MSU College of Business 2009 Annual Report

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outstanding students faculty & programs Alumni & Friends Community involvement Honor roll of donors

2009 Annual Report montana state university  college of business

2009

national board of advisors

2009 national board of advisors Susan King Consultant

Shavon Cape JWT

Susan J. Carstensen RightNow Technologies

Daniel Larson Renaissance Marine Group, Inc.

Bridget Cavanaugh Schedulicity

Donald C. Larson Boeing

Bob Culliton Microsoft

Andrew S. Martzloff Bitterroot Capital Advisors

Jim Edwards Mountain West Benefit Solutions

Paul Matteucci US Venture Partners

Michael Monaghan UBS Financial

John Murdoch Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply

Alan Fuhrman Naviscan

John O’Donnell Tech Ranch

David Hill KPMG, LLP

Scott Peterson Linthicum

Karen L. R. Howard Enchantment Land CDC

Kalli Ryti First Interstate Bank

Alan Kahn Entrepreneur

James C. Taylor, Jr. Bostwick Properties, Inc.

Janice K. Whetstone Janice K. Whetstone, P.C.

Todd Eliason Rock Creek Associates Andrew Field PrintingForLess.com, Inc.

administration Dan Moshavi, Ph.D. Dean Bruce Raymond, Ph.D. Associate Dean Susan Dana, J.D. Associate Dean & Director of the Bracken Center Chris Lamb, Ed.D. Assistant Dean Jackie Sather Director of Development Audrey Lee Director of Communications & Public Relations

INVESTING IN

FUTURES Davidson Companies and D.A. Davidson & Co. have a long tradition of investing in young people.

We launched our Student Investment Program at MSU, providing college teams with a hands-on education in investing.

We offer finance career internships, scholar athlete awards and more. Because we’ve always believed the best investment is in the futures of young people.

Linda Ward Assistant to the Director of the Bracken Center Jen Jencso Assistant Director of Student Services

Montana state University College of Business 412 Reid Hall · P.O. Box 173040 · Bozeman, MT 59717-3040 www.montana.edu/cob We would like to thank the College of Business faculty and staff, as well as the MSU Office of Communications and Public Affairs, without whom this report would not be possible.

Design for this Annual Report by Creative Services, Montana State University Publications and Graphics.

Editorial assistance provided by Rilla Esbjornson of the College of Business.

Montana offices in: Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Hamilton, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Livingston, Missoula and Whitefish.

Also in Colorado, Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

dadavidson.com

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2 3 4 4 5

Letter from the Dean College of Business (CoB) Event Highlights MSU’s CoB featured in Entrepreneur magazine Moshavi named MSU CoB dean MSU CoB designs program to take students from backpack to briefcase

Outstanding Students

9 10 12 13 14 14 16 17 17 18 19

Student profile Big ideas in the Big Apple: MSU senior changes plans after trip with finance club Students’ business aims to keep drunken drivers off the roads Two CoB students honored at Day of Student Recognition Research team to produce documentary about state’s microbreweries Seniors and faculty mentors honored Beta Gamma Sigma luncheon Scholarships awarded at annual banquet support student academic endeavors Students score better than ever Katie Maurillo helps community through service Accounting students continue to volunteer in Alaska

Faculty & Programs

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 35

Core values: Faculty code of excellence Letter from Susan Executive’s closet opens doors to professionalism Recruiting fairs: Looking at life after college Faculty awards announced during commencement Second annual women’s circle of excellence event a success Students gain experience through business plan competition Jerica Bradley: Internship leads to permanent job in Washington, D.C. AACSB accreditation: A higher degree of excellence New business course helps students contribute positively to community Faculty activities and updates Faculty do more than teach

Community Involvement

39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Internships profile High school students participate in 5th Annual Entrepreneur Day 8th Annual CoB Classic Open Benefit golf tournament Working with local nonprofits lead to life lessons in Bus 101 Orser Executive Speakers Forum hosts panel of four investment experts Andrew Field: Founder and president of America’s print shop, speaks to students 2009 Community Excellence Awards 2009 Guest speakers Six family businesses recognized for achievements during awards luncheon

Alumni & Friends

49 50 51 52 52 53 54 55

CoB International Exchanges Ryan Rickert recognized as a Sioux Falls “Top 10 Up & Comer” GASB remembers Gilbert W. Crain with memorial research grant named in his honor Development is the link to achieve visions and goals David Yarlott honored with alumni achievement award CoB alumni active in the Montana Society of CPAs CoB students ‘kick the tires’ prior to Rio Tinto Energy America equity carve-out Thank you College of Business staff

Honor Roll of Donors, 57

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letter from the dean

“Our goal is to develop the vital professional skills that will benefit our students throughout their careers.”

—Dan Moshavi

During the past year, I have had the privilege of speaking with many of you—alumni, students, parents, recruiters, community members and colleagues—about the challenges and opportunities in your personal and professional lives. I almost always walk away from these conversations heartened by your optimistic and innovative spirit.

In my view, really good organizations have a similar spirit; they continue to innovate and strategically invest in the future, especially in challenging economic times. To that end, the College of Business (CoB) has launched a new initiative we are calling “professional advantage,” designed to enhance the professional skills of our students and help take them from “backpack to briefcase.” More specifically, we are working to improve students’ oral and written communication skills, critical thinking abilities and interpersonal interactions. Our goal is not only to help our students find good jobs, but to develop the vital professional skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.

In this annual report, you will read about some of things we’ve done in this arena— the launch of an Executive’s Closet program, a closer partnership with recruiters, new and revamped courses—as well as some goals for the future, including the (hopeful) establishment of an executive coaching clinic inside the CoB. You will also read about other CoB accomplishments—a feature in Entrepreneur Magazine, a finance club trip to Wall Street, our second annual Women’s Circle of Excellence conference—and learn about the many faculty research and teaching achievements.

You will also learn why our alumni continue to make us proud. David Yarlott (’94), president of Little Big Horn College, was a recipient of the 2009 MSU Alumni Achievement Award. Two other CoB alumni, Doug Alexander (’64) and Kathleen Tonkovich (’88), were the recipients of the 2009 MSU Alumni Association/Chamber of Commerce Community Excellence Awards. Our more recent graduates are also being recognized for their accomplishments. Ryan Rickert (’06) was recently named a Top 10 Up & Coming Young Professional by the Sioux Falls Business Journal (South Dakota).

Finally, as you peruse the latest student news, you’ll discover that they are winning awards for academic achievement, launching new businesses and providing outreach and service to a variety of communities.

This year (like last year), we are facing our own economic challenges. As a result, for both financial and strategic reasons, we have created an on-line interactive version of this report. While some of you will receive this report in “hard copy” format, many of you are being sent this via electronic web link (www.montana.edu/cob). We believe that this distribution strategy enables us to keep you updated on CoB activities and manage our financial resources wisely.

Stay tuned as we continue to innovate.

—Dan Moshavi, Dean of the College of Business

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2009 Event Highlights January

June

Finance club visits Wall Street, New York

MSCPA honored CoB alumni

February

July

CoB students and faculty honored at Awards for Excellence

Dan Moshavi named Dean of the College of Business

CoB alumni received Community Excellence Awards

August

March Students interact with business professionals at the American Bank networking mixer Four accounting students volunteer time in Alaska over spring break April Scholarships awarded to CoB students at the Annual Scholarship Banquet High school students from across the state attended Entrepreneur Day Students and faculty inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma The Orser Speakers Forum hosted a panel of four financial experts Students initiated into Beta Alpha Psi 2nd Annual Women’s Circle of Excellence a success

CoB geared up for fall semester with faculty retreat September Freshman Convocation with Steve Lopez, author of The Soloist: A Lost Dream, An Unlikely Friendship, and The Redemptive Power of Music Executive’s Closet opened doors to CoB students 8th annual CoB Golf Tournament at Riverside Country Club Recruiting Fairs provided many opportunities for students October CoB alumnus received Alumni Achievement Award CoB Advisory Board Meet and Greet

April Management Institute focused on branding

“From Conflict to Collaboration” discussed at Management Institute

May

MSCPA Accounting presentation

Advertising class participates in competition

November

Hooding Ceremony

Andrew Field, PrintingForLess.com, was the fall Orser Speaker

MSU’s 113th Commencement CoB student team participates in the Annual John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition Family Business Program On the Road took seminar to Miles City

CoB students and faculty visited the Spring Creek Mine

“Our students are winning awards for academic achievement, launching new businesses and providing outreach and service to a variety of communities.”

—Dan Moshavi

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breaking news College of Business featured in Entrepreneur Magazine

“Bozeman is rapidly solidifying its place as the entrepreneurial hotbed of the Northern Rockies in hopes that its homespun entrepreneurs can live in Big Sky Country and still make the mortgage payment.”

—Entrepreneur magazine

Montana State University’s College of Business and Bozeman were featured in a story in the October issue of Entrepreneur Magazine that profiled nine of the country’s exemplary town-gown relationships. The article gave examples of how the nine institutions collaborate with their communities to encourage small business development.

Bozeman was the smallest town profiled, joining the likes of Chicago, San Diego and Washington, D.C. MSU was one of the two smallest universities featured.

In the section focused on MSU and Bozeman, Entrepreneur Magazine—a monthly magazine with more than two million readers—described what it called the “Montana Compromise,” or, how people who live in beautiful places must grapple with low wages.

“Bozeman and MSU are working to overcome that,” the article’s author wrote, through The Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West in MSU’s College of Business. Through this program, students work for start-up or growth technology companies, gaining valuable work experience while benefiting local companies.

Since the center was founded in 2001, MSU students have provided 10,000 hours of consulting advice to 40 local companies.

“There is increasing evidence that this type of programmatic approach not

only enhances the professional skills of students, but results in a ‘brain gain’ for the state,” said Dan Moshavi, dean of the College of Business.

In addition to the Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West, Entrepreneur highlighted TechRanch, a small-business incubator that works closely with MSU to help fast-track companies from idea to commercialization.

“Bozeman is rapidly solidifying its place as the entrepreneurial hotbed of the Northern Rockies in hopes that its homespun entrepreneurs can live in Big Sky Country and still make the mortgage payment,” Entrepreneur Magazine noted.

Now, about two-thirds of MSU College of Business graduates stay in Montana when starting their careers, and the director of TechRanch says Bozeman shouldn’t be underestimated.

“With the internet, MSU and TechRanch programs, people here can have their cake and eat it too,” John O’Donnell told Entrepreneur Magazine.

“There’s an amazing quality of life—and a shot at swinging for the fences.”

—Anne Pettinger Cantrell, MSU News Service Read the full piece from Entrepreneur; visit: http://entrepreneur.com/magazine/ entrepreneur/2009/october/203418-6.html

Moshavi named MSU College of Business dean

“Dan brings a great understanding of what our students need to be successful.”

—joseph fedock

Dan Moshavi has been named dean of Montana State University’s College of Business (CoB) for a three-year term. Moshavi served as interim dean during the 2008-2009 academic year and has been a member of the management faculty since 2000.

“A major focus of mine will be on finding new and innovative ways to create handson opportunities and a personalized learning environment for our students, with a big emphasis on professional skill development,” Moshavi said of his appointment.

Moshavi has taught a variety of management courses and has won more than a dozen teaching awards during his career, including the MSU President’s Excellence in Teaching Award, the MSU Cox Award for Creative Scholarship and Teaching and several MSU Alumni Association/Chamber of Commerce Awards for Excellence. In 2003 and 2007, CoB students voted Moshavi the Gary Bracken Student Choice Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching.

“Dan brings a great understanding of what our students need to be successful,” said Joseph Fedock, MSU Provost. “I know he will lead the college in making it a place where our students are well prepared for success after they leave our campus.”

Moshavi has consulted for a variety of large and small organizations, including Nike and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, helping them manage their critical interactions and relationships with both employees and customers.

He has been a research fellow with the Nemours Center for Medical Leadership and focuses his research on how organizations, especially professional service providers such as physicians, accountants, professors and others, successfully manage key stakeholder relationships.

He received his doctorate in management and organizational studies from the University of Oregon. His master’s and bachelor’s degrees are from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. —Tracy Ellig, MSU News Service

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“I took the opportunity to meet with company managers so that I could learn more about myself and get some feedback, and so that I could gain extra insight and improve.”

MSU College of Business designs program to take students from backpack to briefcase

A Montana State University business student and soon-to-be graduate was trying to land her first job. Remy Clark applied to a local company in Bozeman, interviewed with that company, and then received a letter informing her that someone else had been chosen for the position.

Many would leave it at that. But Clark called the person she interviewed with, thanked him for the interview, and asked if he would be comfortable meeting with her and letting her know why the company chose someone else for the job. Company managers were so impressed with Clark’s professionalism and follow-through that they recommended her for a different position.

“I took the opportunity to meet with company managers so that I could learn more about myself and get some feedback, and so that I could gain extra insight and improve,” Clark said of her decision to request feedback from the company. Clark, now 25, graduated from the MSU College of Business (CoB) last May and is working as a manager for the Gallup organization in Lincoln, Neb. “Connections and networks are so important and valuable,” Clark added.

While seasoned employees might place such phone calls routinely, CoB faculty members say that recent college graduates are less likely to do so. This and other behaviors, such as a tendency to communicate electronically rather than in person, place younger job seekers at a disadvan-

tage, said Dan Moshavi, dean of the CoB. To help, the CoB has created a Professional Advantage program designed to give graduates an edge in their job searches and careers.

“Our program is designed to take students from ‘backpack to briefcase,’” Moshavi said. “We not only help them find good jobs, but develop the skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.”

“One of the things I’ve heard from employers is that students prefer electronic communication to human communication,” said Susan Dana, associate dean of the CoB. “My concern is that electronic communication, in some ways, allows you to avoid responsibility. There’s a distance with it. You don’t have to experience another person’s emotions.”

The tendency to communicate over a computer or by text messaging can be very damaging, Dana added.

“I’ve heard employers say they are very frustrated by this,” Dana said. “It’s a real problem, and that’s partially because I don’t think students understand it’s a problem.”

Because of these tendencies, the CoB is finding ways to teach traditional business skills to students who think and communicate in ways that are different from those of previous generations.

The Professional Advantage program is geared toward members of the Net Generation, since many of the business college’s continued on following page

—remy clark

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breaking news current students fall into its ranks and because that generation may possess unique strengths and challenges.

MSU College of Sociologists have said Net Gen birthBusiness designs dates span the years between the early program to take 1980s to the late 1990s, and members are students from currently between about the ages of 14 and backpack to 28. While terms vary widely, members of the Net Generation are part of Generation briefcase Y and are also called the Millennial Gen“These recent eration or Generation college Next. The generagraduates tion’s members are generally want sometimes referred challenging to as Millennials or work, the Echo Boomers, and they follow members opportunity to of Generation X. advance, the Members of the ability to work Net Generation diswith people tinguish themselves they like, fair in several ways from Professional other generations, attire compensation, & said Scott Bryant, a and the chance etiquette CoB professor. to make a First, they are a difference.” generation whose —scott bryant members are driven professional advantage by technology, and College of Business students to a much greater apply their experiences at extent than members of any other genMSU to meaningful career eration. With new social media outlets opportunities. Our hands-on such as Facebook and Twitter, ubiquilearning offers real-world tous Internet access, and text messaging, experience, not just ...continued from previous page

members of the generation are poised to communicate constantly.

“They may make use of Facebook and other social media outlets to benefit the organizations (they work for),” Bryant said. “They understand these communication issues, and how to use them effectively. These ideas are more ingrained in them than in other generations.”

However, because constant communication is so expected, Bryant added, “a blurring of personal and professional communication might happen.”

Sometimes, this might be to the student’s or recent graduate’s detriment.

“I’m not sure students always understand the lines between personal and professional,” Bryant said.

Members of the generation are sometimes thought to be more flexible, adaptable, and capable of multi-tasking than members of other generations.

Bryant says many members of the Net Generation want to make a difference in the world with the careers they choose. Rather than being concerned about making big money, many Net Gen’ers are concerned about poverty, the environment, sustainable energy and social entrepreneurship.

However, some people also think members of the Net Generation can be impatient, require constant feedback, and have an undeserved sense of entitlement.

Despite these perceived differences, Bryant believes members of the Net

theoretical applications.

PROFESSIONAL ADVANTAGE MSU COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Ethical Decision Making

Professional Attire & Etiquette

Interpersonal Skills Quantitative Reasoning

PROFESSIONAL

THURSDAYS

Effective Communication

BRACKEN BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS CLINIC (BBCC)

BUS 302

Critical Thinking

CAREER PERSPECTIVES

Professionalism and Demeanor

BUSINESS STUDENT

COMPETITIONS

the SKILLS EXECUTIVE

COACHING

7 Generation actually have more similarities with members of other generations than they do differences.

“These recent college graduates, like many who came before them, generally want challenging work, the opportunity to advance, the ability to work with people they like, fair compensation, and the chance to make a difference,” Bryant said.

“Regardless of their generation, people are motivated and work hard.”

Whether or not the stereotypes about members of the Net Generation are true, the CoB can help students learn how to communicate more professionally and effectively, Moshavi said. In turn, he said graduates will be more successful in the workforce and more sought-after than other potential employees.

Specifically, Moshavi says the Professional Advantage program will help business students develop strong professional skills and demeanor, including communication skills, critical thinking abilities, decision-making skills and social skills. The program includes courses and processes that both develop and assess professional skills, adoption of a student code, PRIDE (performance, respect, integrity, diligence, engagement), scholarships that reward professional behavior, and a student-led initiative to encourage students to dress professionally on Thursdays. In addition, efforts are underway to raise money to help launch an executive coaching clinic.

CoB instructor Minette Jessup teaches

a class that is designed to emphasize professionalism.

“Professionalism applies to everybody,” Jessup said. “No matter where you are in life, it’s something you need to strive for. It’s also a learning process, a work in progress.”

With a job market considerably tougher than in recent years, Jessup thinks it’s especially important to practice professionalism. And, it’s better to learn these skills in college than outside of it.

“If students can learn how to improve professionalism in an academic setting, it will be much more natural in the workplace and may give them an edge when they go out to look for a job,” Jessup said.

In her class, Jessup has the students do role-playing for a number of scenarios including interviewing and professional social exchanges, and she brings in business people from the community to critique them. She also plans to include 360-degree evaluations in future classes, or evaluations from people representing all areas of the students’ lives.

Ultimately, Moshavi expects that emphasizing professional skills and development will set undergraduate MSU College of Business graduates apart.

“This type of initiative is unique for undergraduate college of business students and is a powerful way to signal recruiters that our students can excel both technically and professionally,” Moshavi said.

—Anne Pettinger Cantrell, MSU News Service

“Professionalism applies to everybody…No matter where you are in life, it’s something you need to strive for. It’s also a learning process, a work in progress.”

—minette jessup, Cob adjunct instructor

SUCCESS

GUEST

GRADUATES are more sought after in the marketplace

SPEAKERS SCHOLARSHIPS

THAT REWARD PROFESSIONALISM

the TOOLS RECRUITING

OPPORTUNITIES

PROFESSIONALISM becomes natural, gives them the edge on other graduates EMPLOYERS save on time and money and training

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outstanding students

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outstanding students

College of business graduating student profile 2009 3% management of information technology 3% accounting 22% international business accounting 2%

22.5% accounting

options

minors

business majors

Gender

26% international business 26.8% marketing

58% male 42% female

options

29.1% management 34% business administration

68% Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management 21.6% finance

39% Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management

business minors all MSU Graduates

3% management of information technology

photo by kelly gorham

10outstanding students

Austin Owens in a CoB conference room

Big ideas in the Big Apple: CoB senior changes plans after trip with finance club

Anne Pettinger, MSU News Service Austin Owens chose to enroll in Montana State University because the school’s surroundings are similar to his hometown of Fort Collins, Colo. But now, because of his experiences at MSU, Owens said he is excited to move to a new place and ready to take on a new set of challenges.

In particular, one MSU-sponsored trip to New York City has made Owens reevaluate his post-graduation plans.

“The hustle-bustle of the city is intoxicating,” Owens said after the recent trip.

“It was amazing. I was shocked by how much I was enjoying myself.”

Owens, who had never been to New York before, had the opportunity to visit it with other MSU students and several professors over the holiday break. He said it has literally changed the course of his life.

“I had been planning to go straight to graduate school, but I’ve amended that and think it will be really great to get some work experience first,” he said. “I’d love to work on Wall Street.”

While in the Big Apple, the group met with representatives from Morgan Stanley and Bloomberg. They also visited the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve Bank, the New York Mercantile Exchange, NASDAQ and the Museum of American Finance. Members of the group also had time to take in several tourist hot spots,

including Times Square, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and the Statue of Liberty.

Owens visited New York with 21 other MSU students, many of whom are seniors in the College of Business (C0B). Accompanying the students were three College of Business professors and several parents.

Several students active in MSU’s finance club, including Owens, had worked so hard over the years that CoB professor Gary Caton wanted to reward them “The hustlewith something bustle of special, Caton the city is said. He decided to organize the trip intoxicating. It to the city and was was amazing. I able to offer it to was shocked students at a cost by how much of about $750.

I was enjoying The trip was myself” important for —Austin Owens several reasons, Caton said. First, it brought to life many of the institutions students learn about at MSU. “It broadened the learning experience to actually visit the important players in the field,” he said.

The trip also broadened potential opportunities for students, Caton added. And, it helped put MSU on the map. Visiting with high-level people in influential New

11 York companies can help place students in internships and jobs, Caton said.

Touring the floor of the New York Stock Exchange was particularly memorable for Owens, as was meeting with employees of Morgan Stanley. “They sat down with us for four hours and brought in 10 different speakers,” Owens said. “It was awesome because they have important things to do but they took time out of their day to talk to us.”

Other things that go with being in a big city—riding the subway, having delicious food from all corners of the world at one’s fingertips, and being in the midst of a culturally diverse place—were just as enticing.

Owens also is a fan of the fast-paced lifestyle.

“People are so driven and motivated, but they’re also willing to stop and chat,” Owens said. “I liked that everybody walked fast like me. People were looking into the future. I like the ‘go-get-’em’ attitude.”

Though the economic outlook in the U.S. has been bleak with the recent recession, Owens is optimistic about his job prospects in the long term.

“I might not get a job next week, but the economy will turn the corner,” he said. “If nothing else, businesses are cyclical and economies are cyclical.” Still, thinking about venturing onto the financial scene straight out of college can produce some anxiety. “It’s been kind of scary at times,” Owens said. “Actually, it’s a little terrifying, but if you put in the hard work, it should be okay. I’m willing to make sacrifices.”

Exhibiting a professional attitude, establishing networks and being consistent are traits Owens thinks are important for

people seeking jobs. “There are all these ways to differentiate yourself, but you’ve got to make a commitment to professionalism and excellence,” Owens said.

With graduation in the spring, Owens’ plan is to look for a job as a beginning analyst. He’d like to be located in New York but is willing to go anywhere. “I think doing thorough analysis is the best way to learn, and getting a little work experience should be really helpful if I want to get into a really, really good (graduate) program.”

Owens, who is majoring in finance and economics at MSU, decided to go into business because of a desire to follow in the footsteps of his father, who is a director at Hewlett Packard. He thinks his education has prepared him well for the challenges of the working world. “I feel like the (members of the) finance faculty here are stellar, and it’s a comprehensive education,” he said. “It’s a great foundation to build off of.”

In fact, Owens has such respect for professors like Caton that he even wants to become a professor himself one day. “I’ve had such a great experience here,” Owens said. “I wasn’t all that into school when I came here, and now it’s all I do.”

“There are all these ways to differentiate yourself, but you’ve got to make a commitment to professionalism and excellence.”

—Austin Owens

Update: Owens graduated in May and traveled to Greece with a group of students and professors, studying the origins of democracy—economic institutions and economic performance in a global context. He is currently living and working in Colorado and is studying to become a certified financial analyst. He has passed the first of three levels in the exam.

We, the students of the MSU College of Business, understand that in choosing to enroll at MSU we are investing in our professional futures. Therefore, we proudly commit to the PRIDE Code of Excellence.

performance

I am accountable for and take pride in my own learning and conduct.

respect

I treat with respect all members of my community, including peers, staff and faculty.

integrity

I am ethical in all that I do.

diligence

I do my best work at all times.

engagement

I challenge myself to invest proactively in my academic, professional and personal development.

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outstanding students students’ business aims to keep drunken drivers off the roads

professional advantage

Students apply their knowledge and research skills to bring a new product to the Bozeman market.

photo by kelly gorham

Albright demonstrates the ignition interlock device.

Gallatin County’s roads may soon be safer thanks to a business that sprouted from a Montana State University classroom.

Big Sky Ignition Interlock grew out of a semester-long class project of five MSU business students. The Bozeman-based business will install, lease and maintain devices designed to prevent inebriated “It’s not only a people from driving.

Ignition interlock viable business, devices require drivit’s also a socially ers to blow into the responsible device before starting business.” their cars. If the person is sober, the device allows the car to start. If the device registers a blood-alcohol concentration over the legal limit, the ignition remains locked.

Big Sky Ignition Interlock’s clients will pay a $150 installation fee for leasing an ignition interlock device, which also covers the cost of the removing the device. The monthly fee—which includes recalibration each month and service calls—is about $65.

MSU senior management student Eric Albright brought the idea to his teammates in management 462, an entrepreneurship

class taught by Joe Long during the fall semester. He got the idea for the business after listening to a worker for the Gallatin County DUI Task Force talk about interlock devices in another class about drugs in modern society, Albright said.

Albright, 39, had experience dealing with the problem of drunken driving in Gallatin County after serving nine years as a Bozeman police officer. He patrolled for impaired drivers, administered Breathalyzer tests and testified in court on DUI cases.

Previously, no place in Bozeman installed or maintained breath alcohol ignition interlock instruments, Albright said. Out of four locations for such businesses in Montana, he said the closest was located in Billings.

Students developing the business plan talked with judges and learned that more than 80 people were sentenced to use ignition interlock devices over the past half year in Bozeman. More than 7,000 people were arrested in Montana in 2007 for alcohol impairment while driving, with 1,000 of those arrests occurring in Gallatin County, their research showed.

Though the business plan was a class project, Albright realized it had real potential.

13 “This device is designed for a person who made a mistake, who didn’t know (his or her blood alcohol concentration), and who wants to make it right,” Albright said.

The ignition interlock devices are an aggressive and proactive way of addressing the problem of drunk driving without restricting offenders’ rights too heavily, said Dawnette Osen, another student who worked on the development of the business plan along with Albright and MSU students Terrance Foster, Hannah Pauli and Patrick Tillisch.

“This is a good thing,” said Osen, 22. “It keeps (offenders’) licenses from being revoked. We don’t want to keep people from driving. This just lets them drive legally.”

They expect many of their clients will be court-ordered to use the ignition interlock devices, but Osen and Albright say the ignition interlock system is a good preventative step for a voluntary population, too.

“This instrument tells you what your blood alcohol concentration is, and most people don’t know that,” Albright said.

“Many people don’t know they’re past the legal limit when they get behind the wheel.”

Albright also anticipates the devices might give parents some peace of mind when their teenaged kids begin driving.

“I’d like to supply parents with a proactive tool for keeping their children safe,” Albright said.

Albright and Osen, who both grew up in Bozeman, said they felt especially good about developing a business that can help make their home community a better place.

“It’s not only a viable business, it’s a socially responsible business,” Osen said.

“I just want it to be successful because I think it can have such great, positive impacts for the community,” Albright added.

The business is up and running.

—Anne Pettinger, MSU News Service For more information on the students’ business, visit http://www.bsiimt.com. Update: In just a short six months of operation, BSII has experienced a positive cash flow.

t

a ts honored eremony n e d u t s B c Two Co cognition nt Re

de Day of Stu

Students are honored for their exemplary leadership within our campus and the global community.

ice and leadership, serv g in nd ta ts ou y. Superior strate nition ceremon ts who demon og en ec ud R st t en SU ud M , St ay of t recognition; On April 21 Day of Studen d at the 86th D e re th no in ho le e ro er w nt ming exemifica scholarship to being or beco so played a sign al al gr ce te an in s m ie or it rf al mmunit y was on qu academic pe rvice in the co asis was placed Se ph y. it o em un ng m ro m st obal co d this year, tw however, a campus and gl ts were honore e en th ud n st hi n it ee w s et plar y leader ceremony. Nin ant facet of the iness (CoB). also an import College of Bus e th om fr e er of whom w ts were: award recipien The 2009 CoB in honor of and economics) was established senior (finance d S ar on N aw E e W Th O d ar am who went AUSTIN n Service Aw olden Bobcats” basketba ll te to g in h t e. r ic rv Ma x Wo of MSU’s “G t A ffairs and Se on, a member dean of Studen g in ud cl in Max Worthingt , SU positions at M to hold severa l rary that is a senior hono ri re-business) vi (p em or pt ni Se ju i and H ir M ATT SMIT Junior Award/Septemv rdinar y scholarship, leadership ao g extr one man Outstandin e woman and juniors based on on g in es iz nd gn ta ts co re ou d n recognizes seve ng Junior Awar ture.

The Outstandi . omise for the fu SU pr M ow to sh e d ic an serv SU M to ributed who have cont

14 outstanding students Research team to produce documentary about state’s microbreweries

When Ryan Bone started doing research for the first time at Montana State University, he went to places far removed from computer screens and test tubes.

Rather than being in a laboratory or classroom setting, Bone investigated breweries all over the state of Montana, and he received funding from MSU’s Undergraduate Scholars Program to do so.

Bone is part of a team of researchers, led by College of Business marketing professor Graham Austin who gathered on-camera interviews about the culture of microbreweries throughout Montana and is now producing a documentary film with the footage. The team wanted to find out what it is about Montana that makes people receptive to its breweries, said Bone, 25, a senior marketing and graphic design major from Butte.

Many of the team’s discoveries occurred when they began visiting micro-

culty seniors and fa red

no mentors hoate ors University’s top seni

St Forty of Montana recogsta ff mentors were and their faculty or cellence Ex r fo nual Awards an ’s ar ye is th at d nize n and the Alumni Associatio banquet. The MSU sored the on sp r of Commerce Bozeman Chambe 09 in the 20 , 17 y, February da es Tu on ld he t, even s. m oo llr Ba SUB alifying seniors committee chose qu n tio lec students se d ar aw An or department. All ge lle co eir th in ty well nominated by facul t average (GPA) as um of 3.5 grade poin im in . m ice a rv ed se in ity ta main d commun mpus leadership an nored at as demonstrated ca nts and mentors ho de stu s es sin Bu of ge The senior Colle the banquet were: g Durham ent and finance, Gre em ag an m t, r A ie Jack ance, Greg Durham

Ba ldus, fin Chr istopher ster , marketing, Dave Fo M a r a Hoefer finance, Gar y Caton Austin Ow ens, , Dave Foster engineering technology l ica an ech m , h as Drew J. N & Spanish, glish, psychology En A ie Iv en sa is Cla r Carmen McSpadd

breweries across the state in February.

Bone started out at Quarry Brewery in Butte and then visited Flathead Lake Brewing Co. in Polson. In all, Bone estimated that the team—which also includes student Anthony Varriano—visited about 20 microbreweries in the state. The visits made research come alive, said Bone and Varriano, who both became part of the project after taking Austin’s consumer behavior class last fall.

“We had such a great response everywhere,” Bone said. “People were really excited to talk to us.”

At each brewery, team members spent about two to three hours asking brewers and owners a number of questions, including questions about the history of the brewery, how the owners and brewers became interested in brewing beer, community involvement with the microbrewery, and thoughts about the culture of microbreweries in Montana.

Common themes began to emerge. The first was simply that Montanans have long had a taste for good beer. “Montana is a big state, and people like good beer.

They’re not going to travel 300 miles to get it,” Bone said.

“Another common response was how family-oriented breweries are, as opposed to bars,” Bone said. “There is usually an area in the brewery for kids, and many of these places (also) make cherry sodas and root beer.”

Bone added that a law imposed on microbreweries by the Montana Legislature, limiting individual consumption in breweries to three pints per day, helps teach kids at a young age to drink responsibly.

“There is also a social aspect of breweries,” Bone said. “They rarely have TVs, and instead focus on face-to-face interactions.”

Another common response the researchers discovered was that the owners and brewers tended to be heavily invested in their communities and their craft, rather than in the idea of making huge profits.

“Montana is very community-oriented,” Bone said. “A lot of the (brewers and owners) aren’t there to get rich. They’re there for the passion of brewing.”

Currently, 25 microbreweries operate in the state, Bone said, which places Montana in the top five states for the largest number of microbreweries per capita.

15 photo by kelly gorham

Bone during one of his brewery visits.

In fact, the microbrewery scene even appears to be growing throughout the state.

Several microbreweries, such as Tamarack Brewing Co. in Lakeside and Blacksmith Brewing Co. in Stevensville, have opened within the last several years, Austin said. Several other breweries, she added, including the Bozeman Brewing Co., Glacier Brewing Co. in Polson and Blackfoot River Brewing Co. in Helena, have recently increased production.

Neptune’s Brewery in Livingston has been recently renovated.

Other breweries have worked with new technologies to create “greener” facilities.

For example, Red Lodge Ales Brewing Co. is in the process of moving to a new facility. The new location has the largest solar array in the state and a refrigeration unit that detects when the outside air temperature is cool enough to allow it to shut down. Austin said the unit should allow the refrigerator to shut itself down about 160 days out of the year, resulting in substantial energy savings. Red Lodge Ales also fuels its local delivery truck with biodiesel made at the brewery, using spent cooking oil from the bars and restaurants that serve its beer, Austin said.

With their interviews completed in midApril, the team is in the process of creating an hour-long documentary, “Beer Country,” with its footage. It’s been challenging to edit about 30 hours of footage down to just one, Varriano and Austin said.

“There is so much good information, it’s hard to narrow it down,” said Varriano, a senior film and photography and marketing major from Glendive. “It’s just like writing a research paper except with video clips. You can’t be too broad or you won’t get your point across.”

Austin is excited about the possibilities that come with producing a documentary.

She hopes to have the film completed by the end of the summer, and then plans to enter the documentary into academic film festivals as well as regional and culture-specific ones, such as mountain and food festivals.

“Once we get it in the can, it might have legs for two years in festivals,” Austin said.

In addition, she’ll send copies of the documentary to each of the breweries the team visited and hopes to arrange for a premiere of the film on campus.

Bone’s experience working on the research project has been so positive, he said, that he’d like to do more research in the future. He also thinks the skills that were important in conducting the research— putting people at ease during the interviews and finding points of connection with them—will be a great help in his future jobs. He’d like to find advertising work in the Northwest after graduating this spring.

And though Bone isn’t callRyan Bone ing himself a beer looked outside connoisseur yet, it the classroom doesn’t stop him for research from enjoying it. opportunities.

“My palette isn’t as refined as a brew master’s yet, but I do love beer,” he said.

—Anne Pettinger, MSU News Service Update: Graham Austin is currently working with Austin Trimbach, a senior studying business management, on the editing of the documentary. Trimbach is the co-founder of Montana Rush, an adventure-film company.

The finished product will be sent to the following academic conferences: Consumer Culture Theory, European Association for Consumer Research and North American Association for Consumer Research.

Bone’s experience working on his research project has been so positive that he’d like to do more research. He feels that skills he gained while conducting the research will be a great help in future jobs.

professional advantage

Working in interdisciplinary teams enhances skills needed in today’s workplace.

16outstanding students

Beta Gamma Sigma inductees

Beta Gamma Sigma luncheon

professional advantage

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs.

Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International.

Fifteen Montana State University College of Business (CoB) students and two CoB faculty were added to the prestigious list of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) inductees at the annual initiation luncheon held on April 7, 2009. BGS, an international honor society started in 1913, provides the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in an accredited, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), undergraduate or master’s program.

BGS Advisor, Dr. Susan Dana, welcomed students to the luncheon, while Sarah Smith, Vice President of ProSeventeen grams, and Anne Delaney, Vice MSU College President of Memof Business bership, encouraged students and the inductees to live faculty were inaccording to the ducted into Beta standards of Beta, Gamma Sigma meaning honor, Gamma, meaning in 2009. wisdom and Sigma, meaning earnestness.

BGS presented The Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year Award to Dr. Angela Woodland, CoB assistant professor of accounting.

Woodland joined the CoB in the fall of 2008 after teaching at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Louisiana State University. Her primary research interest is auditing, having

worked as an auditor in the private sector for seven years. She is also interested in research related to the evaluation and improvement of accounting education.

Woodland received both her Ph.D. and B.S. from the University of Missouri.

BGS also recognized John Murdoch, founder of Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply, as the Chapter Honoree. Murdoch talked about starting and growing his own business and attributed his success in life to passion and integrity. He encouraged students to find ways to live their lives with these qualities in mind.

Murdoch challenged students to question themselves and asked them, “What do you do when you think no one’s watching?” Murdoch stressed the importance of respect and talked about GET—the golden rule, excellence and trust—which he tries to instill in his employees. Murdoch ended his acceptance speech with two thoughts—life is a journey, not a destination, and it is important to strive for excellence along the way.

These words of wisdom have served Murdoch and Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply well. The business has grown to include 14 stores, staffed with nearly 700 devoted employees. As a product of their success, Murdoch’s is also able to support 4-H, the Humane Society and dozens of other charitable organizations.

Murdoch’s recently provided the CoB with seed money to develop its new social entrepreneurship class.

17 Scholarships awarded at annual banquet support student academic endeavors

Even in the face of increasingly tight budgets, the Montana State University College of Business (CoB) proudly presented more than 100 scholarships and awards for students majoring in business options for the 2009–2010 academic year. The scholarships, announced Monday, April 6th at the College’s annual scholarship banquet, were provided through endowments and funds set aside to specifically grant financial aid to students enrolled in the CoB. More than 250 people, including family and friends, attended the event.

Scott Holton (’98 MPAc), partner of Rudd & Company PLLC, a small regional CPA firm, was the banquet’s keynote speaker. He talked to the scholarship recipients about the many lessons he has learned since graduation, such as the importance of relationships, especially those with faculty.

He encouraged everyone to take advantage of opportunities to join service groups and be active in the community. “Be true to yourself” was another important lesson.

Holton talked about being prepared to work hard, setting one’s self apart from the rest and being able to laugh at yourself. He ended the inspiring speech with a quote from Thomas Jefferson, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”

If you would like more information about College of Business scholarships, please contact Halina Rickman at hrickman@montana.edu or 406-994-4423.

Students

Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Excellence Accounting James Trotter Finance Austin Owens Management Daniel Huffman Marketing Mara Hoefer Alfred L. Day/Wall Street Journal Award for Academic Excellence Shardae Johnson and James Trotter Beta Alpha Psi MSU Accounting Scholarship Tiffany Cuerth Dean’s Award for Graduate Excellence (MPAc) Mitchell Clark Montana Society of CPA Medallion Award Heather Budd Bracken Professionalism Award Austin Owens For a complete listing of all scholarship and award winners at the Annual Scholarship Banquet, please go to http://blog.montana. edu/cob/2009/04/14/annual-cob-scholarshipbanquet-held-on-april-6th/.

Scott Holton, Rudd & Company PLLC

Score Bet Every semeste ter than r, the MSU C Ever ollege of Busi Major Field ness (CoB) ad Test (MFT )— ministers Th B u students’ scor siness, which e es to those of compares ou r senior busin ot ministered th hers across th ess e nation. Sin is test, averag ce the CoB fi e scores achie been at or ab rst adved by our se ove the 90th niors have co percentile, as Colleges of B nsistently compared to usiness who the averages have their stu (14 1 students at over 500 d ents ta ke the ) scored in th MFT. The sp e 96th percen The MFT, ad ri ti ng 2009 coh le overa ll, su ministered b ort rpassing the y Educational that adminis al re ady excellent ters the SAT Testing Ser vi track record. and GR E , is ces (ETS), th required cou ta ken by CoB e same testin rse usually ta g facility seniors enroll ken during th to measure a ed e final semes student’s k no ter before grad in the Senior Seminar (a wledge of bu theories and u ation).This te si ness and thei analytical m st is designed r abilit y to ap ethods to pra Dr. Bill Brow p ct ly significant ical business n, professor of concepts, p ro b le scores. “We h m s. ave really exce business management, co mments on th llent students they respond e . They are har well to the co d work ing, th meaning behind the urse of instru seeing such sc ey are conscie ction,” says B ores, “we are ntious, and rown. He co reassured that curriculum an ntinued, sayi we are gettin d approach to ng that in g something teaching.” right about o ur

18outstanding students College of Business Student Helps Community

through Service

Katie Maurillo

professional advantage

This student exemplifies the Professional Advantage by applying her communication skills, critical thinking and motivation to address a community need.

Katie Maurillo, a senior majoring in Accounting at Montana State University’s (MSU) College of Business, is an example of a student who has fully embraced her community and her college experience. Last year, Katie applied for and was accepted into Montana Campus Corps, an AmeriCorps program run through the MSU Office for Community Involvement (OCI).

OCI places eligible MSU students in Campus Corps positions with local community agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, and healthcare facilities to address Montana’s most challenging problems through community service.

Participating students use the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom to address real-world needs.

“Through the Campus Corps program, students are able to step outside the “They become walls of MSU and more aware of truly experience the needs their their community,” community said Amanda St. faces and Aubyn, MSU Camhow they can pus Corps supervisor.

“They become more play a role in aware of the needs addressing their community those needs.” faces and how they —katie maurillo can play a role in addressing those needs.”

Placement with Bridger Clinic Katie received a year-long placement with Bridger Clinic—a nonprofit family planning clinic—after completing training to help prepare her to successfully serve as a Campus Corps member. Katie helped fine tune the clinic’s marketing programs to better reach area teens with messages about prevention and education designed to reduce sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.

“Katie provided a lot of insight and a younger perspective into how to reach teens and young adults effectively,” said Stephanie McDowell, associate director of the Bridger Clinic. “I really enjoyed the perspective Katie provided; her age and the fact that she grew up in Montana was really helpful to tailoring our clinic’s message.”

Katie, who grew up in the Shields Valley, established MySpace and Facebook pages for the Bridger Clinic and helped film an educational video, which was distributed to principals for use in area middle and high

schools. Identifying local teen gathering places, she distributed clinic posters as part of its marketing efforts. She also worked on the clinic’s annual fundraising event, the Sweet Tooth Ball, which is held every year around Valentine’s Day. “These types of events require a tremendous amount of volunteer effort,” explained McDowell. “Katie agreed to help fundraise, went to local businesses and requested donated auction items, and went above and beyond her Campus Corps commitment. She even brought an additional four volunteers to help during the event.”

Gain a Broader Outlook Campus Corps members have many opportunities to volunteer in their communities, from one- and two-day commitments to yearlong placements. They receive ongoing support and campusbased supervision through MSU’s Office of Community Involvement.

“Campus Corps members often experience a heightened awareness of civic engagement, a deeper connection to their community, and a stronger sense of responsibility for that community,” said St. Aubyn.

In addition to her work with the Bridger Clinic, Katie helped build the Dinosaur playground, tutored with the America Reads program, helped clean up graffiti downtown, and volunteered for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, the Cancer Network and the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter.

“I’ve met so many people and done so many things that are valuable through Campus Corps,” said Maurillo. “This group has been a real support system for me, and I feel like we really made a difference. Through this experience, I am now considering a career in accounting with a nonprofit organization.”

Students who become Campus Corps members make a commitment to complete a specified “Term of Service” during the academic year and receive an education award ranging from $1,000 to $4,725 upon completion, depending on their service hour commitment. These awards may only be used to cover higher education expenses—to pay tuition or make payments on qualified student loans. Campus Corps participants have a full seven years, after completing their term of service, to use the funds.

For more information about MSU Campus Corps and the Office of Community Involvement, go to www.montana.edu/community.

19 One mode of transportation for volunteers.

Accounting Students Continue to Volunteer in Alaska

Four accounting students, Will Kolski, RaLea McMaster, Jordan Tompkins and Kyle Viste, traveled to various remote parts of Alaska over spring break to prepare tax returns.

The services provided by these students are through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Senior and graduate accounting students, who have taken one or more tax courses, go through a special training program and pass an exam prior to preparing tax returns for low-income individuals. Students gain real world experience while providing a valuable service to the community. McMaster and Kolski give us a more in-depth view of their experiences in Alaska.

Which villages did you visit?

Kolski: The villages Tompkins and I visited Noorvik, Ambler, Kobuk and Shungnak. We probably completed about 100 or so returns between us.

McMaster: I traveled around Kodiak Island, visiting the villages of Akhiok, Karluk, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie and Port Lions. Between these villages, I probably prepared 50-75 tax returns over the week.

What was it like to be in such a remote region?

Kolski: It was a great experience to volunteer again this year and see a different part of Alaska. This was such a great service to provide people who otherwise may not file a tax return or receive assistance at all due to the remote locations where people live.

McMaster: The weather on Kodiak was typically better than here in Bozeman. It was amazing to see those tiny, remote villages and get to know some of the residents. For the most part, the villagers had very little money but they were very accommodating—whether it was bringing us canned salmon or taking us on a tour of the three miles of road around Larsen Bay. We stopped by quite a few village dumps to try and catch a glimpse of bears, although we never ended up seeing one. The scenery

was great and the airplane rides were a bit sickening (but safe). Overall, going to Kodiak was a great experience.

Were there huge differences between preparing returns through the program here versus there?

Kolski: There were different concerns this time as the state had made some changes, creating new tax challenges for taxpayers to deal with. The ability and opportunity to educate the taxpayers about their returns was a great experience, allowing us to put our practical collegiate experience to good use in a new area that was different than any I had ever seen.

McMaster: We encountered some interesting tax situations while there. I was on Kodiak just before the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill; many of the residents finally received their settlements from the spill in 2008, so we had to deal with that special income and how to report it on the returns. It was disheartening to hear some peoples’ stories with regards to this event. Many of the men worked as fishermen and didn’t have income taxes withheld from their paychecks for years; now they have tens of thousands of dollars in taxes due, with fines. This experience made tax preparation more real, more personal.

MSU College of Business students have been traveling to Alaska to volunteer with the VITA program for the past two years.

20outstanding students

21

faculty&

programs core values: faculty code of excellence 1. Recruiting and retaining exceptional students The recruitment and retention of exceptional students is

ensured by sustaining high-quality throughout the College of Business (CoB) and by strategically communicating with all stakeholders. Emphasis is given to our rigorous curriculum, qualified faculty, student services, job placement, student mentoring, and commitment to students in an energizing living and learning environment.

2. Curriculum Design and Delivery The CoB curriculum is accessible, integrated and experiential, combining

the breadth of liberal arts education with the depth of business practice. It is designed to prepare students for productive careers while fostering lifelong learning, critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical decision-making.

3. Mentoring Faculty, staff and administration initiate and cultivate interactive student mentoring relationships in sup-

port of the academic and professional development of students, and engender student commitment to learning, personal responsibility, effective problem- solving, and ethical judgment.

4. Research and Creative Activity Faculty members model life-long learning and critical/creative thinking by engaging in research and creative activity that contributes to the inventory of knowledge, strengthens each student's classroom experience, and supports the land-grant mission of MSU.

5. Balancing Personal, Professional and Societal Responsibilities The CoB sets work-load expectations for faculty, staff and administration that promote a balance of personal, professional and societal responsibilities and fosters faculty involvement with university, city, state, nation, and world communities.

6. Professional Fulfillment In support of long-term individual growth and college-wide progress, faculty and

staff are afforded the opportunity and resources to pursue personal/professional activities linked directly to consistent, identifiable, desired organizational goals.

7. Organizational Resources and Rewards The CoB values and cultivates members of the faculty, staff and

administration by allocating substantive resources to recognize outstanding performance and to invest in the future and enhancement of our mission and core values.

8. Organizational Culture As a dynamic learning community of shared vision and goals, the CoB culture

nurtures the personal and professional growth of faculty, staff and students through trust, openness, good humor, collegiality, accountability, unity, diversity and an enthusiasm for change and individual differences.

22faculty & programs

“Our students are pretty insightful, and it is important that we listen to them as we plan the future of the College.”

—susan dana

2009 was an exciting year in more ways than one for the College of Business. As is true for just about everyone, the economic downturn has presented challenges, but also an opportunity to examine carefully our programs and processes with an eye toward improvement and efficiency.

As part of the College’s brainstorming on how to respond to the expected challenges of the next few years, I recently again reviewed the Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats (SWOT) analyses written by students in the Senior Seminar every year since at least 2004. Our students are pretty insightful, and it is important that we listen to them as we plan the future of the College.

The most common strengths identified by graduating seniors include a strong faculty, opportunities for students and employer/community relations. Students consistently comment favorably on the qualifications and experience faculty bring to the classroom, the accessibility of faculty and the absence of graduate students teaching classes. They emphasize the importance of small class sizes, not only to their formal learning, but also to their ability to find mentors among the faculty. Students also identify as a strength the variety of opportunities offered to students through the College, including student clubs, internships, consulting classes, minors, the Bracken Business Communications Clinic and the professional conference rooms in the Bracken Center dedicated to student use. Relationships with employers and professionals in the community, including employment placement rates and guest speakers, are also often mentioned as strengths.

We will certainly seek to preserve these attributes as the College evolves.

We are doing what we can to correct weaknesses identified by students. The weakness most often mentioned by students is the condition of Reid Hall, where the College is located. We agree with students that the building does not reflect the quality of our program, and we are developing plans to improve our physical space. Students also often mention the limits of our undergraduate program (only one undergraduate degree in business with an option in accounting, finance, management or marketing, and five minors) and the absence of an MBA offering. While we understand students’ perspective on this issue, the reality is that we simply do not have sufficient resources to expand our undergraduate program, and believe that Montana does not need another MBA program.

However, we are constantly improving the program in other ways, including, for example, the creation of a new course entitled Community and Social Entrepreneurship, to meet students’ interest in the nonprofit arena. We are also confident that our current program prepares students well for their future careers as demonstrated by our students’ performance on the Major Field Test (MFT) in Business (please see the MFT score update).

Students are also often right on the money in their identification of opportunities and threats.

Opportunities identified by students include some important ideas, such as creating industry-specific elective courses, more online offerings and a sustainability program.

Threats include the economic downturn and implications for student employment and rising tuition costs, especially for out-of-state students. Interestingly, relatively low tuition is also mentioned often by students as a strength of the College.

Overall, our students have a pretty good grasp of the strengths of, and challenges facing, the College. We intend to preserve our strengths and pay close attention to the student experience as we develop our strategies for the future. As always, I invite you to contact me with ideas and advice. Here’s to a prosperous 2010!

—Susan Dana, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Bracken Center

23

Executive’s Closet Opens Doors to Professionalism

The first visual impression a student makes when applying for an internship or interviewing for a job, can be key to their success in the job market. Various studies show that 40% of job rejections are linked to poor personal presentation—dress and grooming.

The image one presents in the first five seconds they meet with a prospective employer or business partner matters. Dressing professionally shows that you are the right person to do business with; you display confidence, drive and determination.

The College of Business (CoB) already emphasizes the importance of professional appearance for final presentations to clients in the upper-division consulting classes, when participating in academic competitions against other universities and, especially, when attending the fall and spring recruiting fairs. Recognizing it can be difficult for college students to afford business attire, CoB student leaders looked at ways to help improve student professional appearance and developed a service project they called “The Executive’s Closet.” This event provided an opportunity for CoB students to acquire professional quality clothing, with business professionals in the community donating ‘gently worn’ business outfits and accessories.

Students from the different options worked together to make this two-day event a success. Linda Ward, assistant director of the Bracken Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Business Education, coordinated the overall efforts between students and business community.

Susan Sheaffer, a student in the Masters of Professional Accountancy Program (MPAc), made presentations to the Sunrise Rotary in Bozeman and PrintingForLess in Livingston, requesting clothing donations. Jackie Art, a management student, brought in large contributions from the Livingston community. Tyler

Naval, president of the HR Management Club, built clothing racks for hanging the suits and jackets. A number of students volunteered the day before the event to help set up the Bracken Center rooms and sort through the donations.

Mikel Erickson and Collin Thomas, both studying finance, greeted and checked in students early in the morning on the first day of the event. For two days, many CoB students were at the Bracken Center assisting other students as they came to the event to see if they could find a new business outfit.

The Executive’s Closet began early, at 8 a.m., and even at that hour, students consistently flowed in and out of the Bracken Center rooms, trying on different outfits; many left with a professional looking, complete busiDressing ness outfit. Some CoB professionally faculty took time out of shows that you their busy day to help are the right students select pieces that matched and fit person to do properly. Gary Bishop, business with; adjunct management you display instructor, also held tieconfidence, tying demonstrations. drive and Lily Hurley, a junior determination. in business management, enjoyed her experience attending the Executive’s Closet.

“I thought this event was a great opportunity for CoB students because not all of us have the ability to go out and buy nice business outfits, which really give you an edge when interviewing for jobs.” She was able to obtain a skirt-suit combo, blouse, dress shoes and a business portfolio bag.

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. The Executive’s Closet provided many CoB students with professional clothing to help them make a successful first impression.

professional advantage

Students’ attire and first impression is one key to success.

24faculty & programs

Recruiting FairS: Looking at Life after College

Many of the recruiters for both fairs were CoB graduates, a good sign that companies and firms are hiring our students. For a complete list of accounting and non-accounting recruiters, see the back inside cover.

The Meet the Recruiters and Accounting Recruiters fairs were integral job search events for College of Business (CoB) students, especially this year. With unemployment rates high, the CoB worked with local and national businesses, providing an opportunity for students to mingle with recruiters. Meet the Accounting Recruiters was September 21 and Meet the Recruiters was September 30, both located at the Stadium Club, over-looking the football field. MSU Career Services and Student Employment co-sponsored Meet the Recruiters and Beta Alpha Psi sponsored the Accounting event.

Attendance was good, with 225 students taking advantage of the two recruiting fairs. Approximately 40 businesses were represented between the two events, with recruiters seeking both prospective interns and career professionals. Students exchanged resumes for business cards and many interviewed with companies later that week.

Joseph Bogen, a senior finance student, was excited that he would be going through the second round of interviews for a full-time position, after meeting with a representative from Columbia Grain Inc., a Portland-based firm. “For the past two years, I have attended the Meet the Recruiters Fair organized by the MSU College of Business. Quite honestly, without the experience and knowledge gained from these events, I would not be nearly as prepared as I am now for entry into the business world. The event fostered a comfortable environment for students to learn from businessmen and women about how to incorporate unique personalities in a professional setting. All in all, it was an awesome event!”

Not all students attending the event were looking for a job this year. Jennifer Larson, another CoB student had this to say, “I found the Meet the Accounting Recruiters Fair to be a great pragmatic way to get in touch with potential future employers. While I didn’t go there for a job opportunity this year, I was able to gather information one-on-one with the recruiters about their companies and acquire contacts from whom I can learn more. It is great to know there are events like this that I can use to increase my odds of success in life after college.”

Current CoB students found the “Quite honestly, experience rewardwithout the ing and beneficial.

Some were wearing exerience and business clothes they knowledge obtained from the gained from Executive’s Closet these events, a couple of weeks I would not earlier, an event that be nearly as is part of the new Professional Advanprepared as tage Program. Many I am now for students attended entry into the the recruiting events business world.” to become acquaint—Joseph Bogen ed with the different SENIOR FINANCE STUDENT firms and work on developing their professional skills, while others actively pursued internships and future employment. Students were also able to utilize these skills when they attended the MSU Career Fair the next day.

For more information about the Meet the Recruiters Fair, please contact Linda Ward at 406-994-1995 or lward@montana.edu.

25 Faculty Awards

Announced During Commencement

On Saturday, May 9, the College of Business (CoB) held its annual spring graduation ceremony in the MSU Strand Union Building. Eight professors received honors during the ceremony, based on their outstanding performances in teaching, research and service. These awards, provided through endowment programs, give faculty members financial resources for scholarly and pedagogical development.

The Haynes, Heck, Nopper and Loendorf awards are bestowed at the discretion of the dean. Students choose their most influential faculty member for the Bracken Student’s Choice Award and faculty members nominate their colleagues for the Dean’s Research, Teaching and Service Awards.

bill brown

bonita peterson kramer

Harold and Reta Haynes Faculty Fellow Award

This award is given to a faculty member who has demonstrated sustained excellence in all phases of faculty performance related to teaching, research and service.

F. William Brown, professor of management craig ehlert

Scott and Barbara Heck Faculty Scholar Award

This award supports the recipient’s outstanding teaching performance and fosters the sharing of educational experiences with students.

Bonita Peterson, professor of accounting

Thomas Nopper Excellence in Teaching Award

This award is given annually to a faculty member who has made significant contributions to the teaching mission of the CoB. Craig Ehlert, adjunct instructor of management

scott bryant

Joe and Sharlene Loendorf Excellence in Teaching Award

This award is presented to a faculty member who has excelled in teaching and service to students outside the classroom.

Scott Bryant, associate professor of management

Tim Alzheimer

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching Tim Alzheimer, adjunct assistant professor of finance

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Research Laura Black, assistant professor of management

laura black

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Service Harry Benham, associate professor of management

2008 Code of Excellence Award

This award, voted by peers, recognizes the recipient’s commitment and positive effect on the lives of all members of the CoB community.

Gary Caton, assistant professor of finance

Gary K. Bracken Student’s Choice for Excellence in Teaching

This is the most prestigious faculty award. For this honor, the recipient was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony.

Omar Shehryar, associate professor of marketing

harry benham

gary caton

omar shehryar

26faculty & programs Global Sponsorship Right Now Technologies Logo Enterprise Sponsorship State Farm Insurance Printing Sponsorship in part by PrintingForLess.com Color World/BigLook Displays & Graphics Corporate Sponsorship Jack & Donna Ostrovsky Executive Sponsorship Micki Munro

Speaker, Mary Perry, far right, with participants during a round table session.

MSU Alumni Association Associate Sponsorship First Security Bank Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Castronovo Financial Group, Inc. Break Sponsors MSU Career, Internship and Student Employment Services Old Chicago Affiliates Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. P.C. Bozeman Broker Group Junkermeir, Clark, Campanella, Stevens, P.C. (JCCS) Jackie Sather Montana Travel NetNewMarketing Tanning Unlimited

Second annual Women’s Circle of Excellence event a success

More than 90 women came together on April 22–23 for the second annual MSU College of Business (CoB) Women’s Circle of Excellence (WCOE) Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn. The event Angela Woodland, assistant professor of accounting (second boasted many exciting speak- from right) with students at the graduation celebration. ers and interactive workshops, upon them. She detailed many other steps and participants enjoyed an to positively impact work productivity environment of mentoring, networking, throughout her session. education, inspiration and friendship.

A celebration for the 2009 CoB graduJaynee Groseth, president and CEO of ates wrapped up the first day. The graduthe MSU Alumni Association, kicked off ates were welcomed into the WCOE by Thursday afternoon’s event with her presentation, “Personalities in the Workplace,” Susan Dana, CoB Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Director of the which helped participants recognize their Bracken Center. Susan gave a congratulaown and others’ personality types, and tory send-off to the group, many of whom provided suggestions about effectively had been her former students or advisees. working together, despite personality difThe remainder of the celebration provided ferences. Participants then chose between opportunities for these senior women to three workshops: “Polished and Profesnetwork and find potential mentors from sional: First Impressions,” “Starting and the assembled group of alumnae, businessGrowing Businesses: Back to the Basics” women and faculty. and “Retiring in Turbulent Times.”

Day two was equally power-packed and After the break-out sessions, particibegan with an energizing group session pants came together to hear Ris Higgins, led by Mary Perry, Vice President of Proco-founder of Leadership Outfitters, motions for Ryan Partnership. Her presenpresent “Leading Change to Consciously tation, “The CEO of Me: How to Brand Choose Your Future.” Higgins talked and Market You!,” helped participants about evaluating conversations, whether recognize that they are their own “brand” they are ‘conclusive’ or ‘evasive,’ and and need to present themselves in a way discussed ways to engage in ‘expansive’ that reflects how they want to be seen in conversations instead. She also covered the marketplace. A variety of morning ways to identify your personal moods breakout sessions included, “Moving Up and predispositions and how to best act

27 or Moving On,” “Work/Life Balance: One Size Does Not Fit All” and “Benefits of Charitable Giving.” The afternoon breakout sessions included “It’s 2009. Do You Know Where Your Web Identity Is?,” “Taking Care of You: Wellness and Stress Management” and “A Women’s Guide to Money Matters at any Age.” Two unique seminars were also offered during the afternoon: a panel of four women working in male-dominated industries presented “Leading Lady: Taking Care of Business” and a roundtable session gave participants the opportunity ask additional questions or chat further with presenters from the event’s workshops.

The event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Brenda Davis, past Corporate Officer for and Vice President of Technical Resources at Johnson & Johnson, touched on lessons she learned that helped her build a successful career. She shared how she managed her personal priority of children and family throughout her career and emphasized that there’s no easy way to have it all. She offered advice to all the participants and their specific career stage—recent college graduates

entering the workforce, motherhood and work, women mid- and late-career, and those considering retirement or retired.

Dr. Davis encouraged the participants to define their own purpose, consider their desired legacy and then to pursue those dreams whether they are at home, in the community or the workplace.

The conference concluded with dinner at the Riverside Country Club followed by the entertaining antics of Broad Comedy. Those attending used the time to discuss what they had learned during the conference and engaged in networking throughout dinner.

The WCOE conference was sponsored in part by RightNow Technologies, with additional support from State Farm Insurance. For a complete list of sponsors, please check the following website: http:// www.montana.edu/cob/Alumni_and_ Friends/WomensCircle.html.

The third annual Women’s Circle of Excellence is scheduled for May 13-14, 2010. For more information, please contact Audrey Lee at audrey.lee@montana.edu or 406-994-7026.

“It is not every undergraduate business program that offers its students the chance to present and think on their feet, as very challenging questions are thrown at them, in front of a business-savvy auditorium audience of hundreds.”

—joe long, ADJUNCT MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTOR

experience students gain ss plan competition

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Ozer, Anthony petitive and fun en consisting of Ersin am te nt an educationa l, com de stu ere lly grow lettuce, ented by a th was to hydroponica e ur nt The CoB was repres ve up rtsta ountain Produce Goodman. Their e produce to Interm th ng lli se Varriano and Ryan , na ta on na that consisted of in Southwest M niversity of Monta U e th m herbs and tomatoes fro am te The CoB team tingly enough, a e, business concept. siv en eh pr (Bozeman). Interes m co e or m that experience. d a similar, but el and learned from lev BA s MBA candidates ha M an at s eir that their team wa an similar to th said he was proud t bu e, was able to see a pl nc rie pe ex g it as a humblin Varriano described ion. competition. “It is sed at the competit d this to say of the ha t, one of the best dres en em ag an m ance to present and instructor of s its students the ch er off Joe Long, adjunct sat th m ra og pr in front of a busines duate business e thrown at them, ar ns ty not ever y undergra tio ni es rtu qu po ng op gi ct as very challen e event as the perfe think on their feet, ds.” He describes th re ble a business nd m hu se of as ce to , en di rld in the real wo e lik savv y auditorium au is it at wh of get a snapshot s and bankers. for our students to s owners, executive es sin bu l ca lo to it plan and then pitch 10 competition. students receive preparing for the 20 dy ea alr e ar ts en l experience where ud na St io at uc ed ive sit rs economic grow th rves as a po ofessiona ls. It foste pr This competition se r s es sin bu ed nc provides a forum fo e from experie ontana, and it also M in feedback and advic es ur nt ve s es n of new busin through the creatio and each other. th the community wi t ac ter in to s nt stude

28 faculty & programs

Jerica Bradley with Senator Baucus (left) and Senator Tester (right)

For alumna, Internship leads to permanent job in washington, D.C.

professional advantage

Students’ work ethic, leadership and creativity enhance opportunities as students prepare for careers.

Opening the Door into the Business World Even with taking innovative classes, understanding great business theory, and developing critical thinking Even with and networking skills, students who innovative graduate with a classes, great business degree still business need to differentiate theory and themselves from the critical thinking tens of thousands and networking of other business graduates each year. skills, CoB Participating in graduates need internship programs to differentiate can give students an themselves added advantage in from the tens the job market. The of thousands of College of Business’ (CoB) Bracken Cenother business ter provides many graduates. internship opportunities for students— paid, unpaid, local, out-of-state or international—that offer students the chance to bring the classroom into the workplace and vice versa.

Linda Ward, assistant director of the Bracken Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Business Education, helps facilitate many of the internship opportunities for the CoB. She says, “Students get a chance to get experience and mentoring in their areas of academic study. It is a chance for them to hone their professional

soft skills as well. In this competitive economy, there is a definite advantage for our students to offer these experiences and skills to potential employers.”

One internship opportunity available to CoB students is the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Capitol Hill Internship in Washington D.C. Jerica Bradley (’09, finance) is one of many students who saw this internship as an opportunity to set herself up for success after graduation.

Path to the Capitol Bradley did not begin her time at MSU as a traditional incoming freshman. She was a transfer student who had successfully completed the Business Administration program at Flathead Community College.

While attending school in Kalispell and during summers following her transfer to MSU, she worked full-time for Northwest Healthcare. With her interest in numbers and problem solving, Bradley gravitated toward a degree in finance. Her first year at MSU was overwhelming, with so many different options and available resources, but her business professors were always available to help.

There wasn’t one particular class or professor that really influenced her as much as the entire academic experience. She was a part of the Finance Club and through it came to know many of the finance professors.

While at Northwest Healthcare, the Government Affairs Director, who assigned Bradley healthcare projects, introduced her to the policy-making side of the

29 industry and suggested she look into internship and job opportunities in that area.

This suggestion, paired with an e-mail Bradley received from Ward in the Bracken Center about upcoming employment and internship options, provided Bradley with the opportunity of a lifetime.

She submitted her application for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Capitol Hill Internship and interviewed for the position while she was in New York with other CoB finance students. She was accepted for the position, which is open to students nationwide. Twenty-five interns are accepted into this extremely coveted program throughout the year. The CoB tries to send a student to Washington D.C. for this internship each semester (fall, summer, spring). Bradley and Grant Jamieson, another CoB student, were accepted into the program this past year.

Jim Frisk, the Intern Coordinator for the Finance Committee, says that they have had a number of great MSU student interns work with them over the years. He says that the past few he has worked with have all done excellent work.

Valuable lessons learned During this internship, Bradley learned about the customary proceedings of the Senate, while familiarizing herself with the jargon used on Capitol Hill. She described the experience as intellectually challenging, but rewarding. Healthcare, renewable energy and small business were some of the legislative issues she researched.

An opportunity to work for U.S. Senator Max Baucus, in Washington D.C., on healthcare and finance issues arose, which

Bradley eagerly accepted. “There are so many opportunities to grow and expand within the organization that I feel very privileged to be a part of this team,” said Bradley. “I am anxious and excited to continue striving for my goals while setting new ones where I see potential.”

Between her CoB education, internship and career, Bradley has learned many life lessons that she cites as necessary for a successful career, particularly one in public service. She encourages students to volunteer and give back to the community and to continue to learn. She says, “Read, listen and pay attention. Expect people to push your self- limitations. Work hard, even if you don’t see the significance of the project at the time.” Bradley also supports stepping out of your comfort zone and reaching out to other groups of people. She says, “Meet 2-3 new people a day.” She also emphasizes the importance of networking and keeping in touch with the people you meet.

For any CoB student, an internship can provide important job-related experience, where they can apply practical classroom derived knowledge in a safe work setting.

If a student excels during an internship, his or her chance of being hired by that company, or a similar company, increases immensely. Instead of a student’s reference simply telling employers that a student is a hard worker, a leader or a creative thinker, a successful internship experience demonstrates that the student prossesses these qualities. The CoB plans to continue to facilitate many opportunities for students to take their first steps into the world of “after graduation.”

editation: ellence AACSB Accrg ree of Exc A higher de

wide that ols of business world ho sc 9 57 ly on of e We are on of excellence in nguished ha llmark and most has earned this disti t widely-recognized os m ’s rld wo e th is s, faculty, education. It prospective student ls tel It t. en m rse SU College sought-a fter endo edited school, the M cr ac B SC AA an as d in the and employers that e prepared to succee ar o wh s te ua ad gr es of Business produc . rld wo s es busin

“It takes a great deal of self-evaluation and determination to earn and maintain AACSB accreditation. Schools... must make a commitment to ongoing improvement to ensure continued delivery of high-quality education to students.”

—Jerry trapnell,

Chief accreditation officer of AACSB International

30 faculty & programs New Business Course Helps Students Contribute Positively to Community

“We are trying to infuse a baseline of business and entrepreneurship skills in the next generation of leaders, who can then effect real, positive change in their communities.”

social entrepreneurship

leadership

—dan moshavi

impact

The College of Business (CoB) at MSU offered a new, senior-level course in Community and Social Entrepreneurship in spring 2009 to students interested in developing and using their business and entrepreneurship skills to benefit their communities.

This course is part of a larger initiative to establish a more cohesive and prominent community and social outreach program that leverages the CoB’s current strengths in entrepreneurship and leadership education.

“Our initial course offering is focused on not-for-profit management; however, there are many organizations that are actively involved in contributing positively to society that do make a profit,” said Dan Moshavi, CoB dean. “We are trying to infuse a base-line of business and entrepreneurship skills in the next generation of leaders, who can then effect real, positive change in their communities.”

This initial course offering was made possible by the support of Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply through its efforts to partner with businesses and organizations to positively impact the communities in which the company operates, to maximize local programs, and to encourage collaboration.

“Murdoch’s led the way in seeding this program because it fit so well with our values and our desire to make a difference wherever and whenever possible,” explained MaryKay Yeley, vice president at Murdoch’s in Bozeman. “It is a great marriage of both Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply and MSU College of Business, essentially offering a program that teaches young businessmen and women ‘for-profit values’ in an effort to make nonprofits healthy, effective and sustainable.”

Changes in the not-for-profit sector This new course is particularly timely for students about to enter the challenging job market, given the radical changes in the nonprofit sector over the last 10 years.

This sector has moved from a secondary entity within the business community to a sector that commands attention. For example, if the nonprofit sector in the United States was a country, it would be the 7th largest economy in the world.

This sector is the third largest wage payer in Montana and represents the fastest growing sector of the U.S. economy.

With this increased economic impact, nonprofit organizations are experiencing an elevation in expectations from donors, foundations, fundraisers and clients to be accountable for their actions.

“Not-for-profit businesses are outcomedriven versus profit-driven,” explains Terry Profota, adjunct instructor in management and the course’s instructor. “However, they must be run with sound business practices in order to succeed. They are being held to a higher standard of professionalism by the American public, who expects them to operate effectively and efficiently in order to receive public donations.”

Infusing nonprofit organizations with well-trained business professionals will help with their day-to-day operations and create a strong foundation for long-term success.

“Everyone—from micro lenders to someone who gets a community center built in Whitefish, Montana to those who run an orphanage in Kenya—each of these endeavors meets a particular need within a specific community,” said Dean Moshavi. “Having a base-line of business and entrepreneurship skills present in these endeavors can make the difference between success and failure.”

What this course offers Students representing a variety of majors—from food and nutrition, community health, family and consumer sciences, health and human performance, sociology, and economics to business—formed groups to create their own nonprofit organizations. Each group identified common interests, discussed and researched

community

innovation

31 ways to creatively solve community issues, defined their organization’s mission and then brainstormed the planning and implementation phases. They developed one-year, three-year and five-year strategic plans, corresponding fundraising plans, a three-year budget, and identified ways to evaluate their efforts.

“The goal was to help students understand exactly what it takes to form and run a not-for-profit organization,” said Profota.

“Walking students through the steps and thought processes necessary to form these organizations gives them a more realistic understanding of what it takes to effectively operate a nonprofit organization.”

In addition to forming their own organizations, Profota selected a variety of experts from the nonprofit sector to speak to the class about pertinent topics such as fundraising, accountability, financial management and planning as an introduction to the principles and best practices used by effective not-for-profit organizations.

According to the Montana Nonprofit Association, these principles and best practices were “created specifically for Montana’s nonprofit organizations as a planning and assessment tool…to support and strengthen organizational development by helping nonprofits…become more effective, more efficient, and more accountable. Stronger, more effective Montana nonprofits can provide improved services to clients and constituencies, strengthen Montana communities, and enhance organizational experience for this and the next generation of nonprofit leaders.”

The student experience Dawnette Osen, a senior in the CoB majoring in business management with a minor in entrepreneurship and small business management, participated in the first Community and Social Entrepreneurship course in spring 2009. She was part of a four-person team with three students who were nutrition majors. Their organization’s focus was to curb childhood obesity, encourage healthy behaviors and improve overall wellness in children.

“Our team worked really well together,” explained Osen. “The other girls knew all about nutrition and what to do to help children, and as a business major, I knew how to implement their ideas. It was a great fit for everyone.”

Each team was required to fill out a mountain of paperwork required by the IRS

to form a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

“We went through the process of actually filling out the IRS paperwork, which made starting a nonprofit more realistic and really helped us understand the steps involved,” said Osen.

Osen, who will graduate from the CoB in May 2010, currently works as an intern with the digital marketing team at RightNow Technologies.

“Even though RightNow is a profitable business, social entrepreneurship and community giving is important to the company and its employees,” said Osen.

“I want to work for a company like RightNow, one that encourages its employees to contribute to their communities.”

The future of the Initiative With the success of this first community and social entrepreneurship course and the continued support from local businesses like Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply, the CoB plans to offer this course to interested MSU students each spring.

“We want to help students to establish a clear vision for their organizations, understand how to overcome what seems impossible to accomplish, and how to combine their passions with organizational success,” Moshavi. “The College will continue to identify ways to expand our ‘Community Outreach and Social Entrepreneurship’ initiative and support student outreach efforts.”

This course and additional efforts on the part of the CoB to encourage and support student outreach will strengthen local communities and area businesses while preparing students to become successful business leaders and future board members.

“We met with some of the students who completed the first Community and Social Entrepreneurship course, and we left with the belief that they would now move forward and be able to start, and perpetuate some wonderfully successful entrepreneurial/socially responsible ventures that would bring a lot of good to the world,” said Yeley.

“Knowing we were part of sending these students to a program that will allow them to move on and, in turn, help many others while also bringing valid businesses to the economy is a great feeling.”

For more information about the CoB Community Outreach and Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, contact Jackie Sather, development officer for the College of Business, at 994-6766.

“Walking students through the steps and thought processes necessary to form these organizations gives them a more realistic understanding of what it takes to effectively operate a nonprofit organization.”

—terry profota, ADJUNCT MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTOR

32faculty & programs faculty activities & updates

Tim Alzheimer

caroline graham austin

laura black

virginia bratton

F. william brown

scott bryant

Tim Alzheimer, M.S., adjunct assistant professor of finance, continues to coordinate and administer two business simulations in junior high and high schools across the state for the Montana Council on Economic Education. These two simulation programs reach more than 2,500 students per year. He currently serves as the chairman of the Montana Community Finance Corporation, a nonprofit organization that works with commercial banks in using Small Business Administration to finance real estate loans for businesses across the state. Alzheimer also served as the director of the Bridger Mountain Montana Harley Owners Group.

Caroline Graham Austin, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, was invited to join the development committee of the Greater Gallatin Watershed Council in January.

She presented “Gift Card Basics” with Daniel Huffman at the Society for Consumer Psychology conference in San Diego, CA in February. In October, Austin attended the North American Association for Consumer Research conference in Pittsburgh, PA, where she reviewed competitive track papers.

Laura Black, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, published “Teaching Undergraduates about Dynamic Systems,” co-authored with Bruce Raymond, in the Journal of Business and Management. Her research was presented at six conferences during the year. “Assessing Executability in Large Complex Programs,” co-authored with D.R. Greer, R.J. Adams, S. Eslinger and D.X. Houston was presented during the IEEE Aerospace Conference in Big Sky this March. Black had three research presentations in July at the International System Dynamics Conference in Albuquerque, N.M. “The Hero and the Warrior in New Venture Growth,” was co-authored with J.L. House.

“Path Dependency and the Role of Delays in Creating Shared Understanding in Dyadic Communication: Lessons from a Simulation Model,” was co-authored with N. Ghaffarzadegan, D.R. Greer and D.F. Andersen. “You Meant What?! Socially Constructing Meaning with Ongoing Interactions,” was co-authored with D.R. Greer. “Examining Disconnects as Drivers of Cost and Time Overruns in Complex Innovative Government Development Programs: A Multi-Method Approach,” co-authored with N. Ghaffarzadegan, D.R.Greer and D.F. Andersen was presented to the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management in Washington D.C. in November. For 2009-2010, Black received a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Leadership Award Grant for Women Faculty from MSU to further her research on collaboration.

Virginia Bratton, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, had two conference presentations this year. She presented “Performance Appraisal Cynicism: Causes and Consequences” with M. Brown and M. Kraimer, at the 2009 Australia New Zealand Academy of Management Conference in Melbourne, Australia and “I’m Leading Great; They Just Aren’t Following So Well: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Accuracy of Self-Awareness and Leadership Performance” with Nancy Dodd and F. William Brown at the 2009 Global Business & International Management Conference in Seattle, Washington. Bratton also presented “Gender Pay Equity: Does it Exist and if Not, Why?” at the Bozeman Business & Professional Women Meeting. She was a discussant and reviewer at multiple conferences, as well as the Student Chapter Chair for the Gallatin Valley Human Resources Association Board of Directors.

F. William Brown, Ph.D., professor of management, presented “I’m Leading Great; They Just Aren’t Following So Well: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Accuracy of Self-Awareness and Leadership Performance” with Nancy Dodd and Virginia Bratton at the 2009 Global Business & International Management Conference in Seattle, Washington.

Scott Bryant, Ph.D., associate professor of management, had his article “National Culture, Institutions and Entrepreneurship Potential: A Comparative Study of the United States, Taiwan, and Vietnam,” co-authored with Nguyen, Rose, Chiung-Hui and Kapasuwan, published in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. He is also the PI for the $25,000 NCIIA Grant that focuses on “moving clean energy innovations to market and creating entrepreneurial learning opportunities through cross-disciplinary student teams.” The award provides funding for an initiative involving the MSU Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West, TechRanch and the College of Engineering to create student E-teams that will work on commercializing green technology. Bryant was also the recipient of the 2009 Loendorf Excellence in Teaching Award.

33 Gary Caton, Ph.D., assistant professor of finance, had two research articles accepted for publication this year. In addition, “Management Compensation, Restructuring and Value Creation at Union Carbide Corporation,” was published in the Journal of Corporate Ownership and Control, Vol. 6, Issue 3, pp. 561-569. He presented “Earnings Management and Seasoned Bond Offerings: Do Managers Mislead the Bond Market?” at the Financial Management Association annual meeting.

Anne Christensen, Ph.D., professor of accounting, presented, “Assessing ServiceLearning Outcomes for Students Participating in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs,” with Dennis Schmidt (University of Northern Iowa) and Priscilla Wisner and “Implementation of Assurance of Learning Plans: An Accounting Program and Individual Course Analysis,” with Andrew Judd (University of Central Florida) and Nancy Nichols (James Madison University) at the American Accounting Association Annual Meeting. She is serving as Program Chair for the 2010 meeting of the Western Region of the American Accounting Association. In addition, Christensen is the director of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for MSU. Nancy Dodd, Ph.D., associate professor of management, presented “I’m Leading Great; They Just Aren’t Following So Well: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Accuracy of Self-awareness and Leadership Performance” with Virginia Bratton and F. William Brown at the 2009 Global Business & International Management Conference in Seattle, WA. John Dudas, M.S., adjunct instructor of accounting, is the founder and the race director of the Huffing for Stuffing Thanksgiving Day Run. As the largest run/walk event in Bozeman, Huffing for Stuffing drew a record crowd on Thanksgiving Day with almost 2,200 participants. The event netted $17,500 for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank and has accumulated a total of $47,000 donated to our Food Bank over its three-year history.

Greg Durham, Ph.D., associate professor of finance, presented “Do Investors Categorize? Evidence from the College Football Betting Market,” co-authored by Muku Santhanakrishnan at the Gambling, Prediction Markets and Public Policy symposium at Nottingham Trent University in England, the Western Economics Association International meetings in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and at the Association of Consumer Research conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. This paper was also published in the ACR Conference Proceedings. Durham also presented his lecture, “Behavioral Biases, Sports Wagering Markets and Financial-Market Implications,” in Great Falls as a part of the Bringing the U to You public lecture series co-sponsored by the UM and MSU Alumni Associations.

gary caton

anne christensen

nancy dodd

john dudas

greg durham

craig ehlert

Craig Ehlert, M.A., adjunct instructor of management, completed the requirements to be named an American Society for Quality (ASQ) manager of quality and organizational excellence.

Minette Jessup, B.S., adjunct instructor of management, currently serves on the CoB Assessment of Learning (AoL) committee. This year Jessup served as a mentor for freshman student-athletes and helped recruit potential finance students during the “Telethon.” She was one of four panelists for the spring Orser Executive Speakers Forum “The Iditarod of Investing: Following the Trail of the ‘Big Dogs’” and she presented on “Retiring in Turbulent Times” at the Women’s Circle of Excellence conference in April.

Christie Johnson, C.P.A., M.B.A, associate professor of accounting, published “The Fall of a Giant: The Case of Arthur Andersen & Co.,” with Bonita Peterson Kramer in the Handbook of Frauds, Scams, and Swindles: Failure of Ethics in Leadership, as well as “Financial Statements DeMystified,” a self-teaching guide for the general public and part of an extensive book series published by McGraw-Hill, also with Bonita Peterson Kramer.

Bonita Peterson Kramer, Ph.D., professor of accounting, had four articles published in 2009. “Rooting Out Fraud in Your Organization” in the Management Accounting Quarterly, “State of Forensic Accounting Tracks at the University Undergraduate/ Graduate Levels and the Related Need to Change the Educational Model Used in the Accounting Curriculum,” with Mike Seda, in the Journal of Forensic Studies in Accounting and Business; “The Fall of a Giant: The Case of Arthur Andersen & Co.,” with Christie W. Johnson in the Handbook of Frauds, Scams, and Swindles: Failure of Ethics in Leadership; as well as “Financial Statements DeMystified,” a self-teaching guide for the general public and part of an extensive book series published by McGraw-Hill, also with

minette jessup

christie johnson

bonita peterson kramer

...continued on following page

34faculty & programs ...continued from previous page

agnieszka bielinska-kwapisz

myleen leary

phil rogers

Christie W. Johnson. Kramer and her co-author Mike Seda were awarded the Institute of Management Accountants Certificate of Merit for the article, “The Emergence of Forensic Accounting Programs in Higher Education,” published in 2008 in Management Accounting Quarterly, for “excellence in contributing to the literature for the advancement of management accounting and financial management.”

Agnieszka Bielinska-Kwapisz, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor, published “Erratum to: ‘Sufficiency in Blackwell’s Theorem,’” in Mathematical Social Sciences, 58 (1), July 2009. She is also leading the Management Research Group, which began its activity last fall. More information can be found at http://www2.montana.edu/akwapisz/MRG. htm. The group meets every other week to discuss fascinating subjects in management such as how to publish interesting papers, team behavior and organizational change.

Myleen Leary, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, published a paper co-authored with Michael DeVaughn titled “Entrepreneurial Team Characteristics that Influence the Successful Launch of a New Venture,” in Management Research News. “Insider Knowledge and Outsider Knowledge: Effects on New Venture Forecasting Accuracy,” co-authored with Michael L. DeVaughn and Pritam Dey, was accepted at the Organizational Learning, Knowledge and Capabilities Conference in Amsterdam. “The Influence of Founding Team and Consultant Knowledge on New Venture Launch Speed,” also co-authored with Michael DeVaughn, was presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management in Chicago, IL. Phil Rogers, B.S., adjunct instructor of marketing, is currently on the board of the Bozeman School Foundation.

Mike Shaw, M.A., adjunct instructor of management, was a guest speaker at the local chapter of the FFA. He talked about team building through effective communications.

mike shaw

Donna Swarthout, M.A., adjunct instructor and BBCC coach, serves on the City of Bozeman Planning Board and the Library Board of Trustees.

Carson Taylor, J.D., adjunct instructor of management, was elected to the Bozeman City Commission.

donna swarthout

carson taylor

priscilla wisner

angela woodland

Priscilla Wisner, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting, published three articles and four short papers in 2009.” The Judgmental Effects of Management Communications and a Fifth Balanced Scorecard Category on Performance Evaluations,” with co-author Steve Kaplan, was published in Behavioral Research in Accounting. “Environmental Proactivity and Performance,” written with Marc Epstein and Rick Bagozzi, was published in Advances in Environmental Accounting and Management. Also with Marc Epstein, “Performance Metrics to Measure and Manage Social and Environmental Impacts” was published in The Business of Sustainability. “Profitability Analysis Using Activity Based Costing,” “Statistical Process Control for Quality Improvement,” “Multidimensional Performance Measurement Using the Balanced Scorecard” and “Improving Corporate Profitability through Accountability,” with co-author Marc Epstein, were all published in Finance: The Ultimate Resource. Wisner presented “Assessing Service-learning Outcomes for Students Participating in VITA Programs,” which was co-authored with Anne Christensen and Dennis Schmidt at the American Accounting Association annual meeting. Wisner taught Financial Statement and Decision Analysis at the National Economics University for the MBA program in Hanoi Vietnam this summer.

Wisner also completed her first marathon in October.

Angela Woodland, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting, had her article “Using Service-Learning in Graduate Auditing Courses” published in Advances in Accounting Education, Vol. 10. Woodland spent ten days this summer competing in Primal Quest Badlands, described as the most demanding endurance competition on the planet.

35 faculty do more than teach Professors wear many hats. They are teachers, mentors and advisors. Throughout the day, they educate students about accounting practices, financial statements, management principles, marketing strategies and many other business procedures. Afterwards, they spend countless hours in their office grading papers and exams, answering questions, mentoring students and guiding them through their time here at MSU. On top of all this, they are continuously conducting research in their field of expertise.

Many business classes emphasize the need for social responsibility, encouraging community service. The College of Business (CoB) faculty does more than teach this concept—they practice it. Here is a look at some of the CoB faculty and their activities outside of teaching.

Angela Woodland

Woodland, second from right, with the combined teams of Big City Mountaineer and Team Spanos at the finish line.

The Challenge This summer Angela Woodland spent ten days competing in a 600-mile expedition-level adventure race, Primal Quest Badlands, against other athletes from around the world. Described as the most demanding endurance competition on the planet, Woodland’s reason for competing was not just about winning or proving herself as an athlete.

The Cause Her group, Team Big City Mountaineers (BCM), was formed in order to promote and raise funds for the nonprofit, Big City Mountaineers. This group’s mission is to “enhance the lives of under-resourced urban teens through transformative outdoor experiences.” The program positively impacts the teens’ beliefs with regard to environmental awareness, age, ethnic diversity and self-esteem. With positive role models, it is the group’s hope that these teens become better equipped to make critical career, educational and lifestyle decisions.

The Rest of the Story Woodland’s husband, Kevin Woodland, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) about five years ago. Before getting ALS, Kevin was quite the adventurer and had always wanted to participate in a big adventure race, but never got that chance so, Angela decided to do so in his place and in his honor. She wore his wedding ring clipped to her backpack during the trek and her husband tracked the team’s progress on the internet. The team spent cold nights without sleeping bags in the wilderness. Angela broke multiple bones in her hand and the team was

surprised by a big bull bison during their journey. She described the competition as the kind of experience that requires you to push way beyond anything you think you can do.

She said that when Kevin did things, he put his whole heart in them and went really big. “That’s why I am going big with Primal Quest.”

And she did. During the race, a competitor from another team took a nasty face-first spill on her mountain bike. The first team on the scene was BCM, so Angela kept the woman calm and reassured her, keeping her from moving while other team members stabilized her head and neck. Their quick response may have kept the woman from being paralyzed even though she had broken her neck.

With the loss of a team member, the other team would have had to withdraw from the race, but BCM agreed to combine forces, causing them to become unranked.

Both teams finished the race together and Angela was able to share this adventure with her husband before he died from

One of the College’s core values is to promote a balance of personal, professional and societal responsibilities among faculty and staff. Angela, Nancy, Craig, John and many others here at the College of Business truly embody this core value by contributing generously to their community and having fun doing it (except, perhaps, Angela, who carried around painful reminders of her race for quite a while!).

We are lucky to count among our colleagues people with such indomitable spirits.”

—susan dana

...continued on following page

36 faculty & programs ...continued from previous page

nancy dodd with sasha

ALS shortly afterward. oyed, and Garland Belle, a deaf Australian Shepherd/Border Collie cross. Both passed Man’s (and Woman’s) Best Friend the tests to become therapy dogs, carrying Nancy Dodd has had dogs as her pets and on the work that Samara had started. With companions since her early twenties. She Sasha and Garland Belle, Dodd started has always enjoyed their company. One going to the hospital, where they visited day she saw an ad in the paper for a workpeople in the Cancer Treatment Center, shop to train people and pets to become the Dialysis Unit, Intensive Care and other therapy teams. Dodd wanted to expand hospital departments. what she could do with her dogs and the Dodd expanded her repertoire by takopportunity had presented itself. She ing a three day workshop to train and took the full day workshop and brought test Sasha to be a HOPE Animal Assisted in two of her dogs the next day to take a Crisis Response dogs. HOPE dogs are test which required that the dogs accept trained to provide comfort to victims, first brushing and petting from strangers, not responders and caregivers following natural overreacting when someone approaches or man-made disasters. They have to be them using a walker, yells or clumsily “bomb-proof,” not overreacting to sirens, hugs the dog, as well as perform basic firefighters in full uniform, people crying/ obedience. Her Samoyed, Samara, passed. moaning, etc. The dogs play an important The Dynamic Duo role in a crisis because many people will Dodd joined Intermountain Therapy often interact with a dog, even when they Animals (ITA) with Samara and the team won’t interact with humans. spent the next five years visiting MounThe skills that Dodd and Sasha gained tain View Care Center weekly, the Spring during this training were put to the test Meadows Assisted Living twice a month when disaster struck Bozeman and neighand the Bozeman Library monthly. At the boring city, Butte. This past year when nursing home and assisted living facility, a plane crashed into the Butte cemetery, the team visited with residents who liked Dodd and Sasha attended the memorial dogs, listened to their stories about their services with survivors and community lives and pets, and spent time with them, members. When there was a large exploproviding important social interaction. At sion on Bozeman’s Main Street, Dodd and the Library, Dodd and Samara particiher dogs worked at the Salvation Army, pated in the national READ (Reading where police, firefighters and National Education Assistance Dogs) program.

Guard members went for breaks. Dodd Young people who have difficulty readjoked, “Sasha won’t pull anyone out of a ing are hesitant to read aloud in their burning building, but she will snuggle up classrooms or at home, for fear of negative to him or her once he or she is out.” feedback, so they come to the library and When asked why she chooses to do all read to the dogs, which provide wagging this, Dodd answers, “Since I love my dogs tails and show interest in the books. There and they are an important part of my life, is research that shows significant improve- I enjoy doing things where other people ment for these kids. can experience some of the joy I get from my dogs. It is nice to see people’s faces Hitting Home light up when they see the dogs, even if While Samara was still alive, Dodd obthey are sick or depressed or lonely.” tained two other dogs, Sasha, another SamNancy Dodd

John Dudas

John Dudas (left) with codirector of Huffing For Stuffing, JC Hoyt at the 2009 race

Always Running John Dudas loves to run. He is very active in the local running community. Dudas has run 32 marathons in 19 states around the country, including the Boston Marathon the past eight years. His marathon personal record is 3:09:31. Besides running, he serves on the Lewis & Clark Marathon race com-

mittee and is vice president of the Big Sky Wind Drinkers.

Doing More for the Community After growing up in Boston with a family tradition of running a “Turkey Trot” before sitting down to a holiday feast, he recognized an opportunity here in Bozeman to bring folks together to support a worthy local cause on Thanksgiving. In

37 2006, he founded the Huffing for Stuffing Thanksgiving Day Run and is currently serving as the race director.

Seeing Results As the largest run/walk event in Bozeman, Huffing for Stuffing drew a record crowd on Thanksgiving Day 2009 with almost 2,200 participants. The event netted $17,500 for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank and they’ve donated a total of $47,000 to the Bozeman Food Bank over its three-year history. Dudas says that it means so much to him to see Huffing for Stuffing blossom as it has over the past three years and reflect the effort they have put into organizing the event. “This event fulfills many values for me: community-oriented work, initiating and directing a business venture,

being of a running-oriented nature and providing social interaction. It’s a wonderful feeling to be part of something special in Bozeman.”

JOHN DUDAS AT THE 25th mile of the Bozeman’s Lewis & Clark Marathon

craig elhert Avid Fan Craig Ehlert has always loved sports, both as a player and a spectator.

He earned his bachelor’s degree at MSU and was craig elhert a Bobcat fan from day one. For many years, he attended all the football and basketball games, and so when he returned to MSU as an adjunct instructor, Ehlert figured the next step would be to become involved at more than a spectator level.

The Next Step Ehlert started serving on the crews that help put on the various sporting events.

He runs the score board for football and basketball, and he works with the officiating crews and the MSU Athletic Administration representatives to ensure the score and the time on the various clocks the fans see is accurate.

Additionally, he serves as a track and field meet official, helping start races and ensuring that the runners on the track stay in their lanes and clear the hurdles properly in the various events.

This past year, Ehlert has even been building a statistical tracking and analysis program for the MSU Women’s Golf Team, developing a method to analyze the statistics from the rounds of golf that are played in competitions in order

to determine what performance areas the girls need to improve.

Helping Athletes Directly interacting with student athletes is another way Ehlert helps the Athletic Department. Ehlert became the liaison between the CoB and Athletics about six or seven years ago. When various teams are recruiting potential student athletes who are interested in a business degree, Ehlert meets with them to discuss what the CoB has to offer them academically and as they develop their career goals.

Since academics will play a large role in their lives here at MSU, and as they move on after college, serving as the CoB liaison is fun for Ehlert, especially since he gets to know many of the student-athletes prior to their coming to MSU. To further follow up with some of these new recruits, each year Ehlert mentors three to four student athletes. Mentoring these new students gives them a point of contact for things that their coaches and teachers cannot provide: a person to discuss issues related to sports or living in Bozeman, as well as serving as an advisor who is not their parent, teacher or professor. Ehlert really wants to help the athletics program in any way that he can, so he works hard to make the student athlete’s and community’s experiences good. Ehlert says, “It’s a lot of fun and very rewarding personally as well.”

“This event fulfills many values for me: community oriented work, initiating and directing a business venture, being of a runningoriented nature and providing social interaction.

It’s a wonderful feeling to be part of something special in Bozeman.”

—JOHN DUDAS

38outstanding students

39

Community

involvement Everett, WA Seattle, WA

Casper, WY

2009 Internships New York, NY

Portland, OR San Jose, CA

Centennial, CO

Belgrade, MT Minneapolis, MN Big Sky, MT Mound, MN Billings, MT Bozeman, MT Great Falls, MT Helena, MT Kalispell, MT

Anchorage, AK Fairbanks, AK Chisinau, Moldova

participating businesses 95.1 KMMS, The Moose Al & Alma’s Supper Club *Charter Cruises Anderson ZurMuehlen Audiochain Big Sky Resort Bobcat Sports Properties Boeing C. Lohman Games Deloitte & Touche LLP Dept. of Labor & Industry, Fiscal Support Bureau Domestic Engineers Eide Bailly LLP

Enterprise Rent-a-car Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Galusha, Higgins & Galusha Geolite LLC Grubb & Ellis/MT Commercial Hamilton Misfeldt HR Connection Icing on the Cake Events Jordhal & Slater PLLC KPMG McGuire & Associates Mikunda Cottrell & Co. Neuralynx

Northwest Pipe Fittings Northwestern Mutual Poland Culinary Vacations, Inc. Porter, Muirhead, Cornia & Howard PricewaterhouseCoopers Projects Abroad—Moldova Rental Professionals Schedulicity Inc. Sherwin-Williams Super 8 Motel Universal Athletic Services Walsh, Kelliher & Sharp Wildlife Conservation Society

*Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are listed correctly. If your name has been inadvertently omitted or misspelled, please contact Audrey Lee at (406) 994-7026 or audrey.lee@montana.edu.

40 community involvement

High School Students Participate in (Above, left) Racheal Pienaar working with high school students. (Right) Gary Bishop, adjunct instructor of management giving tips to the participants.

Entrepreneur Day, which was sponsored in part by Boeing, reflects the CoB’s commitment to improve Montana’s economic development through its Alderson Program in Entrepreneurship by providing outstanding educational experiences for high school students around the state.

5th Annual Entrepreneur Day

The College of Business (CoB) held its fifth annual Entrepreneur Day in the Strand Union Ballrooms on the Montana State University (MSU) campus Thursday, March 26. Geared towards high school students, this event brings participants to the MSU campus where they can interact with some CoB students and faculty while learning about entrepreneurship. This free event represents the CoB’s on-going commitment to enhance entrepreneurial spirit and education throughout the community.

The morning began with Dean Dan Moshavi’s welcome to high school student participants from around the state—some attending from as far away as Livingston and Cascade. Scott Bryant, the executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West, gave a brief overview of the Alderson Entrepreneur Program offered through the CoB and then Gary Bishop, an entrepreneur class instructor provided a crash course in entrepreneurship and small business management. Students were then split into smaller groups, where they created small entrepreneurial businesses as part of a simulation. Some student groups were required to make their businesses “environmentally friendly.” Assigned differing amounts of “seed capital,” the small groups had to meet certain objectives, such as assigning organizational positions to group members, including company president and vice president. They also created and gave PowerPoint presentations about their start-up businesses, at the end of the workshop.

CoB students in the Alderson Entrepreneurship Program—Dawnette Osen, Grant Jamieson, Cory Crawford, Eric Albright and Racheal Pienaar—served as “experts” during the workshop and answered questions as the groups developed their

businesses. At the end of the workshop, the student participants presented their ideas, and the winning team received a “$25,000 check” that simulated a Small Business Association (SBA) grant to help launch of a small entrepreneurial business.

High school advisors were impressed with their students’ excitement and interaction during the program. Linda Cotton, the advisor from Cascade High School stated, “The format provided a combination of projectbased, interactive learning with relative entrepreneurial instruction…perfect! My students that attended are already verbally reserving their seats for next year, and those that didn’t attend are doing the same. The MSU CoB Entrepreneur Day is definitely a day well-worth the travel time from Cascade and the day away from school.”

After the workshop, three young entrepreneurs met with the students.

Sarah Greenshields talked about her businesses Genre & Mode, a company with a product line for diabetics, and The Natural Baby Company that specializes in cloth diapers, as well as other accessories and items. Cole Peterson started his own franchise with College Pro Painters, in the Bozeman area, and Jill Lennox founded StuffIt, a company that makes trendy laptop bags. All three business owners are graduates of the Alderson Entrepreneur Program. They talked about their start-up businesses and some of their successes and failures. They advised students on how to start their own businesses and encouraged them to pursue their own business startup opportunities.

The keynote presentation took place after lunch, when guest speaker Cloe Medina Erickson discussed her experiences as co-founder of Erickson Creative Group (ECG). This Livingston-based group focuses on architecture, historic preservation,

41 photography, film and world exploration.

Medina Erickson spoke to the students about finding a passion and incorporating it into an entrepreneurial venture, utilizing her own experiences as examples. ECG has collaborated with corporations, nonprofits and individuals around the world, while modeling successful social entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneur Day, which was sponsored in part by Boeing, reflects the CoB’s commitment to improve Montana’s economic development through its Alderson Program in Entrepreneurship by providing

outstanding educational experiences for high school students around the state. College students from any major at MSU can take Entrepreneurship coursework through the CoB’s 30 credit-hour Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management minor.

The next Entrepreneur Day is April 6, 2010.

For further information, please contact Audrey Lee at 406-994-7026 or e-mail: audrey.lee@ montana.edu.

2009 CoB Classic Open Benefit Winners Gross 1st Place Devin Gray, Ben Fisher, Willie Eide and Aaron Schubert (RightNow Technologies) Gross 2nd Place Peter Fields, Lindsay Payne, Sonny Holland and Rocco Perciaviavalle (MSU Athletics) Gross 3rd Place Adam Wrightson, Paula Anderson, Dustin Fasbender and Scott Eide (Nevada Restaurant) Net 1st Place Todd Williamson, Scott Holton, Kasey Harte and Ryan Bramlette (Morgan Stanley Smith Barney) Net 2nd Place Derek Didriksen, Kirk Scheel, Jim Demars and Tyler Nettleton (Dick Anderson Construction)

8th annual College of business

Classic Open Benefit Golf Tournament

Golfers who participated in the College of Business (CoB) Classic Open Benefit Golf Tournament on September 18 were treated to a sunny and warm day at Bozeman’s Riverside Country Club.

The tournament began with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. One by one, the golf carts filed out of the starting area towards their assigned starting holes. A few holes had special opportunities to win prizes or money. Student clubs staffed the betting hole, with proceeds benefitting the clubs which will help fund competitions and special projects.

There was also a Hole-in-One for a cash prize. Teams started filing in to the banquet room around 4:30 p.m. and waited anxiously for the awards ceremony to see which team would claim the title of tournament champion.

The team sponsored by RightNow Technologies—Devin Gray, Ben Fisher, Willie Eide and Aaron Schubert—were the winners with the lowest gross score, eking out a win over MSU Athletics. Continuing the tournament tradition, the winning players’ names were etched on the base of the prestigious traveling crystal trophy. The winners have the distinct honor of taking turns displaying the trophy at their places of business.

A number of individual and team prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, both net and gross, were also awarded following the tournament. Please see the sidebar for the list of winners.

Each year, the golf tournament provides a fun venue for CoB alumni and friends to gather for camaraderie and competition. The co-sponsors for this year’s event were Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Cory Pulfrey, a friend of the CoB and Senior Advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. A complete listing of all donors to this event and all CoB activities can be found in the Honor Roll of Donors located in the back of this report.

Tournament profits fund student programs and scholarships in the CoB. CoB student Jason Heffner was awarded the 2008 “Friends of the Classic Open Benefit Golf Tournament” scholarship, which was presented at the April 2009 awards banquet. This year, with the Scholarship Auction, $3000 was raised for scholarships alone, allowing the CoB to award more scholarships to worthy students.

Next year’s event is tentatively slated for Friday, September 17, 2010. Contact Audrey Lee at audrey.lee@montana.edu for more information or see the CoB website, www.montana.edu/cob.

Net 3rd Place Paul Pahut, William Schlaebitz, Neil Thomas and Keith Hamburg (Mountain West Bank) Longest Drive (Men 0-20) Willie Eide (Women 0-24) Joy Staker (Men 21+) Derek Didriksen (Women 25+) Monika Johnson Closest to the Pin (Men) Scott Eide (Women) Hope Folkvord Thank you to our sponsors: Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Cory Pulfrey, Mountain West Bank, First Interstate Bank, Pine Cove Consulting, American Federal Savings Bank, East Main Liquor, First West Insurance, KPMG, Montana Rib and Chop House, MSU Alumni Association, RightNow Technologies and Sun Mountain.

Thank you to our Auction contributors: Bequet Confections, Big Sky Western Bank, Bridger Creek Golf Course, Downtown Bozeman Partnership, Ferraro’s Fine Italian Restaurant, First Security Bank, Hands On, Mountain West Bank, MSU Athletics, MSU President’s Office, Riverside Country Club, Sather Eye Clinic & Optical, Spire Climbing Center and Valley View Golf Club.

42 community involvement Working with Local Nonprofits Lead to Life Lessons in Bus 101

professional advantage

The curriculum design includes many opportunities to discuss, debate, research, write and make formal presentations. These activities build students’ skills and confidence in gathering and interpreting information, as well as looking at issues from different perspectives.

Students beginning their first semester at Montana State University’s College of Business (CoB) are required to take BUS 101, an introductory business course. This course presents a holistic view of business and is designed to show the interrelationship between various business functions, as well as the interdependence of business and community.

BUS 101 classes are small, ranging from 16–20 students, allowing for direct faculty-to-student contact that is enhanced by the assistance of an upper-class Student Associate. Student Associates co-teach with faculty and help lead discussions, give feedback and act as mentors to the students.

Enhancing the student’s ability to think critically and communicate effectively is central to the 101 experience. The curriculum design includes many opportunities to discuss, debate, research, write and make formal presentations. These activities build students’ skills and confidence in gathering and interpreting information, as well as looking at issues from different perspectives.

Another key component of BUS 101 focuses on developing social responsiEnhancing bility through the the student’s Community Service ability to think Project. This project has been tied to the critically and BUS 101 class for communicate almost two decades, effectively since the course was is central to first established. As BUS101. future business leaders, students examine how companies might operate in a socially responsible manner.

In early September, student teams of three to five students volunteer for four hours of community service. This year BUS 101 collaborated with Kathy Tanner and the Office for Community Involvement in recruiting local nonprofits for this project. The effort led to over 15 nonprofits participating in the program. Teams chose an organization to work for based on their interests and were responsible for the logistics of their service.

Two teams from one BUS 101 section assisted the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter as volunteers at Woofstock. One team

was in charge of the inflatable game center for children attending the event. The other team helped with the taking down and cleaning of the area for Woofstock.

Another team cleaned the Boys & Girls Club’s storage spaces, moved and layered bricks, and spent the rest of their time with children at the club. Two additional teams assisted with the Drop & Trot race, a fundraiser for The Network Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse. Students staffed different posts along the run and encouraged the runners throughout the race.

After performing their community service, each team presented their project to the rest of the class. They described the services their nonprofit organization provides and the scope of the team’s project. Each group reflected on what they learned from volunteering as a team. They were asked to think about corporate social responsibility and discuss how and why a business would integrate this concept into their operations.

One team discussed the importance of the nonprofits in general after their project.

They said that it raises money for organizations in need without gaining a profit for themselves, connects the community through a common goal, encourages other nonprofit start-ups and sets an example of responsibility and ethics for younger members of the community.

Teams also talked about how nonprofits could encourage volunteerism and what

43 types of volunteer activities they would promote as socially responsible business owners. Ideas ranged from donating money and time to being a business sponsor for various community activities and fundraisers. Another team discussed volunteering incentives by talking about the good ‘feeling’ derived from helping people in need, how volunteering is a great addition to any resume, the scholarship potential, how it strengthens a community and the opportunity to network with community leaders.

The community service project helps

freshmen understand the value of teamwork, and prepares them for future team-based assignments. Externally, this project provided more than 288 volunteer hours to community organizations in late September through early October. The students were able to learn first-hand the power of volunteering and the importance of community service. The CoB hopes they will reflect back on this lesson when they become business leaders and professionals so that they will encourage business sponsored volunteering.

Orser Executive Speakers Forum Panelists

Minette Jessup MSU adjunct instructor of business, former principal of the Vanguard Group

Frank Kerins, CFA MSU associate professor of finance

Michael Monaghan Director at UBS (Institutional Equity Group) and CoB alumnus

Cory Pulfrey, CFA Managing Director, Alternative Investment Partners of Morgan Stanley and College of Engineering alumnus

Orser Executive Speakers forum hosts panel of four investment experts

A panel of four investment experts presented “The Iditarod of Investing: Following the Trail of the ‘Big Dogs’” for the Montana State University (MSU) College of Business’ (CoB) David Orser Executive Speakers Forum. Held on Thursday, April 16 in MSU’s Procrastinator Theater, more than 190 people attended the free event, which resulted in a packed auditorium.

After introductions, panelists gave brief descriptions of their backgrounds in the financial industry, providing the audience with a frame of reference for their viewpoints.

The panel discussion helped attendees think about how to navigate their financial futures. The panelists fielded audience questions about the differences between institutional, corporate and individual investing and discussed possible investment strategies for each entity. They also delved into questions about typical portfolio asset classes and which classes they thought would hold promise in the future.

The audience brought up concerns about the Bernie Madoff investment scandal and other recent Ponzi schemes. The panelists emphasized that Ponzi schemes work because fraudulent investment brokers are “buying fear and selling greed.” The panelists warned the audience against thinking that all types of investing would be unwise and pointed out that diligent investors work with reputable brokers to mitigate the potential for fraud.

Over the last several decades, the move from defined-benefit to defined-contribution pension plans has required almost everyone who works to also become managers of their own investments. This is problematic, because most people do not have any training in portfolio management. Panelists said it is important for investors to become educated about investment choices.

The David Orser Executive Speakers Forum, named for David B. Orser, a 1966 CoB graduate, is meant to inspire CoB students to pursue careers as innovative, responsible and ethical business leaders. Orser began funding the program in 1988.

For more information about this and future David Orser Executive Speakers Forum events, please contact Audrey Lee at 994-7026 or audrey.lee@montana.edu.

44 community involvement College of business ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER Andrew Field, Founder and president of America’s print shop, speaks to students

“Pick and keep only the best.

Train them well.

Encourage them to have fun. Equip them with the best possible tools and information.

Give them wide latitude to make good decisions.

Provide them with continuous feedback on their performance.

Reward and challenge them.”

—andrew field

(left-right) Andrew Field, Ossie Abrams, Dan Moshavi, David B. Orser

Andrew Field, Founder and President of ers. The peeps are the people working for PrintingForLess.com (PFL) in Livingston, the business, and they need to be smart, Montana, spoke to Montana State Uninice, helpful, educated and empowered. versity (MSU) students, faculty, and staff He says that the company is socially and about “Doing it in Montana: Building environmentally responsible, takes pride ‘America’s Print Shop,’” on November 17, in its Montana roots and is dog-friendly. in the Procrastinator Theater, located in Field said that being “Easy to Do Busithe Strand Union Building on campus. ness With” or EDTBW, is PFL’s mantra Field began talking about how he got when working with clients. He went on to started in the printing business when he say that PFL is all about helping customfirst learned how to operate a printing ers become successful. They are not simply press while in high school in San Mateo, “selling them a postcard” but rather, “inCalifornia. He worked in the printing creasing sales via print material.” industry intermittently over the next 20 From there he delved into the execution years, including stints working for printof his brand strategy with two key areas. ers in California and Minnesota, before He said the correct execution of hiring moving to Montana in 1989 to start two and retaining people and use of technolautomotive-related businesses. ogy has formed a winning combination He followed up those businesses with that has made PFL “America’s Print Shop.”

PFL, his idea for a business that made it When talking about hiring and retaineasy and affordable to purchase four-color ing employees, Field told the crowd, “Pick printing from anywhere, anytime. In 1996, and keep only the best. Train them well. he tapped the power of the internet to Encourage them to have fun. Equip build the first online commercial printing them with the best possible tools and company. Today PFL serves over 80,000 information. Give them wide latitude to small business customers nationwide. make good decisions. Provide them with Field talked about the company’s busicontinuous feedback on their perforness model, progressive work environment mance. Reward and challenge them.” and award-winning customer service. He Field concluded by offering personal tips described PFL’s brand strategy with four about starting a business. He stressed that key words: quality, value, peeps and perobtaining adequate capital is essential to sonality. He said the quality of the service a business start-up. He said, like getneeds to be high, consistent, guaranteed ting married, you need to know what and always on time. Value means the is involved in the commitment you are service is competitive (not cheap) and making. He encouraged anyone thinking there is a quick turnaround for customof starting a business to carefully research

45 and understand the long-term effects of financing their business, whether it is through loans, or better yet, bootstrapping, the use of minimal or no outside capital. He stressed that it is important to “know your numbers” in order to know your business. Field demonstrated this by talking about numbers related to his customers and sales and how they affect the business monetarily. He also emphasized that creating a strong company culture is critical to a business’ success since “culture eats strategy for lunch.”

Field reinforced his statement by showing photos of his smiling employees at a company white-water rafting retreat and an employee with his dog at work, illustrating his description of the PFL personality earlier on in the lecture.

Field captivated the audience with the PFL story and shared valuable tips for both starting and managing a business.

He shared his passion and encouraged those who wanted to start their own businesses. Through his story, those who attended the event came away with a ‘business can be fun’ attitude and his cando attitude and advice gave the audience the feeling that they can succeed too.

About the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum In its 21st year, the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum brings accomplished and inspiring professionals to MSU’s College of Business to deliver large, open-forum lectures and to share their expertise and experience with students in the classroom. David B. Orser, a 1966 MSU graduate, began funding the program in 1988 to inspire MSU business students to pursue careers as innovative, responsible and ethical business leaders.

Andrew field Founder and President of PrintingForLess.com

For further information about the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum, please contact Audrey Lee at 406-994-7026 or e-mail: audrey.lee@montana.edu.

2009 Community Excellence Awards

Doug Alexander

Kathleen Tonkovich

Montana State University and the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce honored two College of Business (CoB) alumni with the 2009 Community Excellence Awards. Each year the awards recognize a local man and woman for their dedicated service to the community and the university.

Doug Alexander (’64) and Kathleen Tonkovich (’88) received the awards at the 27th Annual Awards for Excellence banquet on Tuesday, February 17.

Alexander, owner of Story Distributing since 1976, is also a leader in the local, regional and national petroleum industry and received his B.S. in business from MSU. He co-founded the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary. Alexander has also served on numerous boards for local groups and businesses including Ducks Unlimited, Big Sky Western Bank and the MSU Foundation. In addition, he served on the MSU President’s Advisory Council and was a past member of Sigma Nu. Tonkovich, vice president of First Security Bank, holds a B.S. in finance from MSU and is a member of the MSU Alumni Association. As an active member of the MSU/ Chamber relations committee, Tonkovich has participated in numerous sponsored events. She has made First Security Bank the local business pick-up site for Bobcat signs and posters. Tonkovich has also volunteered with the yearly MSU Move-In Day, a day when local community members help MSU freshmen move into the dorms.

Tonkovich has been a member of the Bozeman Business and Professional Women and the Prospera Business Network. She is currently active in Junior Achievement. In addition, Tonkovich has brought her experience into the classroom as a guest speaker for the CoB. She has served on the CoB Classic Open Benefit Golf Tournament planning committee for several years.

The CoB is proud that its alumni have received this award four years in a row, sweeping both male and female awards two of those years.

46community involvement 2009 guest speakers Mike Antonczyck Profitable Ideas Jeff Appelt Augustus Energy Kathy Attebury Montana State University

Marshall Price Enterprise Rent-a-Car

Brian Brown D.A. Davidson & Co. Eric Bryson City of Bozeman Erik Carr Main Street Over Easy

Mike Hope Ferraros, Rocking R Bar, Mixers

Abby Carruthers Outside Media Group

Julie Jackson US Bank

Jim Powell Rocky Mountain Bank

Donna Chimera Wolfstar Production

Minette Jessup MSU College of Business

Marshall Price Enterprise Rent-a-Car

Fred Dickson D.A. Davidson & Co.

Wynn Jessup Rigel Capital, Inc.

Cory Pulfrey Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Pete Donau Delaware North

Frank Johnson Cottonwood Financial Services

Carrie Rees Pricewaterhouse Coopers

Mike England Outside Media Group

Bryan Klein American Bank

Anne Schlenker Edward Jones

Eric Flynn Bitterroot Capital

Doug Klotthor Rocky Mountain Supply, Inc.

Ryan Screnar Glacier Bancorp

Jim Friske Senate Finance Committee

Don Larson Boeing

Mark Seacat Mystery Ranch Backpacks

Sean Gallinger Summit Resource Imports

Ross Leckie Retired partner of KPMG

Barry Silverman Formerly Calendar Club

Robert Gibson Simms Fishing

Drew Lesnik Northwest Farm Credit Services

Brian Skuletich Stafford Films

Keith Hamburg Gold’s Gym Jeremy Hauk Eide Bailly Charles Hawkins where2getit.com Scott & Barbara heck Security Title Company of Montana

Wynn and Minette jessup (center) MSU College of Business

Cory Pulfrey with MSU students and faculty Morgan Stanley

Caitlin Lodzinski Moss Adams Tim Lolatte Montana Furniture Stacey Lyons Haven Mike McCormick UBS

Carey Hester Montana Export Assistance Center

Patty Meighen State Farm Insurance Corporate

Scott Holton Rudd & Co.

Libby Miller NAVSEA

Mike Hope Ferraros, R Bar, Mixers

John Murdoch Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Toni Neal Retired consultant Leesa Nopper Info Systems Cap Offutt Herbarium Supply Rhea Poole NAVSEA Debbie Potter Eide Bailly

Kelly Smith Edward Jones Morgan Smith JCCS Lisa Tierney Thomson Reuters Rose Timmer Big Sky Western Bank Steve Titus Free Drive EV Harrison Trask HS Trask Dennis Unsworth State of Montana Bill Warden Sound Pro Audio Todd Williamson Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Amanda Willott Deloitte Every effort has been made to ensure all names are listed correctly. If your name has been inadvertently omitted or misspelled, please contact Audrey Lee at (406) 994-7026 or audrey.lee@montana.edu.

47

Diamond Construction, Inc. of Helena, award winner

Six Family Businesses Recognized for Achievements during Awards Luncheon

Family businesses are vital to Montana’s state economy. Just a few years ago, more than 97% of the state’s employers were small businesses, those with fewer than 500 employees. The MSU College of Business (CoB) State Farm Insurance Family Business Day program gives recognition to some of these businesses.

Six family businesses were honored at the awards luncheon, a part of the Family Business Day program, on Friday, September 25, at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman, Montana.

Many businesses, which range in size from fewer than 10 employees to more than 50, in various industries, are nominated each year.

Winners were chosen out of a pool of more than 50 applicants, based on their commitment to customer service, family values and their adaptability to an ever-changing business environment.

Dean Folkvord, CEO of Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery, was this year’s luncheon keynote speaker. Wheat Montana, a vertically integrated wheat farming operation, was the recipient of a Family Business award in 1994. Folkvord was also named the Montana Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine in 1996 and Montana Small Business Person of the Year in 1997 by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Folkvord shared with the participants the story of Wheat Montana, which included trials, tribulations and the joys of building and running a family business. He said that the keys to success for Wheat Montana were: 1) working hard, 2) embracing change (and not resisting it), 3) always sticking together, 4) being active in the community and 5) always sharing dreams together. Folkvord said he learned the last key to success from his father. “If you dream alone, it’s only a dream. When you share, it comes true,” Folkvord stated. He shares his dreams with his family and with his employees.

The State Farm Insurance Family Business Day luncheon provided an opportunity for families to come together and celebrate their achievements as well as learn from each other. Multiple generations were represented at the occasion, with several family members who were MSU alumni.

The CoB and State Farm Insurance, in honor of Robert Jaedicke, hosted the program.

Stockman Bank underwrote the awards, with additional support from the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

Next year’s Family Business Day will be September 24, 2010. For more information on the Family Business Day program, go to http://www.montana.edu/wwwdb/FamilyBusiness/ FamilyBusiness.html or contact Karen Beach at 994-6796 or familybusiness@montana.edu.

2009 Family Business Awards Very small business category (fewer than 10 employees) Treasure State Seed, Inc. of Fairfield Small business category (10 to 30 employees) Colombo’s Pizza & Pasta of Bozeman Medium business category (30 to 50 employees) Axmen of Missoula Large business category (more than 50 employees) Diamond Construction, Inc. of Helena, Old business category (in business more than 50 years) Jamieson Motors, Inc. of Chinook New business category (in business less than 10 years) Giddy-Up Tack & Feed of Anaconda

48outstanding students

49

Alumni &

friends College of business

international DIRECT EXCHANGES

Autonomous University of Baja California (Mexicali, Mexico) Jรถnkรถping International Business School (Jรถnkรถping , Sweden) National University of Ireland, Galway (Galway, Republic of Ireland) Euromed Marseille Ecole de Management (Marseille, France)

International experiences through one of these direct exchanges provides students with a better understanding of international business. These exchanges are specifically with the business programs at these universities.

50 alumni & friends

Ryan Rickert, left, during a promotional event at a Sioux Storm game.

Alumnus Recognized as a Sioux Falls

“Top 10 Up & Comer”

“We have a great fan base and they support anything that we support... so we get to use that to our advantage and spread goodwill to many different organizations and individuals.”

—Ryan Rickert

The Sioux Falls Business Journal recognized the top 10 up-and-coming young professional leaders in the Sioux Falls area in March 2009, which included College of Business (CoB) alumnus, Ryan Rickert.

The largest city in South Dakota, Sioux Falls, with a population of more than 150,000, boasts many young up-and-comers, with only ten making the list.

Rickert (’06, marketing), says that his career path started before graduation, the summer after his third year at MSU, when he was hired on with the Sioux Falls Storm, a professional football team affiliated with United Indoor Football.

Starting out as the “special events coordinator” after graduation, Rickert eventually worked his way up to his current position of Vice President/General Manager (VP/GM) after just six seasons.

Rickert enjoys many things about working for a sports team. Being the VP/ GM allows for different work situations, and he likes that his day is never the same. Another favorite part of his job is that the team includes charity events with everything they do.

Rickert says, “We have a great fan base and they support anything that we support…so we get to use that to our advantage and spread goodwill to many different organizations and individuals. Annually, we donate more than 10,000 volunteer hours and $150,000 to these groups.”

In addition to all the charitable work Rickert does directly through his job, he

also serves as a mentor for Junior Achievement and as a chair on the Sioux Falls Fit Club. This group went to a Haitian orphanage in November to GPS (Global Position System) the surrounding mountain homes in an effort to put into place a preventative measure for the protection of the families in the area. Rickert also spent time teaching young men in the village how to swim and he brought with him gear that allowed the young men to safely fish/dive for their shrimp traps. The seafood in turn feeds the children in the orphanage as well as struggling villagers from nearby farms.

On the other hand, the most challenging aspect of Rickert’s job is plain and simple—managing money. Rickert says that profit margins are thin and players’ injuries have the biggest impact on the team’s bottom line. In order to mitigate this largest factor, the Storm’s facilities have one of the strongest medical facilities in the league along with intense health training and nutrition for the players.

Rickert credits the CoB with preparing him to succeed in the business world.

He learned, and fine-tuned, many of the business skills he uses in his day-to-day business interactions in the classroom.

Rickert remembers positive interactions with professors throughout his time with the CoB and says that they guided him and molded his business mind. In particular, Mike Gold’s advertising course, with its hands-on, real life experience

51 and involvement, had a huge impact on Rickert. Many of the CoB classes Rickert had taken (sales, marketing, and business communications) converged with this course, where he put all those skills to good use.

Rickert adds, “[The] CoB helped relate things to real life and made them easy to apply in a real life situation. I seriously owe much of my current success and future success to MSU’s CoB!” For students interested in pursuing a career in sports and in general, Rickert stresses the importance of being involved in a diverse amount of activities to gain a broad perspective of things and accumulate a variety of skill sets. He also mentions the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, but to always perform as though your boss and grandparents are always watching. Rickert also emphasizes the importance of internships, saying they are a great way to get on with a team and

are not extremely difficult to find. He adds, “Many teams want a couple years experience and the internship is the best way to get it. I have hired several volunteers/interns over the years because I was able to put them to the test and see how they perform. It takes the guessing out of a resume and interview.”

Rickert encourages all recent graduates and current students to find jobs in their areas of interest and to be tenacious.

He says, “Be fearless…Always go above and beyond. People are always watching and you never know who is looking up to you. You never know who will respect your hard work and remember it down the road. Life is all about maintaining relationships and networking. Be true to yourself and be honest with others.” If Rickert’s advice is taken seriously by CoB students and alumni, they may find that they are able to become as successful in the business world as he is.

GASB Remembers Dr. Gilbert W. Crain with

Memorial Research Grant Named in His Honor

by Mr. David Bean, Director of Research and Technical Activities for the GASB. Since its formation in 1984, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has encouraged academics and other researchers to conduct studies that would be relevant to the GASB’s standards-setting activities. Dr. Gilbert W. Crain started working with GASB in 1994, and contributed his valuable expertise to the work of the GASB until his death in 2008. In recognition of Dr. Crain’s work to further GASB’s research efforts, the GASB named the Board’s annual academic research grants in his honor. The GASB hopes to encourage more collaborative research efforts with academics by offering an annual $5,000 research grant.

The GASB awards these grants to support applied research that is relevant to the GASB’s standard setting process. The first Gil Crain Memorial Research Grant was awarded in 2009 to Dr. Kathryn J. Jervis, an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island.

During his time with the GASB, Crain facilitated 18 financial statement user groups on the financial reporting model and 12 user groups on the value of notes to financial statements and conducted over 40 interviews with U.S. financial statement users about their needs. Although in unpublished form, this work has been of great value to the GASB’s research efforts and has been referenced in several GASB Statements (e.g., No. 44, “Economic Condition Reporting: The Statistical Section”).

Crain also assisted the GASB staff with financial statement user interviews on fund balance reporting in 2004. This research provided a basis for the development of a preliminary views document on the topic in 2006. His work on this project was referenced in Statement No. 54, “Fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions.”

Crain worked strictly on a volunteer basis for the GASB. He declined appointments to GASB task forces and advisory committees so that the participants in focus groups and interviews would consider him to be an independent, unbiased facilitator/interviewer. His commitment to improving state and local government financial reporting was unsurpassed in his field.

For more information about GASB, please see their website at http://www.gasb.org.

Gilbert W. Crain

52 alumni & friends Development Is the Link to Achieve Visions and Goals

Jackie Sather Director of Development, Montana State University College of Business

know! Each one represents a part of our alumni’s history with MSU and the CoB. It is a kick to hear “Oh my, I have not thought of that for a long time…” I hear chuckles as one recalls a friend or shares an incident they were part of. As I share updates with our alumni, I’m often told, “It is great to hear that things are going so well at MSU, how can I help?” I have been asked, “It has been years, how ever did you find me?” I have also met some individuals who have no direct affiliation with the CoB, but believe in helping provide a solid education for our students and their futures in the business world. I appreciate the input and advice that our alumni and friends give us, advice that is essential in helping us continue to develop the best practices in business education.

As Director of Development, I also have the task to raise funds for the CoB. While challenging at times, I find this opportunity extremely rewarding. I have

I really enjoy my job. I have spent much of the last few years visiting alumni and friends of Montana State University’s (MSU) College of Business (CoB). I have been in many different states and seen individuals in an array of different careers, with various levels of responsibilities. I have discovered some are now retired and others who are busy raising families. I have been invited to some homes and I have experienced some of the best views from offices and homes alike. I have witnessed many ways to define success and I have seen some of the struggles.

What I find truly satisfying is that no matter where they are in their careers and lives, most of our alumni share a fondness for the CoB, MSU and Bozeman, and proudly state that the business education they received here truly prepared them to succeed when they left college.

I have heard many fun and interesting stories—some I probably should not

h Alumni

Honored wit David Yarlott ard

w AchievementnaAState University (MSU) Alumni As-

ta e President’s Each year, the Mon achievements at th ni m alu s s, ize gn co re sociation of Business alumnu This year, College . on he nc sibu Lu , g .S in Homecom agement; ’96, M 4, B.S. business man hievement Award.

Dr. David Yarlott (’9 ived the Alumni Ac ce re .), .D Ed , ’99 shed themselves ness education; who have distingui ni m alu SU M to n is give ld or endeavor.

This annual award ent in a specific fie em ev hi ac t erican education. an fic ni through sig field of Native Am e th in lf se m hi ed sh e Crow ReserYarlott has distingui , having lived on th an Cl th ou M y as re the G . Yarlott, a first He is a member of guage and English lan ow Cr e th th bo rned ba l college to earn vation, where he lea st graduate of the tri fir e th e his m ca be , nt stude education back to generation college ed from his college in ga he ge led ow e kn a Ph.D. He took th ere students can work in education. s hi h ug ro people th place of great joy, wh a be ld ou an educash m oo classr rmative power that fo ns tra e “I believe that the th e nc rie od people learning and expe ion delivered by go at uc ed od explore their love of go a at s said. “I believe th tion has,” Yarlott ha ulty, as up.” has served on the fac e H n. io at can build someone uc ed in accepting e of these people ge (LBHC) before lle Co n or Yarlott has been on H g Bi e t education , and as dean at Littl ars. As a prominen ye n ve se r fo a department head ld he s rted here,” ident, which he ha r the students. “I sta fo el od m le the position of pres ro a as y der, Yarlott serves d think ‘If somebod and community lea own succeeding an eir th of e . on na as ta at on th see in Crow Agency, M he has said. “They American ?’” LBHC is located we n’t ca y wh it, is also chair of the tt do rlo Ya , C here can H LB of r Education ing as president ican Indian Highe er Am e In addition to serv th of r be ern for and a board mem n, as well as his conc io at uc ed to Indian College Fund n tio ca rd work and dedi and his humility.

Consortium. His ha his determination of es .D,; pl am ex e ar C ck) Garcia, ’99, Ed the students at LBH Florence (McGeshi by r no ho is n. th io r at fo , educ He was nominated ar y Lukin, ’67, B.S. A., English and M B. , ’80 g, in em Fl Walter

david Yarlott CoB alumnus and president of Little Big Horn College

53 seen the look of relief on a student’s face when she hears she will receive a muchneeded scholarship. I assisted a family that established an endowment in honor of their father. Working with a couple who wanted to help our students compete in national competitions, I’ve shared in their satisfaction that they have been able to give our students the chance to discover how well they can compete with their peers nationwide, providing a boost in our students’ confidence and experience. With the help of another family, the CoB has been able to establish a communication clinic where our students receive professional level assistance in developing their business writing and communication skills. I recently helped a donor design a planned gift where he will be able to donate a portion of his IRA in support of the CoB, after providing some financial assistance to his grandchildren.

These are just a sampling of what can be accomplished.

The opportunities for supporting the CoB are as diverse as our alumni and friends. Each option we explore provides our donors with a variety of ways to give and often include tax deductions and incentives. I experience a sense of satisfaction when a donor discovers what they can do to impact the future of our students and the CoB. Their gifts remind us all that we can make a difference.

As the CoB prepares to take the next steps in defining our priorities and greatest needs, I will continue to reach out, share stories and communicate the CoB’s goals for providing our students with an excellent education. We have begun to focus some of our efforts in helping our students understand what it means to present themselves professionally, skills that provide them with a competitive edge as they enter the workforce. We want to make the CoB a business student’s first choice for their education, as well as a priority school for companies to carry on efforts to recruit and interview our students.

I will continue to reach out to our alumni and friends and share how we are offering educational tools that will enhance our students’ business skills and abilities. I will listen and discover what ideas you may have to assist us with our efforts. When it is right, I will also ask you for your financial support to enable us to achieve common goals and visions.

What I really look forward to is the next story. Please call me at 406-994-6766 or e-mail me at jsather@montana.edu. I am proud of what we do and believe that together, we can all make a direct impact on the future of Montana State University’s College of Business.

—Jackie Sather

“I will continue to reach out to our alumni and friends and share how we are offering educational tools that will enhance our students’ business skills and abilities.”

—jackie Sather

Director of Development

CoB Alumni Active in the Montana Society of CPAs

The Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA), at its annual meeting held June 17–19 in Helena, appointed Montana State University (MSU) College of Business (CoB) alumna Kyla Stafford as President of the Board of Directors for 2009–2010 and CoB alumnus David Sutherland as a Board member for a three-year term.

Stafford graduated from MSU with bachelor degrees in accounting and Spanish, as well as a masters in professional accountancy. In addition to her work as a CPA, Stafford is a Certified Fraud Examiner. She is currently a shareholder in the Bozeman office of Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. Stafford is very active in the Bozeman community and volunteers in fundraising events for the Children’s Museum of Bozeman, the Museum of the Rockies and the Bozeman Deaconess Foundation. She also serves on the Finance Committee for the Greater Gallatin United Way. Sutherland has been a member of the MSCPA since 1985, after graduating from MSU with a degree in accounting, and is currently a shareholder in Stahlberg and Sutherland, PC, in Kalispell. He has served as a member of the Continuing Professional Education Committee for the MSCPA for 23 years. In his spare time, Sutherland coaches various youth athletic teams in the Kalispell community.

The MSCPA is a professional association comprised of more than 1,800 members worldwide. MSCPA’s mission is to promote and safeguard the interests of its members and to assist all members and the profession in providing the highest quality accounting services.

Kyla Stafford President, MSCPA Board of Directors 2009–2010

David sutherland MSCPA Board of Directors

54alumni & friends

COB Students ‘Kick the tires’ Prior to Rio

Tinto Energy America (RTEA) Equity Carve-Out On November 16, 2009, 21 College of Business (CoB) students had the opportunity to tour Rio Tinto Energy America’s (RTEA) Rio Tinto Spring Creek Mine near Decker, in the southeastern part of Monprovided tana. This trip was particularly timely, because Rio Tinto was sellthe College ing the RTEA Spring Creek mine as part of an equity carve-out of Business just two days after the CoB visit. With an equity carve-out, a firm faculty and raises money by selling some of its assets though an initial public offering (IPO), and creates a new entity in the process. Cloud Peak students with Energy, headquartered in Gillette, Wyoming and traded on the an unusual New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CLD, is the new firm opportunity to resulting from the carve-out. see how Wall The trip was arranged and hosted by Todd O’Hair, an MSU Street directly alumnus, who is the Montana Government Affairs Manager for affects Montana.

Cloud Peak Energy (RTEA at the time of the trip). Professors Gary Caton, Frank Kerins and Mike Reilly accompanied the students on the visit to the mine. Representative Bob Ebinger, from the Montana State House of Representatives, also joined the group.

The four-hour bus ride from Bozeman to the Spring Creek Mine provided an opportunity for the faculty to engage the students in a lively discussion on equity carve-outs and IPOs. Mr. O’Hair provided a brief overview of Rio Tinto, including its global presence and the company’s history that eventually led to the decision to divest the RTEA subsidiary of the company. Representative Ebinger followed with a discussion of his views of natural resource development, particularly coal development in Montana, and constraints and opportunities for future development of these resources. Mr. O’Hair wrapped up the bus ride by specifically addressing coal development on an international, domestic and statewide level.

Once the group arrived at the mine, Spring Creek’s senior operational and financial managers gave a presentation about the mine and answered questions about the operations and the carve-out. Many of the questions were directed toward issues of valuation of the carved-out assets since this topic was a primary objective of Kerins’ Entrepreneurial Finance course. The visit gave students the opportunity to tie their valuation approaches directly to the management directing those assets and the assets being valued.

The company gave the faculty and students an extensive and fascinating tour of the mine and facilities including the mine’s high wall, draglines, 210-ton haul trucks and their award-winning reclamation work. The group also learned that the Spring Creek Mine purchases a majority of its materials and equipment in state, pays tens of millions of dollars a year in state taxes, and provides hundreds of well-paying jobs for Montanans. Rio Tinto provided the CoB faculty and students with an unusual opportunity to see how Wall Street directly affects Montana. The group came away from this experience with a better understanding of how the Spring Creek Mine contributes in a positive and significant way to Montana’s economy.

55 Thank you to our college of business staff

The College of Business’ support staff provides vital assistance to our administrative team, faculty and students in a variety of ways. From preparing payroll, drafting budgets, coordinating position searches, to faculty and student support, event planning, and project management and development, they demonstrate hard work and dedication. We would like to express our gratitude and appreciate for their support.

karen beach Administrative Associate, Faculty Services

lisa daniels Director of the Bracken Business Communications Clinic

rilla esbjornson Editorial Assistant, Faculty Services

jen jensco Assistant Director of Student Services

audrey lee Director of Communications and Public Relations

natalie plummer Administrative Associate to the Assistant Dean of Student Services

halina rickman Administrative Associate to the Dean

linda ward Assistant Director, Bracken Center

jackie sather Director of Development

alison todd Administrative Associate to the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance

stanette way Accounting Analyst

56outstanding students

57 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are listed correctly. This list represents donations given between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. If your name has been inadvertently omitted or misspelled, please contact Jackie Sather at 406.994.6766 or jsather@montana.edu

honor roll of donors

A

B

Frank & Bonnie Ahl

Michael & Shauna Basile

Meg Boswell

James & Connie Alderson

Ronald & Joyce Basile

Jon & Amanda Boutilier

Kent & Claudia Aldrich

Shirley Baskett

James & Kristen Bowditch

Jenifer & Bill Alger

Fred Bateman

Duane & Darlene Bowen

Michael Altringer

Christopher & Stacy Bateson

Michael Bowen

Tim & Stacey Alzheimer

John & Shihoko Beagle

Lisa & Brian Bowers

Ronald Anderson

Jack & Sara Beals Jr.

Erika & Jason Armistead

Mark Beatty & Petrine Beatty

Cherie Bowman-Lyons & Thomas Lyons

Michael & Margie Arnst

Thomas & Donna Bedient

John & Sessaly Boyd

Edwin & Esther Atherton

Angela Behrent

Dorothy Bracken

Tory Atkins & Torrian Dean-Atkins

Marshall & Luzann Bennett

Ann Bradford & Scot DeBruler

Daniel & Dana Aughney

Stephen Bennett

Robert & Karee Bradford

Ruth & William Ausmus

Denise & Carl Benson

William & Jean Bradford

Suzanne & Michael Berglund

Ryan Bramlette

Ralph Bachmeier

Bradley & Doris Bergum

Everett & Karla Breding

Philip & Priscilla Bailey

Gary & Sylvia Berkram

Pete & Agnes Brekhus

Jay Bakke

Francis & Marlene Berres

Margie Brickley

Carolyn & David Bakker

Lyle Biekert

Stacey & Leal Brimmer

Bette Ballbach

Richard & Susan Bierwagen

Barbara & Richard Brown

Ted Bangert

Julie Birrer

Brian & Shelby Brown

James & Debra Bangs

Daniel & Karen Birrer

Dale & Jennifer Brown

Dan Villa & Brandie Barkell

Vernon & Sharon Bitz

Jarvis & Sue Brown

Daniel Holland & Kim Barnicoat-Holland

David & Max Blake

Robert & Kathleen Brown

Joan & Gregory Blake

Jay & Lynne Browne

Sherry & Todd Blass

Craig & Susan Bryant

Marie & Michael Bloch

Frank & Patty Buckley

Julie Blockey

Richard & Robin Bugni

Dorothy Bock

Danielle Bundy

Budge Parker & Sharon Bonogofsky-Parker

Michael & Danielle Bundy

John & Tami Barrett Nanette & Donald Barrett Russell & Michele Barrett Darcy & Craig Bartholomew Robert Bartholomew Gary & Nina Bartolett Earl & Connie Bartram

58 honor roll of donors

c

James & Mary Davison

Stefeni & Bradley Freese

Tuke & Chandra Burgess

James DeCosse

Thomas & Kathleen Frisby

William Bushnell

Gary & LeAnne DeFrance

Larry & Kathy Fritz

John & Linda Butorac

Anthony & Traci Del Vecchio

Alan & Debby Fuhrman

Richard Deming & Julie Bennett

Erin & Jason Furr

Tarn & Courtney Callis

Donald & Marilyn Derks

Robert & Joyce Cameron

Terry & Elizabeth Desmond

Tanya & David Cameron

Michael & Janet Devous

Duane & Katherine Gebhardt

John & Nancy Cannici

Derek & Lisa Didriksen

Marca & David Gibson

Don & Shavon Cape Jr.

Ron Dissly

Gary & Cindy Giem

Mark & Martha Cappis

Jeane & Dennis Downing

Bryan & Anita Gilbertson

Tom & Lorie Carey Jr.

James & Jane Drain

Paul Gill & Jo Graves-Gill

Casey Carlson & Kathleen Schakel-Carlson

Michael & Tracy DuFresne

Gary Gliko

Gail & Jerry Dugan

Mark & Kathryn Goble

Sean & Debbie Dye

Kelli Goodian-Delys

Jim & Pat Carlson Julie Carlson Robert & Jeanette Carter Theodore & Virginia Carter

Hazel Galbreth

Lyle & Evelyn Gorman

e

Vickie & Jack Eagle

Dale Grabofsky

Joseph & Jami Earsley

Carl & Cyndi Graham

Dela & Nathan Chatriand

James Ebert

Marianne & Philip Greven

John & Robin Cheetham

James Edwards

Denis & Lilly Grigsby

Harry & Judy Cheff

Vicki & Brian Eggebrecht

Keith Groh

Chris & Anne Christensen

Curt & Sandra Ehman

Norman & Patricia Grosfield

Brian & Marie Clark

Todd & Arlene Eliason

Hillary Guilford

Jamie Clark

David & Marty Ellestad

Billie Gunn

Robert & Sally Clark

William & Kay Epperly

Kasey & Beverly Guyer

Joseph Connors Jr.

Deborah Ernst

Kevin & Patricia Cook

Robert & Jamie Evans

Tyler & Marsha Corder

Joseph Eve

Kaye Hamby

Ronald & Charlene Cornelius

Robert & Loraine Eyman

Allan & Molly Hammell

Scott Countryman Derron & Tammi Craft

D

g

h

Bryan & Johnna Hall

Douglas & Staci Hammell

f

Kirk & Andrea Falcon

Marjorie Hanes

Ellen Crandell

Peter & Tonya Farr

Frederick Hansen

Dona & Monty Cranston

Stefan & Kathleen Fechter

Kerry Hansen

Russell & Lora Crawford

Bobi Felton-Boeh & Scott Boeh

Thomas & Twila Harrington

Jean & Harold Cress

Lawrence & Frankie Fickler

Shawn Harrison

Stanley & Michele Crouse

Andrew & Victoria Field

Michael Hart

Robert & Mary Jo Culliton

Dale & Rhonda Field

R. Kasey Harte

Jill Cuniff

Frances Fields

Lois & Karl Hartse

Julie & David Curd

James & Marcy Fisher

Eileen Hartzog

Robert Fitzsimmons

William & Carolyn Hartsog

Greg & Susan Dahinden

& Anita Foster

Charles & Bonnie Hash Sr.

Boyd Dailey

Mike Fralick

Ronald & Sandra Haugan

Andrew & Susan Dana

Kendra Freeck

Jeremy & Monica Hauk

Nancy Davidson

Cynthia Freeman

Amy & Kitt Hawkins

59 Kathy & Kimerick Hayner

Sheri & Carl Jessen

John Landerdahl

Linda & Wayne Heath

James & Sharon Johnston

Connie Lange & William Lange

Barbara & Scott Heck

Charles Jones

Sheri & Steven Larsen

Alex & Sabrina Hegdal

Logan Jones

Cheryl Larson

Paul & M. Jean Hein

Jim & Catherine Jupka

Donald & Stephanie Larson

Rachel & Ned Heitz

k

Carl Leaman Jr.

Scott & Traci Henderson

Timothy Kalberg

Ross & Sarah Leckie

Jeana Henley

Alan & Kieran Kalt

Janet Lee

Laura Hermansen

John & Valarie Karst

Patricia Lemere

Jay & Lynette Hines

Marshall Kath

Scott & Teresa LeProwse

Daniel & Julie Hitchcock

Brett & Carlen Keaster

Timothy & Jane Leuthold

Daniel & Patricia Hodge

Paul & Kimberly Keiper

Michael & Fleming Lewis

E. Corrine Hoffart

Martha Kelsey

Patrick & Jaclyn Lewis

Chris & Tracy Hoiness

Vickie Kemmerer

Tamara Libbey

Shirley Holje

Robert Kerns

Chris & Jan Lien

Scott & Jennie Holton

Gary Keyfauver

Thomas & Carla Lix

Gabrielle Hopkins

Benjamin Kilbourn

Richard & Patricia Lodmell

Peter Horn

LeAnne & Timothy Kindred

Joseph & Sharlene Loendorf

Heather & Matt Hough

Susan & Kevin King

Paul Longfield

Stanley & Diane Hould

Philip & Anne Kirk

Michalyn Longie

Karen Howard

Melodi & Dennis Klemp

Dorothea & Richard Lucier

Pam Howland

Anne & Steve Kloppel

Adam Lucker-Harris & Allyson Lucker

Gwen & Matt Hubbard

Scott & Alice Klosteman

Randal & Teri Lund

Mark & Cindy Huber

Sharon & Donald Klundt

George & Shannon Lund

Franklin & Sarah Huckins

Mark Kohoutek & Patty Murphy-Kohoutek

Judith A. Lungren & Richard S. Noll

Jean & Kirby Hellegaard

Donald & Leslie Huffman

Dennis & Wendy Kolb

Michael & Marlene Hughes

Tony & Ms. Kolnik Kolnik

Bill & Margo Humenczuk II

Jean MacLeod Jay & Susan Madson Barbara Malone

Raeanne Kooren

Maureen Maloughney

David & Bridget Kornder

Ann Maroney

Elfrieda Idleman

Julie & Jason Kostelecky

Anthony & Christie Martel

Walter & Betty Imlay

Kurtis & Jill Kosty

Douglas & Patricia Martin

Raymond Irion

Marlene Kovash

Andrew & Melissa Martzloff

Dwaine & Barbara Iverson

George & Mary Kroll

Paul & Susan Matteucci

Michael & Heather Kubas

Diana & Jon Mattfeldt

James Jacobson & Karen Schulz

Reuben & Elizabeth Kuntz

David & Suzanne Mattson

James & Ann Jaffe

Joshua & Betsy Kurcinka

Jim & Jacqueline Maunder

Angela Huschka

j

M

Curtis & Jennifer Konvalin

Stephen & Merissa Hunt

i

Phil & Susan Layher Alan & Jean Kahn

James & Renee Janhunen Jr. Joseph Janhunen

l

Nicholas & Lori Ladas

James & Marcia Jarrett

Kenneth & Carolyn Laddusaw

Jill Jarrett

Shauna Laden

Barbara & Greg Jergeson

Duane & Mary Ann Lammers

Katherine & John McCaffery John & Marianne McCallum Edythe McCleary Dave & Sheri McCurdy

60 honor roll of donors Wes & Barbara Oja

Rick & Carrie Reisig

Marissa McDonough

Brian & Jennifer Olson

John Rennie

Scott & Kathleen McFarland

Donald Olsson

Ursula Richter

Jack & Mary McGowan

Larry & Joan Ostby

Sean & Andrea Ridl

Scott McGowan

Daniel & Shauna Ottman

David & Nancy Rigg

Raymond & Kaaren McIsaac

Marla Riley Paul & Cresta Pahut

Skip & Jeanette Ritner

Steven & Faith McNally

Thomas & Lexie Pankratz

Ben & DeeDee Rixe

Duncan & Terri McRae

Siri & Jeffrey Pannell

Gerald Robinson

Dennis & Reva McSweeney

Christopher & Stephanie Parson

Lynn & Anita Robirds

Wayne & Genevieve Medendorp Sr.

Mark & Jessica Paske

Michael Robson

Ryan Thomas & Lyndsey Medsker

Don & Mary Patterson

Jeanne Roby

Nancy Merritt

Harlan & Linda Patterson

Harry & Mary Rodenberg

Charles & Susie Metully Jr.

Sheila & Kevin Payne

Jonathan & Catherine Roen

Larry & Lynda Mikkola

Robert & Mary Peck

Ralph Roscoe

Conrad & Sharon Miller

Shane Schieck & Gerele Pelton

Corbin & Jody Ross

Kevin Miller

Clifford Peterson

Howard & Margaret Ross

Scott Miller

Jim & Cindy Peterson

Troy & Jamie Rowsey

Wayne & Carol Miller

John & Lorraine Peterson

Joseph Ruffatto

Aaron & Jeni Millikin

Larry Peterson

James & Susan Rupp

Scott & Alison Mizner

Lowell & Deborah Peterson

Daniel Ryan

Brett & Elaine Moats

Richard Peterson

Kalli Ryti

Michael Monaghan

Scott Peterson

Terrill & Tena Moore

Joyce & Thomas Pickard

J. William & Julie Moorse

Lynne & David Pinnick

Fred Sagebaum

Michael & Joni Morella

Charles & Rebecca Pipal

Eileen & Kenneth Salo

Bruce & Patrice Morse

Russell & Susan Plath

Kathleen Sanchez

Dan Moshavi

Lisa Popham-Glenn & Brian Glenn

Thomas & Jackie Sather

Janet & Patrick Mullaney

James & Nancy Powell

Eric Schmidt

Donald & Cathryn Mulryan

Cory & Diane Pulfrey

Gerald & Pamela Schmitz

Sheldon McKamey

Michelle & William Munro Tim Murphy Andrew & Carol Myxter

n

p

Gerald & Peggy Nardella James Nell & Diane Bianchi Anthony & Candace Nelson Kurt & Gail Nelson Scott & Anne Nelson Todd & Patty Nelson John & Judy Nerison William Nesbit Daren & Shelby Nordhagen Douglas & Laurene Nunemaker

d

Dwight & Dawn Sage

Philip & Tanya Schneider

q

Amy & Thomas Quilici

r

Joe & Loralee Raatz Kenneth Rambold Gary Rankin Vickie Rauser Bruce & Valerie Raymond William Redmond Lillian Reed Allen & Georgann Reel Randall & Dana Reeve Shane & Sara Rehm Verlin & Patricia Reichelt

John Schuler Stacey & Jake Scott Thomas Scott Ryan Screnar Thomas & Arlene Sedlacek Jr. Valory Seely Gary Seubert Herbert Shelden Carolinn Shibley Susan Shyne & Kirk Dawson Max & Claudia Simmons Ross & Joyce Simser Blaine Smith

61 Christopher Smith & Terese Higbie-Smith

Daniel & Donna Upton

Shelly Wong

Tom Upton

Timothy & Julie Wood

Darci Smith Henry & Mary Smith Jr. Melanie & Scott Smith

Gerald Woodahl

v

Dawn Wrigg

Keith & Mrs. Mary Van Dyken

Jamie Sommers-Menasco & Michael Menasco

Kristin & Curtis Van Luchene

Stephen & Lois Spencer

Thomas Vanek

Chris Sperry

Ronald Vaughn

Donna Spitzer-Ostrovsky & Jack Ostrovsky

Vernon Voegele

Julie Staudinger Scott & Peggy Stefan Dave Stensland Samuel Stevenson Duncan Stewart James & Annette Stoner Andrea & Steve Struznik Murray & Thea Swenson Robin & Carolyn Swenson Ted & Dorothy Swift Margaret Taylor Suzanne & Scott Taylor Brian & Laura Thomas David & Lynn Thompson John & Linda Thompson Scott & Jill Thompson Timothy & Cindy Thompson Timothy & Paige Thompson Jerry & Nancy Thuesen Megan & Benjamin Tiffin Jim & Miriam Tilleman Mark & Vickie Tischendorf Fred & Virginia Traeger Ms. Traeholt Traeholt Jerry Trainer

y

Troy & Angela Vollertsen Bonita & John Vonderhaar

w

Lorie Wagner Jason & Nichole Walker William & Roxi Walker Jerry Waller John & Kathleen Walsh Karen Walter Donald & Clarice Walters Bill & Susan Ward Jeanne Warden Marlan & Teresa Warne Matthew & Catherine Warner Gary & Connie Waylander Robert & Cynthia Weaver Willard & Nancy Weaver DeAnne & Mike Weeks Rodney Weeks Kimberly & Jeff Wells Neil & Debbie Wetsch Steven & Nita Wheeler James Whitbeck John Wild Charles Willett Frank Willett & Arleen Boyd James & Marilyn Williams Terri & James Williams Wilson & Louise Williams

Ruth Uhl

Loren & Kimberly Willis

Forrest & Linda Ullman

Larry & Sharon Witt

Janet Ulrich

Dallas & Debra Wivholm Michael & Tina Wong

Benjamin & Gail Yanker David Yarlott Jr.

Jessica Van Voast

Maxine Stamper

u

David Worstell

Patricia & Thomas Valente

Morgan Smith

Scott St. John

t

Heather & Charles Vadun

z

Janine & Terence Zimmer

organizations American Bank American Federal Savings Bank Anderson Zurmuehlen & Co. P.C. Angry Hank’s Microbrewery, LLC Askmore, Inc. Associated Appraisers Bank of America Corporate Affairs Beagle Land Company Big Sky Western Bank Boeing Company Bozeman Broker Group Bridger Crek Golf Course Brink, Inc. Budget Instant Print, Inc. Career Services Cargill, Inc. Carter Construction, Inc. Castronovo Financial Group, Inc. Chevron Corporation CM Capital Foundation Cottonwood Case Management D.A. Davidson & Co. Davidson Companies Deloitte Foundation Deloitte Touche Eagle Self Storage, Inc. Eide Bailly, LLP Ernst and Young Exxon Mobil Foundation

62 honor roll of donors Ferraro’s Fine Italian Restaurant Fickler Oil Company, Inc. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund First Interstate Bank First Interstate Bank Foundation First Security Bank of Bozeman First West Insurance Folkvord Land, LLC Galusha Higgins & Galusha General Business Services Gold’s Gym Granite Enterprises, Inc. Green Diamond Resource Co. Grigsby Farm, Inc. H&R Block, Inc. Hamilton Misfeldt and Company Harrington Bottling Company (Pepsi-Cola) Herold and Reta Haynes Family Foundation Highland Liquors, Inc. IBM Indreland Angus In Focus Fine Art J&H Office Equipment, Inc. Josepth Eve, CPA Junkermier Clark Campanella Stevens, P.C. JWT Restaurant Group, LLC KPMG KPMG Foundation Janet B Lee, CPA

John T. McCallum & Associates, LLC McRae Financial, LLC Madison Community Foundation Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Giving Campaign Montana Bankers Association Montana Community Foundation Montana Chamber of Commerce Montana Rib and Chop House Montana Society of CPA’s MSU Alumni Association MSU Athletics MSU Bookstore MSU Career, Internship & Student Employment Montana Travel Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Mountain West Bank Mountain West Benefits Solutions Montana Rib & Chop House Murdoch’s Ranch & Supply NetNew Marketing NIKE, Inc. Northrop Grumman Space Technology O’Berry Cavanuagh Paccar, Inc. Pine Cove Consulting, LLC PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP PrintingForLess.com Randall Reeve Construction

RightNow Technologies Rio Tinto Energy America Services Co. Riverside Country Club Security Title Company Sheila Hager Payne Accounting Services Skeeter, LLC State Farm Insurance State Farm Insurance, Tim Murphy State Farm Insurance, Jeff Weedin Stephen J. Spencer, DDS, PLLC Stockman Bank Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun Mountain Tanning Unlimited The Travelers Foundation UBS Foundation US Bank-Bozeman Valley View Golf Club Verizon Foundation Washington Corporations Washington Group Foundation, Inc. Wells Fargo Matching Gift Program Janice K. Whetstone Law Firm, PC Wind River Pediatrics

63

2009 recruiters

then & now College of Business 25 years ago to present

3% were not seeking employment 88% report being in their chosen field 8% report being employed outside of their chosen field

1% report being in graduate school

1986 44% Response rate (112 of 255 graduates) Overall Reported average salary: $17,987 Average Salary By Option: Accounting: $18,441 Distributive/Marketing Education: $20,500 Finance: $20,383 Management: $17,105 Marketing: $15,441 Office Systems: $12,900

2008*

Boeing Buckle Cash Grain Bids Cellular One Edward Jones Enterprise Rent-a-Car FDIC FBI First Interstate Bancsystem H&R Block Heritage Propane Kiewit Pacific Co. Kraft Foods Mercury Advertising Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NAVSEA) Northwest Farm Credit Services Northwestern Mutual Financial PrintingForLess.com Peace Corps RightNow Technologies Sherwin-Williams State Farm Insurance Corporate USDA Farm Service Wells Fargo Bank Western States Insurance

*2009 information is currently being collected and compiled

Accounting

$37,133 Average Salary (undergraduate), 112 respondents $42,157 Average Salary (masters - MPAc), 26 respondents 1.9 Average number of job offers 67 Pursued jobs in-state 33 Pursued jobs out-of-state

Altman Rogers & Co. Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. Clark Nuber, P.S. Deloitte Eide Bailly LLP Elgee Rehfeld Mertz Freeman & Williams, LLP Galusha, Higgins & Galusha PC Hamilton Misfeldt & Company Joesph Eve & Co. Junkermeier, Campanella, Clark & Stevens (JCCS) KPMG LLP Montana Legislative Audit Division Moss Adams LLP Muckel Anderson PricewaterhouseCoopers Rudd & Co. Walsh, Kelliher & Sharp

CoB Options 1985 Business Accounting Business Education Office Education Distribution Education Finance Management Marketing Office Administration 2 year Secretary Program

2009 Accounting Finance Management Marketing MPAc 5 minors

64outstanding students

Presort standard u.s. postage paid permit no. 69 bozeman, MT 59715

P.O. Box 173040 Bozeman, MT 59717-3040 www.montana.edu/cob (406) 994-4423

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