Graduation Ceremony Honors Master's Students in Supply Chain and Information Systems

Eleven technology professionals and eighteen supply chain professionals were honored at the January 8, 2009 graduation ceremony.  This year marked the fourth cohort to graduate from the Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management program and the inaugural graduation of the first cohort to complete the Master of Information Systems program. Click here to read more and see photos of graduates. 

Students and Supporters connect at Annual Scholarship Luncheon

Attracting and developing talented, young business professionals is at the core of the Raj Soin College of Business’s mission. Business leaders and scholarship recipients had an opportunity to share their goals and aspirations this fall at the College’s annual scholarship luncheon.    
Jamie Schiferl, fourth year student, recognized the College’s supporters. “Without your generosity, I could not have taken on the leadership positions and service projects that have helped me grow personally and professionally. Your financial support is also a key factor in helping me achieves the academic excellence that I’ve strived for in all my classes – and my scholarship has definitely given me an edge in my chosen career.” Schiferl, marketing major, completed an internship and now works part-time at GE Money in their emerging markets group. Click here to see photos of supporters and students and learn how you can support young business leaders.

Sixth MBA Cohort of Chinese Executives Graduate in December; Seventh Cohort Begins in January

Forty-four executives from Guangzhou, Hebei and Shandong provinces in China completed their MBAs this past December. The graduates represent diverse backgrounds and professions from sectors including construction, finance, news media, engineering and design, energy, real estate, manufacturing, healthcare and education. This is the sixth cohort to graduate from the Raj Soin College of Business program. The program also promotes linkages with local businesses and community groups for cross-cultural exchanges and business expansion.

Wright State now has 273 alumni in influential positions throughout China.  The “Insight Into China Business Tour and Seminar Series” March 21 – 29 will offer opportunities to meet with MBA alumni from the program.  For more information on the business tour or to learn how your company can collaborate with the executives in this year's cohort, contact Dr. Andrew Lai   Andrew.lai@wright.edu  937-775-2658.  Click here to see more photos of the students’ farewell reception, a list of graduates and their firms. 

National Black MBA Association Holds Chapter Meeting at the Raj Soin College of Business

The Dayton Chapter of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) held its October 2008 meeting at the Raj Soin College of Business with over 35 members in attendance.  Dr. Fall Ainina, Professor of Finance, delivered a presentation on “Managing Your Finances Now” and an overview of the College’s award-winning Soin Trading Center. Read and see more photos….

Better Business Bureau Award Winners Share Insights at Annual Business Integrity Breakfast

“We would not be embarrassed if anything our business does appear in the newspaper.” 
“When I have integrity, my words and actions match.”                     
 “Integrity does not always make decision-making easy. Every day, I can leave my job knowing I’ve made the right decision.”
 “Trust starts at the top and then flows through the entire organization – who we are, how we treat our clients and our employees, how we compete in the market.”
“Without integrity, our accomplishments mean nothing.”

These are just a few of the insights four recipients of this year’s Eclipse Integrity Awards from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Dayton and the Miami Valley, Inc. shared at the Sixth Annual Institute for Business Integrity (IBI) Breakfast.  “Lessons in Organizational Integrity” was the theme for the panel discussion co-hosted by the IBI and BBB.  Learn more about each business leaders’ views on ethical business practices.   

Pola Gupta, Professor of Marketing, Recognized Among Nation's Most Published Researchers in Advertising

A recent article in the Journal of Advertising, has identified Dr. Pola Gupta, Professor of Marketing, as one of the top twenty advertising scholars in the nation.  Dr. Gupta ranked 18th among the most published scholars in the top three U.S. advertising research journals,  Journal of Advertising, Journal of Advertising Research and Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising during the last decade.  The ranking was published in “A Ten-Year Retrospective of Advertising Research Productivity, 1997-2006” by Ford and Merchant in the Journal of Advertising vol. 37, no. 3 (Fall 2008) pp. 69-94.  The Journal of Advertising is the official journal of the American Academy of Advertising. Click here to read more about Dr. Gupta's expertise.

In addition to his research and teaching accomplishments, Dr. Gupta also supervises the marketing internship program at the Raj Soin College of Business.  To learn more about hiring a marketing intern for your company or organization, please contact Dr. Gupta at pola.gupta@wright.edu or at 937-775-3046.

Spotlight on Economics.
Each quarter, we spotlight current research and updates from one of the Raj Soin College of Business academic programs. As this issue of eConnections is being written, the U.S.- and indeed, the entire world-are enmeshed in a global economic downturn. At the same time, the outlook for careers and starting salaries for graduates in Economics are very positive. Read more about the Colleges' Economics programs.

Global and Regional Economic Expertise - Our students and partners benefit from faculty members with strong ties to the local, national, and international communities.  The faculty are frequently called upon by local media—newspapers, radio and television stations—and community groups to provide insight into economic events, and they often collaborate on economic development projects in the region.  Many of our faculty have lived, taught, and/or conducted research in countries overseas, including Vietnam, India, Bulgaria, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Italy. Learn about some of the recent international research and teaching initiatives of the Economics faculty.   

Regional Economic Outlook - Since 1997, Dr. Thomas L. Traynor,  Professor of Economics, has monitored and analyzed the region’s economic outlook for positive and negative trends in employment, cost of living and a variety of sectors including healthcare, housing, manufacturing, business services and construction.   Dr. Traynor is also is a frequent panelist at the Dayton Business Journal’s Economic Forum.  He participated in the January 13, 2009 forum which focused on the health of the local economy for 2009 and tools for business leaders to best position their companies in the coming months.    Dr. Traynor’s latest Regional Economic Report and reports for the past five years are available on the Economics Department website: www.wright.edu/business/acad/econ/

On Line Resource Guide to the Financial Crisis - The financial and economic situation dominates every news cycle.  It can be challenging to gain a perspective on the issues facing the U.S. and global economies.  Several economics faculty members have collaborated in developing a website guide that presents perspectives on the home mortgage crisis and financial meltdown which may not necessarily be covered in the mainstream media.   Topics include:  What is a housing bubble?  How did it get this bad?  Why didn't "they" see it coming?  What should the crisis teach us about markets and the invisible hand?  What did the Swedes do when their housing bubble burst in 1992?  What the Japanese didn't do when their housing bubble burst and the Asian financial crisis hit. Click here to access guide

Current Faculty Research and Publications - The Raj Soin College of Business prides itself in having been AACSB accredited since 1974.  To maintain this rigorous standard of quality, our faculty engages in leading-edge research.  Review some of the recent scholarly publications from the Economics Department.

New Faculty, Department Chairs and Assistant Dean Appointed in 2008

Top: (L-R) Todd Dewett, Assistant Dean for Executive and MBA Programs; Marlena L. Akhbari, Associate Professor and Chair, Finance and Financial Services; Dwight E. Smith-Daniels, Professor and Chair, Information Systems and Operations Management.
Bottom: (L-R) Gregory M. Kellar, Assistant Professor Information Systems and Operations Management; Natasha Vijay Munshi, Assistant Professor of Management, Assistant Director, Institue for Business Integrity; Kendall Goodrich, Assistant Professor of Marketing.

Read more about each faculty member

In Memory of Ann C. Wendt, Professor of Management

Ann C. Wendt, Ph.D., SPHR, died October 10, 2008. She joined the faculty of Wright State in 1988 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management in the Raj Soin College of Business. Read more about Dr.Wendt's contributions.

Make a Difference

Attracting the best and brightest students is essential to our mission.  Supporting scholarships for deserving business students is one way you can become a part of preparing tomorrow’s capable and ethical business leaders.  You can contribute to a variety of existing scholarship funds offered by our six academic departments or to any student majoring in business.  You can also begin a new and specific scholarship fund.  

To learn more about contributing to student scholarships and other ways you can support the Raj Soin College of Business contact:
Tom Wamsley, Director of Development,
937-775-3718
Thomas.wamsley@wright.edu
123 U Rike Hall – Raj Soin College of Business
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001

Two Ways to Stay Connected

Subscribe to eConnections We are always eager to hear from our graduates, partners and leading employers in the region and throughout the nation.  You can stay in touch by becoming a subscriber to the college’s electronic newsletter.  Simply sign-up on our website at: www.wright.edu/business/enews/form.   And please do forward this newsletter to your colleagues, family and friends who can benefit from the College's programs and services.

Join the Alumni Association  As a member of the Alumni Association, you can connect to fellow alumni and community business leaders, learn about opportunities for professional development, and participate in association-sponsored social events.  The Alumni Association has active local and regional alumni networks in Dayton, throughout the region and in major metropolitan areas across the country.   Join on line at: http://www.wright.edu/alumni/   or contact Monica Snow, Raj Soin College of Business 937-775-2151.     

Carolyn Rice (MBA 1990) Elected to Montgomery County Treasurer; Shares Insights and Programs to Address the Home Foreclosure Crisis in the Region
After being appointed to complete the term for the Montgomery County Treasurer in February 2007, Carolyn Rice was elected to a four year term this past November. 
Prior to her role in government, Carolyn had 17 years experience in the private sector working for a variety of organizations including Reynolds & Reynolds, LexisNexis, Dames & Moore, and Wright State University.  Read more about Carolyn’s vision for the Montgomery County Treasurer's office and how the County Treasurer’s office is addressing the foreclosure crisis in the region.

MBA Accounting Class Leads to Jefferson-Schoen Partnership
Little did Chris Jefferson, MBA (2006) and Lindsay Schoen (B.S. 2003, MBA 2006) know when they begin their MBA that it would lead to a lifetime partnership. One accounting class and finishing their Master's degrees together led to a close friendship and marriage this past spring on May 17. More on this story...  

Corinna Merrill, Selected for Peace Corps in Guinea, West Africa
Corinna Merrill, (B.S. 2008) has recently been selected for a Peace Corps position in Guinea, West Africa where she will be responsible for small enterprise business development. Corinna graduated in August, 2008 with a double major in Finance and International Business and a minor in French. More on this story...  

Bringing the News to You
Brian Cooper is one of the many individuals responsible for this edition of the Dayton Daily News. As executive vice president of Cox Newspapers, Inc., Cooper manages 17 daily and 26 non-daily newspapers with a total circulation of 1.2 million each weekday and more than 1.6 million on Sundays. More on this story...

Achieving Early Success
At the age of 33, Danielle Rolfes is already a partner at her law firm, Ivins, Phillips & Barker, a Washington, D.C., practice specializing in tax and employee benefits law. Achieving a goal at a young age is nothing new to Rolfes. After all, she earned her bachelor’s degree after just three years at Wright State, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. She also passed the CPA exam with the highest score in Ohio. More on this story...