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First American Dream Scholarship recipient selected

A Professional MBA online from K-StateAdvance your career, from anywhere.

Dawn DeeterProfessor, Professional SellingJ.J. Vanier Distinguished Chair in Relational Selling and Marketing

Eric HigginsProfessor, Head of Department of Finance

Von Waaden Chair of Investment Management

Swinder JandaProfessor, International Marketing

The Robert M. Edgerley Chair in Global Business

The new Professional MBA online from Kansas State University was created for working professionals like you. Taught by the same College of Business Administration professors who teach graduate courses on campus, you’ll benefit from the flexibility and independence of online learning done the right way. Profit from joining a global network of alumni from a top international research university.

Accepting applications now. See what’s possible: k-state.edu/onlinemba

See what’s possible: k-state.edu/onlinemba

Advance your career from anywhere with Kansas State University’s

new online MBA

The professional MBA was created for working professionals like you. Learn from the same outstanding professors who teach graduate courses on the Manhattan campus with the added flexibility and independence of online learning. Become part of a global alumni network you can only find at a prestigious university. Accepting applications now.

K-State’s College of Business Administration is among the less than 5 percent of institutions worldwide to hold the prestigious AACSB Accreditation.

Table of contents

In every issue

Corners of Calvin Hall 2

New Building Updates 10

Leadership & Legacy 12

Class Notes 14

Alumni Profile 16

Features

Ready for Launch 4 A new program from the Center

for the Advancement of

Entrepreneurship provides guidance

and resources to Kansas startups.

Chasing the American Dream 6 The first recipient of the CBA’s new

American Dream Scholarship is announced.

Sold on Sales 8 K-State’s National Strategic Selling

Institute has quickly established itself

as one of the premier sales education

programs in the nation.

Calvin Today Winter 2015

Calvin Today is produced and published twice a year by the Kansas State University College of Business Administration.

Editor Brent Fritzemeier

Design Guolin Zhao, Kansas State University Communications and Marketing

Photography David Mayes and Tommy Theis, Kansas State University Communications and Marketing

Edgerley Family Dean Ali Malekzadeh

Dean’s staff Anand Desai, Ph.D., associate dean for academic administration Stacy Kovar, Ph.D., associate dean for academic programs Dawne Martin, Ph.D., assistant dean for diversity Melanie Horton, assistant to the dean

Department heads Brett Wilkinson, Ph.D., accounting Eric Higgins, Ph.D., finance William Turnley, Ph.D., management (interim) Kevin Gwinner, Ph.D., marketing

College of Business Administration Kansas State University 110 Calvin Hall Manhattan, KS 66506

Comments? Kansas State University College of Business Administration 110 Calvin Hall Manhattan, KS 66506 Email: calvintoday@k-state.edu Phone: 785-532-2753 Fax: 785-532-7216

Visit us on the Web at cba.k-state.edu/calvintoday.

Views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Kansas Board of Regents, the Kansas State University administration or College of Business Administration faculty. Correspondence related to Calvin Today should be directed to the editor, Brent Fritzemeier. Calvin Today is printed by Kansas State University printing.

Calvin Today online extras

Wait, there is more! Follow this sign on our website for additional information, expanded stories, video and photo galleries.

cba.k-state.edu/calvintoday

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Produced in cooperation with the Division of Communications and Marketing

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all Career Coach program to enhance student career successIn an effort to provide students with the best career preparation program in the nation, the College of Business Administration has created a new Career Coach program. A nationwide search began in the fall to hire the college’s first lead career coach.

“Our biggest priority in the College of Business Administration at K-State is for our students to have successful, fulfilling careers,” said Stacy Kovar, associate dean for academic programs. “Career coaches will ensure that every student can succeed in finding an amazing career that is right for them.”

Career coaches will provide a personal, industry-experienced component to career planning as part of Professional Advantage, the college’s career support program, which includes the Executive Mentor program and an extensive schedule of professional development seminars taught by industry experts.

Based on careful assessment of the students’ strengths and goals, the coaches will provide individualized and industry-specific advice to help students make decisions about how to prepare for their dream job. They also will ensure the best companies are on campus, seeking to hire Kansas State University graduates.

“Career coaches will provide personal guidance to our students from professionals who have been there, recruiting from the types of companies seeking to hire our graduates,” Kovar said. “This program will give us the exposure to attract more great companies to campus and ensure our students have a world-class experience.”

The new program is made possible with support from Paul and Sandra Edgerley, Brookline, Massachusetts, who have made a challenge-matching gift of $5 million to the College of Business Administration, matching donations to the program from other donors at 50 percent.

“The success of the university should be measured in whether we graduate students who have the skills and character to build a happy and productive life,” Paul Edgerley said. “Sandy and I believe an enhanced

Randall Stuewe 18th inductee of College of Business Administration’s Business Leaders Hall of Fame

Randall Stuewe, the chairman and CEO of Darling International Inc., has been honored with the Distinguished Business Leader of the Year award from the College of Business Administration. He also becomes the 18th inductee of the college’s Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

The Distinguished Business Leader of the Year award is given to individuals who have a proven record of career success and individual accomplishments, as well as a demonstrated interest in supporting the college, its students, faculty and staff.

“Never in my dreams did I envision the recognition K-State has bestowed upon me,” said Stuewe in his acceptance speech. “I am truly humbled and honored. It’s an elite group and one of the greatest moments of my career.”

A 1984 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance from Kansas State University, Stuewe has been a member of the College of Business Administration’s Business Advisory Council since 2011.

career planning and coaching effort in the College of Business Administration is critical to support students in matching their strengths, interests and lifestyle preferences to selecting and preparing for the right career path and connecting them with the right first employer.”

Julie and Roger Davis, Chicago, Illinois, are the first to accept the Edgerleys’ challenge, giving $500,000 to the new Career Coach program. Those interested in contributing to the program may contact the Kansas State University Foundation at 785-532-6266 or online at found.k-state.edu/business/give-online.html.

Study abroad opportunity gives students a global outlook on businessA faculty-led study abroad program during Thanksgiving break saw 18 students traveling to Barcelona and Rome to gain a better understanding of the international business world.

According to Swinder Janda, professor of marketing and the Robert M. Edgerley chair in global business, study abroad opportunities give students a leg up on their peers in the current global business climate. They are a great way for students to get a sense for not only how international businesses work, but also how cultural and other differences between foreign countries and the United States affect business decisions and opportunities.

“I think study abroad is a great complement to a student’s education beyond the appreciation of international business perspectives,” Janda said. “It provides a lesson in diversity, and also makes students more independent and confident, via navigating a foreign environment. It also can indicate superior initiative when they apply for jobs, as students that study abroad are still a minority among the general student body.”

The 10-day program started in Barcelona, where the group took part in a guided bike tour, Torres Winery business visit and site visits to an open air market and retail clothing stores.

In Rome, the students took a walking tour of the city, an Italian cooking class, and business visits to Mottura Agriturismo and AS Roma Soccer Club. Thanks to the

developing programs aimed to recruit high-performing students to the accounting profession, Dan’s dedication to improving the quality of accounting education makes him a fitting recipient of the Special Recognition Award.”

It’s the second honor Deines has received from the national accounting group, which recognized him with its Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award in 2007.

Sales executive and author Larry Kendall presents college’s fall Distinguished Lecture Series

Larry Kendall, founding partner of The Group Inc. and author of “Ninja Selling,” presented his lecture “10 Things I Wish I Knew at 22” on Oct. 2.

Kendall’s sales training system, Ninja Selling, has more than 40,000 graduates in the United States, Canada and Spain, and is taught in the College of Business Administration’s National Strategic Selling Institute.

The College of Business Administration’s Distinguished Lecture Series brings successful business professionals to campus. Lectures are given every semester and are sponsored by Commerce Bank and the William T. Kemper Foundation.

You can watch Kendall’s full lecture at cba.k-state.edu/about/kendall-lecture.html.

generosity of College of Business Administration alumnus Paul Edgerley, the group also was able to take in a professional soccer match between AS Roma and Inter Milan.

The College of Business Administration offers several study abroad experiences throughout the year, including a Thanksgiving break trip to Venice, Rome and Florence in 2015. For more information on study abroad programs in the college, email Janda at swinder@k-state.edu or visit cba.k-state.edu/current-students/study-abroad/index.html.

Marketing Professor Swinder Janda receives prestigious Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award

Swinder Janda, professor of marketing and the Robert M. Edgerley chair in global business,

was one of two K-State faculty members awarded the annual Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award. The award is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association and is made possible through the generosity of Ron and Rae Iman.

The award honors a full-time K-State faculty member for excellence in

high-quality instruction, strong relationships with students inside and outside the classroom, and a reputation for scholarship and distinguished service to the university.

Janda’s nominator, Kevin Gwinner, professor and department head of marketing, said, “Dr. Janda has done much to enhance the educational experience of K-State students through high-quality instruction and his passion for developing and building strong relationships with students both inside and outside of the classroom. His record is demonstrative of superior scholarship and a strong commitment to serving the university.”

“We are so pleased to honor outstanding K-State faculty members,” said Amy Button Renz, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. “The accomplishments and personal touch of Dr. Janda have truly elevated the educational experience of our students and enhanced the reputation of K-State worldwide.”

department. “We are very grateful to those who so willingly gave their time and resources to allow us to provide students with this opportunity.”

Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship launches Kansas Business Climate Index initiativeA new initiative from the College of Business Administration’s Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship aims to answer this simple question: What will the economic climate in the state of Kansas look like next month?

That question is at the core of the new Kansas Business Climate Index, or KBCI, a forecast of the next month’s business climate based on a survey of Kansas business leaders. This is not a scientific sampling, but a quick indicator of select business leaders’ expectations for the Kansas economy.

“The Kansas Business Climate Index is an initiative designed to provide business leaders with a forecast of the business climate based on

input from their peers,” said Chad Jackson, director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “We are happy to work with the business community to provide this index, which can be one of the factors firm

leaders consider when making business decisions.”

Released at the beginning of each month and in a monthly email, the index will forecast the overall outlook of the next month’s statewide economy as either better, worse, or about the same.

Business leaders and media members interested in receiving a monthly email detailing the results of the KBCI can sign up at cba.k-state.edu/KBCI.

Corners of Calvin Hall

National accounting group honors accounting professor Dan Deines

Dan Deines, the KPMG Ralph Crouch professor of accounting, was honored as the 23rd recipient of the Special Recognition Award from the American Institute of CPAs.

The award is given to an individual who has contributed to the success of a particular professional initiative with contributions of an outstanding nature. Deines was presented with the honor at the institute’s recent E.D.G.E. Conference in New Orleans.

“Throughout his career, Dan Deines has worked tirelessly toward his vision of a professional accounting course for high school students and has helped rally the profession around this concept,” said Bill Balhoff, chair of the American Institute of CPAs. “With an impressive resume of

Phillips 66 Business Ethics Case Competition awards $2,750 to K-State students Five teams of Kansas State University students were awarded $2,750 in cash prizes as part of the Phillips 66 Business Ethics Case Competition.

The competition saw 22 teams made up of two to four students putting their skills to the test by completing a written analysis of a complex business ethics case study. Their analysis and recommendations needed to incorporate important ethical principles while balancing with the bottom line of the business and its financial goals.

“The case competition provides students with a good opportunity to examine a real-world issue while balancing both ethical and business/financial considerations,” said William Turnley, the Sam and Karen Forrer chair in business ethics and interim head of the management

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Ready for LaunchA new program from the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship provides guidance and resources to Kansas startups

By Brent Fritzemeier

McKinney, founder of Aphrodite Apparel, a custom-fit bra company. “I was really drawn to the aspect that the program had mentors available to help us. They all have different stories, but they’ve all faced the same challenges all entrepreneurs go through when starting a business.”

In all, 26 College of Business Administration alumni volunteered their time and expertise to the program, providing invaluable firsthand experience and knowledge to the entrepreneurs. Each entrepreneur also was assigned a student research team of either MBA or undergraduate students, who got course credit for their work. They met with the entrepreneurs each week and, at the end of the session, delivered an analysis and report that provided insight and support to the entrepreneurs and their businesses.

“I am so proud of the way that all of our partners stepped up for this program,” said Jackson. “Our faculty who volunteered their expertise, the student researchers who were engaged in the project and developed really

Last summer, 10 Kansas startup companies explored a new program that was part Shark Tank, small-business incubator and college course — with a dash of summer camp.

The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship’s inaugural K-State Launch a Business, or LAB, program, was designed to provide the building blocks to turn a concept into a successful venture.

“One of our university’s missions and goals is to support economic development and growth in the state of Kansas,” said Chad Jackson, director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “We developed K-State LAB as a way to reach out and support the entrepreneurs in the state. Our faculty, alumni and students are incredible resources, and the LAB program allows us to share their expertise with the community.”

The program began in April with applications from 52 early-stage companies. The selection committee interviewed the top 15 entrepreneurs and selected

the 10 they believed had the best concepts and, even more importantly, the commitment to turn those ideas into real businesses.

“There was a broad spectrum among finalists, not only with their previous entrepreneurship experience, but also with the types of companies we had,” said Jackson. “That broad range actually helped the program in some ways because everyone really came together as a team. It became about supporting each other and helping each other to advance and grow.”

Once the finalists were selected, the entrepreneurs, mentors, faculty and staff came together for a kickoff party on July 10. On the next five Fridays, the entrepreneurs came to campus where they benefited from faculty-led courses, hands-on student research teams and access to the university’s world-class alumni mentor network.

“I applied for the LAB program because you can always use more advice and more help when you are starting a new business,” said Carlanda

high-quality products for their clients, and our alumni who volunteered their time on a regular basis to work with these entrepreneurs.”

The program culminated with a Launch Party on Aug. 12, during which all 10 businesses set up informational booths around the K-State Alumni Center ballroom and pitched their companies to those in attendance. Each attendee got a poker chip to vote for the company they considered to be the best. The top three vote-getters moved on to the final round, where they had three minutes to pitch their company to a panel of distinguished judges in front of all in attendance.

“We have the best business college in the state, and we need to play a major role in helping to grow the state’s economy,” said Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz, who served on the judges’ panel for the competition. “The best way to do that is with small businesses and entrepreneurs. The LAB program is an example of the outreach and service K-State is providing to meet the goal of becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”

In the end, MeltPoint Environmental, Caldwell, was chosen as the grand prizewinner, receiving

• MeltPoint Environmental, Caldwell, for the MeltPoint Surgical Bluewrap Recovery Machine, an innovative proprietary device that allows health care facilities to reduce the large amount of surgical blue wrap that ends up in landfills.

• NMotion UAS, Hesston, provides advanced unmanned aircraft systems and solutions for public safety professionals during emergencies. NMotion’s systems are engineered for rapid deployment when seconds count, allowing officials to see more while risking personnel less by utilizing immediate aerial support on scene.

• Ligosphere, Kansas City, makes a free mobile app designed to fit college students’ busy lives. Students can post, find and share things like events, jobs and internships, items to buy and sell, and more. Ligosphere also connects local businesses with students to post deals, discounts and promotions on the app.

a prize package valued at more than $50,000. The company’s innovative proprietary device, the MeltPoint Surgical Bluewrap Recovery Machine, allows health care facilities to reduce the large amount of surgical blue wrap that ends up in landfills.

“Winning the LAB competition just solidifies that we have a great idea,” said Chad May, founder of MeltPoint Environmental. “We’ve met with a lot of people and learned a lot over the last few weeks, and now it’s time to take the product to market and commercialize it.”

Plans are already underway for the summer 2015 version of K-State LAB, with the application process opening up again in March.

“There are a lot of really great entrepreneurs out there and a lot of really great business ideas. It’s also great to be able to work with people who

• Impact Engineering, based in Manhattan, aims to create simple, reliable, inexpensive solutions to large societal problems, making everyday life more efficient and safe for everybody. A sample of projects being pursued include a text blocking and vehicle analytical tool connected to a phone app, traffic light synchronization software to improve traffic flow with minimal red light stops, and a proprietary safety whistle.

• Jonah Ventures, Manhattan, reconstructs the diets of animals using the latest sequencing technologies. Its services provide a quantitative reconstruction of herbivore diets by sequencing short segments of plant DNA that have made it through the digestive system.

• Radiation Detection Technologies Inc., Manhattan, leverages advanced radiation detection products to meet its customers’ needs with these advanced technologies.

have those ideas and help support them, to have a little part in moving them forward,” said Jackson.

“I think that it is a really exciting program that we are going to continue to build on,” concluded Jackson. “There is a lot of interest in K-State LAB, and it’s going to be a lot of fun to continue to watch it grow and to work with really great entrepreneurs.”

For more information on K-State LAB or to submit an application for the summer 2015 session, visit k-state.edu/lab.

• Aphrodite Apparel, Overland Park, uses the latest 3-D body imaging technology to gather hundreds of unique measurements to fashion bras to fit a woman’s exact physical specifications for superb comfort, style and fit.

• Tikitum Sensory Learning Lab, Overland Park, makes science come alive for children by letting them use their senses to learn, explore and experiment.

• VeriQuik Consulting and Services, Shawnee, is a screening company that performs voluntary background checks. The company’s permission-based model allows the end user to be the gatekeeper of his or her own information.

• Sidesinger Custom Cabinets, Topeka, is a custom cabinet and woodworking shop that designs, builds and installs quality custom woodworking projects for homeowners and building contractors in the Topeka area.

10 Startups Chosen for the 2014 Program

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Chasing the Bryan Davis, a freshman in management information systems, is the first recipient of the CBA’s new American Dream Scholarshipby Brent Fritzemeier

University education to a student who would otherwise be unable to afford this valuable asset,” Tim Regan said. “I was the oldest of nine children from a family without the resources to pay for my college education, and I am eternally grateful for the scholarships I was able to receive that made it possible to obtain my American dream of a Kansas State education. With the help of other grateful alumni who’ve had similar help in achieving their dreams, we would like to create as many American Dream scholarships as possible for the next generation of K-Staters.”

That paying-it-forward mentality is something that is not lost on Davis.

“The fact that the scholarship is funded by young alumni means a lot to me, and I hope to be able to give back to it in the future,” Davis said. “It means opportunities for people like me and in situations like me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

For more information about the American Dream Scholarship and how you can pledge your support, visit cba.k-state.edu/americandream.

In his 1931 book The Epic of America, author James Truslow Adams stated that the American dream is “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. A dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”

Though those words were written almost a century ago, their message resonates with Bryan Davis, a freshman in management information systems and the first recipient of the College of Business Administration’s new American Dream Scholarship.

“My definition of the American dream is the ability to take nothing but your determination and use that to ignite your passion to arrive at a reward that is far greater than what you started with,” said Davis. “It’s about using the resources around you to improve not just yourself, but the community and society around you. The American dream is creating something greater than yourself with whatever it is you have.”

A native of Topeka, Davis grew up in single-parent household, working 30 hours per week throughout high school in an effort to help make ends meet at home. Despite that heavy workload, he still managed to graduate from Topeka High School with a 3.9 GPA while also being heavily involved on campus. He was the president of the Black Student Union, active in the Youth Entrepreneur program and even founded a new club called M.A.L.E., or Men Achieving Lifelong Education.

“My mother always instilled in me that education is the key to opening whatever doors you find in your way,” said Davis. “During high school, I made sure to get as involved as possible, to get to know as many people as possible, so I could take in their different perspectives and backgrounds and learn from them.”

The drive for involvement didn’t stop once he stepped onto the K-State campus in August. In his short time in Manhattan, he has already gotten involved in the K-State Black Student Union, being named a delegate on the Big 12 Council for Black Student Government. He also took part in the MAPS Scholar program last summer and is an active member of the Multicultural Business Student Association and the CBA Professional Advantage program.

“When I visited Kansas State, the sense of community really drew me in,” Davis said. “The love that students have for one another and their drive to better themselves and those around them is something that I really admire.”

It is that drive to get involved and better himself through education that made Davis the ideal choice for the college’s first American Dream Scholarship.

“Bryan Davis is most deserving of the American Dream Scholarship,” said Anand Desai, associate dean for academic administration and chair of the college’s scholarship committee. “With this scholarship, he is able to devote all of his time to academics and leadership activities without worrying about financial burdens. Bryan is a perfect example of the intent of this scholarship, and we thank our alumni for making his American dream possible.”

The American Dream Scholarship is funded by “Dream Teams” of 50 young alumni who each pledge $10 per month for four years. Through these donations, each team provides one College of Business Administration student with an annual scholarship for four years.

According to Tim and Sue Regan, 1978 K-State graduates and the philanthropic mentors of the American Dream program, Davis’ scholarship is the first of many to be funded by the program.

“This scholarship is just as its name implies, to provide the American dream of a Kansas State

“My definition of the American dream is the ability to take nothing but your determination and use that to ignite your passion to arrive at a reward that is far greater than what you started with.”

— Bryan Davis

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Challenge at William Paterson University. To do so, she had to take on more than 80 students from 42 colleges from around North America and Europe in the three-day event.

The Sales Cat Team prepares for sales competitions differently from teams at many

Though we might not think about it very often, selling permeates every aspect of the human experience. Sales are all around us in our day-to-day interactions. We sell ourselves to the world in the way we act, dress and speak.

Research shows that regardless of the undergraduate degree students earn, there is a roughly 70 percent chance that they will end up doing some form of sales in their first job. With that in mind, the College of Business Administration created the National Strategic Selling Institute, or NSSI, in 2010.

In the four short years since, the NSSI has established itself as one of the premier sales education programs in the country, being named a top sales program by the Sales Education Foundation each of the last three years.

According to Dawn Deeter, the director of the NSSI since its inception, the program has earned distinction through its curriculum, corporate partners and sales team.

“Our corporate partners keep us relevant and state-of-the-art,” said Deeter. “They want to partner with us because they want to be first in line to hire our students. These companies know our students have been taught how to be professional, efficient salespeople.”

For example, the NSSI partners with Frito Lay for its sales management class. Representatives from the company come in and team teach the course with Deeter, and the skills that the students are learning in that class are the same skills they would need in an entry-level sales management position.

The partnerships don’t stop there. In addition to receiving these skills and training that are translatable to any company, some students are getting actual job offers just from their performance in the class.

“Students need to know how to sell themselves,” said Deeter. “That is true to get a job, and once you land

that job, to sell your ideas or sell yourself for a raise or promotion. These skills are universal.”

Another area that puts a spotlight on the success that the NSSI has had is its Sales Cat Team, which competes at collegiate sales competitions across the country. In just five competitions entered in fall 2014, the NSSI came away with two overall championships.

In October, Austin Robisch, a senior in management information systems from Overland Park, was named Sales Athlete of the Year at the Northern Illinois University Sales Decathlon. He beat out 19 other finalists representing 10 universities from around the country to take home a $2,000 cash prize and a job offer from Adobe Systems, the sponsor of the competition. Armani Williams, a junior in marketing from Lenexa, also fared well in the competition, taking first place in the face-to-face call and third place in the telephone call portions of the competition.

Then in November, Helen Dinkel, a junior in marketing from Leawood, won the Overall Champion Award at the 2014 RBI National Sales

Sold on SalesK-State’s National Strategic Selling Institute has quickly established itself as one of the premier sales education programs in the nationby Brent Fritzemeier

other universities by not using scripts, which can result in rather unrealistic sales calls. Instead, the NSSI works with the students to develop strong overall selling skills and product knowledge, and then lets the students deal with each call as they would in the real world — without a script, better preparing them for their sales careers after college.

“The sales decathlon was a process that started well over a year ago,” said Robisch, who has accepted a position with Deloitte following his graduation this spring. “We had several team strategy meetings where we went over examples from previous years, showing us the grading procedures and how they would be judging us. I did a lot of research of the product on my own.

“When it came down to preparing for the finals, I put a lot of time into role playing with Dr. Deeter and other members of the Sales Cat Team. That gave me the opportunity to figure out what I should be saying to these clients and how I could use my major in management information systems as an added benefit since we were selling an Adobe electronics product. It was just going over everything time and time again until I felt comfortable with the material and I felt like I could pitch it to a real CEO or CIO of a tech company.”

Currently the NSSI Sales Cat Team has 16 members. The team will take part in eight national sales competitions in the 2014-2015 school year. Members are chosen through internal sales competitions and by recruiting some of the best performers from the sales classes.

“I’m so proud of our sales team members,” Deeter said. “Wins like these help bring recognition to what we are doing at K-State to prepare students for successful and fulfilling careers in sales.”

Thanks to the generosity of Pat and Larry Kendall, two K-State alumni and longtime supporters of the College of Business Administration, students pursuing a certificate in professional strategic selling now have an edge when meeting with potential employers.

Interact Software from CenergyIT allows students to record themselves during mock sales calls to get a better understanding of how they are performing in sales situations. The software allows for critiques from professors and creates a shareable online profile of their work for potential employers.

“The new technology in the sales labs not only allows us, the students, to view and critique ourselves on our sales role plays, but it also enables us to show off our real-world sales experience to the corporate sponsor’s recruiters,” said Kevin Donlin, a junior in industrial engineering who is pursuing a sales certificate. “Best of all, this is all available at a click of a button for the recruiters, making it easier than ever for them to view our work.”

That availability to recruiters gives students in the program a real edge over other potential hires, going above and beyond what can be shown on a traditional paper resume.

“Thanks to the generosity of Pat and Larry Kendall, we are able to provide our students with a state-of-the-art experience that helps prepare them for a career in sales,” said Dawn Deeter, director of the National Strategic Selling Institute. “The Kendalls also have been very supportive of our sales team, providing funds for student travel to competitions, and we can’t thank them enough for their dedication to our program.”

Alumni Gift Enhances NSSI Success

“I know I am biased, but I honestly think this is a transformational program,” concluded Deeter. “Seeing students come in being nervous and not know what to expect, only to become unbelievably good at what they are doing is just amazing. That, to me, is the best part — seeing that transformation.”

The certificate program in sales is open to all majors at K-State. Currently 50 students are working toward a certificate, with 500 taking sales classes. Eventually the NSSI would like to see 250 students receiving their certificates each year. There is also a push to establish a sales major in the College of Business Administration within the next five years.

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Curtis Morisaki, Recruitment Coordinator

Brianna Zweimiller, sophomore in human resource management, Hartford

Christian Stromgren, junior in finance, Osage City

Ryan Haefke, junior in business, Holton

Olivia Law-Delrosso, Director, Professional Advantage program

Emily Brueseke, Director, Executive Mentor program

Michael Raine, Information Technology Coordinator

Bonnie Boos, senior in accounting, Salina

The new business building will help K-State attract the best students in the state of Kansas and beyond. When you look at other schools, the business building is typically one of the highlight facilities on campus. The future home of the College of Business Administration will put K-State in the forefront of business buildings across the country. With modern classrooms, study rooms, computer labs, a coffee shop and meeting space for students, everything a K-State business student needs will be in one spot. What future Wildcat wouldn’t want to be part of the new business building and other initiatives happening in the College of Business Administration?

The future of the CBA is bright with the addition of our new building, and I am most excited for the new lecture halls, new technology and networking space. With large lectures taking place in the building, I will have more time to network with my fellow students, instructors and professionals between classes instead of having to travel to another building. I’m also excited to work with the newest technology and gain hands-on experience to prepare me for my career.

The new home of the college will enhance the student experience by encouraging collaboration and networking. Open study spaces will provide a welcoming atmosphere and the setting for working with one another, meeting with professionals and studying for academic success.

The new building will enhance student success in multiple ways. It will provide students with state-of-the-art classrooms, labs and technology for a contemporary learning environment. In addition, student support services, including academic advisors and student assistants, peer mentors, professional development program staff and career coaches, will all be housed in the Office of Student Services suite. This easy one-stop access to valuable integrated support services will help our students make the most of their chosen programs of study and be fully prepared for their future career paths.

What excites me the most about the future of the College of Business Administration in the new building is our potential for growth. Our college has continually displayed its growth in the programs and activities we are able to be involved in, as well as academically. With the new space these options became even more extensive, allowing us to expand our learning abilities and continue to grow as a whole.

The building will enhance the student experience in the College of Business Administration by providing students the tools they need to succeed — whether that is the state-of-the-art classrooms, spaces where group projects can be completed, or just a place for students to hang out and complete their homework. This new building will ensure that all students are receiving a top-notch educational experience that will help us continue our success.

The new building will have incredible resources and opportunities for students to be successful in their career. Companies that actively recruit business students will have dedicated space in the building to promote job and internship opportunities and network with students. We also will be able to provide interview space to supplement Career and Employment Services during fall recruitment. Finally, Professional Advantage training sessions taught by business professionals will take place in our state-of-the-art boardroom that seats 80 people.

This professional business setting will prepare students for what to expect on the job. K-State business students will gain important career skills in environments that mirror the professional business world. Through this practice, students will be more prepared to be successful and add value to their future employers.

The new building will have many extra amenities that we don’t currently have in Calvin Hall, including the dozens of multiperson study rooms, a large lecture hall, and just the general size of the building. There are not enough classrooms in Calvin for all the business courses offered, so students are constantly zigzagging across campus to get to their classes.

What excites me most are the financial research and investment management labs, as well as having most of my classes in one building instead of spread out through campus. The libraries on campus are often pretty full or noisy, so having a place within the business building to study and meet with a group will be a big plus. As a student in finance, I’ll be spending a lot of my time in the new building, so having these labs and study rooms to work in will be extremely helpful.

I’m excited about the new building for many reasons, but namely for its ability to connect all of the pieces. Having all of our program offices, event spaces, students, faculty and staff in one building will make personal interactions happen more easily and often, collaborations more seamless, and guests more welcome.

Our new building will allow our faculty and students to use technology in new, innovative ways. Video/Web conferencing, lecture capture, live annotations during presentations, and high-quality video will provide students the opportunity to use the same technology they will find at the workplace after graduation. High tech is not just a buzzword in education anymore; it has become the standard and an expectation of all of our stakeholders. We will strike that delicate balance between bleeding edge and cutting edge to make sure we meet the expectations of our students.

The most exciting part about the new building is having all the new technology and room that teachers can use during lectures, making classes more exciting and enjoyable for everyone. It also will give students the opportunity to attend events inside the college instead of having to go all over campus. I feel that it will draw more students to the Professional Advantage program, knowing it will be easier having all of the events in one place.

Having space in the new CBA building primarily for student study areas will be very beneficial to all students. It gives students the opportunity to have group project meetings or just study on their own before or after class. I also think that having space dedicated solely for student organizations will encourage students to get more involved within the College of Business Administration.

It was an exciting time around the college this fall as construction on the new CBA building got underway in October. We asked these students and staff members: How will the new College of Business Administration building enhance the student experience for K-State business students?

&Leadership LegacyNew Building Excitement

Bente Janda, Director of Undergraduate Student Services, Academic Advisor

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2014Jamie Briscoe (ACCT) graduated from the MACC program last summer and is now working in Wichita as a financial reporter for Koch Ag & Energy Solutions.

2012Courtney Dubbert is a client services representative at GDH Government Services.

2011Chris Fox and Matt Carlson (ENT) are co-owners of Fox Home Innovations LLC in Manhattan, which received a Big 50 Award from Remodeling Magazine as one of the nation’s best remodelers.

2001Jayson Hood (ACCT & MGMT) became a shareholder in the firm of Wood & Durham, chartered in Clay Center.

1988Michael Hamacher (MGMT) recently joined Herman Miller Inc., an innovator in contemporary interior furnishings, as director of North American channel and dealer development.

1980Rob Knight (ACCT), chief financial officer at Union Pacific, was named to the Wall Street Journal’s list of Top Performing CFOs in the S&P 500 in December. Knight ranked

No. 2 and was honored for the company’s financial success as evaluated over a three-year

period, with highlights including a 34 percent return on invested capital, a 21 percent operating margin improvement and returning more than two times the company’s free cash flow to investors.

1979Steve Trendel celebrated 30 years of service with Wolf Creek Nuclear

Operating Corp. on June 26, 2014, where he is a radiation protection instructor.

1976Robert Noland (MKTG) is the vice president of Plastic Pallet Solutions in the Atlanta area, which provides 100 percent recycled plastic pallets to a wide variety of vertical customers across the United States.

1956Wayne L. Krehbiel is a retired senior partner at Krehbiel & Associates in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Since 1985 he also has been president and owner of Orion Petro Corp., an oil and gas producer.

CBA tabs Bill Turnley as interim management department head

The College of Business Administration has named Bill Turnley as interim head of the management department.

“I am pleased to announce Dr. Turnley’s appointment as interim department head,” said Ali Malekzadeh, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. “He is an excellent teacher and scholar with a long history of impressive service to

the college and the university. The college and the management department have made great progress in the past few years, and I am confident Bill has the vision, energy and enthusiasm to continue that forward momentum.”

Turnley, who came to K-State in 1997, has held the Forrer chair of business ethics since 2008. He received his undergraduate education in mechanical engineering, before obtaining an MBA and his doctorate in organizational behavior, all from the University of South Carolina.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve as interim department head during this transition,” said Turnley. “All of the faculty and staff have been very supportive and I look forward to working with them more closely. We have a few challenges in front of us, but overall, our department is in a good position.”

Among the numerous awards that Turnley has received are the Presidential Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching in 2004 and the Kansas State Bank Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2011. He has received the CBA’s Outstanding Research Award three times: 1998, 2002 and 2012.

Turnley’s research interests include employee perceptions of and responses to psychological contract breach, antecedents and consequences of organizational citizenship behavior, impression management in organizations, part-time and temporary employment, unemployment and underemployment, and effectiveness of business ethics education.

“Chwen Sheu did a terrific job as department head, and the faculty in management are excellent teachers and researchers,” Turnley said. “This is an exciting time for the department and for the college as a whole. We have a lot of strong programs in place, and I think we will continue to grow and develop those programs moving forward.”

CBA selects Brett Wilkinson as new accounting department head

The College of Business Administration has named Brett Wilkinson as the new head of the accounting department and the first holder of the Robert G. Chapman endowed chair.

“Dr. Wilkinson has an exceptional record as an academic scholar,” said Ali Malekzadeh, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. “He is an expert in international taxation and tax policy

and holds an international reputation for his tax policy scholarship. More importantly, his enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring students will be a tremendous asset to the college and our accounting program. I look forward to what innovative ideas will emerge from his leadership.”

Wilkinson joins Kansas State University after serving on the faculty of Baylor University, where he was an associate professor and held the Roderick L. Holmes endowed chair in accounting. During his 12 years at Baylor, he played an integral role in growing and further developing the graduate tax program, which was ranked by TaxTalent as a Top 10 program in 2013.

“I’m delighted to be joining Kansas State at this exciting time,” Wilkinson said. “We have an excellent accounting program and a dynamic faculty whose desire is to deliver a leading-edge curriculum preparing our students for a lifetime career in the global business environment.”

Wilkinson’s principal teaching and research interests are in international taxation, tax policy and the public interest implications of accounting. He has won multiple teaching awards, including being named Outstanding Educator by the Texas Society of CPAs in 2008. His research has been published in a variety of academic, practitioner and accounting education journals.

“Not only do we value high-quality teaching, but at Kansas State we also desire to engage in research that impacts our profession,” Wilkinson said. “To that end, we are working to establish a center that will facilitate interactions between faculty, students and practicing accounting professionals. One of my highest priorities is to strengthen and grow our flagship graduate program, the Master of Accountancy, which equips students not only for careers in public accounting, but also in industry.”

One of Wilkinson’s joys is mentoring students and helping them to develop as young professionals. In this regard, he provided leadership to Baylor’s participation in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ prestigious national tax competition. Student teams from Baylor placed in the top five teams nationally on five different occasions —2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012 — with the 2008 team placing first in the nation and winning the Alexander Hamilton Award.

Originally from Australia, Wilkinson is now a U.S. citizen and has degrees from Australia, New Zealand and the United States. He completed his doctorate at Texas Tech University where he was the Frank M. Burke doctoral fellow in taxation. His wife, Katherine, has a doctorate in finance, and they have three children: Daniel, David and Sarah.

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“Not only do we value high-quality teaching, but at Kansas State we also desire to engage in research that impacts our profession.”

— Brett Wilkinson

“He (Bill Turnley) is an excellent teacher and scholar with a long history of impressive service to the college and the university.”

— Ali Malekzadeh

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New Department Heads

Joleen Moden was senior vice president, internal auditing, for Verizon, where she was responsible for risk assessment and internal audits throughout the company and its subsidiaries until her retirement in 2007. Before the

creation of Verizon (Bell Atlantic/GTE merger), she had responsibility for GTE’s worldwide internal audit function. Earlier in her career, Moden was director of corporate audit for PepsiCo Inc.’s North and South American operations.

A 1978 graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Moden currently serves on the Kansas State University Foundation board of trustees and on the Dean’s Business Advisory Council, which she chaired for the past six years. She is a former member of the Accounting Advisory Council.

Calvin Today: You spend a lot of your own time helping the College of Business Administration through your membership on the Dean’s Business Advisory Council and previously the Accounting Advisory Council. Why make this a part of your life?Joleen Moden: I got involved in giving my time back to Kansas State later in my career than most people. After graduation, I worked in Fort Worth and was one of the co-founders of the Dallas/Fort Worth alumni association; however, we were more of a “social” organization back then and were excited if we could get 100 K-Staters together once a year. After the early years, I lost connection with K-State as I was always traveling for work and it was hard to make the time. Later on in my career, I had a little bit more control of my time, and I read about some of the things the College of Business Administration was doing related to ethics — an area that I was interested in. So I reached out to Dr. Yar Ebadi, the dean at that time, to find out more about it. I was impressed with what he was doing with the CBA and decided to get more involved.

There are many things that we, as alumni, can do for the university, both with our time and financial support. I think one of the most important areas is to provide input to the dean and faculty related to the relevancy of graduating

students who are ready for their career (e.g., the employers’ perspective). I think sometimes it is too easy for a college to get wrapped up in academia without balancing it with the job requirements of the business world. I observed much of that over my career in the many students I hired from schools around the country. I think that Kansas State is doing a pretty good job with that balancing, and I am particularly excited about Dean Ali’s current CBA initiatives.

CT: You have been involved with the CBA’s Executive Mentor program. How has that experience been for you? Did you have mentors throughout your career?JM: It’s great. For me, it has been helpful in understanding some of the struggles that students are going through. Obviously, things are much different for students today. In terms of our role on the advisory council, it’s great to get that student perspective.

We hope it’s a beneficial experience for the students as well. Sometimes I think they struggle with the day-to-day challenges related to being a student, and that’s natural. As mentors, we can help provide some guidance and perspective as to the long term.

Throughout my career, I had mentors who helped me — some I sought out and others who took an interest in my career. I certainly would not have achieved the success I did without various mentors in my life. Even when I started as chair of the Dean’s Business Advisory Council, Dr. John Graham was a mentor and I relied on him often as a sounding board for ideas because he had great experience and such a balanced perspective. You never outgrow the need for mentors.

CT: You are involved with a lot of boards and charity work. How important is it for a professional to work beyond the office walls?JM: I think it is critical. It’s like with anything — if all you do is sit in your office, you have a very narrow worldview. To be successful in the business world, you need to have an understanding of the broader world around you. That may be other cultures or other businesses and what they might be doing. Equally important is giving back to your community. Most of us have been very fortunate, but not everyone has had the same opportunities or successes, and it’s important to give back when you can.

CT: What skills or habits do you think help people succeed in their careers?JM: I have always focused on what I call the “Six C’s”: credibility, communication, commitment, change, connections and confidence. Successful people that I have known through all walks of life have those attributes, to varying degrees, and they are all important.

CT: Was there an important moment in your life that led to your career success?JM: I would say there isn’t any one thing. It’s more of a steady climb. I think you start out not knowing what you need or want to do — or how you define success. I was taught at an early age by my parents and grandparents that you show up and you work hard every day. If you do that and take pride in what you are doing, you can be successful. That doesn’t mean there won’t be roadblocks along the way that you’ve got to overcome, but if you’re not there working hard, you’re not going to have that chance. Also, you will probably refine your definition of success at various times throughout your life.

CT: You retired in 2007. What has surprised you most as you have stepped away from the corporate world?JM: Initially I missed it a little bit, but not a lot, as I was glad to end my commute from Dallas to NYC every week. When I retired, everyone who knew me said I would only last in retirement for about a month. What I found, though, is you just take those same energies and work ethic and apply them to different things that you previously didn’t have time for. I’m very involved in some nonprofit organizations where I’m trying to make a difference. I’m also spending time with family matters — that often got deferred to other family members over the years. I really enjoy being able to have more control over what I get involved in.

CT: If you could give one piece of advice to current CBA students as they prepare to enter the workforce, what would it be?JM: Know yourself, figure out what you want to do and then work hard and go do it.

Joleen Moden (ACCT ’78)

Retired, Former Senior Vice President, Internal Auditing, Verizon Communicationsby Brent Fritzemeier

Dear Alumni,

Preparation — opportunity — success! These three words are at the core of the transformational business education the Kansas State University College of Business Administration (CBA) is working to provide — a learning environment where every student can succeed!

We are focusing our energies on developing innovative programs that provide the applied education graduates need to be immediate contributors to their employers.

• The Executive Mentors program provides students amazing contact with the “real” world of global business. More than 560 mentors are mentoring CBA students.

• Professional Advantage offers literally hundreds of opportunities for students to learn and practice “soft skills.” From dinner etiquette to corporate networking, this program gives students a distinct advantage over their peers.

• Career Coaching is a new program being developed to offer CBA students and graduates the highest level of career planning and placement guidance possible.

• Our National Strategic Selling Institute was again named one of the top sales programs in the nation by the Sales Education Foundation. Our Sales Teams are winning student competitions around the country (see related article on page 8).

These programs are just a small sample of the types of learning occurring in the college. The new business building is under construction (follow progress on site at cba.k-state.edu/about/new-building/index.html). This building will provide for the delivery of state-of-the-art, student-centered learning that will foster a thriving environment where business knowledge is created, management skills are honed, and rich and varied research is conducted. The building will be a place where business leaders, corporate partners, scholars and students integrate into a living network of mentors, professors and peers who will challenge each other to think deeper and more critically. This fluid partnership will create academic programs that are among the most relevant, adaptable and applicable to our ever-changing world.

In FY 2014, we raised $40,427,444 for the new building, student scholarships, faculty enhancement and innovative programs. It is essential this support continue to ensure students have every opportunity to succeed. The CBA’s goal is to be synonymous with excellence by recruiting the best students, employing world-class faculty and creating academic programs that consistently evolve as global business evolves. It is only through the many engaged CBA alumni, corporate partners and friends that we have been able to advance to where we are now.

Thank you for making all the CBA has achieved possible through your generous support and involvement. The success of our graduates and further advancement of the college are dependent on your further investment. You are their mentors, their role models and their examples of what success looks like. I hope you will continue to join the college in preparing our students for their future success.

With warmest regards,

Ali Malkezadeh

Edgerley Family Dean of the College of Business Administration

You can read more from this interview at cba.k-state.edu/calvintoday.

Letter from the Dean

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110 Calvin HallManhattan, KS 66506-0501

College of Business Administration

Notice of NondiscriminationKansas State University is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, veteran status, or other non-merit reasons, in admissions, educational programs or activities and employment, including employment of disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam Era, as required by applicable laws and regulations. Responsibility for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, has been delegated to the Director of Affirmative Action, Kansas State University, 214 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-0124, (Phone) 785-532-6220; (TTY) 785-532-4807.

John R. GrahamMemorial Golf Classic9 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015Colbert Hills Golf CourseShotgun Start

More info and to register: cba.k-state.edu/faculty-and-staff/johngraham/golfclassic or call 785-532-4382

Spaceis limitedsponsorshipsare available

A BBQ buffet awards luncheon follows the tournament. Proceeds benefit the Graham Business Scholarship