In Review 2016

{ one c ol or l o go

In Review

2016

LEADERSHIP: A Shared Endeavor

LEADERSHIP: A Shared Endeavor

contents 12

A Leader’s Journey Minnesota State Mankato helped start Peter Bailey’s journey—and returning to campus kept it going.

14 18 Host with the Most Randy Sampson provides a great venue for the annual College of Business Alumni and Friend event.

Students Shine in Big Ideas Challenge Students from across campus showed leadership as entrepreneurs in the Big Ideas Challenge.

DEAN, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Brenda Flannery

PRINTER Minnesota State University, Mankato Printing Services

EDITOR Greta Fennell

PRINT COORDINATOR Doug Fenske ...............................................................................................

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Shaela Nelson EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Sara Frederick, Grace Webb GRAPHIC DESIGNER Terri Poburka PHOTOGRAPHERS Greta Fennell, SPX Sports Ginger Snaps Back Photography, Steve Woit

3 Dean’s Message 4 Honored Alumni 5 Student Leaders 6 Delta Sigma Pi MSSA: Students 7 Leading Students 8 VITA Provides Tax Assistance Learning Leadership in the 9 Integrated Business Experience 10 Student and Faculty Photos 16 KPMG: A Web of Connections 21 An UNRL Success Story 24 New Leadership Experience College of Business 26 Leadership Team

The mission of In Review is to inform and to connect the reader to the College of Business community. In Review welcomes story ideas supporting this mission.

In Review is copyrighted in its entirety. This volume and all articles, images and photographs within may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the editor.

2 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS 120 Morris Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 507.389.5420 | cob.mnsu.edu A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University.

This document is available in alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling the College of Business at 507-389-5420 (V), 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY). BUSC131NE_8/16

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Hello Friends!

I write this message during the warmest week of summer, with the presidential election, the Olympics and civil unrest here and around the world heavy in the news. Discussions of leadership (or lack thereof) are widespread and ongoing—and extremely important at this critical time. That’s one of the reasons why we want to focus on a particular type of leadership in this edition of the InReview magazine, our fifth anniversary issue: Shared leadership, which reminds us that it takes a collection of hearts and hands to bring action to ideas.

Shared leadership needs a common vision. Our vision is to be the clear business school choice for real-world learning experiences. Thus, we are thrilled to share with you stories of caring faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders who are taking the College of Business to new heights: Business students—who are now new alumni—like Mariah Haffield who left a legacy as leaders, scholars and role models. Alumni like Jeff Meyerhofer, who reached out to give back and quickly became part of such high-impact learning experiences as the real-world Optum health technology project and Big Ideas Challenge. Alumni leaders at firms like KPMG, who provide a bridge between college and career for our students. Even the hard-working leaders within our own team, who maintain the student-centered nature of this College.

We hope you enjoy these stories of leadership. Be sure to engage with our Facebook community @ MSUMankatoCOB, and join us in preparing the next generation of Maverick leaders!

Brenda Flannery, Ph.D. Dean and Professor of Management

VISION

To be the clear business school choice for real-world learning experiences

VALUES

Student centered, innovative, and professional always pursued in a spirit of collaboration, inclusion and collegiality

2015-2016 2016 IN REVIEW // 3

INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

MARK DAVIS RECEIVES

HORATIO ALGER AWARD College of Business alumnus Mark Davis was one of 13 business and civic leaders to receive the prestigious Horatio Alger Award and to be inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2016.

The Horatio Alger Award is given each year to leaders who have achieved great success despite facing adversity and who are committed to both philanthropy and the support of higher education. Davis was officially welcomed into the Association during induction ceremonies in Washington, D.C. last spring.

Davis, who is now the chairman of Davis Family Holdings, grew up in a family of modest means and worked for his father’s creamery in St. Peter, Minn. He started his own cheese-making business in nearby Le Sueur in 1971 and spent the first several years struggling to make things work. Now, however, that cheese company is known as Davisco, a $1.2 billion business; the Davis family also owns Cambria, Sun Country Airlines, Davis Family Dairies and Cambria Mortgage.

“The entrepreneurial spirt and determination that Mr. Davis displays are traits that all members of the Horatio Alger Association possess,” said Byron Trott, president and CEO of the Association.

HONORING OUR RETIREES The College of Business congratulates four retiring faculty for their hard work, dedication and passion for students as they each earn a new title: Professor Emeritus. Please join us in thanking them (shown here, from left to right) for their years of service to the students of Minnesota State Mankato.

Dr. Georgia Holmes, Professor of Business Law, 35 years Dr. William Brown, Assistant Professor of Accounting, 10 years Dr. Robert Zelin, Professor of Accounting, 24 years Dr. Penny Herickhoff, Professor of Business Law, 29 years

4 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

GLEN TAYLOR

Honored as an AACSB

INFLUENTIAL

LEADER Glen Taylor, who graduated from Minnesota State Mankato in 1962, was honored as one of the first 100 AACSB Influential Leaders last fall.

AACSB International is an association of more than 1,450 educational institutions, businesses and other organizations in 90 countries and territories; the College of Business, which is accredited by the AACSB, nominated Taylor for the award in honor of his success in business as well as his continued leadership and contributions to the University.

“Glen’s leadership and generosity have made a difference in the lives of thousands of students, whether through his financial gifts or the time he has spent serving on the University’s Foundation board and visiting with students,” said Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport.

Taylor is the founder and chairman of Taylor Corporation and is active in several other business endeavors, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx professional basketball teams and many civic and charitable causes.

In accepting this prestigious honor from the AACSB, Taylor joins the CEO of one of the world’s largest global relief services and a technology pioneer who is working to cure cancer, among numerous other impressive business leaders. A full list of recipients can be found at aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.

STUDENT LEADERS WORKING TOGETHER A partial gathering of COSBO representatives (from left to right): Huy Nguyen (Marketing Club), Nicole Boyd (Society for Human Resource Management), Aja Larson (Delta Sigma Pi), Joy Achieng (Betta Gamma Sigma), Shaela Nelson (Her Campus), Mary Wrightsman (International Business Organization) and Antonio Vessolinov (Enactus).

The Council of Student Business Organizations, known as COSBO, is a team of 13 student leaders within the College of Business. The group has been in existence at Minnesota State Mankato for almost 40 years. Along with leading their unique organizations, the leaders meet monthly to share ideas about how to work together to improve the College and better engage with students. Each organization is eligible to apply for a $500 grant from the Dean’s Fund, supported by gifts from alumni and friends of the College of Business; during the 2015-16 academic year, almost $4,000 was provided to COSBO students. Those funds help pay for travel to conferences and events throughout the country and cover the expenses of local events that further leadership skills and encourage professionalism.

2016 IN REVIEW // 5

LEADERSHIP THROUGH SERVICE

Long-Time Student Organization Leader

DELTA SIGMA PI® Since 1960, Delta Sigma Pi – Epsilon Iota Chapter, has set high standards for professionalism among business students at Minnesota State Mankato.

One of the longest standing student organizations at the University and in the College of Business, Delta Sigma Pi was honored once again by being selected as the 2016 Minnesota State Mankato Recognized Student Organization of the Year. Along with creating an annual Business Conference for all business majors, Delta Sigma Pi also sponsored many events and opportunities to teach its members about scholarship and giving back through service during the past year.

The Mankato chapter currently has 45 active members and an alumni group that totals more than 1,030.

There are more than 260,000 worldwide members in the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi, creating lifetime connections and opportunities.

Majors (includes double majors) (Spring 2016)

11 Accounting 2 Construction Management 2 Economics 15 Finance

Faculty & Staff Awards

Delta Sigma Pi led the development of a faculty and staff recognition program in the College of Business. Members nominated and selected the following: Most Creative Professor: Dr. John Kaliski

4 Human Resource Management 1 International Business 10 Management 16 Marketing

Best Professor: Dr. Kathy Richie

Hardest Working Professor: Dr. Joseph Reising

2015-2016 Activities Summary

8 Professional/alumni speakers during

meetings

6 Company Visits More than 450 volunteer hours 6 Special Events (LEAD School, 2nd

Annual Business Conference, Grand Chapter Congress, LEAD Provincial Conference, Halsey Volleyball and Basketball Tournament, and College-toCareer Event)

Award Highlights 2016 Minnesota State Mankato Student Leadership Award

RSO Program of the Year

Chapter Advisor of the Year Dr. Queen Booker – 2015 National

Award from the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi

Collegiate of the Year Zach Kaufenberg – National Award

from the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi

3rd Place in Wall Street Jeopardy Competition

College of Business Wall Street Journal Partnership

6 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Funniest Professor: Dr. Queen Booker

Best School Spirit: Dr. Brenda Flannery Best Staff Member: Lucas Howk Most Enthusiastic Professor: Dr. Kirsten Rosacker Most Caring Professor: Dr. Kathleen Dale Hardest Professor: Dr. Abo-El-Yazeed Habib

Two-time MSSA President and business student

MARIAH HAFFIELD Mariah Haffield, ’16 is known to her fellow students as “the bigger voice.” During her freshman year at Minnesota State Mankato, Haffield learned about MSSA’s impact on students. She decided to get involved because she wanted to make a difference in at least one person’s life.

Haffield jumped into MSSA with enthusiasm, and eventually took a leap of faith to run for president in 2014. “I decided to run for president because I truly care about the student body. I absolutely love the campus, and I want everyone to enjoy their time as much as I do.”

After making impactful changes on campus during her first term, Haffield felt that she could further her help to students by running for president a second term, and with no surprise, she took office for a second term. This is the first subsequent term in 25 years.

Haffield is also involved with the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, Beta Gamma Sigma – a national business honor society, the Honors Program, and Order of Omega. With her large variety of involvement, Haffield was able to learn about many diverse backgrounds and situations and understood how to help.

Mariah with her parents celebrating her recognition as one of two graduates with the highest GPA in the College of Business.

Mariah on graduation day with President Davenport.

MSSA: Students Leading Students Minnesota State Student “MSSA is involved with anything Association, known as MSSA, is the that touches students’ lives on voice for the students of Minnesota campus,” explained Jessica Farah, State University, Mankato. MSSA is 83rd MSSA Speaker. “In order for responsible for overseeing various MSSA to run efficiently, everyone boards and committees, provides involved must be doing their part services for the students, is involved by communicating with their with the student organization constituency and feeling out the Mariah Haffield, Cristian Perez, Jessica Farah recognition process, and determines concerns and needs of the students.” the per-credit student fees. The MSSA is comprised of 30 senators MSSA representatives work closely with the administration of from both the academic and student affairs, with a voting the school, the colleges, and departments, as well as President president and vice president. There are two student senators, on Richard Davenport, to assure that the student voice is being average, for each college within the University. The College of heard and honored.

Business senators were Cristian Perez and Connor Martin.

2016 IN REVIEW // 7

LEADERSHIP THROUGH SERVICE

Faculty and students assisting clients in tax preparations.

MAKING TAXES LESS TAXING

Students and faculty provide tax preparation assistance to community through VITA.

BY SHAELA NELSON

For Minnesota State University, Mankato community members who need help filing taxes, the College of Business now offers Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), a program through the IRS that offers free tax return preparation for low-income individuals. The student volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS. Dr. Kirsten Rosacker, Minnesota State Mankato alumna and accounting professor, was involved in VITA when she was a student during the busy tax season of 1992.

“There has always been talk of bringing VITA here,” said Rosacker. “Our focus was on helping the Minnesota State Mankato community and giving them a resource to file their taxes without drilling a hole in their pocket. The entire process of bringing VITA to campus was a team effort.”

VITA also provides free tax assistance for international students at Minnesota State Mankato. In the past, they paid $35 to file taxes, with no assistance. Dr. Paul Brennan, department of accounting and business law chairperson, took the lead on helping the international students .

Danielle Sukalski, accounting graduate student, and other students played a large role with professors Rosacker and Brennan in bringing VITA to campus. “I grew a lot as a leader through this experience and picked up a whole new skill set,” Sukalski explained. “When mentoring and teaching other

8 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

people something you are familiar with, you have to find a way to explain things in a way that makes sense to them.”

Students gained leadership experience through the national certification process as well as in working with clients and leading filing tax returns. The students learned that each tax client’s situation and understanding of taxes were different and thus each client needed to be treated individually, understanding their personal circumstances.

“It was very rewarding to see how grateful the clients were for helping them,” Rosacker explained. Over 125 clients were served through the program in its first year. Faculty and student leaders hope to expand the program to help even more students and community members in the coming years. ________________________________________________

“

The entire process of bringing VITA to campus was a team effort.

”

—Dr. Kirsten Rosacker ________________________________________________

“

I grew a lot as a leader through this experience and picked up a whole new skill set.

—Danielle Sukalski

”

LEARNING LEADERSHIP IN AN INTEGRATED EXPERIENCE The United Prairie Bank Integrated Business Experience allows students to become leaders of their own businesses.

BY SHAELA NELSON

The United Prairie Bank Integrated Business Experience, known as IBE, encompasses three core classes in the College of Business for marketing, management, and finance, as well as a practicum that gives students a chance to start and run their own business. “It’s applying what they learn in the classroom to a real-world scenario,” explains Nicholas Bryant, vice president of charity and sponsorship for the fall 2015 IBE company, KatoNation.

“The IBE was started in 2012 to give students a handson learning experience, to allow students to practice entrepreneurial thinking and to help the students gain interpersonal communication skills,” said Dr. Kathleen Dale, associate professor of management and chair of the United Prairie Bank Integrated Business Experience.

Dale explained that the students “really learn to work together to solve problems because they realize they can’t do all of the tasks on their own, and being able to build and work on a strong team is vital in today’s work environment. Students also learn that other student’s impressions of them will impact their ability to be an effective leader.”

“Without leaders, we would not have been able to efficiently solve the problems or issues that arose,” said Katelyn Bunde, vice president, fall 2015 IBE company Midwest Grown.

Bryant was the advisor of the IBE class the semester after participating as a student. “To see the process from a different perspective was unbelievable,” he said. “My leadership skills were fine-tuned from learning how to deal with the stress of running a business and mentor others to run a successful business of their own.”

Bryant said that his company was motivated to not only pay back the loan they received to start the business, but to make a profit as well. They wanted to be able to donate as much as possible to their selected charity, the Anthony Ford Fund, which is committed to helping find a cure for childhood leukemia and to helping young hockey players realize their dreams. They also wanted to follow through on their promise to match a $2,500 agreement toward the charity. They raised $4,000 total—which allowed them to meet their goals.

“The way this program is structured forces students to work very closely with one another,” explains Bunde. “Working with a team of people who have similar goals is very rewarding.”

“The College of Business is a phenomenal business school that provides students with unique opportunities that allow the students to use what they learn in class and apply them to realworld learning experiences,” Bryant adds.

Students and United Prairie Bank leaders present a check to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

2016 IN REVIEW // 9

LEADERSHIP THROUGH EDUCATION

1

2

4

4

12 1. Alum Peter Bailey, 2016 Morgan Thomas Executive-in-Residence and Prouty Project president, engaged faculty and staff in innovative workshops in March 2016 2. Accounting Professor Robert Zelin being thanked by students after his final New York City Study Tour. More than 40 College of Business students participated in the two New York City student tours in 2016.

3. Dr. Ferdinand Siagian (Accounting) was featured as a new Minnesota State Mankato co-author (with Dr. William Brown) for A Simplified Review of the Accounting Process and Financial Statements.

5

8

13 4. Finance Professor Dr. Stephen Wilcox shared a special research presentation on Robert Shiller’s CAPE and the Outlook for Future U.S. Equity Returns for investment professionals and students during Spring 2016.

5. Dr. Byron Pike (Accounting), the 201516 College of Business Research Award Recipient and 2017 Douglas R. Moore Faculty Research Recipient.

6. Dr. Jainwai Hou, (Marketing), 2015-16 Research Award Recipient, presenting his online auction research.

10 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

14 7. Dr. Kirsten Rosacker (Accounting) pictured with founding members of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) during a visit to Abdo Eick & Meyers, an accounting firm that sponsored the launch of the BAP chapter.

8. Dr. Queen Booker (Management) receiving the 2015 National Chapter Advisor of the Year award from the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi. 9. Dr. Oksana Kim (Accounting), 2015-16 Research Award recipient, presenting her Russian accounting research.

3

6

9

7

10

11

15

16 10. Dr. Joseph Reising (Finance) pictured with students during the Midwest Undergraduate Data Analytics Competition. The Minnesota State Mankato team placed fourth out of 26 teams.

11. Dr. William Brown (Accounting) and Dr. Ferdinand Siagian (Accounting) pictured with College of Business Dean Brenda Flannery and Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport at the University’s Authors Reception in April 2016.

12. Dr. Byron Pike (Accounting), Dr. Steve Johnson (Accounting) and alumni having fun at the Accounting Golf Outing in May 2016.

13. Luke Howk, College of Business Internships and External Partnerships, speaking to high school students at the Accounting Meet the Firms Day in October 2015.

15. Dr. Anaam Hashmi (International Business) pictured with business students and Belize women/children during the study abroad program “Fair Trade in Belize.”

16. Dr. Roger Severns (left), Department of Finance Chairperson, pictured with Dr. Leon Chen (Finance), during the Beta Gamma Sigma induction in Spring 2016.

14. Dr. Kris Brown-Mahoney (Management), 2015-2016 Research Award recipient, presenting her health care administration research.

2015-2016 2016 IN REVIEW // 11

LEADERSHIP THROUGH COMMUNITY

EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE

A LEADER’S JOURNEY When Prouty Project President Peter Bailey ’93 returned to campus for the 2016 College of Business Executive in Residence, it was nothing short of a life-changing experience—for him, for students, for community executives, and for faculty and staff.

At the Prouty Project, Peter Bailey works with organizations on strategic planning, team building, and overall development, using his Master’s Thesis on the Heroic Journey that he developed while attending Minnesota State Mankato.

He brought his expertise back to Minnesota State Mankato on March 28-29, 2016. In fourteen sessions he engaged, innovated, and had impact on many.

2016 EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE What did you hope others gained from your visit?

My hope is that there was an opportunity for others to put their own lives in the context of the global cultural and leadership development frameworks and see where they are in relation to those. I have always resonated with the billiard ball theory of life, that everyone we bump into has the potential to impact us. In each of the faculty and student interactions, I felt that there was a high level of thoughtfulness and rich dialogue which allowed us to explore the concepts we were discussing with direct application to their own personal and professional lives.

What did you personally gain from your experience on campus?

It was fun and affirming to be reminded that the work I started at the Experiential Education program, I am still living and working with on a daily basis. It provided me a unique opportunity to see my life today as a road marker on a life-long “giving back” cycle, something I believe in deeply. After the final evening with the interviews with Dean

12 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Flannery, I was truly moved by the number of students who came up and connected with me after the talk….we are each on Heroic Journeys and these students are some of the bravest I have ever met.

PETER ON LEADERSHIP What does leadership mean to you?

In my twenty-nine years of designing and facilitating leadership programs around the world, leadership has always meant simply, the degree to which we are able to call upon our highest character of ourselves in both good times and challenging times. And when we fall down in that endeavor, [and we all do] how well we can pick ourselves back up and get ourselves back on track.

How do your sessions invigorate leadership within organizations?

I see my role as a facilitator—and I go to the Latin root of the word, ‘facile’ “to make easy”—as a guide for the ways I can design an experience that best fits the level of the learner. Experiences have to be fun, informative and relevant. I also like to bring in an element of surprise… like memorizing the names of 27 people in a classroom in 4 minutes….I do that, not as a parlor trick, but so that they know above all else, that I care. I care about them and I want them to do that with others too. I believe that “we teach the way we are taught.” I want to model some of the best ways we can be with each other, so that they can remember it and do that with others too.

What can you tell someone else about Leadership?

I strive to learn from exemplars of leadership so that I can practice some of what they are doing to enhance my relationships and the way that I lead. Watch and feel the leadership of all the people around you. And when you see something you like, that feels right…try to do what they do.

Dr. Jasper Hunt did something that I have tried to practice to this day. He held me up to being capable of things I wasn’t even sure I could do. Wherever I can, I try to emulate Dr. Hunt and hold people in high regard and expect the very best out of them…and it has been my experience that people tend to thrive in that environment.

“

My encouragement would be that people see everything that happens to them as a learning opportunity and to extract all the essence of the life lessons from them.

It is in the context of our lives as a heroic journey, that we get wiser as we go through more cycles, and we have more fun, when we better understand our choices and the events in our lives.

We become better leaders, when we do the “homework” first on ourselves…and then by developing better Emotional Intelligence, put more attention to how we can help others on their journeys.

—Peter Bailey

”

2016 IN REVIEW // 13

LEADERSHIP THROUGH COMMUNITY

Bringing Alumni Toget

Alumnus Randy Sampson loves to see fellow alumni at the annual C Randy Sampson has always seen the value of community, so it comes as no surprise that he wanted to continue reuniting with former classmates after he graduated from Minnesota State Mankato. Just how successful and well-attended his little “get-togethers” have become—well, that’s another story.

Sampson grew up in Hector, Minn. He started at St. Cloud University but says that he “wasn’t enjoying the experience.”

Many of his friends who had chosen Minnesota State Mankato told him great stories, so he decided to transfer for his junior year. That change was just what he needed.

“I had a terrific experience,” he said.

Sampson graduated in 1980 with degrees in accounting and finance. The caliber of the University’s business program was obvious immediately after graduation, when he passed his CPA exam on the first try and obtained a job at one of the top public accounting firms in the state. “I feel that it was a really good environment to get a business degree,” Sampson said.

Sampson stayed in public accounting for five years before becoming a CFO for a few different companies. In 1994, he and his father purchased Canterbury Park, an entertainment business featuring live horseracing and table games. He started off in the dual roles of CEO/CFO, but

14 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

eventually he hired a separate CFO so he could focus all his energy on the CEO role.

After seeing the success of a reunion for alumni of the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School, which his dad (a U of M alumnus) hosted at Canterbury Park early on, Sampson decided to do the same thing for alumni of Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Business. “It was more of a social gathering way to connect some of the alumni,” Sampson explained, adding that he paid for everyone’s entrance into the park and covered the food for the night.

The first event, which took place about fifteen years ago, was a simple cheese-and-crackers sort of affair that attracted a few dozen people. Now, more than a thousand people show show up, including College of Business alumni as well as the University’s expanded cabinet, the dean of the College of Business, the college’s advisory council, business faculty and industry partners.

“There’s great support,” Sampson said. “That’s always been part of the key of this. [With other universities], we haven’t had that—haven’t had the support from the dean and the top people, like the Mankato group. I appreciate the support that they all get behind making the event successful.”

ether Canterbury Park event.

MAVERICKS AT THE RACES

BY GRACE WEBB

Brenda Flannery, dean of the College of Business, said she is extremely thankful for the opportunity Sampson has created for College of Business alumni. “I’m so grateful for him,” Flannery said. “He’s one of our great alumni to celebrate. I’m so appreciative to Randy’s long term commitment to making this event happen every year.”

The Canterbury Park event has now grown into the largest annual alumni event that the University offers.

College of Business staff partner with the Alumni Association and Canterbury to organize the event that included more than 800 attendees in August, 2015.

“We always looked at it as a way to reconnect some of the alumni who maybe aren’t part of the Alumni Association and aren’t donors and aren’t active with the university anymore,” Sampson said. “This is a way to reconnect that may create the opportunity to get them more engaged. People I don’t know or recognize will come up to me and introduce themselves and say they’re a College of Business graduate too. They’ll say things like, ‘I’ve been here every year for your party. Thanks for doing that!’”

University and Canterbury leaders make it a priority to attend the gathering, including (left to right): Ellen Preska Steck ’80, Minnesota State University, Mankato Foundation Board president; Eric Halstrom ’91, Vice President, Racing Operations; Stomper; Randy Sampson ’80, CEO; Brenda Flannery, College of Business Dean; and Richard Davenport, Minnesota State Mankato President.

2016 IN REVIEW // 15

LEADERSHIP THROUGH COMMUNITY

A Web of

CONNECTIONS The College of Business is woven into the fabric of leadership at KPMG. Over the years, the College of Business has established a relationship with KPMG, a Big Four accounting firm. Many alumni who work at KPMG have remained engaged with the College and our students in many ways, from speaking to student organizations, mentoring students and being a guest professor to recruiting directly from the College and making generous donations to further the real-world learning experiences our students receive.

We look forward to expanding our connections with KPMG even further as more of our students pursue careers at the firm in the years to come.

MARK GOODBURN ’84 Global Chairman, Advisory for KPMG and Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award winner, 2001 Connected with: SAMUEL HEIDELK ‘13

SKYLER STENSRUD ‘13

DAWN COURRIER ALICIA DOLD ‘14

CINDY BROOKS

JONATHAN WALGRAVE ‘05

JERRY JONES ‘78

DARCY NICORA ’88 Global Mobility Services at KPMG Connected with: DAWN COURRIER (sister) MARK GOODBURN (went to school together; started at KPMG around the same time) AMY WALKER

16 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

HANNAH REESE 14

JOSIAH JORGENSEN ‘15

KATIE RODEWALD ‘14

KAITLIN WENINGER ‘12

JACOB BOYER ‘15

ALEXANDER THOMAS ‘15

ABO-EL-YAZEED HABIB Professor of Accounting for 28 years at Minnesota State University, Mankato Connected with: BYRON PIKE (former student; now colleague)

AMY WALKER ’99

AMY WALKER (former student)

Tax Partner at KPMG Connected with: DAWN COURRIER (mentor) CINDY BROOKS ‘83

BYRON PIKE (he joined her tax team when he started at KPMG) DR. HABIB (professor – encouraged her to try tax) DARCY NICORA

DARYL HENZE ’65 Retired Partner, Iowa KPMG Past Foundation Board member Past Alumni Board member Daryl and Karyl Henze Endowed Accounting Scholarship Connected with: DAWN COURRIER

DAWN COURRIER ’83 Tax Partner Leading Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas CIty and St. Louis Tax Practice for KPMG Connected with: AMY WALKER (hired and mentored her) CINDY BROOKS (met in accounting club; started at KPMG around the same time) BYRON PIKE (hired; was his e-mentor) MARK GOODBURN (went to school together; started at KPMG around the same time) DARCY NICORA (sister)

CLINTON KIND Retired Chair and Professor of Accounting ANGELA DOSEDEL ‘00

RYAN CHUBA ‘11

BYRON PIKE ’02

Clinton Kind Family Accounting Scholarship Endowment

Associate Professor of Accounting.

Worked at KPMG from 2002-2005 in both tax and audit Connected with: AMY WALKER (joined tax group when he started at KPMG) DAWN COURRIER (e-mentor) DR. HABIB (past professor; helped recommend him to KPMG; now colleague)

2016 IN REVIEW // 17

LEADERSHIP THROUGH INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

STUDENTS SHINE IN

BIG IDEAS CHALLENGE This year’s big winner will help other entrepreneurs get started as well

BY GRACE WEBB

Earlier this year, students at Minnesota State University, Mankato had the chance to pitch business ideas at the College of Business’s annual Big Ideas Challenge—and the results were pretty impressive.

The Big Ideas Challenge, which started in 2015, offers student entrepreneurs the chance to create a business plan, attend workshops, receive mentoring from area professionals and compete for $10,000 in prize money, which was donated by College of Business alumnus Craig Lloyd, Lloyd Companies Chairman.

This year’s Big Ideas Challenge drew students from across majors and colleges and also included recent graduates who came back to campus to present their ideas. Participants went through two rounds of judging before the finalists were required to present their ideas to a panelist of judges.

According to Christie Ernst, who has served on the judges’ panel for the event both years, all the finalists were impressive.

“We were really impressed with the professionalism that they presented with,” she said.

“There were some good ideas and business plans.”

Ultimately, the top prize went to Andrew Hanegmon, a graduate of the University’s Iron Range

Engineering program. Hanegmon’s business, Iron Range Makerspace, was created as a way to offer entrepreneurs and innovators a space with the equipment and support they need to realize their own ideas. By paying a monthly fee of only $40, members have access to everything from 3D printers to expert lecturers.

“I think, especially in the Iron Range, we have a lot of potential, unused talent,” Hanegmon said. “We’re trying to give those people the opportunity to unleash some of those ideas and share them so that other people know what they are.”

Right now, Hanegmon and his team are still

18 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Supporters of the Big Ideas Challenge gather around winner Andrew Hanegmon including (left to right): Dean Brenda Flannery; Entrepreneurship and Innovation Graduate Fellow April Femrite; Sarah Richards (Judge); Stuart Sneer (Judge); Paul Rasmussen (Judge), Christie Ernst (Judge), and Liz Lloyd (Judge).

working to acquire all the tools and resources they want to offer members, but they’re still able to offer classes, workshops and other events, ranging from hard skills like iron work to softer skills such as public speaking.

Hanegmon was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Big Ideas Challenge, especially because it helped him and his team maintain their focus on actually seeing their idea through.

“The presentation was a great thing for us to prepare for, since it gave us an opportunity to not just have the idea in front of us, but to share it and check ourselves to see if we’re on track,” he said.

“Plus, knowing that we had other teams to compete

with really gave us something to push against. When there’s competition in it, you try a little harder.”

Brenda Flannery, dean of the College of Business, said that Hanegmon’s idea illustrates how this generation of students has a desire to work together to bring a positive impact to their communities.

“Andrew’s idea was bigger than doing something for himself,” she said. “His idea was about affecting a whole community. Some people think of entrepreneurship as that lonely individual in a garage, but what was very exciting about the Iron Range Makerspace Idea and Andrew was that he was not a solo entrepreneur on this. It was a whole team, and it was affecting a whole community.”

2016 IN REVIEW // 19

LEADERSHIP THROUGH INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Big Ideas Challenge

THIS YEAR’S FINALISTS

The finalists for the 2016 Big Ideas Challenge included Hannah Thompson with Home Fresh Personal Chef Service; Kylen Feltes with Dream Closet; Kody Henning with Northwood Inventories; Charles Jennings with Seajay Enterprises/ OurKinection.com; and Andrew Hanegmon with Iron Range Makerspace—the winner.

HANNAH THOMPSON

KODY HENNING

Hannah Thompson is currently a senior at Minnesota State Mankato, pursuing a degree in Dietetics. Through her business, HomeFresh Personal Chef Services, she plans, shops and cooks meals for her clients to reheat throughout the week. The idea came from hearing about personal chefs in the Twin Cities and decided to channel her love of cooking into a more flexible career than a typical restaurant job.

Thompson, who won the People’s Choice Award, said the experience was invaluable because of the connections she made, the free advertising her business received and the guidance given to her by expert mentors. “Competing in the challenge made my business and my goals seem real and achievable,” Thompson said.

Kody Henning believes the Big Ideas Challenge should be a requirement for all business students at Minnesota State Mankato.

His business, Northwood Inventories, specializes in packaging for generic products used in grocery stores. Henning’s idea was to use Chinese-made products to out-market the competition. He orders the products from China and ships them to Amazon, which sends them to customers. The Big Ideas Challenge helped Henning think about his business plan in a way that others could understand. “An idea in your head may not sound logical right now, but with help of others you can bring this idea to fruition,” Henning said. “This competition has the ability to change the entire life of a competitor.”

KYLEN FELTES For Kylen Feltes, the Big Ideas Challenge was compelling enough to come back to Minnesota State Mankato even though she had already graduated. Feltes, who graduated last year, started Dream Closet, a nonprofit organization that collects donated clothes and organizes free “shopping” events for underprivileged families around the Mankato area, during her junior year. “Because of this experience, I have met some serious business rock stars,” she said. “I took full advantage of networking with them and learning from them.” Feltes is working to found chapters at other college campuses, including Winona State University and the University of St. Thomas.

CHARLES JENNINGS From a lawn care service to a bathroom print advertising business, Charles Jennings has been creating businesses since he was a kid. However, his plans came to an abrupt halt when his father was diagnosed with cancer.

Throughout the painful process, Jennings yearned for an online site where he could keep in touch with his family without worrying about compromising privacy. His solution was Ourkinection.com, a social media platform with a narrower focus and stronger privacy settings than other popular sites. Unlike traditional social media platforms, only family members can see posted content on Ourkinection. “I have been asking and learning from those around me about this project from day one,” Jennings said. “And I haven’t been able to slow down.”

20 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

AN UNRL SUCCESS STORY Michael Jordan became a successful entrepreneur while he was still a student.

BY GRACE WEBB

Most college students have enough trouble just juggling course loads, part-time jobs and extracurricular activities. But Michael Jordan has them all beat. While he was at Minnesota State Mankato, he also started his own business: UNRL. Jordan, who grew up in the Twin Cities, taught himself how to work with HTML and build his own websites when he was 13. He offered his services to anyone who would take them, including his parents’ friends and small businesses in the area. That experience helped him recognize another popular need: customized apparel. So, when he wasn’t busy with high school homework, he was meeting with screen printers, building relationships and creating original designs—including his high school hockey team’s uniforms When he came to Minnesota State Mankato, his roommates introduced him to the world of competitive video gaming—and he quickly saw the unmet need for customized apparel. He and a partner created Gamingjerseys.com, which sold a variety of designs to gamers. Though the business was successful, Jordan had trouble with his partner and decided to move on by himself. In 2013, he launched a line of athletic wear and called the company UNRL. “I had about $2,000 in cash, so I wasn’t at a good spot to start a business,” he says. “I was starting from scratch out of my mom’s basement.”

The move worked out: UNRL has secured deals with the National Hockey League and endorsements from athletes such as NY Mets pitcher Witt Haggard and Team USA hockey player Kelli Stack.

Jordan says this success would not have been possible without the help of faculty and staff at Minnesota State Mankato, specifically in the College of Business.

“Being able to learn the fundamentals of business, and have professors who are willing to go the extra mile to sit down with me after class and offer recommendations, has been pretty key,” he says. “It’s been really cool to have a business going and be able to go to class everyday and learn things and think, ‘Oh, I can take that and apply it to my business when I get out of class today.’”

Nick Linde is one of the professors Jordan praises for helping him organize and expand his business. “Even today, now that his company’s having a lot of success, he’s always interested in learning, taking on new mentorship, picking people’s brains,” Linde says. “Michael’s story is really indicative of what our College of Business is trying to do: promote students who have ideas and give them the tools and skills they need to get their business going and expand their network, to put them in a position to succeed any way we can.”

Jordan is the first to acknowledge how difficult it is to be both a full-time student and a full-time business owner—but he encourages other students to give it a try.

“You have the opportunity to fail and it’s not going to be the end of the world,” he explains. “Most of us don’t have mortgages to pay or families to support. Being able to be here and have a safety net, it’s an awesome opportunity to start a business. I think that college kids have so much time on their hands… this is the best time to start a business.”

Read a longer version of this article at today.mnsu.edu. Visit Michael’s business at www.unrl.co 2016 IN REVIEW // 21

LEADERSHIP THROUGH INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

TAKING TECHNOLOGY TO NEW LEVELS

The Microsoft Dynamics Academic Alliance creates new opportunities for College of Business faculty and students.

BY GRACE WEBB

When it comes to technology in the classroom, one of the biggest challenges is keeping up with the breakthroughs and innovations that continuously pop up. The questions and decisions can be never-ending, but the College of Business not only rises to the challenge—it takes technology in the classroom to a whole new level.

Perhaps the most impressive achievement is the College’s recent entry into the Microsoft Dynamics Academic Alliance, a partnership offered by Microsoft that allows education institutions to implement Microsoft’s latest Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technology into their classroom curricula.

As part of the alliance, Minnesota State Mankato has access to software licenses and product upgrades for use in teaching in business classes—a huge benefit to students, especially because the Microsoft software is one of the primary CRM and ERP platforms used in business practice. But the alliance also benefits the University, which may not have been able to afford the expensive software

otherwise. In addition, the College of Business is able to access Microsoft’s industry partners for campus lectures, networking opportunities and more.

According to Luke Howk, Internship and External Partnerships Coordinator at the College of Business, the alliance became official in December 2015 after extensive work with the Microsoft Sales Center in Fargo. The alliance is very individually based; professors are welcome to implement the Microsoft technology if they want, but they aren’t required to. However, some faculty were immediately interested in the opportunities.

John Kaliski, a Minnesota State Mankato associate professor of management, was the first professor to implement the Microsoft technology. “When those students get out, I think it’s incumbent upon us that they have a set of skills that is immediately marketable, valuable and can differentiate them from the 10,000 other people showing up at interviews,” he said. “The idea is, by doing this Microsoft Dynamics Alliance, it builds a road from Minnesota State Mankato’s front door to an incredibly large network system that our students get to plug into.

We’re not giving them their diploma and pushing them out the door and saying, ‘Good luck!’ We’re providing an avenue into a really massive robust cross-industry, crosssector, global network.”

He added that, although there were bumps in the road as he implemented the new technology, his students gave him great feedback about the experience.

“They loved it,” he said. “It was really encouraging.”

Bryan Hoffman, director of IT for the College of Business, added that faculty and staff also reach out to area businesses and employers to determine what their needs are—which is why so many students become experts in software such as Microsoft Excel. Also important, he added, the College of Business focuses on teaching students the basics behind the technology, so that they’re able to understand and utilize different platforms and tools.

“We want to be current with technology but also focus on legacy applications like Microsoft Office,” he said. “Those skills are universal, from finance to marketing. We want to make sure, as we focus on education, that we don’t get so invested in something that five years from now, it’s not a viable solution anymore since it’s irrelevant.

Marisa Milton, Ian Illgen ‘16, Jake Wyffels ‘16, Dustin Varpness, Jase Strasburg ‘16, Mariah Maas, and Luke Howk.

22 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

THE RIGHT TIME

Alumnus’ desire to give back starts now Jeffrey Meyerhofer, Finance ‘98 Senior Vice President, UnitedHealthcare Dental

Alumni SPOTLIGHT

BY GRETA FENNELL

Time, money, and expertise aligned for Jeff Meyerhofer (Finance ’98), Senior Vice President of UnitedHealthcare Dental, last year when he reached out to College of Business Dean Brenda Flannery. “As you progress throughout your career, your ability and willingness to donate time and money is predicated on your personal life,” he explained. “You start to see the success of others as a key driver and that is something I wanted to give back to Minnesota State Mankato.”

When Meyerhofer attended the College of Business, he took on roles as president of American Marketing Association and Vice President of the Council of Student Business Organizations. Involvement was not new to him.

“I quickly realized that what you put into something is what you get out of it. By taking the initiative to engage with professors and other students, my time at the University was much more fruitful and enjoyable.”

Eighteen years after graduation and nine years later with UnitedHealthcare, Meyerhofer looked to the College as a way to give back to students who are now where he was. “It just felt like it was time and you have to think about all of the people who have helped you along the way so that they continue that path.” Regarding his professional growth, he explained, “You have to grow a little bit in your career before you can turn around and add value. It is not only the relationships I have within UnitedHealthcare but the relationship I have in the industry, moving up from a level of influence as an individual contributor to higher levels in the organization.”

Meyerhofer first reconnected in late 2015 and has already developed a new business experience for students in an Information Technology course. Meyerhofer and his team proposed real-life challenges that exist in the industry and looked to student teams to propose solutions for UnitedHealth Group. “Students took a new look at things, which is valuable to people like me, to have somebody come in and look at it a little bit differently. It gives students a good experience for what is to come.” Out of 12 student teams, one was chosen to present to United Health Group leadership in Eden Prairie, Minn.

Meyerhofer also served as a judge in the Big Ideas Challenge final presentations in April 2016. “It was fun to be a part of the Big Ideas Challenge and it was great to see the students in that level.”

Giving back and adding value doesn’t end there.

“Initially I went in thinking about a small relationship, but the engagement has been phenomenal and I see this only growing further.” Meyerhofer will begin serving on the College of Business Advisory Council next year. He also has plans to grow the IT course experience and explore involvement with other areas on campus.

“I have been so impressed by the professionalism of the staff and especially the students,” said Meyerhofer. “I don’t remember this level of intensity and exposure in the past as a student, and the work Minnesota State Mankato is doing will make the students better prepared for the careers they will embark on in the future.”

2016 IN REVIEW // 23

LEADERSHIP THROUGH EXPERIENCE

New Leadership Experiences

Two business students stepped outside of their comfort zones to participate in life-changing competitions and conferences.

BY SHAELA NELSON

The College of Business aims to be the clear business school of real-world learning experiences.

Last year was a big year for that with students engaging in new leadership opportunities often supported through the generosity of donors and the leadership of faculty advisors.

Dr. Queen Booker (Management) was the faculty advisor to a group of students who attended the national diversity case competition at Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Dr. Kirsten Rosacker (Accounting) was the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) advisor who nominated the first Minnesota State Mankato student to ever attend a national BGS conference.

ANDY NGUENKAM A group of four Minnesota State Mankato students competed in the Indiana University Kelley School of Business Diversity Case Competition last January.

Through the competition, Nguenkam learned how to lead a group of students in a situation he wasn’t entirely familiar with, which allowed him to utilize his problem-solving skills. Nguenkam says that he can now pick out and understand what demographics would be impacted through decisions. “Taking positive actions to enhance one’s personal diversity helps to better understand and accept people for who they are,” he says, “and in turn enables individuals to perform at their full potential.”

The team’s case was based on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender ( LGBT) shopping experience at Target Stores. This topic posed a challenging and mindopening learning experience for the students involved, as no one in the group identifies as a member of the LGBT community. The goal was to make Target a more inclusive and inviting store for the LGBT community.

To conquer these goals, their ideas included adding an intersectional clothing section, creating gender-neutral bathrooms and designing a logo incorporating Target and Pride that could be used when advertising the areas of the store aimed directly at the LGBT community.

Nguenkam is also involved in initiatives on campus and has implemented ways to encourage a more diverse group of students to join student organizations.

He works at the campus Wells Fargo branch and has learned a lot about diversity through the interactions he has had there. He motivates his teammates to think outside of the box and recruit for involvement in places that they may not have thought of before, hoping to bring in a larger demographic.

Nguenkam had a great team of peers who also were a large part of the Diversity Case Competition, including Cristian Perez, Mark Suiter and Oumar Ndiaye. They are looking into recruiting more students to be a part of their team for the next competition in January 2017.

24 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

JOY ACHIENG Joy Achieng ’16 was selected to represent Minnesota State Mankato at the Beta Gamma Sigma Global Leadership Summit (GLS) in November 2015 in Dallas, Texas. Even though she was nervous about attending the large event , Achieng took a leap of faith—and it changed her life.

Achieng listened to international speakers and learned how to pinpoint her personal talents. “After I did the [Strengthsfinder] assessment, I wasn’t particularly pleased with my results,” she said. “I wanted my results to show that I am talented at being strategic or analytical, not strong in empathy or harmony as my results suggested.” After learning about her talents, though, she understood that she had the ability to be a peacekeeper on a diverse team, assuring that everyone stays respectful toward one another.

Attendees were split into four groups and given a case to solve. By using what they had learned throughout the conference, Achieng and her team took first place. She had this to say about her experience, which is presently on featured on the Beta Gamma Sigma website: “The GLS allowed me to meet so many students who will surely lead the business world. The Summit fuels entrepreneurial spirit and helps clarify the path to success.”

As a member and previous president of the Mankato chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honor society of the top 10 percent of AACSB business students around the world, Achieng has been able to use the skills she learned at the GLS to improve her leadership on campus.

“I would not trade this experience for anything,” says the accounting major who now works on campus in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX. “I keep playing it back in my mind, and it was a pivotal moment in my life. The most important thing I took from it was having a new appreciation for myself and understanding aspects about me that I used to intentionally ignore.”

2016 IN REVIEW // 25

College of Business

Paul

BRENNAN

Department Chair, Accounting and Business Law

“

Witnessing young people develop their intellectual and interpersonal capabilities and confidences is the most rewarding part of my job.”

Leadership Team

Brenda FLANNERY

Marilyn FOX

Dean, College of Business

MBA Director

wonderful and I’m motivated to provide them with an extraordinary education that positively shapes their lives and launches their professional careers.”

and occasionally reminding me that I had a part in their tremendous success, keeps me going.”

My favorite thing about the “College is our students. They are

students succeed, doing “greatSeeing things after they graduate,

Nick LINDE

Linda

Master of Accounting (MAcc) Director

Director of Development

Student Relations Coordinator

they will have once they graduate and enter the workforce is something that I feel is extremely valuable to students and their future employers.”

and friends, we are able to take personal and financial investments in our College and turn them into life-changing experiences for our students.”

that simulate something they may experience after college. I find a lot of intrinsic value working with students from orientation to graduation.”

Steven

JOHNSON

Providing opportunities for “students that simulate experiences

engagement with “ourThrough alumni, business partners,

26 // MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO // COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

MEIDL

Students seem to want and “appreciate gaining experiences

In the College of Business, leadership isn’t defined by a title. It’s more about the impact our team has on students—which is what drives each of them to do what they do. From the dean to the department chairs, the common thread is helping students succeed in their studies and their careers.

Renee GRAMS

Bryan HOFFMAN

Luke HOWK

Administrative Assistant to the Dean

IT Director

Internship and External Partnership Coordinator

Business to new levels; her passion inspires me to do more for our students and the College as well.

involved in a student’s educational experience and part of a college that facilitates the development of their life is very rewarding.”

Dean Flannery’s exceptional “leadership is taking the College of

Juan (Gloria) MENG Department Chair, Marketing and International Business

“

Our College, as well as our University, has a very good culture. People are honest, sincere, supportive, and treat each other with respect.”

Students drive my passion.

“Having the opportunity to be

There is currently a partnership “movement taking place in the

College. Our business partners, faculty, students, and staff are more passionate than ever about working together to create life-changing experiences.”

Roger SEVERNS

Miles SMAYLING

“

Department Chair, Management

Department Chair, Finance

This is one of the few schools of its size where students absolutely come first. I’ve gotten to know many students over the years, and hope to meet many more before I retire.”

are all working in the “sameWedirection as a College. We

all support one another in our successes because it is bettering the College as a whole.”

2016 IN REVIEW // 27

{ one c ol or l o go

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE:

WAYS TO CONNECT:

Please join the College of Business as we help students expand their future. Whether through technology, coursework, partnerships, student organizations or internships, our faculty, staff, alumni and external partners team up to create opportunities for students that could not be achieved alone.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MSUMankatoCOB LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/ Minnesota-State-University-Mankato-College-124122

Be a part of our future. Contact Nick Linde, director of development, at nicholas.linde@mnsu.edu or 507-389-5420.

cob.mnsu.edu