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BELK COLLEGE CONNECTS
summer 2012
RETURNS OCTOBER 2012 BELKCOLLEGE.UNCC.EDU/NEXT
No.
07
BOARD OF ADVISORS welcomes new members
MBA PROGRAM moves up in rankings
SOUTH AFRICA welcomes MBA tour
PARRY BLISS
recounts Homecoming
CONTENTS 3
NEWS
6
STUDENTS
9
FACULTY
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BUSINESS COMMUNITY
13
ALUMNI
ON THE COVER: A unique perspective on the Charlotte skyline. Photo by Patrick Schneider Photography.
THE BELK COLLEGE OF BUSINESS UNC Charlotte 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223 belkcollege.uncc.edu COLLEGE LEADERSHIP
DEPARTMENT CHAIRS
CONTRIBUTORS
Hughlene Burton Accounting
Photography Wade Bruton, Kim Hummel, Patrick Schneider
Cem Saydam B usiness Information Systems & Operations Management Jennifer Troyer Economics Dolly King Finance
Steven H. Ott Dean
David Woehr Management
Richard Buttimer Associate Dean for Faculty & Research
Sunil Erevelles Marketing
Christie Amato Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Daryl L. Kerr Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
EXTERNAL RELATIONS STAFF Sasha Trosch E xecutive Director of External Relations Melissa Shelton Director of Development
Graphic Design  BrightYellowJacket
Sarah Caron Marketing Manager
bcc: (Belk College Connects) is published by the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte. To suggest story ideas, share feedback or change your mailing address, email belknews@uncc.edu. 22,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $8,870.
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David Parker
Theresa Drew
Matt Martin
Tom Finke
Belk College Board strengthened with new additions Four business leaders with strong ties to industry have joined the Belk College Board of Advisors. As Regional Executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Matt Martin’s responsibilities include leadership of the Charlotte branch as well as community development, economic education, and financial institution outreach across the Federal Reserve’s 5th District. He joined the Charlotte Branch as regional economist in 2006. Martin’s community involvement includes service on the boards of Community Link, the North Carolina Council on Economic Education, and South Carolina Economics. He earned a B.S. degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and, after military service, a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware. David Parker serves as the managing director of the Abbot Downing office in Charlotte, and has been with the firm (a Wells Fargo company) since 2004. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Parker was the managing director of Private Wealth Advisors, the family office unit of SouthTrust. Parker is a graduate of the Stephens College of Business, University of Montevallo, with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and is a member of The CFA Institute, the CFA North Carolina Society, and the Charlotte Estate Planning Council.
BELK COLLEGE CONNECTS
Theresa Drew is managing partner of the Carolinas practice of Deloitte, the largest accounting firm in the region with approximately 620 employees. She is the only female managing partner of a Big Four accounting firm in Charlotte, and one of only a few across the country. Prior to moving to Charlotte last year, Drew served for ten years as managing partner of Deloitte’s San Diego practice, where she was a leader in the business and civic community. Drew joined Deloitte in Phoenix in 1979, after graduating with highest honors from Northern Arizona University. Thomas M. Finke is chairman and CEO of Babson Capital Management LLC, a position he has held since 2008. As a member of the senior leadership team since 2007, when he was named president, Finke has guided the growth of Babson Capital into a global investment management firm with more than $135 billion in assets under management and locations in Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. He received an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. Babson Capital sponsors the UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast.
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Board of Advisors The Board of Advisors is a group of accomplished business and civic leaders who work closely with the Belk College to build and strengthen our relationships with the business community. Through its insightful recommendations, the Board helps us constantly refine and improve our curriculum and programming. With the wise guidance of today’s business leaders, the Belk College of Business remains at the forefront of educating the business leaders of tomorrow.
BELK COLLEGE CONNECTS
Belk College, CCI host groundbreaking informatics conference
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More than 300 leaders and professionals from the fast-growing field of business analytics participated in “Charlotte Informatics 2012: Competing and Winning through Analytics,” a conference co-hosted by the Belk College and the College of Computing and Informatics in May. This leading-edge conference on the impact of “big data” and analytics brought together a diverse group of leading national thinkers, visionaries, experts and executives from business, technology and education. The goal of the conference was to raise awareness about the opportunities that “big data” brings, and to develop regional strategies to take advantage of the emerging informatics industries to enhance business competitiveness, attract talent, and stimulate business innovation and entrepreneurship in Charlotte. (“Big data” is an industry term that refers to large, complex data sets whose size is beyond the ability of commonly used software tools to capture, manage and process; examples include call detail records, Internet search records, sensor networks and social media sites.)
The keynote speaker was Tom Davenport, chair of information technology and management at Babson College, one of the world’s leading business strategy consultants. Panelists included experts from McKinsey and Co., IBM, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Premier Inc., Bank of America, Belk, Wells Fargo and Carolinas Healthcare System. “UNC Charlotte has a long tradition of collaborating with the business community to develop programs that respond to forces of change and emerging trends,” said Belk College Dean Steve Ott. “Analytics presents a particularly exciting opportunity because it impacts a wide variety of industries. The academic programs we’re developing will create a highly skilled workforce to meet these business needs.” Along with the College of Computing and Informatics and the Belk College, other event organizers included the Charlotte Research Institute and the Charlotte Chamber. The conference received significant coverage in Forbes magazine, and Dean Ott appeared with CCI Dean Yi Deng and Chamber President Bob Morgan on several media outlets.
W. Henry Atkins Principal Atkins Properties Marcia Avedon SVP, Human Resources and Communications Ingersoll-Rand Michael Baker Retired Tax Partner Grant Thornton, LLP Wes Beckner Regional Group President, Charlotte Metro BB&T Corp. John Derham Cato ’73 Chairman of the Board, President and CEO The Cato Corporation
Tom Mathews EVP Human Resources Time Warner Cable Michelle Menard ’97 President and CEO Choice Translating, Inc. Michael Mulligan President General Dynamics Armaments & Technical Products Linda Okowita Senior Vice President, Human Resources Cogentrix Energy, Inc. David Parker Managing Director Abbot Downing Jennifer Pollino
Mark Copeland Office Managing Partner Ernst & Young Theresa Drew Managing Partner, Carolinas Deloitte Thomas M. Finke Chairman & CEO Babson Capital Management LLC Tim Flanagan, Jr. General Agent Hinrichs Flanagan Financial David Hauser, MBA ’77 UNC Charlotte Trustee Robert E. James, Jr. Retired Vice Chairman Fifth Third Bank (North Carolina) Richard Maltsbarger Business Development Executive Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Brian T. Marley Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Belk, Inc. Matthew Martin Regional Executive Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Charlotte Branch
Joe L. Price ’83 UNC Charlotte Trustee Bob Qutub ’88 Chief Financial Officer MSCI, Inc. Robert Rucho, DDS, MBA ’94 Senator, North Carolina General Assembly David Shearer Partner and Carolina Business Line Leader BDO Michael J. Smith President Charlotte Center City Partners Jennifer Weber SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer Duke Energy Dave Wedding ’80 Partner, Forensic Accounting & Investigative Services Grant Thornton, LLP Manuel Zapata MBA ’72 President Zapata Engineering
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UNC Charlotte’s part-time MBA ranked among nation’s top programs by U.S. News For the second consecutive year, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the Belk College of Business is among the top tier of parttime programs in the country, according to the 2013 edition of Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News Media Group. UNC Charlotte tied for 55th place among 326 programs in the annual ranking, moving up four spots from last year. The rankings are calculated based on responses by business school deans and MBA directors, as well as students’ GMAT scores, work experience and undergraduate GPAs. Other universities in UNC Charlotte’s tier include Rutgers, Villanova and the University of Richmond. “This national ranking is a testament to the quality of students who are choosing to attend the UNC Charlotte MBA
program,” said Dean Steven Ott. “It’s also validation that the good work going on at the Belk College is now being recognized nationally. With this positive momentum, we expect to continue to improve our ranking in the future.” Based at UNC Charlotte Center City, the MBA program enrolls more than 300 students. In addition to the MBA, the Belk College offers graduate degrees in accounting, economics and mathematical finance. Starting with the fall 2012 semester, the college will offer a Master of Science in Real Estate. Highlights of the rankings are available in the Best Graduate Schools 2013 edition book, available in bookstores. For more information about the publication, visit www.usnews.com/grad. To learn more about the methodology and data research used for the rankings, visit www.usnews.com/gradmeth.
Hopkins appointed to lead new Student Center for Professional Development since 2003, serving in a variety of positions, including academic advisor, assistant director of the Business Honors Program, Kristine Hopkins coordinator of the Business Learning Community and Sam Walton Fellow/Advisor for SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise). Hopkins is currently a member of the Academic Advising & Re-Design Team and Student Success Work Group at UNC Charlotte. Under Hopkins’ leadership, the Belk College Advising Center recently won the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advising.
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Kristine Hopkins has been selected to serve as the first director of the new Belk College Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD). Hopkins, who previously served as the director of undergraduate advising in the Belk College, began her new duties April 30. In her new role, she will develop programs and services for the SCPD, an innovative initative that will supplement the classroom experience and help students develop personal and professional skills for career success. Hopkins earned an MBA and a B.S. in Communications with a concentration in public relations from Western Carolina University. She has been with the Belk College of Business
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Grad Students Explore South Africa
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Fifteen graduate students from the Belk College of Business traveled to Cape Town, South Africa in May to study real estate development in this emerging market. Over the course of a week, students attended a series of lectures presented by real estate industry professionals specializing in urban renewal, sustainable development, affordable housing, and a variety of other areas. Students additionally had the opportunity to participate in day trips to Table Mountain and the Aquila Game Reserve, as well as to visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned before the end of Apartheid. All of the students traveling to South Africa received three hours of credit towards their graduate degrees after satisfactorily completing a series of writing and research projects upon their return to Charlotte. Many thanks to MBA student Stephen Pearce for providing these incredible photos from the tour!
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Belk College, EGADE partner to offer Global Competitiveness course
In order to best accommodate the schedules of the students (most of whom are working professionals), the course took an intense pace, meeting for one activity-packed week from their base at UNC Charlotte’s Center City campus. Over the course of the five days, students examined industry and country case studies to explore globalization in both developed and emerging markets. They also studied Charlotte’s role in the global marketplace through various guest speakers and site visits. Tours and meetings at the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and the N.C. Music Factory provided a first-hand look into how Charlotte’s economic development initiatives have influenced its competitive position in the global marketplace. Students gained valuable insight into how social, political, and economic conditions create opportunities and challenges in emerging global markets from a panel discussion featuring Vernon Menard, COO of Choice Translating, a global linguistics and brand analysis company; Wayne Cooper, honorary Mexican consul and entrepreneur in Mexico; and Eric Wolff, Export Assistance Center, an expert in global exporting. “The Global Competitiveness and the Latin America Market class is a prime example of the Belk College and EGADE partnership at its best,” says Dr. Rick Conboy, director of global business studies in the Belk College. “Through this unique opportunity, we were able to partner on multiple levels and offer a broader global perspective to our students.”
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The Belk College has long partnered with EGADE, the business school of Tec de Monterrey, Mexico to offer a dual-degree MBA in Global Business & Strategy, with the majority of the courses based in Monterrey. For the first time this summer, students from both schools had the opportunity to take a jointly-offered MBA course in Charlotte. The class, “Global Competitiveness and the Latin American Market,” focused on the impact of the Latin American market in the global marketplace. Twenty-two students – eleven from EGADE and eleven from the Belk College – participated. Belk College faculty members Tammy Beck (Management) and Dustin Read (Finance) collaborated with EGADE professor Luis Garcia-Calderon to teach the course. Together, the faculty team offered a multi-disciplinary analysis into the influencing factors that fuel globalization and the strategies adopted by countries and global companies to enhance their competitiveness in the global marketplace, with a focus on Latin America. “Throughout the preparation and collaboration of teaching this course, we were able to leverage the expertise and perspectives of each faculty member to offer the students a more thorough analysis of global competitiveness,” said Dr. Beck. The MBA students benefitted from Dr. Beck’s expertise in management strategies in global environments in multinational countries, Dr. Garcia-Calderon’s expertise in corporate strategy in emerging markets, and Dr. Read’s expertise in how government policy enhances (or discourages) competitiveness in the global environment.
STORY SARAH CARON
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49er Democracy Experience engages Belk College students, faculty
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In June, Dustin Read (pictured at left), director of the Center for Real Estate, participated in a panel discussion on affordable housing which featured U.S. Secretary of Housing Shaun Donovan. The program, which was organized by the Charlotte In 2012 host committee as part of its Access to America dialogue series, was held in McKnight Hall on campus in partnership with the 49er Democracy Experience.
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As Charlotte prepares to take the national spotlight for a few days in September when the Democratic National Convention (DNC) comes to town, UNC Charlotte has partnered with other area colleges, universities and civic organizations to launch a unique community engagement and learning initiative. The 49er Democracy Experience has offered a wide array of educational opportunities leading up to the 2012 national presidential conventions, both the DNC in Charlotte and the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa. The 49er Democracy Experience is a nonpartisan activity with practical value for anyone interested in the American political process. The experience has featured public forums, campus seminars and student opportunities including for-credit courses, internships, scholarships and other volunteer assignments. Faculty from across UNC Charlotte’s colleges have collaborated with colleagues from Davidson College, Johnson C. Smith University and Queens University of Charlotte. A partnership with The Washington Center will provide activities for students at both conventions. “UNC Charlotte has used the occasion of the presidential nominating convention in Charlotte to launch a program of
innovative civic education,” said Dr. Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “The experience will enhance student knowledge of the democratic process, promote the University’s intellectual capital and leave a lasting legacy among students, faculty and the greater Charlotte community.” In the Belk College, students in several graduate classes participated in a guest Robyn Hamilton lecture by Robyn Hamilton, senior advisor for procurement, business relations and diversity for the Charlotte In 2012 Convention Host Committee. She discussed the steps that led to Charlotte being named host city for the DNC, the role of the Host Committee in planning, and the expected economic impact on the Charlotte region.
To read more about a Belk College student’s experience as a DNC intern, visit belkcollege.uncc.edu.
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Monica Johar
Moutaz Khouja
Dmitry Shapiro
Alice Tsent
College recognizes outstanding faculty nowhere to hide in her class, and participation is a must.” Dr. Tseng joined the Belk College in 1988 and was a previous recipient of this award, in 2008. Dmitry Shapiro, Economics, received the Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. He was recognized in his nomination for innovation in both course development and teaching methods. Dr. Shapiro uses a wide range of teaching techniques and testing procedures, depending on the type of course, and works constantly on updating material for his courses to ensure that students are aware of advances in the field. He consistently receives very high scores on student evaluations. Dr. Shapiro joined the Belk College in 2006 and was last year’s recipient of the Best Paper Award. Moutaz Khouja, BISOM, received the Outstanding Service Award, presented to a faculty member who has distinguished himself/herself through service to the University, College, Department or community. The award is based upon a record of sustained performance that, in the estimation of the committee, has significantly contributed to the College’s service mission. Dr. Khouja was recognized for his service on committees at the department, college and university level; his commitment to students and connections to industry; and for his commitment to service while maintaining a distinguished research and publication record. Dr. Khouja’s nominator said, “He manages all these responsibilities with commitment, compassion and an incomparable sense of humor.” Additionally, two faculty members received the Dean’s Scholar research award: Jared Hansen, Marketing, for “Market Orientation, Dynamic Capabilities, and Incremental vs. Radical New Product Focus”; and Dmitry Shapiro, Economics, for “The Impact of Non-Linear Tariffs on Efficiency: an Application to Hospitals Economics.”
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The Belk College’s annual faculty awards honor the contributions of outstanding professors in the areas of teaching, research and service. The 2011-12 award winners were announced in April. Monica Johar, Business Information Systems & Operations Management (BISOM), received the Best Paper Award for her paper titled “Analyzing Sharing in Peer-to-Peer Networks Under Various Congestion Measures,” which was published in Information Systems Research, considered a premier journal for the IS discipline. Dr. Johar joined the Belk College faculty in 2006 and received a Ph.D. degree in Management Science with a concentration in MIS from University of Texas at Dallas. Her research interests include optimal software development methodologies, content delivery systems and web personalization. She is an active member of the Association of Information Systems and INFORMS. Her teaching interests include management information systems, database management and business data communication. The Belk College presents two distinct teaching awards to recognize excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate students. For both awards, selection is based on teaching effectiveness as demonstrated by courses taught, curriculum development, successful use of teaching innovations, and student evaluations. These awards are based on a record of sustained performance that, in the estimation of the selection committee, has significantly contributed to the College’s teaching mission. Hui-Kuan Alice Tseng, Economics, received the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. Nominated by a student, she was described as an instructor who displays a passion for teaching and a holistic approach to her discipline. The student nomination noted her attention to detail in preparing lectures and the kindness and humor she displays in engaging with students. The student said, “There is
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Faculty Notes Denis Arnold, associate professor of management and Surtman Distinguished Scholar in business ethics, has been appointed editor-in-chief of the multidisciplinary journal Business Ethics Quarterly, a publication of the Society for Business Ethics. He also served as program chair for the 31st annual meeting of the Society of Business Ethics, the primary professional organization for academic business-ethics scholars in North America. Alan Blankley, associate professor of accounting, received the 2012 Department of Accounting Research Award. His paper, “Abnormal Audit Fees and Restatements,” was accepted for publication in Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory. Richard Buttimer, professor of finance and associate dean of the college; Ethan Chiang, assistant professor of finance; and Ph.D. student Jun Chen published “REIT Performance and Market Timing Ability” in Managerial Finance. Craig Depken, associate professor of economics, is a co-editor of Contemporary Economic Policy, publishes scholarly economic research and analysis on issues of vital concern to business, government, and other
decision makers. He also has been named to the editorial board of the Journal of Sports Economics. Howard Godfrey, professor of accounting, was named the 2012 recipient of UNC Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence. The honor is presented to a faculty member at each UNC system institution to emphasize the importance of teaching. Ed Jernigan, associate professor of management, has been elected president of the Faculty Senate at UNC Charlotte. Ed Malmgren, professor emeritus of accounting, was the guest of honor at an accounting alumni event in April to celebrate his retirement. Dr. Malmgren joined the Belk College in 1972 and received a number of teaching and service awards over the course of his career, including the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence, the Thomas C. Turner Distinguished Teaching Award and the Belk College Dean’s Award for Faculty Excellence. He served as an advisor to Beta Alpha Psi for more than ten years. Pat Mynatt, lecturer in accounting, received the 2012 Department of Accounting Service Award.
Steven Rogelberg, professor of management, has been appointed to the editorial advisory board of the American Journal of Business. Cem Saydam, professor of operations management, served as the general chair of the 2011 INFORMS annual meeting, held in Charlotte last November. INFORMS, the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, is the largest professional society in the world for professionals in the field of operations research, management science, and business analytics. Ellen Sewell, assistant professor of economics, serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Council on Economic Education. The mission of the NCCEE is to enhance and advance economic and financial education for North Carolina’s educators and students. Linda Swayne, professor of marketing, is a member of the faculty advisory group for the UNC Charlotte team competing in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in 2013.
BELK COLLEGE CONNECTS
Nelson named Staff Member of the Year
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Jeremiah Nelson, director of graduate student services, received the 2011-12 Belk College Staff Member of the Year Award, which honors a staff member who exhibits exceptional job performance, a commitment to quality, a positive attitude, a focus on teamwork and a dedication to serve the students, faculty, staff and external constituencies of the Belk College. In his nomination, Nelson was described as “a wonderful
ambassador for the university.” His nominators noted his tireless work, excellent communication skills, adaptability and positive spirit. He was also commended for his student-centered approach, high level of commitment and strong work ethic. Nelson, who joined the Belk College in 2006, oversees admissions and advising for the Belk College’s graduate programs. He served as interim director of the MBA program in 2008-09. Nelson is pursuing his doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Hartford. He holds an M.S. in Counseling and a B.S. in International Business from Central Connecticut State University.
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UNC Charlotte, Appalachian State host auto insurance symposium State. The RMI programs at both universities rank in the top ten in the United States and Canada, based on enrollment. Symposium speakers included: Dr. Bob Hartwig, Insurance Information Institute; Stuart Powell, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina; Kim Hazelbaker, Highway Loss Data Institute; Doug Darrell, StreetSafe Teen Driver Safety; Rusty Russell, National Insurance Crime Bureau; Wayne Goodwin, N.C. Commissioner of Insurance; Rep. Fred Steen II, N.C. House of Representatives and a Belk College alumnus; Chris Ziance, Progressive Insurance; UNC Charlotte student Ben Huffman; and Appalachian State student Ryne Herring. “I applaud North Carolina’s universities for their efforts to educate students, members of the insurance industry and the greater public about important insurance issues,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “I believe we’re doing a great job of preparing the next generation of insurance leaders in North Carolina.” Officials from UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State consider the symposium a great success. “As a result of the strong support from the insurance industry and the excellent networking and learning opportunity for the students, we are making plans to host another insurance industry symposium at UNC Charlotte within the next 12 to 24 months,” Marshall said.
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The Risk Management & Insurance (RMI) program in the Belk College of Business co-hosted an automobile insurance symposium at UNC Charlotte March 23. More than 150 people attended, including students, faculty and staff from UNC Charlotte and co-host Appalachian State University, as well as many industry professionals. “Automobile insurance is the largest property and casualty line of business based on premiums written and represents a critical component of an insurance company’s overall profitability,” said Prof. Tom Marshall, a former insurance executive who now serves as a lecturer and advisor to RMI students at UNC Charlotte. “The insurance industry, automobile manufacturers and members of the public share a common interest in the pricing and regulation of automobile insurance, vehicle design and crash resistance, teen driver training and detection and prevention of vehicle theft and claims fraud.” Funding for the symposium was provided by Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, State Farm, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, GEICO, Erie Insurance, Liberty Mutual, NAMIC, AAA Insurance, AMICA Mutual Insurance, Auto-Owners Insurance, Travelers and Universal Insurance Company. Sponsor funds in excess of expenses will be used to support RMI student activities at UNC Charlotte and Appalachian
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SUCCESS HAS A NEW
ADDRESS NINTH & BREVARD,
TO BE EXACT.
There’s a new hub for Charlotte’s future business leaders, now that the Belk College of Business has moved into UNC Charlotte’s Center City campus. This state-of-the-art facility in Charlotte’s vibrant business core is home to the Belk College’s graduate programs, including the MBA, Master of Accountancy, MS in Mathematical Finance and newly-launched MS in Real Estate. Additionally, the Belk College offers an MS in Economics and a PhD in Business Administration on UNC Charlotte’s main campus. By building partnerships that connect the business community to our students, faculty and alumni, we’re committed to playing a vital role in the future of our region.
belkcollege.uncc.edu/connect
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Alumnus delights in his ’49er homecoming PHOTO WADE BRUTON
H. Parry Bliss, Jr. is a 1969 graduate of UNC Charlotte. As a business student, he was one of the founders of the Alpha Kappa Psi chapter on campus. Parry, who now lives in Manhattan, served as president of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association but had not been back to campus for several years. He returned to Charlotte for Homecoming last February and was inspired to write about the experience. We’re pleased to share his reflections with fellow alumni.
Parry Bliss (left) receives a 49ers football jersey from Chancellor Dubois.
My third day started with tailgate parties and the Homecoming Parade – families, friends and students all enjoying a crisp, clear day. At the Alumni Luncheon, held in the Student Union, Chancellor Dubois made a brief presentation, during which he presented a 49er football jersey to the alumnus who had traveled the greatest distance to attend the luncheon. Having come from New York City, I was happy to have won the jersey, which I now wear with 49er pride. During the game, I was fortunate to be able to sit with Chancellor Dubois; his wife Lisa Lewis Dubois; my friend John McArthur who serves on the UNC Charlotte Foundation Board; Misty Hathcock, the chair of the Past Presidents Council; and other friends I have known since my days at UNC Charlotte. It was an exciting game, and I’m happy to report that UNC Charlotte won. What I’ve found is that Homecoming is a reconnection with family, friends, associates and the University. I encourage my fellow alumni to attend next year’s Homecoming and get in on the FUN. And, as we are supported by family and friends, we can look back on how the University prepared us for what we have or will accomplish in our lives. Let’s not forget to support our University as it continues to prepare others for what they will accomplish.
BELK COLLEGE CONNECTS
Although I have stayed in touch with the University and followed the athletic program from afar, I have not attended a Homecoming for some time. In fact, my attempt to attend Homecoming in 1989 was thwarted when Hurricane Hugo struck Charlotte the night before (while I was fast asleep at the Hilton University Place) – but that is another story. I planned my arrival in Charlotte to allow the maximum opportunity to enjoy North Carolina barbecue. One of my favorite barbecue restaurants is Bill Spoon’s on South Boulevard. After an outstanding lunch, I headed to the Hilton University Place to check in, then later met family and friends for dinner at the nearby Smokey Bones for another barbecue meal. The following day, I was ready for a tour of the fast changing UNC Charlotte campus. I have always been proud of my university, but this tour provided me with additional insights into how the University has grown and continues to grow. The tour ended in the new Student Union, where I had an excellent lunch at Bistro 49. After lunch I had an in depth tour of the Belk College, highlighting the dramatic renovations recently completed as well as the planned changes to come. If you have not been on campus recently, I encourage you to renew your contacts with your college. You will be proud and impressed with the changes.
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Priyan Attygalle MBA ’89 is CEO of American Express Saudi Arabia. He lives in Riyadh. Susanne Dixon ’95 was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” for 2012. The program recognizes the professional and civic contributions of young professionals in the community. Susanne is an audit partner and CPA at KPMG. She lives in Denver, N.C., with her husband Tommy and their two children.
BELK COLLEGE CONNECTS
Cassmer Ward ’98 was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” for 2012. The program recognizes the professional and civic contributions of young professionals in the community. Cassmer is chief executive of Clear Advantage Collar Inc. and co-owner/CFO of Intelligent Design Engineering. He and his wife, Ashley (a 1998 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences), have two sons and live in Charlotte.
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Jeff Poplin ’00, an F-16 fighter pilot stationed at Shaw AFB, was recently promoted to Major in the Air Force. He and his
wife, Miranda, welcomed their first child, Cooper Scott on April 23. The family lives in Dalzell, S.C. Daniel Lindberg ’01 has launched a new company, Defender Risk Management and Insurance (www.defenderrmi.com). The company specializes in commercial insurance and risk management services for the recycling industry, as well as transportation and midmarket companies. He resides in Waxhaw, N.C. with his wife, Anna Dixon Lindberg ’95. Jennifer Burnham ’05, MBA ’11 owns Pure & Simple Organizing (www. pureandsimpleorganizing.com), a personal and home organization service based in Charlotte. She was recently selected by 3M Post-It Notes as their “Professional Organizer Expert.” She travelled to Los Angeles in May to shoot web videos to showcase Post-It products and share organizing tips. The videos are available on her YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/ PureSimpleOrg). Phil McFadden ’08 joined the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) as help desk manager last October. In this role he is responsible for managing technical support for the DNCC headquarters. He also was recently promoted to IT security analyst where he is responsible for protecting DNCC electronic assets against unauthorized technological activity. Phil and his wife, Dena (a 2004 graduate of the College of Education) live in Charlotte with their two daughters.
Mike Knapp ’90 was 49er proud as he participated in the 2012 Blood Sweat and Gears “half century” (50 mile) race in Valle Crucis, N.C. Mike finished 30th out of 500 riders and reports that several people inquired about his UNC Charlotte jersey during the race.
Belk College alumni Michael Evans MBA ’09 and Catherine Hofmann MBA ’09 were married in May 2012. The couple met as classmates in the MBA program. Michael is a financial analyst in Global Brand Licensing for Electrolux. Catherine is a communications specialist at TIAA-CREF. Samantha Lee Hartill MACC ’11 has joined Shaw Industries, a subsidiary of the Berkshire Hathaway holding company, as international accounting manager. The company is headquartered in Dalton, Ga. Samantha and her husband Tim have two children, Drake (5) and Victoria (4). Jason Berkowitz Ph.D. ’12 has accepted a tenure-track assistant professor position at St. Johns University in New York City. He will start his new position this fall.
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FROM THE DEAN Steven H. Ott, Dean of the Belk College and John Crosland Sr. Distinguished Professor of Real Estate
Dear Alumni and Friends of the Belk College, As this issue of bcc: goes to press, we are preparing for a new academic year at UNC Charlotte. Summer is a surprisingly busy time on campus, with multiple construction projects, a steady flow of SOAR sessions for new students, the wrap-up of one year and many, many meetings as we plan for the next. This annual ritual of transition provides us with an opportunity for reflection, and I’d like to use my letter in this edition to remember and pay tribute to three very special alumni of the Belk College who passed away earlier this year: George Kantsios, Ginny Bufkin and Suzanne Freeman. George Kantsios was a 1985 graduate of the Belk College who was active in Alpha Kappa Psi as a student. As an alumnus, he was instrumental in starting the first College of Business Alumni Group, which many of you might remember as CBAG. He later served on the Board of Directors for the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association. George worked for both First Union and Bank of America during his career and was active in the community, particularly Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the Charlotte Chamber and the Jaycees. George passed away in January and is survived by his brothers Tom and Nick – both also UNC Charlotte graduates – and their families. George’s family and friends have established a memorial fund in his honor. Ginny Bufkin graduated from UNC Charlotte with an accounting degree in 1971 and had a deep affinity for non-traditional and adult students who were completing their undergraduate degrees. As chair of the UNC Charlotte Board of Visitors, Ginny personally established an endowed annual scholarship for non-traditional Belk College students who demonstrate financial need, and spearheaded efforts to endow a second fund for non-traditional students from other colleges. Ginny was also an animal lover and supporter of animal rescue and Scottish Terrier societies. She passed away in April and is survived by her husband Harry and their six Scottie dogs. Suzanne Freeman was a graduate of UNC Charlotte’s School of Nursing who later earned an MBA and transitioned into hospital administration. It was in her role as president of Carolinas Medical Center that she joined the Belk College Board of Advisors in 2005, a role she held until illness compelled her to retire from the hospital and her volunteer commitments earlier this year. Suzanne was a dedicated board member who provided sound advice and valuable insight into the healthcare industry. An avid supporter of UNC Charlotte, she received the university’s Distinguished Alumna Award in 2006. In addition to her service to the Belk College, Suzanne also served on the Nursing Advisory Board, the Alumni Board of Directors and the UNC Charlotte Foundation Board. Suzanne passed away in May. She is survived by her parents, her husband John, three children and two grandchildren. While we mourn the loss of three good friends, we can take comfort in the fact that UNC Charlotte and the Belk College have been made better because George, Ginny and Suzanne shared their talents, time and spirit with us. Their legacies inspire us as we begin a new academic year. I hope you will take the opportunity this year to connect with the Belk College, whether virtually through Facebook or LinkedIn, or in person at an alumni event or community program. Until then, on behalf of the faculty, staff and students, I wish you all the best.
9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223
Fabian Elliott, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., was recognized at UNC Charlotte’s May commencement ceremony as the university’s symbolic 100,000th alumnus.
100,000TH ALUMNUS
Fabian earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Belk College and has moved to Chicago to accept a position with Google. As a junior, he interned with the company in Atlanta. Fabian was an active student leader on campus. He was appointed a Belk College Dean’s Fellow, founded the student organization United Black Professionals, and was crowned homecoming king his junior year. UNC Charlotte officials acknowledged it was virtually impossible to determine the 100,000th alumnus, but noted that Fabian was symbolic of the caliber of student graduating from UNC Charlotte and a fine ambassador for the university. To commemorate this alumni milestone, the university invited past alumni association presidents to participate in the commencement ceremony. Members of the Class of 1950 and 1965 were also in attendance to represent UNC Charlotte’s transformation from the Charlotte Center for returning WWII GIs, through its designation as the fourth member of the consolidated UNC system.