UConn School of Business eNews, May 2009

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Opportunity Knocks!

Help us find 200 new job opportunities for students.

This economy has greatly affected the job prospects for our students, and a campaign to identify at least 200 new jobs and internships for our students is being launched.

Whether you/your company has only one job opening or several, and whether it’s at a Fortune 50 company or an entrepreneurial start-up, the Business Career Center at the School of Business very much wants to make our students aware it.

As long as the opportunity offers compensation (no for-school-credit jobs), we will promote it to undergrads and grad students on our Job Blog and weekly e-blasts, and can also work with your staff to post it on our student job board website.

Email Jud Saviskas with any opportunity—a full job description or just a job lead!

UConn School of Business eNews

Hall of Fame 2009
On Friday, May 1, 2009, the UConn School of Business inducted five alumni with outstanding achievements in business into their 16th Annual Hall of Fame Celebration at the Sheraton Stamford in Stamford, CT. This year’s alumni inductees are Jon E. Beyman '76, Managing Director of Citigroup’s Institutional Clients Group; John A. Cutler '66, Founding Partner, Beers & Cutler PLLC; Patricia H. Friar '80, Senior Vice President, Human Resources (Retired), GE Consumer Finances Americas; Timothy K. Friar '80, '83 MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Make A Wish Foundation of Connecticut, and Walter C. Richter '81, '88 MBA, Vice Chairman, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. Professor Herbert Spirer was honored with the Emeritus Faculty Award. Jean Lavecchia '81 MBA accepted the Outstanding Strategic Partner Awardon behalf of Northeast Utilities System. Twelve School of Business students were also honored as Hall of Fame Fellows. Read More

UConn MBA Team Places 1st in NBMBAA Case Competition
The University of Connecticut MBA team placed 1st in the First Annual Student Business Case Competition presented by the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Westchester Greater Connecticut Chapter held at the UConn Stamford campus on Saturday, May 2nd. The winning team, receiving a prize of $8000, consisted of first year MBA students Richard Martinez, Katharine Mongoven, Abiodun Obajinmi, Brian Rozental and Yingyong Techarungnirun. Read More

Wal-Mart Executives Address Organizational Transformation and Careers with MBA Students
“Creativity is in our DNA at Wal-Mart”, noted Bill Simon '81, '88 MBA, a distinguished UConn School of Business alum. Simon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Wal-Mart US., and his colleague, Hank Mullany, President of Wal-Mart’s Northeast, were addressing questions from Full-Time MBA students at a forum about organizational transformation on Tuesday, April 21st. After the forum, they opened the floor to a question and answer section regarding career management, a topic of particular importance to students in this economic climate. Read More

Dr. Dan Chen Visits the UConn School of Business from Shandong University (SDU), China
For two weeks in April 2009, the UConn School of Business hosted Dr. Dan Chen, Associate Professor of Management and International Program Coordinator of the School of Management at Shandong University (SDU), China. The State of CT has enjoyed an official sister state relationship with Shandong province for over 20 years. This year marks the first year of an official memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the respective flagship universities. Dr. Chen is the first visiting scholar to the School from Shandong University.

Read More

Kevin McEvoy awarded UConn Teaching Scholar Award
Kevin McEvoy, Instructor-in-Residence in the UConn School of Business Marketing Department, Stamford Campus, has been awarded the 2009-2010 University of Connecticut Teaching Scholar Award. This is the first year that the Institute for Teaching and Learning has given a Teaching Scholar Award for exemplary teaching by an in-residence or non-tenured faculty member. Read More

Robert C. Bird Presents at Two Universities in Finland
This past March, Robert C. Bird, Assistant Professor in the Marketing Department & Ackerman Scholar, was invited to present his research on legal strategy and international intellectual property to two universities in Finland: the University of Turku law school and the Turku University of Applied Sciences. This invitation grew into a week-long visit where Bird presented his research to faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students. Read More

23rd Annual Teenage Business Program
On Saturday, April 4, 2009, over 80 high school students from Connecticut schools in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, Stamford and New London visited the UConn School of Business for the 23rd annual Teenage Business Program. Each year, the Office of Diversity Initiatives collaborates with the UConn Upward Bound Program to bring high school students from inner cities throughout Connecticut to campus for a day long program of workshops, presentations and a campus tour. These high school students also have the opportunity to attend panel sessions with current UConn students as well business professionals. Read More

Pete Peterson Awarded Faculty Advisor of the Year by Pi Sigma Epsilon
Pete Peterson, Director, Program for Sales Leadership at the University of Connecticut, was honored on March 28, 2009 as Faculty Advisor of the Year by Pi Sigma Epsilon. This award recognizes the faculty advisor of a Pi Sigma Epsilon chapter who has effectively guided his/her chapter to a successful year by offering advice, reviewing projects and supporting the chapter in its endeavors. Peterson has been the faculty advisor for the University of Connecticut chapter of PSE since its chartering in 2006 and has guided the group to a level of excellence not usually achieved by such new chapters. Read More

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UConn School of Business Briefs

	On April 22, the UConn School of Business recognized members of its faculty and staff for their years of service to the University and the State of Connecticut. Chris Earley, Dean, spoke to the contributions of each individual and noted that it is the culture and contributions of the faculty and staff that significantly impact the quality of the programs, services and academics of the School. Being recognized for 40 years of service: Vincent Carrafiello, Professor, Business Law, Marketing Department. 30 years of service: Jeffrey Kramer, Director and Associate Professor in Residence, Programs in Healthcare Management and Insurance Studies; Jane Scott, Administrative Services Assistant, Marketing Department; and Dr. Murphy Sewall, Professor, Marketing Department. Read More

	Dr. Katharine Pancak, Professor in Residence of Finance and Real Estate, and Dr. Richard Watnick, Associate Professor of Mathematics, will receive the the 2009 UConn Stamford Campus Faculty Recognition award. This faculty award recognizes the "sustained outstanding achievements in teaching, research and/or services benefiting the Stamford Campus." The 2009 UConn Stamford Campus Faculty Recognition Award, Staff Recognition Award and Town and Gown Award will be presented on Wednesday, August 26th, at the Town Hall Meeting, in the Gen Re Auditorium, at 11 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

	Ioannis Kareklas and Jeffrey Carlson, Marketing, School of Business, were among those awarded the 2009 Mitofsky Awards for Excellence in Public Opinion Research, given annually by the Roper Center for their paper, “Propensity to Purchase Organic Foods.” Their faculty sponsor is Robin Coulter, Department Head, Professor & Ackerman Scholar, Marketing Department. Named for the former chairman of the Roper Board, Warren J. Mitofsky, these awards provide graduate students with a stipend of $1,200 to conduct research during the summer, using data in the Roper Center archives. Recipients are chosen based on the potential theoretical or methodological contribution of the proposed research to the applicant’s field of study.

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UConn School of Business Alumni Event:
Speed Networking in Connecticut

Tough economic times increase the value of networking opportunities. If you could benefit from enhancing your network of business contacts, join your fellow School of Business alumni and current MBA students for an evening of speed networking. It's an opportunity for alumni to find the next business partner, potential client, or just to meet a few new people.

Our alumni community has many business leaders in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, information technology and real estate among other fields, as well as people looking to network into that next position. Meet a new person every three minutes. When the gong has sounded, get up, head over to the next person, hand them your business card and give them your best pitch. You can make many connections fast and efficiently while having some fun, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

Please join us at one or both of the upcoming Speed Networking events:

Speed Networking in Tough Times
West Hartford, CT
May 20, 2009
6:00-8:00 PM
Elbow Room

Speed Networking in Tough Times
Stamford, CT
June 9, 2009
6:00-8:00 PM
Houlihan's

UConn School of Business Alumni Event:
Golf Clinic & Networking Event

Enjoy an evening of networking and preparation for the 2009 Golf Season!

Thursday, June 11, 2009
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Golfers' Warehouse
75 Brainard Road
Hartford, CT 06114

Come have your swing analized by a golf pro, discuss the game with other golfers while networking with your fellow UConn School of Business alumni. This is a free event; there will be a cash bar.

Please register for this event online.

UConn School of Business Alumni Event:
Reception in Atlanta, Georgia

You are cordially invited to attend a cocktail reception in Atlanta with UConn School of Business Dean Chris Earley. Come meet fellow alumni in the Southeast for a cocktail reception, networking and conversation. Please join us!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Cocktail Reception
7:00 pm Brief Remarks

Maggiano's Little Italy Buckhead
3368 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Please register for this event online.

Alumni, what have you been up to?

Alumni, announce your good news and find updates on your classmates' careers, accomplishments, and families by using the Class Notes section of the Business Alumni Network!

Your class note may be shared in the Business Alumni Network, here in the School's monthly eNews, in the UConn magazine, and in the upcoming UConn School of Business magazine. Don't forget to submit a photo along with your Class Note!

The Class Notes section is a valuable service available to registered users of the Business Alumni Network, a community within the Husky Alumni Network. The UConn School of Business Alumni Network is a password-protected resource, free and accessible by UConn School of Business alumni and graduating students.

If you are a School of Business alum or graduating student, please visit alumni.business.uconn.edu to register and use the Business Alumni Network.

Alumni News and Notes

Christopher L. Ayers '96 was appointed to the Board of Directors of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. As an independent director, Mr. Ayers will serve on each of the established committees of the Board. He joins Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. with rich industry and management experience. From 1999 to 2008, Mr. Ayers served in several management roles at Precision Castparts Corp., a manufacturer of metal components and products, including Executive Vice President. He also held the posts of President -- PCC Forgings Division and President -- Wyman Gordon Forgings.

Melissa B. Cummings '98 MBA was recently promoted to head of work force planning and college recruiting at Aetna, Inc. in Hartford. Ms. Cummings joined Aetna in 2007 as head of workforce planning and later took on responsibility for university relations. Prior to this, she was with CIGNA Healthcare and held a variety of business leadership positions as a member and graduate of CIGNA's Healthcare Leadership Program. She is president of the UConn School of Business Alumni.

David D. Kennedy '85 has recently been appointed by Better Place as general counsel. Better Place is the world’s leader in providing electric vehicle services. With more than twenty years of experience, Mr. Kennedy leaves Business Objects, where he served as general counsel to take on this new position. Prior to Business Objects, Kennedy served in several positions with companies such as IBM.

Susan S. Wang '81 has been appointed as member of the Board of Directors at Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. Suntech is the world’s largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules. In addition to being a member of the Board, Ms. Wang is also a member of Suntech’s Audit Committee. Ms. Wang currently serves as a director of four California-based, U.S. listed companies including Nektar Therapeutics, Altera Corporation, Avanex Corporation as well as Rae Systems Inc.

Read more Alumni News & Notes >>

The School of Business wishes to acknowledge the generous support of its Gold and Silver Sponsors for the 2009 Hall of Fame Celebration.