhaka University in Bangladesh were hosted by the School of Business. They were enrolled in the Management Essentials for Executives training program taught by faculty across campus. While they were here, they toured several businesses in Emporia, Wichita, and KC, including the Federal Reserve. Here in the area, the group enjoyed site visits to Simmons, Glendo, Hopkins, VekTek, and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. 

Mitchell DeWalt Wins 7th Annual Emporia Entrepreneur Challenge   

The Emporia Entrepreneur Challenge is a venture idea competition that is open to all students from Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College. Events included a Meet & Greet event on Jan. 28 and the Elevator Challenge on Feb. 11. 

Forty-four students/teams competed in this year’s Elevator Challenge. The winners were Best Pitch: Edmundo Chacon; Best Idea: Sam Pascuzzi, Taybor Miller, and Chantel Dunn; and Judge’s Choice: Mitchell DeWalt. Thank you to Rich Avery for judging. 

Three judges graded 42 executive summaries to arrive at the top 21 that would go on to do their oral pitches. Thank you to Dr. Marian Riedy, Dr. Michael Dennis, and Lisa Kirmer. 

Because of classes moving to online after spring break, the challenge took a “virtual” turn with the teams submitting their oral pitches electronically. Congratulations to the following winners: 1st place & $2,500: Mitchell DeWalt with Overland Camping Equipment; 2nd place & $1,500: Aren Trost with Falls Craft Furniture; 3rd place & $500: Hayden Schaeffer & Brigham Mooney with Bioplastic Solutions. Thank you to these judges for their flexibility and virtually judging this portion of the challenge: Kandace Wakeman, Jeanine McKenna, Lisa Brumbaugh, and Blaine Warkentine.

Click here to watch the announcement video produced by Dr. Douglass Smith, the committee chair. 

Normally, the top two finishers would have competed at the State Entrepreneur Challenge at Kansas State University on Apr. 28, but due to COVID-19, it has been canceled. We are proud of these students and their commitment to finish what they started and encourage them to continue their entrepreneurial dreams! 

Eight Students Qualify for PBL Nationals - Fourteen First Place Finishes at State 

Eight students from Emporia State University’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) hosted and competed in the 2020 State Leadership Conference held at the School of Business, Cremer Hall, at Emporia State. ESU was one of eight schools that competed at the event. Emporia State students collectively placed 28 times at the competition and brought home 14 first place finishes. All eight ESU students earned placements and are eligible to compete at the National Conference in Salt Lake City, UT, June 24-27. “Our Phi Beta Lambda students continue to do exceptionally well at State,” says Dr. Ed Bashaw, Dean of the School of Business at ESU. “We have some excellent students competing on the State and National platforms. I am continually proud of their performance both in and out of the classroom. The PBL students did an amazing job hosting this event and stepped up to the challenges of accommodating seven other schools. We showed our professionalism, grit, intelligence, and courtesy to our visitors.” Some of these students competed and placed within the top 10 at the 2019 National event.  

Also honored at this year’s 2020 State Leadership Conference was Leticia Rust, Student Services Professional for the School of Business at Emporia State. Leticia was honored with the 2020 Kansas Advisor of the Year Award.  

For more information on Emporia State’s PBL Chapter, please go to our website  or our Facebook page phibetalambdaesu. 

VITA Program 

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, overseen by Dr. Liz Diers, helped to prepare 125 federal and state income tax returns for free, saving individuals on average $100 or more on their tax preparation fees. They also helped taxpayers claim over $190,000 in federal and state income tax refunds. 

Career Day 

After postponing the event from its October date due to ice, the School of Business hosted 385 Kansas high school students from 23 Kansas high schools at their annual Business Career Day on December 10. Throughout the morning, they learned about entrepreneurship and different careers in business including accounting, technology, marketing, business teacher, management, human resources, and financial services. 

The School of Business Celebrated “Red Friday” 

The Super Bowl spirit was alive on Wear Red Friday on Jan. 31. We think that we had something to do with the Chiefs winning – but it may be pure speculation.  

Third Annual KBHF Essay Contest

High school students across the state have received their awards from the third annual statewide Kansas Business Hall of Fame (KBHF) essay contest. Original essays were based on research of a Kansas Business Hall of Fame honoree inducted into one of two categories, Historical or Contemporary. Inductees can be found at www.ksbhf.org. Ninety-eight entries from 12 Kansas high schools were judged by a panel of business professionals and business faculty. The prize money totaling $1,000 was graciously donated by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. Pictured is Faith Finley from Emporia who won from the sophomore group. To read more about the contest and all the winning authors, click here.

Kansas PBL Advisor of the Year 

Leticia Rust (BIS-14, MBA-19). Student Services Professional for the School of Business, was honored at this year’s 2020 State Leadership Conference with the 2020 Kansas Advisor of the Year Award. 

Eilert Receives Kansas City Metro Award

Ed Eilert (BSB 1962, MS 1962) was named one of two recipients of the Outstanding Kansas Citian of the Year by The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City. Eilert is chair of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. The award is designed to recognize individuals who have contributed to the well-being and/or historic preservation of the greater Kansas City metro area, through their professional work, civic engagement or volunteerism, or who have simply become part of Kansas City’s history. Learn more… 

Emporia State's Athletic Hall of Honor Inductees

Last fall, these men were inducted into Emporia State's Athletic Hall of Honor as part of the 1986 men's basketball team: 

• Ryan J. Sprecker (BSB 89-Business Administration), Olathe
• Jason T. Bogard (BSB 89-Business Administration), Venice, Calif.
• Christopher S. Bahr (BSB 89-Business Administration), Burlington
• Craig S. Stromgren (BSB 86-Finance), Silver Lake
• John H. Hughes (BSB 86-Accounting, MBA 87-Business Administration), Topeka
• James B. "Jim" Biggs (BSB 86-Business Administration), Topeka
• Bob A. Yonke (BSB 88-Business Administration), Fort Worth, Texas
• Jon H. Cramer (BSB 88-Accounting), Goddard 

New Emporia State University Foundation Board Members

These individuals became new Trustees on the Emporia State University Foundation Board: 

• Steve Coen (BSB 76-Business Administration), Andover
• Dorine (Dilak) Harter (BSB 72 & MS 73-Business Administration), Emporia
• Michael J. Burbach (BSB 96-Accounting), Overland Park 

Career Announcements: 

Bassam A. Alanazi (BSB 17-Information Systems), Saudi Arabia, is a projects lead at Technology Control Company Limited. 

Lindsay L. Cuadra (BSB 15-Accounting), Baltimore, Md., is a new staff tax accountant at SC&H Group. 

Ginger A. Wilcox (MBA 00-Business Administration), Bella Vista, Ark., has started a new job as a National Account Manager at MGA Entertainment. 

Dr. Teresa L. Clounch (BSB 89-Business Administration, MS 96-Counselor Education), Hays, started a new job as Senior Diversity Officer at Fort Hays State University. 

Ramon E. Rivera (BSB 17-Information Systems), Emporia, started the business, Verde Leaf Artisanal Company. 

Amy J. DeWild (MACC 16-Accountancy), Carl Junction, Mo., is the owner of AJD Accounting Solutions, LLC. 

Bill D. Fiscus (BSB 85-Business Administration), Chanute, is the new chief executive officer of Tri-Valley Developmental Services. 

Kevin J. Wempe (BSB 11-Business Administration, Financial Services), Kansas City, Mo., has become one of two shareholders for Gilmore & Bell, P.C. 

Chad L. Rummel (BSE 03-Business Education, BSE 03-Journalism), Washington, D.C., began a new job as the executive director at The Council for Exceptional Children. 

Luke M. Costello (BSB 08-Accounting), Keenesburg, Colo., is the regional sales manager at Phython Extraction Systems. 

Guannan He (MBA 12-Business Administration), Emporia, started a new position as VP Premier Relationship Manager at HSBC. 

Kari D. (Bailey) Crump (BSB 04-Marketing), Manhattan, is the new marketing manager for HCI Hospitality. 

Addie M. Lackey (BSB 17-Accounting), Lees Summit, Mo., is the audit associate at BKD CPAs and Advisors. 

Trent K. Rietzke (BSB 18-Marketing), Kearney, Neb., is the new Construction Manager for CenCon of Kansas, LLC. 

Mitch E. Child (BSB 13-Business Administration), Eudora, is an Internal Auditor for CURO Financial Technologies Corp. 

Victoria J. (Soileau) Kratzberg (BSB 16-Accounting), Gardner, was promoted to Assistant Vice-President/Operations Manager at PNC Bank. 

Rui Yang (BSB 15-Marketing, MBA 17-Business Administration), Guangzhou Guangdong China, is the Overseas Manager at Art3d LLC. 

T'Quan D. Wallace (BSB 19-Business Administration), Oklahoma City, Okla., is a new Program Analyst for the Air Force Civilian Service. 

James L. Stone (BSB 86-Computer Information Systems), Little Elm, Texas, is now working for Securonix as the Corporate Controller. 

Jessica B. (Isakson) Martin (BSB 09-Accounting, MBA 10-Accounting & Business Administration), Topeka, was promoted to Manager, Cost Accounting & Budget for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. 

Matthew E. Hulsey (BSB 99-Computer Information Systems), was recently promoted to Regional External Services and Business Development Manager for City Facilities Management, serving the Walmart contract for 1,300 stores on the Eastern Coast. 

Retirements: 

Donald R. "Don" Alpaugh (BS 66-Business Administration, MS 69-Business Administration), Leawood, recently retired after 52 years of teaching business and technology classes and coaching football, track, and wrestling. 

Rick M. Pock (BSB 75-Business Administration) Emporia, recently retired after 40 years from the United Parcel Service. 

Anniversaries: 

Tamara L. "Tammy" (Biggerstaff) (BSB 85-Business Administration, MBA 90-Business Administration, MS 90-Counselor Education) and Mike Wilkerson, Lawrence, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on October 8, 2019. 

Awards:  

Mary T. (Forst) Joerg (BSB 85-Accounting), Wichita, received the 2020 CFO Award from the Wichita Business Journal. 

Heather M. Robben (BSB 12-Marketing, MS 14-Health, Physical Education, Recreation), Ada, Okla., was inducted into the Hutchinson Community College Quarterback Club Hall of Fame for basketball. 

Eric Hughes (BSB 81-Business Administration), Olathe, was recently named Citizen of the Year by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. 

Greg A. Harvey (BSB 95-Finance), Overland Park, was included in the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for 2020. 

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, a high-impact learning environment is created using Strength Based Leadership and Kansas Leadership Center principals. This semester was the second cohort of the Dean’s Leadership Class. Four of the six sessions were held prior to the campus going online.  

Marketing Club  

The Marketing Club visited Hopkins Manufacturing earlier this semester. Thank you to Hopkins for hosting us! The club enjoyed learning about the E-commerce platform, their new website, and Hopkins’ new YouTube channel. 

Senior’s Last Lap 

Luke Stenzel (BSB-Management ’18) and current MBA student was in his last season of track and field when COVID-19 changes his plans. Read his story here. Our hearts go out to all the seniors at ESU who didn’t get their last chance to step out on the field or play their post-season championship games. But we know they will all keep making us proud as alumni of the School of Business.

Beta Alpha Psi 

Bata Alpha Psi had an initiation ceremony on Feb. 13.  Students Wenli Cui, Emily Euler, Carson Haury, Ashley Rietcheck, and Nicolus Smith were initiated as our newest Beta Alpha Psi members. BAP members also collaborated as volunteers in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. 

Congratulations to these faculty members for their years of service to Emporia State: 

The Service Citation reception is one of the many events and public recognitions that the COVID-19 has interrupted.  Four of our own from the School of Business were to have been recognized for their years of service to ESU and our School of Business.  They are: 

• Dr. John Rich: 50 years of service
• Dr. Marian Riedy: 10 years of service
• Dr. Jun Yu: 10 years of service
• Dr. Joyce Zhou: 10 years of service 

Due to COVID-19, Dr. John Rich’s Retirement Reception has been rescheduled for Friday, July 24, 2020. Emporia State University is closely monitoring the developing situation related to COVID-19.  Please stay tuned for upcoming information.  Follow this link to register for the reception honoring Dr. Rich’s retirement after 50 years at Emporia State. 

The paper by Kennedy Mwangi (business graduate student), Dr. Jun Yu, and Dr. Joyce Zhou was recently published in the “Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness.” https://doi.org/10.33423/jmdc.v13i5.2642 

Dr. Steven Lovett, School of Business, presented a day-long professional development course, entitled "Leadership - Compliance and Soft Skills" for the executive and administrative staff of Newman Regional Health in Emporia on Dec. 19. 

The article coauthored by Carolina Taylor, accounting student, and Dr. Joyce Zhou, titled “How Does Culture Affect International Business Between the United States and China?” was featured on the American Publishing Services Facebook page. 

Dr. Marc Fusaro, Associate Dean, attended the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Jan. 28, along with Dr. Ed Bashaw and President Allison Garret. All three were guests of Sauder Custom Fabrication. Dr. Fusaro is pictured with the guest speaker, Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary.