UConn Launches Program to Help Students, Faculty Transform Ideas for Technology into Commercialized Products
New Haven Register – The University of Connecticut is launching a program to help students and faculty transform ideas for technology into commercialized products. The school kicked of its Accelerate UConn program with a ceremony Tuesday in Storrs. The program, which builds upon UConn’s existing technology transfer, incubation and commercialization infrastructure, is being funded by a three-year, $300,000 grant by the national science foundation.
Nobel-Prize Winning Professor Tells Business Graduates to Do Well, Do Good
The business world can sometimes seem like a vicious place, but as UConn School of Business graduates begin their professional careers, they should stay faithful to their moral compass and never lose sight of the well-being of the communities they serve.
That was the advice offered by graduation speaker Robert J. Shiller, the winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. He is also the Sterling Professor of Economics and a professor and fellow in finance at Yale University.
Shiller spoke Sunday May 10 to an enthusiastic crowd of undergraduates, parents and friends under the dome of Gampel Pavilion. UConn President Susan Herbst and members of the Board of Trustees were also present. This year nearly 700 undergraduates received their bachelors’ degrees in business.Continue Reading
Gala Evening Celebrates Accomplishments of UConn’s Prestigious Real Estate Program
Some 300 people—from real estate legends to revered faculty to soon-to-be graduates—filled the Rome Ballroom on the Storrs campus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies.
The tight-knit commercial real estate community came out to laude the program’s accomplishments, honor those who have shaped its success, reminisce about the growth of the program over the decades, and to look enthusiastically toward the future.
The UConn Real Estate program has long been regarded as one of the best in the country. DirectorJohn Glascock announced that the program’s Advisory Council has secured $2 million in endowed funds for the program during the last four years. At the dinner it was announced that an endowed scholar position would be created in honor of William Kinnard, the first director of the Center. Long-time ProfessorJohn Clapp will be named as The William N. Kinnard Research Scholar. Continue Reading
Pictured, L to R: Alvaro Chavez, Sally and John Fodor, Immanuella Anagu
The annual Marketing Awards Reception recognizes students who have surpassed expectations in the marketing department. The reception, which took place in the Alumni Center on April 27, presented 51 students with certificates for outstanding and honors scholars, various scholarships, and a concentration in Professional Sales Leadership and/or Digital Marketing & Analytics. Students mingled with parents, faculty, corporate sponsors, and scholarship sponsors – John ’85 and Sally Fodor, Fodor Family Scholarship and Stewart ’80 and Pamela Lander, Lander Family Scholarship and Alumnus of the Year – for appetizers in the Sports Museum, and then sat down for dinner and awards in the Great Hall.Continue Reading
Retirees from the School of Business recently participated in a second social event this academic year, which included a scrumptious dinner in the School’s Boardroom and the opportunity to attend a performance of Rhythmic Circus at the Jorgensen Auditorium.
The April 18 event drew some newcomers to the group, including Karla Fox, Tom and Sondra Morrison and Marge and Dick Kochanek. Others in attendance were: Dean John Elliott and Laura Philips, Rob and Mary Hoskin, Harry Johnson, Keith and Marietta Johnson, Lin and Waldo Klein, Richard Norgaard and Karen Zimmer, Murphy Sewall and Virginia Fulton, Crayton and Harriett Walker, Susan Spiggle and Tom Martin, and Roger and Cindy Adams. In addition, we were pleased to welcome alumnus Roger Adams, ’74 MBA, who was the graduate assistant of Keith Johnson.
A brief survey will soon be emailed to retirees to see what programs will best meet their needs in the Fall.
Pictured L to R: School of Business Dean John Elliott and Jeff Brown, EVP at Newman’s Own Foundation.
Mission-Focused Businesses Subject of Recent Conference
Business partners Spencer Curry and Kieran Foran go to work at their FRESH Farm Aquaponics business in South Glastonbury every day, believing they’re one step closer to solving world hunger.
When Justin Nash was a Captain in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, his soldiers looked to him for guidance. Now a civilian, he’s using those leadership traits at Til Duty is Done, an organization he created which seeks to provide housing, employment training and career opportunities for returning veterans. Til Duty is Done, Nash said, gives him a renewed sense of purpose.Continue Reading
School of Business’ Social Enterprise Conference Attracting Leading Scholars, Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
“We don’t hire people to bake brownies, we bake brownies to hire people,” boasts the website of Greyston Bakery of Yonkers, N.Y.
Recognized as one of the best social enterprise companies in the world, Greyston Bakery’s mission is to provide individuals with employment, skills and resources to lift them out of poverty.Continue Reading
School of Business Offers New Summer Program for Non-Business Majors
Due to unprecedented demand, the School of Business is offering a new, 10-credit summer business program for undergraduate, non-business majors who want to gain valuable business acumen and expand their marketability.
The UConn Business Fundamentals Certificate Program is a seven-week program that includes the following courses: “Legal and Ethical Environment of Business,” “Managerial and Interpersonal Behavior,” “Workplace Readiness,” and “Business Information Systems.” The program runs from May 18 to July 2.Continue Reading
Pictured L to R: William Ryan, Outstanding Alumnus Stewart Lander and Interim Department Head Bill Ross at the reception.
Marketing Alumni Event Makes an Impact on Students
On March 25, UConn marketing faculty, alumni, students, and professionals gathered in the Benton Art Museum for the annual Marketing Student and Alumni Networking Event to exchange ideas, experiences, and advice. Surrounded by a Husky Basketball exhibit, “In the Paint: Basketball in Contemporary Art,” delicious food, and good company, all attendees enjoyed conversation about careers, school, and the terrible spring weather. This event strengthens relationships between all involved, and provides students the opportunity to build relationships at UConn and beyond.
Keynote speaker Stewart Lander, class of 1980, challenged the group with the line: “If you skipped class, took off work, or stayed out instead of going home, would you be missed?” In essence, what sets you apart from others? Stewart stressed the importance of finding your passion, building quality and lasting relationships, pursuing lifelong learning, and providing service to those around you.
Lander, who earned his master’s degree from UConn, has more than 30 years of experience in selling and leading large sales teams in the financial services industry. Named the 2013-2014 Outstanding Alumnus by the Marketing Department, his involvement in the school and community reflects the foundation of his speech. His words resonated with both professionals and faculty, who have experienced the truth of his words, and with the students, who look to follow the framework as they enter new careers.
About the event, Lander noted that, “the networking events give me a chance to interact with students and hear their enthusiasm regarding their vision for their futures. Alumni have much to offer these students, and want to assist students, just as they were helped when they were students.”
Senior marketing student Paige Gregory agrees: “Networking is incredibly valuable, but it can also be somewhat stressful. Networking with UConn alum, however, takes off some of the additional pressure. These are people who have, quite literally, walked in our shoes and are eager to help in whatever way they can.”
More than 100 UConn business students were inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma scholastic honor society during a dinner and ceremony on Sunday evening.
Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes students with the highest academic achievement at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels. Students from Storrs, Stamford, Hartford and Waterbury attended the ceremony in the Dave Ivry Seminar Classroom at School of Business. Keynote speaker was Dean John A. Elliott.Continue Reading