Fogelman Focus Magazine | Fall 2024

FOGELMAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

President, University of Memphis

Bill Hardgrave

Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Michele Ehrhart

Dean, Fogelman College of Business & Economics

Robert Garrett

Executive Editors Anna Grisham Madison Stoks

Contributing Writers

Ellen

Photography

Art Direction and Design

2 DEAN’S LETTER

4 ILLUSTRIOUS ALUMNI MAKE OPPORTUNITY THEIR BUSINESS

Marvin Ellison

Dawn Graeter

David Wedaman

Cathy Ross

Mark Christopher

26 FUNDING FCBE’S FUTURE | Avron Fogelman’s Philanthropic

Legacy Continues

28 A PIPELINE FOR PROFESSIONALS | Relaunch of Executive MBA Program

30 BUSINESS IN BLUE | FCBE Launches Official Podcast

34 FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS & DEPARTMENT NEWS

36 CENTER UPDATES

42 STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS

46 GEORGE JOHNSON AWARDS

48 HONOR ROLL

Marvin Ellison

D Dean’s Letter

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”

ear Alumni and Friends,

The Fogelman College of Business & Economics (FCBE) at the University of Memphis is proud to be a College of Opportunity This is an important element of our new strategic plan that differentiates us from our peer institutions. Their students come from relatively well-resourced backgrounds, with family members who have gone to college before them and support systems in place to give them a head start in life. But that is not always representative of our community. We are part of a majority-minority city, on a campus recognized as “First-Gen Forward” for its abundance of first-generation college students, surrounded by employers engaged in providing internships and employment for our students. Given these factors, we have a unique opportunity to change lives.

To better serve Memphis and the Mid-South, FCBE positions itself not as a college of privilege but of opportunity. We have structures in place — and will strategically improve them — for recruiting and retaining students seeking opportunities to improve their lives. Our curricula and corporate partners provide opportunities for our students to join the workforce in meaningful ways and to become leaders. With affordable tuition and fees, low rates of student debt, internship and employment opportunities and programs that prepare our students for careers, FCBE represents a compelling value proposition — granting degrees and experiences at a value to our student-customers.

Recognizing our role as a provider of opportunities, we seek to enable opportunities for stakeholders beyond our students, including our staff, faculty, alumni and corporate and community partners. Our updated strategy includes improving equity and career growth for our staff, recognition and rewards for research and teaching for our faculty and a lifelong relationship of career support for alumni (once a Tiger, always a Tiger).

There’s a quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson that I’ve long loved: “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” For FCBE to embrace what it truly means to be a college of opportunity, we will have to learn and do new things. To provide these opportunities, we will have to execute on our plan for the Fogelman Building Modernization Project — a necessary and critical project — to update our facilities in a way that makes us competitive in attracting and retaining the best students, faculty, staff and community partners. And to realize those facilities, we will have to call on our supporters, too, to support us in ways that may stretch them. But if we do so, we will soon have something we’ve never had before. We invite all to join the Fogelman College of Business & Economics in our mission to be a College of Opportunity

Robert Garrett, PhD Dean | Fogelman College of Business & Economics

Dr. Robert Garrett

OPPORTUNITY ILLUSTRIOUS

THEIR MAKE

BY ELLEN AUSTIN

The Fogelman College of Business & Economics has a long history of producing graduates poised for success with access to limitless opportunities. These five outstanding alumni ensured the window of opportunity at UofM never closes — they are actively

working to keep it open for future generations to access. Spurred by a profound appreciation for the education they received at the University of Memphis, all five find themselves compelled to give back to the institution that launched their professional journeys.

These alumni have made their mark as C-suite executives in retail, entrepreneurship, logistics, finance, banking and investor relations. Despite the fact that they all come from disparate backgrounds and have faced difficult life obstacles and career challenges,

OPPORTUNITY ILLUSTRIOUS ALUMNI THEIR BUSINESS

they have overcome these hurdles with tenacity, resilience and just plain hard work.

Other commonalities they share are a devotion to family, education and lifelong learning, integrity in leadership, an impeccable work ethic, as

well as a commitment to their faiths and service. While obtaining their degrees, all five held full or part-time jobs, often in manual labor. A few have convened with U.S. presidents or international industry titans.

Coming full circle in their lives, these remarkable alumni established foundational business acumen at FCBE, toiled their way to immense success and now invest their time, talents and treasure in the College that invested in them.

MARVIN ELLISON

Chairman and CEO | Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

BBA | Marketing | University of Memphis, 1989

MBA | Emory University Goizueta Business School, 2005

AS THE CASE MAY BE

On campus in 1986, no one was surprised to see students clad in acid-washed denim, Members Only jackets or bright neon tracksuits. What did catch one’s attention, however, was sighting a student toting a briefcase instead of a backpack. UofM finance major Sharyn Stevens noticed just such a guy from across the quad, and the two would later meet by chance in the library studying for the same class. It was a girl-meets-boy formula for a lifelong friendship, romance and marriage. But what neither could have predicted was that this young man’s choice of business accessory was foreshadowing a future beyond their imaginations.

The undergrad carrying a briefcase would become one of the world’s top executives and the only African American to serve as chairman and CEO of two Fortune 500 companies.

To Marvin Ellison, sporting a briefcase for his schoolbooks reflected more than an effort to manifest his dreams. He was symbolically carrying the lessons his parents taught him in his rural childhood home 12 miles outside Brownsville, TN, a “two stoplight town” itself.

In the segregated South, Ellison’s father — a sharecropper who often worked three jobs to make ends meet — instilled great ambitions in his children, even if at times they seemed unattainable. While his father was very disciplined and practical, his mother, the oldest of 16 children and a maid at a truck-stop motel when Ellison was born, gave him his passion to dream.

“As a child I would look around my simple and meager surroundings, and my mom would say, ‘Don’t allow what you see around you to limit your view of the future,’” reflects Ellison. “This was a much different message than what many of my classmates were hearing from their parents, who encouraged them to graduate from high school and get a job at a local factory.”

Thus, the Ellisons provided their seven children gifts beyond monetary value — a strong work ethic, resilience and accountability. They toured as the Ellison Family gospel group, which strengthened their dedication to servant leadership and faith, values Ellison incorporated into his entire life.

His parents also imparted the importance of education as the “one thing that no one can ever take from you,” even though neither had access to formal education themselves. So, in 1980, when Ellison, as a member of his high school student council, had the opportunity to visit a college campus for an annual convention held at Memphis State, he knew where he would start the pursuit of his dreams.

Ellison recalls, “I will never forget arriving that spring day, seeing a diverse melting pot of students sitting outside, reading or engaged in conversation. From that moment, I said to myself, this is where I’m going to college!”

TARGETING LEADERSHIP

Three years later, Ellison enrolled at the UofM. At times, he felt his rural high school had left him underprepared for the rigors of college courses. Recognizing this, FCBE professors directed him to resources that he studied independently to bolster his regular classwork. When it came time to narrow his field of study to select a major, Ellison again turned to examples his father established.

“My dad lifted our family from poverty by discovering he was a natural salesman. In the early 1970s, someone

recognized my dad’s presentation skills during a church program and offered him an entry-level role in sales. Hence, my dad transitioned from working in factories and manual-labor jobs to selling life insurance,” relays Ellison. “I was so inspired by seeing my dad head to work each day in a shirt and tie, I decided to pursue a career in sales, which led me to a degree in marketing.”

JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT MOVING UP IN YOUR CAREER DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE NOT MOVING FORWARD.”

To pay his way through college, Ellison worked tirelessly as a janitor, truck driver, warehouse operator and convenience store clerk. Seeking better opportunities during his junior year, Ellison visited the UofM employment office. He requested the highest paying job available, and the clerk pointed to a corkboard with an index card she had just posted that listed an opening for a security guard at Target, offering $4.35/hour.

He pulled the card, got the job and launched his retail career.

Because he needed to work while attending FCBE, Ellison took longer than his peers to earn his diploma. He wears the mantle of this journey with pride in his work ethic. “When people look at me, they don’t see someone who took almost six years to graduate college, Ellison says. “They see what I’ve accomplished because I did.”

A DIY BUILT CAREER

After earning his BBA, Ellison remained at Target, rising in the ranks to a director position in Minneapolis, MN. He absorbed all the knowledge he could at Target, learning as many roles in the industry as possible. He even transformed the challenging times in his career — including being passed over for promotions — into learning opportunities, discovering that lateral moves are means to explore parts of

Marvin on a site visit with a Lowe's store team in New Jersey

the company to which he may not otherwise have been exposed.

“Just because you’re not moving up in your career doesn’t mean you’re not moving forward,” explains Ellison.

He also found that, when he stopped trying to blend in and became comfortable being his true self, he stood out and gained leverage. He leaned into his innate talents and recalled his father imparting, “no one can beat you being you.” While striving for excellence in all his tasks, he also gained recognition for his willingness to accept roles that others refused to tackle.

After 15 years at Target, Ellison moved back to the South to work in the corporate offices of Home Depot in Atlanta, GA, where he also earned his MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He served at Home Depot for 12 years, becoming EVP of U.S. stores, before JCPenney tapped him to serve as CEO in 2015 and named him chairman a year later. Helming JCPenney was a surreal experience for Ellison — as a child, shopping there was a rare indulgence saved for special occasions.

In 2018, Ellison joined Lowe’s, where he now serves as chairman and CEO. Under his leadership,

Lowe’s has built one of the most diverse leadership teams of any Fortune 500 company and grown U.S. sales by nearly $20 billion. In 2023, the company recorded $86 billion in sales and employed 300,000 associates. Part of Ellison’s success as a leader is that he can see his parents and himself in every associate. Recalling how his parents often felt marginalized at work, he established regular store visits and town halls for associates to provide feedback, to create the kind of company where he wanted to work.

Regardless of the heights Ellison reaches, he never strays too far from his roots, echoing a saying from Haywood County, “If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know it didn’t get there by itself.” In this regard and in keeping with his lifelong spirit of service, he continues to give back to others and honor the communities that helped him achieve.

As a current member of the University of Memphis Board of Trustees, Ellison humbly expresses, “Giving back is very important to me personally, especially to organizations whose values align with mine. I have been extremely fortunate in my life, and the opportunity to attend the UofM was one of my biggest blessings.”

In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees for the University of Memphis, Ellison serves on the Board of Directors for FedEx Corporation.

Ellison’s professional and civic leadership has earned him many accolades. Most notable are multiple appearances on Barron’s annual list of “Top CEOs”; inclusion on Fortune’s “Most Inspirational CEOs” and “World’s Greatest Leaders” lists; and being named “Father of the Year” by the National Father’s Day Council, “Corporate Executive of the Year” by Black Enterprise and one of Savoy’s “Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America.”

In 2023, he received the National Retail Federation’s Visionary Award and in 2024, the inaugural Thurgood Marshall College Fund CEO Impact Award and the McGowan Ethical Leader Award.

Marvin and his wife Sharyn (BBA ’91) have two children, Donavan and Gabrielle. Two of Marvin’s siblings, Renatha and Sylvia, are also University of Memphis alumnae.

Marvin Ellison

Marvin and his wife Sharyn (BBA '91)

DAWN GRAETER

President and CEO | Southern Security Federal Credit Union

BBA | Accounting & Finance | University of Memphis, 1986

TIGER PRINTS

One could say Dawn Graeter was born with the eye of the tiger, more specifically, the Memphis Tiger. From her mother, an alumna, and her father, a lifelong fan; she inherited not only a love for University of Memphis, but also a focused drive for success.

Graeter’s mother attended when the institution was a teaching college, West Tennessee State Normal School, and her father became a fan when his cousin played basketball on the 1950s team that took Memphis to its first NCAA Tournament. As a young girl, Graeter began accompanying her parents to Tigers basketball and football games. Thus, along with her parents ingraining the importance of a college education, the imprint was set — her university choice predestined.

Graeter grew up in Millington, TN, a small, supportive community just north of Memphis. Her father was founder and proprietor of Millington Furniture Showcase, and her mother was a teacher at the local elementary school where Graeter attended. Graeter maintained straight A’s through high school, and, after class, would walk to her job at Rick’s Printing and Office Supplies.

Even as a teenager, Graeter’s work ethic shined, a reflection of her parents’ lessons of integrity and diligence.

Her professionalism was so evident that, near the end of her senior year, one of the print shop’s customers recruited Graeter to join her team at Tennessee Bank and Trust in Millington. Graeter accepted the position and, in 1982, launched both her college career and her career in banking.

BANKING ON SUCCESS

Graeter stepped on the University of Memphis campus knowing she would major in accounting, but what she hadn’t anticipated was her affinity for banking. While attending class in the mornings and logging 20 hours a week at the Millington bank in the afternoons, Graeter discovered her love of money management and added a finance major to her accounting focus.

“I fell in love with banking because it’s always something new. You get to wear a lot of different hats,” declares Graeter.

Upon graduating with her BBA in 1986, she narrowed her job search to the banking industry and accepted a position with a start-up, Shelby Bank, in Bartlett. Because she worked in a small bank with few employees, Graeter learned

the business by serving many roles, from the teller desk to photocopy machine. Echoing the work drive established in her youth, she found that not being bound by “job description” and accepting any assignment allowed her to learn more about the industry. This philosophy would prove to be invaluable to her future as an executive.

“There’s no substitute for good work ethic: do the extra work, even if it’s not your job. The more you learn in an organization, beyond your own niche, the more valuable you are,” explains Graeter. “I am a better leader because I’ve been in my employees' positions. I understand where they’re coming from.”

When Shelby Bank planned a merger with Tupelo-based BancorpSouth, Graeter, wanting to remain closer to home, decided to take a hiatus from the industry and work for her father in his retail furniture business. As he neared retirement, her father asked her to consider taking over his business operation. However, foreseeing the emergence of big box stores dominating local retailers and receiving a persuasive call from a headhunter, Graeter returned to finance.

RISK AND REWARD

Graeter reentered the banking industry as accounting supervisor at Bank of Bartlett and later became corporate comptroller for their holding company. Never one to be content with complacency, after 12 years she decided it was time to consider a career move.

FAA Federal Credit Union, in the midst of a national search, recruited Graeter to serve as their CFO. A few weeks after starting that position, to her surprise, she learned they had camouflaged their search — she was actually hired to be their CEO. Suddenly confronted with leading a struggling organization, she tabled her shock and leaned into the role.

Graeter muses, “I had left a secure job to try to save a failing institution. I thought, ‘If this works, I’ll be a hero. If not, it will be disastrous.’”

She drew on her education in finance, her experience in entrepreneurship and her background in financial reporting. By believing in herself and trusting the process, she turned it around and brought financial stability back to the faltering organization. In fact, she had made FAA so healthy they were offered the opportunity to bid on a merger with a declining credit union.

During this bidding process, she encountered executives at Southern Security Federal Credit Union, a competing bidder. The Southern Security execs were so impressed by Graeter’s presentations that the then CEO tapped Graeter to become his successor. In 2011, the board of Southern Security appointed Graeter their new president and CEO. Since then, she has led the institution to triple-digit growth and multiple awards of Best Credit Union by Commercial Appeal readers.

KINDNESS IN KIND

Service to others lies at Graeter’s core. Having faced many obstacles in the male-dominated finance industry, Graeter is dedicated to mentoring women. As she has done in her own career, she staunchly advocates for women to receive equitable compensation and equal opportunities for executive-level promotions.

She finds fulfillment in the industry’s ability to help people through tough financial times and offer them hope. Graeter also believes it is imperative to support the organizations that do business with her credit union.

“If someone has invested in us, our mission is to invest in them, as well. We align with organizations that are critical to our community, like Youth

Villages and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital,” Graeter says. “I see it as our job to grant them exposure and promote their missions in kind.”

As a true-blue Tiger, she is equally emphatic about the importance of the University’s role in society. “If the University is successful,” she explains, “We’re feeding qualified graduates into the community and encouraging talent to remain in Memphis, improving our businesses and, in turn, our city.”

Graeter makes it her responsibility to expose her employees to UofM, and UofM to her employees. Southern Security sponsors internships and encourages staff to attend on-campus business events.

She solidifies this commitment through mentorship and continued involvement with FCBE. “I love giving back to a program that helped shape my success,” affirms Graeter. “I had great mentors that helped me immensely, and I am excited to be that resource for our upcoming young professionals.”

Graeter is a FCBE Executive in Residence, past president of UofM Alumni Association, member of UofM Board of Visitors and serves on 901 Women’s Athletic Advisory Board. Among her honors, she has been recognized as Commercial Appeal's Memphis Most Power People (2023), UofM Outstanding Alumna (2019) and Memphis Business Journal's Superwoman in Business (2012).

She has served on several nonprofit boards, including as current chair of the Board of Tennessee Credit Union, past chair of the Board of HopeWorks, past chair of Confluent Strategies, and on boards of Carnival Memphis and Millington Area Chamber of Commerce. She serves on Le Bonheur National Leadership Council and Youth Program Inc. Captain’s Club. She has two adult children, Austin and Sydney.

Dawn Graeter

DAVID WEDAMAN

Founder and CEO | ReTrans

BBA | Accounting | University of Memphis, 1980

THE RIGHT SETTING

This must be a test,” college senior David Wedaman thought to himself in 1980, as he sat flustered, staring at a spoon positioned above his dinner plate. He had been invited to lunch by potential employers from a top accounting firm as part of his first “real” interview. It became difficult to formulate appropriate answers to the recruiters’ questions when he could focus on little more than this place-setting puzzle.

It seemed to Wedaman, who was dining in a restaurant for the first time, that to understand this etiquette conundrum, one needed to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As the son of working-class parents whose father serviced cotton gins, this was not the case for him. Yet, in what proved to be a metaphor for his career, Wedaman turned his trepidation over the looming utensil into a spoonful of opportunity, faced the unknown with determination and aplomb, and landed his first office job that day. Hence forth, he met career crossroads with creative solutions to become a highly regarded business magnate.

David Wedaman proudly stakes claim to being a lifelong resident of Shelby County, TN. He grew up in Whitehaven, attended Hillcrest High School and Memphis Prep and matriculated to the University of Memphis. His father ensured he and his siblings knew the value of an honest day’s pay, engaging them to work alongside him at cotton gins when they were 11 or 12 years old. With respect for the lessons of hard labor, but with brows sweated by the sweltering southern summers, the Wedaman children dreamt of careers that, at the very least, would be in comfortable offices.

“We may not have learned [from working on cotton gins] what jobs we wanted to do, but we realized pretty quickly what we didn’t want to do,” laughed Wedaman. “We just hoped to work somewhere with air conditioning.”

Recognizing the value of education to attain his goals, Wedaman set his sights on attending college. The University of Memphis was the convenient hometown choice, and he stayed true to the Bluff City.

An Eagle Scout and student council president with excellent grades, Wedaman became one of the first recipients of the Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential Scholarship, which granted full-tuition coverage. The scholarship afforded him priority course registration, which allowed him to schedule his classes in the mornings and still work various part-time jobs to support himself: fast-food chains, construction, insurance sales and truck driving.

ACCIDENTAL ACCOUNTANT TO INADVERTENT ENTREPRENEUR

Wedaman chose a major in accounting at FCBE as a path to becoming a corporate tax attorney.

He hadn’t intended to actually practice accounting. Although he was accepted to law school, he was feeling burned out in academia by spring of his senior year and visited the placement office to explore options other than graduate school. The counselor directed him to the fateful interview lunch which led to a competitive position at Arthur Andersen.

Having originally seen a degree in accountancy solely as a means to an end, Wedaman now extols the value of his educational background as it applied to his future as an entrepreneur.

“I wouldn’t trade my accounting degree for anything,” Wedaman proclaims. “No matter what job you have, and for starting a company, in particular, understanding finance and being able to interpret your own ledger is critical…. It all comes down to the ‘bean counters’ eventually.”

His first job out of college was fortuitous in other ways, too. Even though his stint at Arthur Andersen was only two years, the experience he gained proved invaluable. The intense nature of the entry-level position meant he reported to several bosses, exposing him to many different

management styles, both good and bad. These observations informed his future development into an effective leader. The job also led him to his next position as an auditor for one of his clients, National Piggyback Services, who happened to be in the transportation industry, the field that would define the remainder of his career.

After six years, the logistics company offered Wedaman an opportunity to relocate to their new headquarters in Oakland, CA. Not wanting to uproot his family and anticipating a long commute that would diminish time with his then two-year-old daughter, he declined.

Instead, in 1989, Wedaman remained in Memphis and joined forces with a coworker to co-found a transportation brokerage service, Mark VII.

With humility and good humor, Wedaman describes this pivotal moment that transformed him from an accountant to a wildly successful entrepreneur, as mere happenstance.

“Sometimes desperation can make you do wonderful things,” quips Wedaman, “I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur; I’m not even sure I can spell it.”

David receiving the 2015 FCBE Outstanding Alumnus award

FAMILY DRIVES

After the Mark VII company became publicly held and was later sold, he committed to a two-year noncompete clause. He refers to those years as his “daddy cab” era, where he devoted time to his then 13-yearold, a bonding experience he values beyond measure.

In 2002, when the non-compete ended, he launched a new multimodal transportation venture, headquartered in Memphis, and named it ReTrans, after his nickname “Re” for his beloved daughter Maria. The concept for the business was unique at the time, as a non-asset-

“Pop-Pop,” grandfather to Maria’s seven-year-old girl and three-yearold twin boys. He also reflects on his awkward early career experiences as inspiration to help others through educational outreach, both academic and practical. In this vein, Wedaman admires current FCBE programs that could have benefited him as a first-generation college student.

The Center for Professional Career Development's programming is such a wonderful asset for business students. It teaches them how to interview and about dining etiquette, something I had no exposure to prior to experiencing it, trial by fire,” says Wedaman.

THE CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT'S PROGRAMMING IS SUCH A WONDERFUL ASSET FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS.”

based logistics company providing freight solutions to clients such as Ghirardelli Chocolates. By the time he sold the company in 2015 to Switzerland-based Kuehne+Nagel, he had grown the business to 55 offices across North America with more than 250 employees and $600M in revenue.

Wedaman entered retirement by traveling the world, before settling down to his treasured role as

From his youth through retirement, Wedaman remains dedicated to serving his community and his alma mater — feeding the homeless, building access to good education, mentoring students, sponsoring FCBE centers like the Instructional Media Studio and endowing scholarships. In addition to lending his time and treasure to the University, he’s an avid Tigers fan and booster; often attending games with his daughter or his two out-of-town siblings, all three of whom are also UofM alumni.

David Wedaman

Wedaman currently serves on the FCBE Board of Visitors and St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish Finance Council. He has served as past chair of the FCBE Advisory Board and previously served on several philanthropic boards, including the Jubilee Schools of Memphis, Education that Works, the Catholic Memphis Urban School Trust, Youth Villages and Lifeblood of Memphis.

Among his numerous recognitions, he has been inducted into the Society of Entrepreneurs of Memphis and awarded The Angel of the Catholic School Award from the Diocese of West Tennessee and Humanitarian of the Year from Diversity Memphis. He has been inducted into the FCBE Hall of Fame and received Outstanding Alumnus and Entrepreneur of the Year for FCBE. He has one daughter, Maria Fahrenkopf, a UofM alumna, and three grandchildren. His two siblings are also UofM alumni.

CATHY ROSS

Executive Vice President and CFO (Retired) | FedEx Express

MBA | University of Memphis, 1982

BBA | Accounting, Christian Brothers University, 1978

FROM THE GROUND UP

The daughter of a farmer and a schoolteacher, Cathy Ross established strong roots in her hometown of Jacks Creek, TN. From this rich soil grew a fruitful career that eventually led Ross to the C-suite of one of the most admired Fortune 500 companies in the country.

The seeds sown in this small, tightly knit rural community were of a strong work ethic in which excelling was not merely an expectation, it was the norm. In local professionals, church elders, family members and farmers like her father; Ross saw strong Black leaders who believed in perseverance, trustworthiness and service to others. These became traits she emulated and held steadfast throughout her career.

Her mother was an elementary school teacher who in the 1960s, became one of the first Black educators to integrate the Chester County school system. In sixth grade, Ross, a stellar student excelling in math and science, followed her mother from her segregated school to an integrated one. Even though she was one of the first Black children at her new school in an era when she encountered “whites only” signs in society, Ross found the students were welcoming.

“Of course, I learned a lot culturally; but most of all, I learned people are the same at their core,” recalls Ross. “They have had different experiences and been taught different perspectives, but they can change and grow.”

After school, she worked on her father’s farm, driving a tractor at age 12 and raising chickens for the 4-H Club. But the day Ross helped birth a breached calf confirmed farming would not be her future livelihood.

FARM TO FINANCE

Ross’s parents believed education to be imperative, so attending college was an inevitability for Ross. In 1975, she enrolled at Christian Brothers University on a full-tuition scholarship. Following her parents’ example of service and with an aptitude for science, she entered college on a premed track. However, after a fateful encounter with a fetal pig dissection in intro biology, she switched gears to apply her mathematical and logic skills to accounting.

“After the fetal pig assignment, I realized that I couldn’t deal with a cadaver,” says Ross. “So I found a different focus that used the skill sets I developed in high school and chose to major in accounting.”

In addition to her course studies, she worked in the men’s department of Sears, participated in numerous clubs and organizations, and held campus jobs in the library and snack center. Even with this heavy schedule, Ross managed to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in only three years, at age 20.

Upon graduation, she launched her career as an accountant at Buckeye Cellulose, then a subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble.

The young woman arrived at her first position to find she was an accountant among an office of mostly engineers, and her boss was stationed in Cincinnati. She was in Memphis. Sitting alone staring at an empty desk with no job instructions, she phoned her boss, who, inadvertently yet fortuitously, imparted a lesson that became a work practice she applied throughout her career.

“He told me 1) Never call me. 2) Learn to solve your own problems,” she recalled. Though this was devasting to a 20-yearold seeking guidance, she learned from his reply how to be resourceful and self-reliant. She met with others in the office who helped her define her own role in the organization. From this, she discovered that forging relationships of mutual respect and trust among co-workers with different technical skills is vital to becoming a leader and a successful businessperson.

After a couple years, she felt a calling to begin “shaping decisions, rather than reporting on the past,” and moved from accounting into a cost analysis position at Kimberly-Clark. While working 60 hours a week, Ross attended night classes at University of Memphis and obtained her MBA with a concentration in finance in 1982.

“Because I was already in the workforce, the application of my coursework at UofM was much more relatable and meaningful than if I had pursued my MBA earlier in my career,” she attests.

LEADERSHIP TAKES FLIGHT

In 1984, Ross started a new chapter in her career and became a senior financial analyst at FedEx Express, the company where she remained until she retired 30 years later as executive vice president and chief financial officer. She found that the corporate ethos at FedEx matched her values of respectful leadership and innovative problem solving.

LEADERSHIP IS NOT

POSITIONAL. ANYONE

WITH

ANY

JOB TITLE CAN TAKE INITIATIVE AND GUIDE OTHERS AS OPPORTUNITIES PRESENT THEMSELVES.”

Ross contends that leadership is not defined in terms of hierarchy. “Leadership is not positional, she explains. “Anyone with any job title can take initiative and guide others as opportunities present themselves.”

Just as she had done early in her career, Ross made herself vital to the organization by building relationships and continuing to educate herself, not only in her milieu, but also within the company at large. She spent time meeting technical experts to better understand how FedEx operations worked. These connections and experiences allowed her to approach problems that arose in her own area and institutionally from a broad, comprehensive perspective.

At FedEx, Ross held many management positions and even took a detour from finance to work in leadership development training and in customer service planning, including call center administration.

“I never had my sights set on being CFO; I just made myself valuable by honing my skills in whatever position I was in, focusing on doing the best job possible, and finding unique ways to contribute,” Ross said. “My job was always to help make FedEx better, and I got recognized for that.”

Her approach paid off when she was tapped to become the first Black vice president of financial planning at FedEx Express, and later rose to EVP and CFO. As an executive, Ross was highly regarded for anticipating

business trends, developing profitable strategies and implementing viable solutions. When she retired in 2014, she led more than 5,000 employees around the world.

Ross believes that hiring exceptional people and trusting their expertise yields the best results. She also contends that for peak job performance, one must keep one’s mind fresh by continually seeking new perspectives and tasks.

“I ran the numbers of my 30-year career at FedEx,” she says, “And found that every 1.2 years, whether or not my job title changed, my assignments or my responsibilities changed.”

Now in retirement, Ross remains fresh by serving her community and giving back to the next generation. As instilled in her by her parents, she feels that education can elevate a person from nearly any societal situation. To that end, she established the Willie L. Ross Endowed Scholarship in Business for FCBE, named after her father, to help students who are first in their family to attend college meet the financial needs to obtain an MBA and change their trajectories.

Cathy Ross

Having been appointed to several boards throughout her career, Ross currently serves on the Board of Directors of The National Civil Rights Museum, Steelcase Inc., Ball Corp. and Christian Brothers University.

Ross is a five-time recipient of the FedEx Express Five Star Award, the company’s top employee honor, and a two-time recipient of the FedEx Express CEO Five Star Award.

Among her numerous recognitions, she was listed on Savoy magazine’s Most Influential Black Corporate Directors (2017 and 2021), Black Enterprise 100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America (2012) and Black Enterprise 50 Most Powerful Black Women in Business (2010), named a University of Memphis Distinguished Alumna, inducted in the Fogelman College of Business & Economics Hall of Fame, twice awarded the CABLE “Boardwalk Hall of Fame,” received Tri-State Defender Women of Excellence Award, recognized as the Top 150 Distinguished Alumni of Christian Brothers University, and inducted as a member of Tennessee Women’s Forum and the International Women’s Forum.

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and Delta Sigma Pi professional fraternity.

MARK CHRISTOPHER

Partner, Investor Relations | Hg

BBA | Finance with minor in Sales Marketing | University of Memphis, 1993

MBA | Duke University Fuqua School of Business, 1995

TIES THAT BIND

Pulling a picture frame from his office bookshelf to share an old photograph of his children wearing Memphis Tigers T-shirts, Mark Christopher proudly extols how the University was woven into his family thread. Pride in both his family and his alma mater is fitting for this business magnate, who arrived at the college during what may have seemed a moment of unraveling, yet through perseverance and dedication, he sewed into a successful career.

Christopher grew up in Memphis, attended local Catholic schools and graduated from Christian Brothers High School with his sights set on following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a medical doctor. While considering offers of admission to major universities in other cities, Christopher and his partner Elen learned they were expecting a baby. This whirlwind news spun the young couple in a new direction — one that could balance the joyous, yet challenging, milestones of becoming newlyweds, parents and college students simultaneously.

Realizing they would need to lean on their families to raise an infant, the Christophers chose to remain in town, and Mark enrolled at University of Memphis that summer. He also decided that obtaining a business degree would enable him to financially support his family sooner than if he were to pursue an MD.

To make ends meet, the Christophers relied on federally funded food stamps and the WIC program for baby formula and shared family meals at their parents’ homes. Mark went to class in the mornings, then to work in the afternoons — initially in retail jobs and later in a full-time job as a cost accountant at Smith & Nephew Richards — before coming home to care for their son, while Elen left to work evenings in retail stores at the Mall of Memphis.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

As an upperclassman, Christopher narrowed his field of study to finance and sales marketing and was awarded the FCBE Herman Bensdorf II Memorial Scholarship. In considering this course of study as it would later apply to his career, he believes it was the ideal foundation.

Christopher elaborates, “In investor relations,” explains Christopher, “I am selling financial investment opportunities, which turns out to be a perfect hybrid of what I studied at Fogelman… finance as my major and sales marketing as my minor.”

Upon graduating summa cum laude from University of Memphis, Christopher received a lucrative job offer at a brokerage firm. However,

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME THAT WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH ABILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES, IT’S CRITICAL TO GIVE BACK TO HELP OTHERS, AS OTHERS HAVE HELPED YOU.”

several professors encouraged him to pursue an MBA, citing the advanced degree as the best way to reach his career goals.

He reflects on his leap of faith to apply to business school, stating, “I don’t think I would have had the confidence to turn down an income opportunity and instead take on two more years of debt and rigorous study were it not for my FCBE professors.”

With faculty support and glowing recommendations, Christopher landed a scholarship offer to attend

the prestigious Duke University Fuqua School of Business as a Fuqua Fellow. Initially intimidated by classmates who came to Duke from Ivy League institutions, Christopher soon realized his fears were unfounded. His FCBE education had indeed laid the groundwork for success.

“I was completely prepared, as much, or more so, than my peers,” Christopher says. “In fact, I had already studied a fair portion of the first-year material in my undergrad finance courses at Fogelman.”

He went on to graduate in the top 10% of Duke’s MBA class and was awarded the designation of a Fuqua Scholar.

FULL CIRCLE SUCCESS

Having held an internship with Goldman Sachs in New York City during graduate school, Christopher was ready to tackle his first job in institutional equity research sales at Merrill Lynch in the Atlanta office. He spent eight years there before moving to Lazard for seven years, then to The Carlyle Group as a partner for ten years, before joining Hg in 2020 as partner in investor relations. Currently at Hg, a UK based software private equity firm, Christopher leads investor coverage for Hg’s investors in the North and South American markets from a home office in Atlanta, GA, and a corporate base in London.

In the early 2000s, Christopher faced a pivotal moment in his career. Anticipating that rapid changes in information technology could disrupt the value of his delivering research calls to his clients, he began evaluating the future job viability of a public equity salesman. He also considered the eventual impact of stock trades having already moved from fractions

Mark with his son, Andrew, and daughter, Faith, rooting on our UofM Tigers at a rainy Birmingham Bowl game in 2015

to decimals in the 1990s, which could compress profit margins and prompt a reduction in personnel or compensation. Analyzing these trends, he decided that a move from the public equity markets to the private equity markets would set him up for better opportunities.

“New platforms began to disintermediate clients’ reliance on my research calls, as the clients increasingly had access to emailed research reports along with CNBC broadcasting research updates from the various brokerage firms,” Christopher explains. “So I thought... I’ve got tailwinds in the private market, as opposed to stronger headwinds in the public equity markets.”

Fortified with resilience and tenacity gained by overcoming obstacles in young adulthood, he knew he was prepared to gamble on this career transition, even though it involved learning a new product and cultivating a new investor base.

Christopher circles back to reflect on his education as it related to this critical moment in his career and views it as a real-life application of

skills he learned in college — using decision points professors taught him to evaluate a business opportunity in his own career.

In contemplative moments like these, Christopher considers the impact Memphis has made on his life. He hopes that others may draw a similar connection to the University by gaining a solid education, so he endowed the Mark Christopher Scholarship for FCBE students who need funds to complete their degree. He has furthered this mission by returning to campus to serve on panels and interact with current FCBE students.

“My father was grateful for accommodations his university made for him after he contracted polio as a medical student. I witnessed his expressing his gratitude through generous financial support,” says Christopher. “And my mother taught me that when you have been blessed with abilities and opportunities, it’s critical to give back to help others, as others have helped you.”

His connection with UofM comes full circle as a fan, too. In the 1990s, business student Christopher was in the stands bouncing a baby on his knee, while watching a young Memphis State Tiger named Penny Hardaway dunk on the court. Now, decades later, you may find Christopher, back in town with his family, wearing his vintage Hardaway jersey, cheering on Coach Hardaway’s team.

Devoted to helping unhoused people and improving the lives of children in need, Christopher has previously served on the boards of Interfaith Outreach Home, Mercy Care Foundation, Catholic Foundation of North Georgia, Cool Girls and was recently invited to join the board of the University of Memphis Foundation.

He and his wife Elen have three adult children: Andrew, Faith and Hannah.

Mark Christopher

L-R: Hannah & Faith (daughters), Mark, Andrew (son), Elen (wife)

FUNDING FCBE’S FUTURE:

Avron Fogelman’s Philanthropic LEGACY CONTINUES

By Anna Grisham

vron B. Fogelman’s generosity toward the University of Memphis has spanned more than six decades, beginning in 1973, when he and his late brother, Robert F. “Bobby” Fogelman, established the Morris S. Fogelman Chair of Excellence in Real Estate to honor their father. Since that time, the Fogelman Family’s continued donations have paved the way for thousands of business students. Avron’s philanthropic endeavors have long-reaching effects — and almost incalculable implications — as his contributions have bettered the lives of our students, faculty, staff and business community for years on end. He is the embodiment of the University’s mantra, “Driven by Giving.”

AMost recently, the Avron Fogelman Family committed an eight-figure gift toward the erection of the new Avron & Robert Fogelman Business Complex. The FCBE building modernization project, an $85M total investment, aims to transform the existing business buildings located on the corner of Central Avenue and Patterson Street

into a state-of-the-art learning center. In addition to the complete renovation of the current footprint, a brandnew building will conjoin the two fully renovated existing spaces. The conceptual design will feature 32 new or renovated classrooms including tiered-case rooms, immersive-EASL rooms, flat-flex flipped rooms and innovation labs. These diversified classroom layouts and research labs will allow for improved modern pedagogies — much more than what is currently possible in the present learning spaces.

The new business complex will also house a large, airy, naturally lit student commons area where people from all over campus can come to meet, discuss, study and learn in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Additional features of the Avron & Robert Fogelman Business Complex will include an international café, an event space, applied research centers and trading labs.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Avron Fogelman Family, the Fogelman College of Business & Economics will become the gateway to the University of Memphis from the west,” says Michele Sides, senior director of development. “This transformational project will provide much needed space to accommodate for increasing enrollment, enhance the learning environment for students, facilitate research and innovation, elevate institutional image and strengthen community engagement opportunities.”

The monumental effort of rebuilding will drive FCBE to become a top-tier destination for faculty, students and local and national business partners. As the college continues to expand, so does the economy of Memphis and the region.

“The new Avron & Robert Fogelman Business Complex will be a modern facility equipped with state-of-the-art technology that will allow us to better compete with other institutions,” says Dr. Robert Garrett, FCBE dean. “This investment will help us attract the best and brightest students, faculty and staff and create an environment for collaborative learning and world-class research. These new facilities will also serve as a resource for our business community stakeholders.”

In recognition of his decades-long commitment to bettering the lives of our students, Avron was awarded the highest possible academic honor at the 2024 spring commencement ceremony — an honorary doctorate degree. These degrees are extremely rare and are only bestowed to extraordinary individuals who have made a tremendous difference at UofM and on society at large.

“Thanks to Avron’s enduring generosity, countless business students have access to a worldclass education and have gone on to enter the workforce as shining examples of the UofM’s legacy,” says Dr. Bill Hardgrave, UofM president.

Fogelman is one of the most recognizable names on campus as it is attached to many notable programs and facilities such as the Fogelman College of Business & Economics, the Fogelman Executive Center, the Avron B. Fogelman Center for Professional Career Development, the Avron B. Fogelman Scholars Program and the FedEx Park Avron B. Fogelman Field.

Thank you, Avron Fogelman and family, for your long-lasting commitment to our college. You are pivotal in helping us to advance our business school to become one of the most sought-after and highly renowned business colleges in the country.

There are numerous investment opportunities still available within the new Avron & Robert Fogelman Business Complex. For more information, contact FCBE’s Directors of Development

Michele Sides at Michele.Sides@memphis.edu and Laura Hall at Laura.M.Hall@memphis.edu. We invite you to be a part of the legacy.

A PIPELINE FOR PROFESSIONALS:

Relaunch of Executive MBA Program

By Madison Stoks

When the Executive Master’s in Business Administration (EMBA) program graduated its first cohort in 1983, it was foreshadowed to be a future pipeline for Memphis leaders. Not only has it succeeded hundreds of executives in its existence, but it has fostered a rich community amongst local business leaders who continue to commune decades past the diploma.

But after 30 years, leaders felt the EMBA program needed a curriculum redesign. It went into hiatus in 2022. But in today's constantly evolving marketplace, it has become increasingly apparent that industries and organizations are in dire need of true leadership development.

“In essence, executive leadership is not merely a role but a profound responsibility,” said Dr. Reginald Porter Jr., CEO & managing principal of RSPorter Consultancy and ’16 EMBA alumnus. “It is about guiding, influencing and supporting an organization and its people to achieve excellence. Without effective executive leadership, organizations may struggle to define and maintain their purpose, achieve their objectives or sustain their cultures in times of stability and change alike."

With this at the forefront, FCBE has utilized the past two years to complete a full rehaul of the program’s framework. The new EMBA program will tentatively make its debut in fall 2025.

“From a UofM staff perspective, the EMBA is a crown jewel for a higher education institution,” explained Michele Ehrhart, UofM SVP/chief marketing and communications officer and ’03 EMBA alumna. “Much like the Honors College, it provides a unique experience within a much larger experience of being a student at the University of Memphis. It is a special program, and I am excited to see it come back in a stronger format.”

The new EMBA program will follow an intensive 17-month, fall-to-fall timeline that is structured to accommodate full-time working professionals. The curriculum will embody the traditional

Dr. Reginald Porter Jr. EMBA Alumnus | Class of 2016

42-hour MBA courseload but will have a significant emphasis in executive leadership. All courses will be taught in a hybrid format, with four mandatory, in-person residencies.

A master’s program with a concentration in executive leadership is not an uncommon degree pathway. However, as a college, we have curated an extensive list of current faculty members, former EMBA graduates and Memphis executives to aid in teaching

the future EMBA cohorts to come. Not only will students expand their network with local industry leaders who are leading the courses and their own organizations, but they will also be paired with an executive coach for 1:1 mentoring throughout their time in the program.

“The EMBA was not just an educational experience; it was a transformative journey that has shaped the leader I am today, profoundly impacting my approach to leadership and my commitment to fostering organizational success in challenging environments,” explained Porter.

In the multifaceted environment we work and thrive in today, the relaunch of the FCBE EMBA program will undoubtedly resume its place playing an integral part of progressing professionals in their future.

Forthcoming Specialized Courses

• Workplace Diversity & Inclusion

• Government Affairs

• Crisis Management

• Emotional Intelligence

• Media & Public Relations

• Creativity for Leadership

• Sustainability

• Corporate Responsibility & Philanthropy

Michele Ehrhart

EMBA Alumna | Class of 2003

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

BUSINESS IN BLUE

HOME OF THE BL UES, BBQ & BUSINESS

FCBE Launches Official Podcast for “All Things Business. All Things Memphis.”

BY ANNA GRISHAM

In an age where convenience and connection are equally important, it’s no wonder that our preferred platforms for news and entertainment are changing. As the demand for traditional media dwindles, digital reigns as king (or queen). Audio and Kindle books are swiftly replacing paperbacks, and podcasts are to radio as streaming services are to television — all of which can be accessed 24/7 online and with a touch of a button.

Fogelman College of Business & Economics, a leader in academic and technological advancement, eagerly embraces change and seeks to stay abreast of cuttingedge trends. In January 2024, FCBE proudly launched its inaugural college podcast, Business in Blue: Home of the Blues, BBQ & Business. This new podcast allows FCBE to engage with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners in a manner that had previously been untapped.

Business in Blue spotlights local business leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs — overall “movers and shakers.” Guests share keen insights, anecdotes, history lessons, best business practices, holistic life skills and more. They all tout varying areas of expertise across multiple business industries to appeal to our audiences’ diverse career interests and aspirations. Thus, the tag line “All Things Business. All Things Memphis.”

The goal of the podcast is to shine a light on the good news happening in the Bluff City.

“Memphis is a city of vibrancy and soul,” says Dr. Sara Michael, clinical director of 901PT and Business in Blue special guest. “There are so many wonderful people who dedicate themselves, both personally and professionally, to making a positive community impact. I appreciate Fogelman College’s dedication to sharing the good news.”

BUSINESS IN BLUE

Season 1 | Featured Guests

• Micah Dempsey, Co-Founder & Owner | Belltower Coffeehouse & Studio

• Andrew Arbogast, Founder & CEO | Arbo’s Cheese Dip

• Bartholomew Jones, Co-Founder & Owner | CxffeeBlack

• Beth Wilson, Founder & CEO | Wilson PR

• Marcie Keech, Founder & Owner | Cosmic Blonde

• Verushka Wilson, Founder & Owner | The Mane Wildling

• Jeremy Park, CEO | cityCURRENT

• Sara Michael, Clinical Director | 901PT

• Doug Browne, President | Peabody Hotels & Resorts

• Lyman Aldrich, Co-Founder & President | Revival Memphis and Founder | Memphis in May International Festival

• Cheryl Leon, Founder & Lead Consultant | Link Clinica

• Ray Rico, Principle & Owner | Ray Rico Freelance and Publisher | Focus LGBT+ Magazine

• Dr. Reginald Porter Jr., CEO & Managing Principle | RSPorter Consultancy

• David Pickler, President & CEO | Pickler Wealth Advisors

• The Brimhall Family, Founders & Owners | Brim's Snack Foods

• Courtney Jones & Amy Bingham, Founders & Owners | OhGrate!

• Zanderia Davidson, Director | City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity & Compliance

• Matthew Patrick, President & Founder | Patrick Accounting & Whirks

• Shannon Briggs, Founder & Head Trailblazer | Campfire Collective

Host | Carley Brown

Business in Blue is hosted by business student, Carley Brown. Carley graduated with her BBA in 2023 and is currently pursuing her MBA. She is also the FCBE Marketing & Communications’ graduate assistant.

“As the host of Business in Blue, FCBE student/alumna and as a native Memphian, I am proud to be able to help shine the spotlight on these amazing business professionals,” says Brown. “I hope their stories continue to inspire people in our community and beyond. I am grateful for the opportunity to help spread the message.”

Business in Blue episodes air every two weeks and are available on Google, Apple and Spotify. Tune in today at fcbemktgcomm.podbean.com

If you or someone you know is interested in being a special guest, email fcbe_mktgcomm@memphis.edu.

FACULTY

HIGHLIGHTS & DEPARTMENT NEWS

Crews School of Accountancy

Dr. Hannah Smith Antinozzi, assistant professor in the Crews School of Accountancy, was named as an associate editor for the Journal of Forensic Accounting Research (JFAR), a premier journal published by the American Accounting Association. She also recently co-authored two publications in JFAR — "Taxation and Forensic Accounting: Informing Research and Practice” and "IRS Audit Detection Risk and Firm Tax Behavior: Can Tax Fraud Be Deterred by Increasing IRS Budgets?” Because the latter highlights research that resonates beyond academia, it was featured in a press release by the American Accounting Association. She also recently published a third soloauthored piece in the American Taxation Association's Journal of Legal Tax Research titled, "The Taxation of Virtual Currency and Does Recent Guidance Do Enough?" Dr. Antinozzi is also an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy.

Dr. Joanna Golden, associate professor, led one of eight teams that won the inaugural “Next Generation Supply Chain Technologies and Innovation Challenge,” a joint effort between the UofM Division of Research and Innovation and the FCBE. The challenge’s winning proposals represent a diversity of topics which will help fortify Memphis as a global supply chain hub. Joanna’s winning proposal was titled, “Can Corporate Supply Chain Benefit from Data Breach Disclosure Laws?”

Other FCBE challenge winners included Drs. Huigang Liang, MIS professor, Yafang Li, MIS assistant professor, and Dr. Susana Jaramillo, MSCM assistant professor.

Economics

After defending her dissertation at Cornell University, Dr. Grace Phillips joined the Economics Department last fall as a new assistant professor. She is an expert on Labor Economics, Public Economics and the Economics of Crime. The prestigious National Bureau of Economics (NBER) has featured two of her working papers. Additionally, she is teaching an innovative new course on the Economics of Crime.

Dr. Albert Okunade submitted a proposal for a major grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which partners with LifeDoc Health, a local non-profit organization dedicated to building healthier communities by preventing diabetes and obesity. Albert was also awarded the “Excellence in Academic Advising Graduate Student Advisor Award" from the University's Division of Student Academic Success, Office of the Provost last fall. He was also ranked #26 among the “Top 200 Black Academic Economists in the United States,” in a 2024 peer review article in The Review of Black Political Economy.

Professor & William N. Morris Chair of Excellence, Dr. David Kemme, serves as co-director of the FedEx Institute of Technology Data Science Research Cluster. In this capacity he co-organized the Cluster’s 6th Annual Data Science Research Conference, which had more than 90 participants from around the world this year.

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

Dr. Velma ZahirovicHerbert is serving as the president-elect of the International Real Estate Society (IRES), a global professional organization dedicated to advancing research, education and collaboration in real estate. The IRES serves as an umbrella organization for sister societies, including the African, American, Asian, European, Latin and Pacific-Rim Real Estate Societies. Having served as PI on 11 funded research grants and published 43 research articles, Velma's main goal remains to encourage the efforts of its sister societies to form working groups to embolden participation by female researchers.

Drs. Napoleon Overton and Pankaj Jain cocoached the UofM Finance Tiger teams leading to national silver medals in multiple inter-university competitions such as CFA Institute Investment Research Challenge, Southeastern Hedge Fund Competition and TVA Portfolio Investment Challenge (beating S&P 500 index by 6.14%).

Dr. Jeff Black published four papers in A+ journals in 2023, raising his publication count to nine, including ensemble papers in the Journal of Finance and Management Science and two Top-10 SSRN download papers. He was also invited to speak at three external events demonstrating his industry impact as the lead MBA finance professor and director of the financial planning program, which has rapidly grown enrollment to 38 students.

Management

Dr. Stephen E. Lanivich, associate professor of Entrepreneurship & Management and academic director of the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, has over 20 top-tier publications since joining the FCBE faulty in 2020. His latest paper on entrepreneur’s time preferences and alertness appeared in the prestigious Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. Dr. Lanivich is working to build campuswide interest in UofM entrepreneurship programming.

With another year of research excellence under his belt, Dr. Alex Lindsey published four papers and served as a coPI on a $400K NSF grant. Under Alex’s mentorship, his first doctoral student graduated and accepted a tenure track position at Towson University. As a result of these accomplishments, Alex was named the 2024 George Johnson Research Fellow.

Management Information Systems

Robert Rose remains committed to serving students both in and outside of the classroom. Last year he accompanied the Association for Management of Information Systems (AMIS) student organization to the 2024 AIS Student Chapter Leadership Conference at Utah State University. The six-student team competed against 37 others in a data analytics competition (earning fourth place) and led workshops on "Cloud Computing in MIS" and "Kali Linux Wi-Fi Deauthentication Attacks." Robert also serves as a mentor for high school seniors through the TN Promise program, which works to increase the number of students who attend college in the state of Tennessee. His efforts help to foster a strong sense of community within the department and positively impact our students’ overall academic experiences.

University Research Professor of Management Information Systems and Director of Systems Testing Excellence Program (STEP), Dr. Mark Gillenson was selected as the only University-sponsored speaker at the STARWEST annual conference in Anaheim, CA last fall. This conference brought together software testing practitioners to learn and share the latest techniques in this critically important field. His talk was titled, “Software Test Case Selection Based on Comparative Cost and Risk-Based Value.”

Marketing & Supply Chain Management

Faculty Advisor of the UofM American Marketing Association (AMA) Dr. Tracy Cosenza led a visit to the FedEx Forum at the end of the fall semester where AMA students received a behindthe-scenes arena tour. Lauren Carnell, vice president of Marketing, hosted an in-depth discussion about the Grizzlies marketing team and candidly answered questions about planning for successful marketing careers.

Dr. John Cicala, assistant professor of Teaching, was named the new director of MBA programs last fall. Additionally, he recently helped the Program of Negotiation and Harvard Law School pilot a new seminar titled, “Beyond the Back Table.” This past spring, he successfully completed Harvard’s in-person, three-day Master Negotiations Class.

Dr. Ganga Urumutta Hewage secured a $2,500 grant from the Communities of Research Scholars (CoRS), a part of the UofM Division of Research and Innovation, for her project, "Enabling consumer self-discovery using GenAI to make better pre-consumption decisions.” Her paper titled “Strength in diversity: How incongruent racial cues enhance consumer preferences toward conservative brands” was also recently published in the Journal of Business Research.

FCBE Center Updates

Avron B. Fogelman Center for Professional Career Development (CPCD)

Year-after-year the CPCD continues to evolve to create exclusive and robust professional development experiences for FCBE students. In addition to pursuing their degrees — with the majority also working full-time — our students are stacking their professional portfolios. By getting involved with the CPCD program, students are distinguishing themselves from the competition and becoming businessready upon graduation.

Boasting more than 1K completions, the multi-level CPCD Professional Development Programming is deemed

essential to the FCBE student experience. Over the last year, a handful of new workshops have been added, including Executive Presence, Change Management and Memphis + Me.

“Our programs give our students confidence in themselves and their abilities,” explains April Mitchell, CPCD assistant director.

The CPCD has proudly added several new sponsorships to their partnership program including Sedgwick, Virtus and Lowe's.

Through these valued partnerships the center can provide exclusive opportunities

TESTIMONIALS CPCD

Hunter Price BBA | Human Resource Management & Finance ’24

“After completing the highest level of the CPCD Certificate Program, my ability to effectively engage with employers and my professional development skills were significantly better than when I started my degree. This bolstered my confidence tremendously! As a double major in HR and Finance, I am excited for future opportunities to utilize what I learned while completing the CPCD workshop requirements.”

Ryan Cramer Talent Acquisition Manager | Enterprise Mobility

“Partnering with the CPCD for Enterprise Mobility has been great for our business! We have been able to identify and hire top talent for our Business Management Careers & Internships. Many of our region's most successful leaders have graduated from this program. The CPCD staff does an amazing job connecting students with the right career opportunities."

for FCBE students to secure internships, career opportunities and much more.

“Career connections made possible through our CPCD partners are incredibly important,” says CPCD director Dr. Marja Martin-Carruth. “They allow students to learn directly from industry leaders, find career opportunities within their majors and develop/enhance the skills needed to be tomorrow's business leaders. We can’t say thank you enough.”

For more information or to get involved with the CPCD, email professional@memphis.edu.

Dr. Olivia Raine Assistant Professor of Teaching | Department of Management

“The Center for Professional Career Development provides our business students the opportunity to utilize their career readiness resources and network with potential employers every day. I partner with the CPCD in my MGMT 3032 courses so that my students can connect with the staff and learn the tools and skills necessary for successful future job and internship searches.”

The CPCD is dedicated to helping business students stand out in a competitive job market and succeed in today’s dynamic global workplace.

AVRON B. FOGELMAN

AVRON B. FOGELMAN

CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Becoming Business-Ready

The Center provides specialized career readiness training to enhance students' business acumen. Some of the workshops offered include resume writing, interview preparation, personal branding strategy and more.

Crews Center for Entrepreneurship

The Crews Center for Entrepreneurship has had an outstanding year increasing student engagement and fostering a culture of innovation. Through a diverse array of newly added programs, workshops and events; we've successfully connected with more than 1K students, igniting their passion for entrepreneurship and empowering them to pursue their dreams.

Collaboration lies at the heart of our mission. This year, we’ve forged strategic partnerships with leading corporations, startups and community organizations such as Forte’, Mid-South Latino Chamber of Commerce, Epicenter Epic Pivot and Design Thinking Bootcamp. Through

these partnerships, young entrepreneurs can experience unparalleled access to real-world problem-solving challenges through 1:1 mentorship with industry professionals.

Most recently, we’re proud to have partnered with Growing Relational and Occupational Wealth in West Tennessee Households (GROWWTH). The goal of this initiative is to eliminate key barriers of self-sufficiency for low-income wage earners in the West Tennessee region. By managing the micro-business portion of the grant, we've witnessed remarkable progress, with 27 community participants graduating from our comprehensive programs. Among them, four ambitious entrepreneurs have already been awarded

TESTIMONIALS CREWS CENTER

$165K in funding to bolster their microbusiness ventures. This financial support serves as a vital lifeline in the Memphis community as it enables aspiring entrepreneurs to scale their operations, innovate and make meaningful contributions to the local economy. Our goal is to provide resources and support for 30 micro-businesses, ensuring that each can access up to $50K in funding.

It has been a banner year at the Crews Center for growth and collaboration.

For more information or to get involved with the Crews Center, email crewscenter@memphis.edu.

Cierra Dennis President & Founder | Black Business & Community Alliance

“While launching a new student organization is never easy, the support and encouragement we received from the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship made the process much easier to navigate. We are incredibly fortunate to have had their support during this inaugural year and we look forward to a bright future with this continued partnership.”

Malik Richardson BBA, Management & Minor, Entrepreneurship '24

"I began my journey with the Crews Center in the summer of 2022, and since then I have seen marked growth in both my personal and professional life. The ImagineU program helped me to develop creative critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can translate to any innovative industry. I plan on using my new skill sets to bolster my resume, start my own business venture and make a positive difference in the Memphis community. The Crews Center helped me to achieve my entrepreneurial aspirations."

Center for Arts Integration in Business Performance

TBhe Center for Arts Integration in Business Performance (CAIBP) continues to improve the "soft" – but highly essential – skills of our students and partners in the Memphis business community.

Over the past year, the CAIBP launched new programming initiatives such as “Acting Tradecraft for Professional Speaking,” “Improvisation for Ideation,” “The Art of Movement: Dance in Business” and “Equipping Leaders with Emotional Intelligence (EQ)”.

TESTIMONIALS CAIBP

Launching this fall will be, “Acting for Women in Leadership,” “Story Telling for Data Presentation” and “Playing the Villain: Lessons in Leadership Ethics from the Stage.” For more information, please contact Dr. Gregory Boller at gboller@memphis.edu.

Dr. Wendy Bedwell-Torres Director | Executive Education Programs

Assistant Professor of Teaching | Depts. of Management and Marketing & Supply Chain Management

“EQ (emotional intelligence) is the ability to understand, recognize and manage your own emotions as well as your reactions to those around you. EQ has long been a topic of interest but is quickly gaining ground as both individuals and organizations are realizing the benefits of having a highly emotionally intelligent workforce. From an individual perspective, those with a high EQ are better communicators, better teammates, handle stress more effectively, have a better work/life balance and make more money than those with a lower EQ. Organizations that have a higher EQ workforce are better able to retain employees, adapt and find more creative solutions to problems, which leads to higher productivity in today's dynamic business environment. CAIBP is such a valuable asset to the University of Memphis and our surrounding community as we can leverage the knowledge and skills of our faculty to offer training in what we call essential skills (like EQ) that are critical to elevate our students and local business professionals to the next level not only in their professions, but also in their personal lives.

Savanna Allmon Company Dancer, Soloist &

Teacher | Beatrice Davis Training

“The Art of Movement workshop is so amazing because it helps people become comfortable in their own bodies. We teach skills that can be applied to various social situations — especially public speaking. Every time I lead one of these workshops, I learn something new myself!”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS

CREWS SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY

Terah Mom

BBA, Accounting & Marketing ’25

Terah Mom has proved herself to be a self-starter. Not only is she double-majoring at FCBE, but she has simultaneously held internships with two Memphis-based Fortune 500 companies: FedEx & Sherwin-Williams. Mom has also gained recognition in MILE, the CPCD Certificate Programming and UMRF Ventures.

Kehinde Mayokun Ogunade PhD, Accounting ’24

Kehinde M. Ogunade, CMA is currently an accounting doctoral candidate under the mentorship of Dr. Nirmalee Raddatz. He has previously taught Financial Accounting and Cost Accounting at the University of Memphis, where his teaching prowess has made him sought after among his students. Ogunade has been published in several journals including Accounting Horizons, Issues in Accounting Education and the Journal of Financial Crimes and has received R&R decisions from Accounting Horizons and the Journal of Information Systems. Ogunade is looking forward to joining the accounting faculty at Middle Tennessee State University in the fall of 2024.

ECONOMICS

Markayla Love

BBA, Economics ’24

Recent FCBE graduate, Markayla Love was awarded a travel grant from the Sadie Collective to attend their annual Sadie T.M Alexander Conference for Economics and Related Fields (SACE). The Sadie Collective is the first, and only, American non-profit organization that addresses the pipeline and pathway for Black women in economics, finance, data science and policy across the world. She has also played an active role in the Tiger Elite (Student Ambassador), Student Government Association Court (Associate Justice), Black Student Association (President, Parliamentarian), NAACP (Housing and Economics Committee Member), Alternative Break Experience and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Meghan Carpenter BBA, Economics ’25

Stand-out student, Meghan Carpenter was accepted to the 2024 American Economic Association (AEA) Summer Training and Scholarship Program at Howard University. This prestigious program enables students to develop and solidify technical skills to prepare for graduate students' rigors. Carpenter is also involved on campus with STS Elite, Black Scholars Unlimited and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

“Meghan is an absolute pleasure to work with both in and out of the classroom. I am constantly impressed by her endless desire to learn more, do more and to better herself. Despite having just finished her junior year, Meghan has already gone above and beyond what most students accomplish during their undergraduate career,” says Dr. Grace Phillips, assistant professor in the Department of Economics. “By regularly attending department seminars and seeking out external opportunities, like AEASP, she is constantly pushing herself to make the most of her time at the University of Memphis."

Kobe Smith

BBA, Finance & Business Economics ’24

Kobe Smith recently graduated with a double major and was awarded cords for graduating with Summa Cum Laude distinction, membership in the Helen Hardin Honors College and platinum-level completion of the CPCD Certificate Program. During his time at FCBE, Smith was an Accounting Process and Compliance intern at Hilton and held an officer position in Beta Alpha Psi.

Tanishka Bhala PhD, Finance ’26

PhD Student, Tanishka Bhala aided the launch of the EDA Grant B2S-BANK project under the mentorship of Dr. Kurt Kraiger. In collaboration with Community Lift and the University of Memphis, the "Black wealth Advancement through New business and Knowledge development (BANK)" aims to improve local infrastructure, raise capital and transform microbusinesses into small businesses within the technology sector.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Sree Malya Bathina MS, Information Systems '24

As President of the Association of Management Information Systems (AMIS), Sree Malya Bathina has demonstrated remarkable leadership skills and fostered a supportive and inclusive environment for all members. Under her guidance, the organization has thrived, offering valuable networking opportunities, professional development events and national competition initiatives for herself and her peers. Bathina's strategic vision and tireless commitment have undoubtedly enriched the FCBE community and enhanced the MIS student experience. Most recently, Bathina was a recipient of the “Outstanding Information Systems Graduate Student Award” at the 2024 President’s Leadership Awards and Honors Assembly.

London

Taylor Ward

BBA, Management Information Systems ’25

“London is the model student who lights up the classroom by bringing a spark of curiosity and a relentless drive to get to the heart of whatever we’re studying,” explains Robert Rose, MIS assistant professor of teaching. “What sets London apart is her tenacity; she digs into problems with a determination and energy that inspires me as her professor. She refuses to accept anything less than her full potential. On behalf of the MIS Department and FCBE, we are fortunate to have her as a student and future alumnus.”

STUDENTSPOTLIGHTS

MANAGEMENT

Kathryn Todd

BBA, Management & Psychology ’24

Kathryn Todd embodies the true definition of a business tiger. Throughout her collegiate career, Todd has worked as a Recruitment Consultant for HCM Unlocked and interned with AutoZone in the Organizational Development team. She accepted leadership roles around campus through participation in Frosh Camp, SHRM, FWL, Tiger Elite, Order of Omega, the Fogelman Student Delegate Board and was even a finalist for Ms. University of Memphis. In spring 2024, Todd aided Drs. Greg Boller and Wendy Bedwell-Torres in creating campus-wide Emotional Intelligence workshops in conjunction with the Center for Arts Integration in Business Performance. Todd has been named a recipient of numerous awards including the “Outstanding Management Undergraduate Student Award” and “Outstanding Contribution to Campus Life Award” at the 2024 President’s Leadership Awards and Honors Assembly. Upon graduation, Todd will be interning with First Horizon in their HR department.

Shaun Gustafson

BBA, Management ’25

USAF Veteran Shaun Gustafson, who currently holds a 4.0 GPA with 11 A+ grades, recently received the FCBE Academic Excellence in Management Award. In addition to his exemplary academic standing, he is active in the UofM Air Force ROTC Cadet program, where he achieved a top 25% nationwide ranking at AFROTC field training. He also works full-time for a local organization and volunteers for various local nonprofit organizations. Upon graduation, Gustafson intends to serve as a military officer and hopes to become a helicopter pilot.

MARKETING

Amy Anaya

BBA, Marketing '24

Amy Anaya is a first-generation student recognized semesterafter-semester on the UofM Dean’s List. Not only does she go above and beyond class and curriculum expectations, she has been recognized for doing so through her active membership in The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). This summer, she will be completing her second International Paper internship as a Business Process Specialist and hopes to continue postgraduation.

Vegard Knudsen

BBA, Marketing ’24

Rising AMA President Vegard “V.K.” Knudsen has made an impact on the American Marketing Association (AMA) through his enthusiasm & leadership. He has proudly been a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) since August of 2021. Most recently, he accepted a student worker position with the Center for Professional Career Development (CPCD).

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Ryan Owens

BBA, Supply Chain Management ’26

Ryan Owens is a reoccurring UofM Dean’s List recipient. Not only has he maintained a 4.0 GPA, but he is a student in the Honors College on campus. Most recently, Owens was awarded the Supply Chain Management scholarship through International Paper and has accepted an internship there beginning in spring 2025.

Samir Bechchar

BBA, Supply Chain Management ’24

FCBE Student Delegate Board member, MILE protégé and CPCD Certificate Program participant, Samir Bechchar is undoubtedly an exceptional student. In fact, at the spring biannual Faculty & Staff meeting, Bechchar was offered a job on the spot by William B. Dunavant, III CEO, President & Chairman of the Board of Dunavant Enterprises, Inc.

AWARDS GEORGE JOHNSON

Annual faculty & staff awards play a significant role at the Fogelman College of Business & Economics. We believe that it’s not just about the plaques and medals; rather, that the recognition of our outstanding colleagues helps encourage research, teaching and service excellence among the entire business school.

2023-24

George Johnson, FCBE ’70 alumnus, has generously funded FCBE faculty and staff awards annually for more than 10 years. Not only does Johnson provide the monetary value for each recipient, but he takes part in the selection process for each award. Congratulations to the 2023-24 George Johnson Award recipients!

George Johnson Research Fellowship Award

This award recognizes outstanding individual faculty contributions in the areas of research and specifically recognizes rising stars in their disciplines.

George Johnson Teaching Fellowship Award

This award recognizes faculty members who take the classroom experience into dimensions that enhance students’ understanding of course content and their ability to apply that content to the analysis and solution of practical, “realworld” business and social problems.

Assistant Professor | Department of Management

George Johnson Staff Excellence and Professionalism Award

This award exemplifies excellence in service and professionalism. Selections are given to an individual who goes above and beyond for the betterment of FCBE.

Assistant Professor of Teaching | Department of Management Information Systems

Assistant Dean for Student Success | FCBE Director | CPCD

Dr. Alex Lindsey

Dr. Scott Vann

Dr. Marja Martin-Carruth

HONOR ROLL

When you give money to the Fogelman College of Business & Economics, you are adding needed energy, inspiring young minds, raising standards, innovating new approaches, moving programs forward and supporting our students, faculty and staff. Your contributions make all these advancements possible. Without you, progress would slow.

Thank you for your donation and for believing in FCBE. As stewards of your donation, our primary objective is maximizing positive impacts for our students. Scholarships, professional development opportunities, building enhancements and career readiness training are just a few of the ways your gifts are changing lives for the better.

Thank you

The Fogelman College of Business & Economics

gratefully acknowledges the following individuals, companies and organizations for their donations of $500+ in 2023.

We make every effort to report gifts correctly. In the event of an error, please contact us at 731.435.9665 or email michele.sides@memphis.edu.

Sudhir & Archana Agrawal

ATA CPAs + Advisors

Mia Atkins-Beason

Rhomes Aur

AutoZone

Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund

Gregory Barnes

Russell Barnett

C H Robinson Company

CAF America

Paul Cameron

James Carter

CBIZ Operations Inc

Chapman Company

Christian Community Foundation Inc

Paul Cicala

Cintas Corporation

Paula Collins

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

Melanie Compton

Crews Family Foundation

David Crippen

Vincent DeGutis

DHL Supply Chain

Winfred Dickey

Celestina Dunavant

Duncan-Williams Incorporated

Eloise Kimmelman Foundation

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Fastenall Company

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Karen Fields

Financial Planning Association of Greater Memphis

Julia and Timothy Finnell

Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Foundation

Hal Fogelman

Mark Fogelman

Rick Fogelman

Harold Forrester

Chrissy Geibel

Stephen & Angela Good

David Greer

Lee Griesbeck

John Griesbeck

Gregory Griesbeck

George Griesbeck

Dorris Gulley

Fred & Kim Hiatt

Albert Hollingsworth

Bethany Huffman

International Paper Company

Larry & Leesa Jensen

George & Betty Johnson

Kendall Keuter

David Kopald

KPMG Foundation

Linda Kuntzman

Evelyn Kurtz

James Lackie

Michael Lahaie

Lambda Alpha Intl

David Lea

Lear/Tall Cypress

Robert Longfield

May Low

Kimberly McCrory

Robert McKirnan

Morgan Morton

William Neumann

Mary Newman

Gilbert Noble

William Pallme

Max Piwonka

Stacy Price

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Kenneth Robinson

Cathy Ross

Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc

Tim Skinner

Gerald Sowards

Charlene & David Spiceland

Kenneth Stellmacher

Strategic Financial Partners

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

The Jewish Foundation of Memphis

The Peyton Martin Weddle Foundation

Jeffrey Tomason

David Tobin

Jennifer Troyer

Laurie & John Tucker

Thomas Tunnell

Teresa Van Frank

Clark Vernon

Daniel Weickenand

David & Catherine Willmott

Paula Wood

Andy Wray

Yanjiao Yang

Sandra Zehntner

Does Your Company Match Donation Gifts?

When you give to Fogelman College of Business & Economics via the University of Memphis, your current employer may provide a matching gift. Find out more by visiting: memphis.edu/annualgiving/matching.php.

Make a Gift

There are many areas to offer support when giving to the Fogelman College of Business & Economics. Scholarships, professional development opportunities, study abroad assistance and departmental support are a few of the ways give back to FCBE.

To learn more and decide which area is right for you and your family, please contact:

Sides

| michele.sides@memphis.edu

| laura.m.hall@memphis.edu

Be a MILE Mentor