VOL 24, SUMMER 2005 COLLEGE OF BUSINESS REPORTS

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA Students learn entrepreneurship challenges, College of Business— new designation rewards as consultants to small businesses The University of Southern Brent Grafton said Col- Indiana School of Business has a lege of Business students lis- tened and came back with new name. The term “college” has critical information about replaced the word “school.” The marketing that he and his Board of Trustees approved the wife Bonnie can use in their change for the University’s five Evansville-based business, Green Tree Plastics. academic schools at its January Green Tree was one of a meeting to reflect the complexity number of area companies that of USI’s academic offerings. gave students in a course on The designation College of small-business consulting an opportunity to get an inside Business became effective July 1. look at small-business owner- ship during spring semester. Dr. Greg Murphy, assis- Joe Coslett’s Gift tant professor of management, to fund sales lab established student teams to complete projects as consul- High-tech facility will serve tants to small business owners. growing number of students The students’ mission was to From left, Wes Steele, Scott McDowell, and Nate pursuing marketing careers meet with the owners, identify a need, and help the owners Carter meet with owner Brent Grafton of Green A sophisticated new sales manage- find information or resources Tree Plastics. ment development laboratory where a that would meet the need. businesses have some uncertainty, and growing Murphy said that looking into the this experience exposes them to that. number of challenges of small business is a valu- Students can learn by working with students able learning experience for students, business owners majoring in some of whom may be before engaging marketing interested in becom- in their own can perfect ing entrepreneurs. “Students can learn by ventures.” their “Sometimes in a working with business owners The personal- classroom environ- before engaging in their Graftons bought selling tech- ment everything is Green Tree Plas- niques and too clean,” Murphy own ventures.” tics, which uses sales-presen- said. “In the class- —Greg Murphy recycled materi- tation skills room we talk about als to manufac- is planned for Coslett cases, but case studies ture products, and relocated it to the Orr Center. are selected and prepared. The field Evansville in 2004. The company’s The new facility will be named to experience is more typical of the real- most popular “plastic lumber” products honor Joe Coslett, whose generous gift world experience. will equip a laboratory with state-of- “Students learn they must have a tolerance for ambiguity. Usually, small See Consulting, page 4 See Coslett, page 9 Dean’s letter Alumni answer call to engagement with college Graduates enhance reputation of degree, with Kemper CPA Group LLP in Evansville and a founding member of provide resources for students and faculty both our college’s Board of Advisors and our Accounting Circle. By R. Eugene Klippel David W. Herrenbruck ’76, The relationship of the USI internships, or marketing, received the Alumni Ser- College of Business with its alumni is career-explo- vice Award. He is a past president of special. Alumni recognize that their ration experi- the USI Alumni Association, a mem- degree is an investment and that the ences. ber of the USI Foundation Board, and value of their investment improves Travis a past chair of the Varsity Club. He is Hudak ’00 is vice president of the Private Client as the college continues to improve. Klippel We have a great number of graduates another alum- Group at Fifth Third Bank. who are engaged with the College of nus featured in this issue (page 8). Mark Messmer ’93, business Business and the University. Earning a degree just five years ago, he administration, was honored with a Looking at this issue of the College already has distinguished himself for his posthumous Alumni Service Award. of Business Reports, readers will see employer, GE Plastics. We were pleased He served from 1996-2004 as president several ways that alumni have to have Travis speaking to our students of the Dubois County chapter of the answered the call to engagement. in February during our Alumni-in- USI Alumni Association. Until his On page 5 you will read about Allen Residence program. death, he was systems manager for Mounts ’74 MBA ’91, chair of the Connie Wellmeyer ’84, who will JOFCO International in Jasper. He Board of Advisors for 2005-06. As a serve as chair elect for the Accounting formerly worked in Campus Ministry leader and participant on the board, Circle next year, is pictured on page 6 at USI. he is part of an ongoing discussion with as a speaker for the Accounting Club. At 2005 Commencement, 373 faculty and administrators about curricu- She co-chairs for the Accounting Cir- degrees from the associate through the lum issues, development of internship cle an annual day of campus activities master’s level were presented to degree and co-op programs, faculty development, to familiarize high-school students with candidates completing programs in the accreditation, and other matters that the USI accounting program. Wellmey- College of Business. We congratulate move the college forward. Allen is one er is one of 12 alumni who serve on the these new alumni. of 16 alumni who serve 21-member Accounting Circle. We have meaningful and relevant on the 43-member Board of Advisors. Our newly formed Information opportunities to engage alumni in the You will see Allen and several Technology (IT) Alliance has three life of the College of Business. Through other alumni listed among business alumni among its 15 members. engagement, alumni contribute exper- professionals on pages 6-7 in the Recently the USI Alumni Associa- tise and resources that enhance the “Company we keep.” Allen adds value tion honored three College of Business value of their degree. The college bene- to the student experience by conduct- alumni at its annual Graduation Cele- fits as alumni enrich the student expe- ing mock employment interviews for bration Dinner. Robert W. Swan ’72, rience from recruitment through gradu- business majors nearing graduation. accounting, received the Distinguished ation. As always, we look forward to Others serve as speakers, provide Alumni Award. He is a senior partner working with our alumni and friends.

College honors retirees Peluchette named chair Steve Cox, Bob Hartl Dr. Joy Peluchette, professor of management, has been named chair of Two faculty members—Dr. the Department Steven R. Cox and Dr. Robert J. of Management, Hartl—were honored at a recep- Management tion in April in recognition of Information Sys- their retirement. tems, and Applied Cox, professor of economics, Computer Science. joined USI in 1989. Hartl, associ- The appointment ate professor of finance, also has Dr. Gene Klippel, center, dean of the College of was effective July 1. been associated with USI since Business, congratulates retiring faculty members She joined USI 1989. Bob Hartl, left, and Steve Cox. in 1991. Peluchette

2 University of Southern Indiana College of Business College of Business briefs

Faculty members awarded for excellence Khallaf honored for best paper A research paper by Dr. Ashraf Khallaf, assistant profes- sor of accounting, has won the Best Paper Award for the 2005 Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Accounting Association. The award for Five College of Business faculty members were honored for excellence during 2004-05 his research at a recognition ceremony in April. From left are Dr. Peter Cashel-Cordo, service; Dr. entitled Jong Rhim, research; Jeanette Maier-Lytle, service; Dr. Mehmet Kocakulah, research; and “Does the Khallaf Dr. Brian McGuire, teaching. Long-Term Performance of Firms Appointing New CIOs Schibik earns 2005 Integra Bank Match Market Expectations?” Distinguished Professor Award was presented April 8 in St. Louis during the Midwest Dr. Timothy J. Schibik, professor Initiatives program Regional Meeting. of economics, was chosen by colleagues for five years begin- to receive the Integra Bank Distin- ning in fall 1997. Valentine promoted guished Professor Award for 2005. “He is com- Dr. Gregory P. Valentine Presented May 8 during the USI Com- mitted to all facets has been promoted to professor of mencement at Roberts Stadium, the of academic life, Schibik business education. He is director award recognizes significant achieve- most notably of the Center for Economic Edu- ment in teaching, scholarship, and excelling as a cation in service. model collaborator, mentor, and col- Southwest Schibik has been at USI for 16 league,” said a faculty member in a Indiana and years. His primary responsibility is letter of nomination. serves as teaching undergraduate business statis- The Distinguished Professor chair of the tics and econometrics courses. He also Award is made possible by a generous Joint Com- is a member of the graduate faculty. gift from Integra Bank. Schibik will mittee on In addition to teaching duties, he is receive a grant from Integra, select a Economic director of the Center for Teaching and student to receive a scholarship in his Education for Learning Excellence (CTLE), a posi- name, and deliver the Distinguished the National Valentine tion he assumed in 1999. Schibik was Professor lecture during the next Business coordinator for USI’s Lilly Retention academic year. Education Association, vice president of the Cashel-Cordo to lead Faculty Senate Indiana Business Education Asso- ciation (2005-06), and vice presi- Dr. Peter Cashel-Cordo, associate effective instructor dent of the National Association professor of economics, will lead the who inspires gen- of Teacher Educators in Business Faculty Senate as chair during 2005-06. uine learning,” “a Education (2005-06). He earned He was elected at the organization’s dedicated, knowl- a doctorate from Southern Illinois meeting April 29. edgeable advisor,” University in 1986 and joined Cashel-Cordo also was recently and “a published USI in 1987. honored by the Student Government researcher.” The promotion is effective Cashel-Cordo Association as 2005 Faculty Member of The award was in August. the Year. He was described as “a highly presented April 20.

Summer 2005 3 Consulting Green Trees Plastics would be available Customers e-mail him the identifying the next time a purchase was on the number of the image they select or Continued from page 1 horizon. bring it into the shop. He retrieves the are picnic tables and park benches. “We’ve been pretty successful at original image to prepare the customer’s Its biggest account is the state of New getting information,” Carter said, “and customized shirt, cap, purse, or other York, which uses Green Tree tables and it’s been fun calling around.” merchandise. benches in state parks. Grafton said, “They have helped The volume of images made devel- New to the business, the Graftons us define our market area. Municipali- opment of the Web site a bigger project faced the challenge of learning about ties are encouraging us to direct market than Shrull anticipated. He learned to their competition and expanding their to them.” use Adobe Photoshop software in client base. Three students—Wesley While the Graftons got useful putting together the site. Steele, Nate Carter, and Scott information from the students’ foray Jill Muensterman found a wealth McDowell—met with the Graftons to into consulting, the students also felt of information useful in her project in familiarize themselves that they ReferenceUSA.com, a subscription with the company’s learned from database available at Evansville’s products and needs. “This project has given me the experience. downtown library. She was researching Then, they gathered an opportunity to learn “I’m inter- possible expansion markets for N-Tux, ested in work- a company that offers formal-wear information about assertiveness. We had to go other companies that ing in ser- rental in Evansville and other loca- make similar products in there and establish a vices,” Steele tions. For similar businesses in the and explored how relationship and put together said. “This proposed expansion markets, Muen- project has sterman learned the size of the build- Green Tree could get a proposal.” on the radar of poten- given me an ing, size of the yellow page ad, name of tial customers. —Wes Steele opportunity to owner, number of years in business, and Brent Grafton said learn assertive- other valuable competitor information. the critical finding for the company ness. We had to Muensterman was glad to become was the fact that there is a niche mar- go in there and establish a relationship familiar with this resource. She hopes ket for regional manufacturers. “We and put together a proposal. We’ve had someday to establish her own electrical learned that there is enough of a mar- to take this unstructured task and put contracting business with her father, ket within 150 miles of us,” he said. some structure to it,” he said. an electrician. Rosalie Blubaum and Selling to the region overcomes Another student in Murphy’s class Laurie Wilke also worked on the some of the disadvantages of trans- came up with a project that is proving N-Tux project. portation costs. Green Tree produces useful in his own business, First Cap In some cases, students sought out larger and, therefore, heavier molded Sportswear on Jennings Street in small business owners and developed products than some of its competitors, Newburgh, Indiana. ideas for their projects. Murphy or mostly large corporations marketing Nick Shrull developed a Web other College of Business faculty mem- their products nationwide through site that allows customers of his screen bers referred some of the students to distributors. Some of the large manu- printing and embroidery business to businesses with suitable projects. facturers do not have distributors in look through 25,000 stock art images Other students and businesses the Tri-State. online. participating in the project included Since Green Trees’ products have “People won’t have to sit right the following: proven useful to the state of New York, here and look through these images • Mark Lutchka – Nick’s Pizza the student team compiled information during busi- and Wings about selling to governmental entities ness hours,” “This [Web site] should • Ryan Schenk and closer to home. said Shrull, a Chris Turner – Kenny Carter discovered that different senior major- improve service for the Kent Toyota states have various approaches to ing in busi- customer and improve my • Andy Sellers, adding a company to their vendor lists. ness adminis- productivity.” Samantha Smock, and Through Internet and phone research, tration. Wayne Morris – Grib- the team obtained applications for “This should —Nick Shrull bins Insulation vendor lists in Indiana, Tennessee, improve • Erica Lothamer – and other nearby states. service for Trinity PC The students also contacted area the customer and improve my • Bandon Burton, Jeffrey Ross municipal and county governments. productivity.” Hamilton, and Nathan Esche – E & S In some cases, the purchasing officials To project his sizable financial Construction advised the company to send a business investment in the images, Shrull • Melanie Rozanski and Chris card. Then the contact information for posted low-resolution copies online. Rubeck – Sunshine on the Gulf

4 University of Southern Indiana College of Business Allen Mounts, Board of Advisors chair, recalls early days of University life

Allen Mounts ’74 M.B.A. ’91 He earned a bachelor’s degree enrolled at the University of Southern in business administration in Indiana in 1969 when the main drive five years, working full time at was a dirt and gravel road leading to nights on the assembly line at one building, the Science Center and Whirlpool. Administration Building, which opened One aspect of his USI that year. student experience that stood As the University celebrates its out to him was the interest 40th anniversary, Mounts said, “The which faculty members took in the students. “They were school has definitely grown up.” Allen Mounts volunteers his time to conduct mock excellent teachers but also Mounts is executive vice president employment interviews with students in career plan- good mentors,” he said. “They and chief human resources officer for ning and professional development classes.He is pic- challenged you to want Old National Bancorp tured with Jennifer Houchin ’05, management major. in Evansville. to do better.” He chaired the College Mounts also appreci- of Business Board of ated the direct contact with Advisors for 2004-05 leadership. “I had a chance to be Mounts said the University has and has served on the around Dr. [David] Rice and the done a good job of building relation- board since 1990. He is opportunity to be in his home a ships that have contributed to its a past president of the USI few times,” Mounts said. “He and his growth. “The school has a major Alumni Association. wife Betty were great in terms of lead- impact on our region,” he said. In his student days, Mounts com- ership and impact. They always treated muted from Owensville, Indiana. you with respect and almost like a friend.”

Road to Indy 500 court paved in a big board room, and my chair was out in the middle of the room.” with ‘Apprentice’-like interview Williams was named second runner- up to the queen May 21 at a festival For April Williams ’05, the past strengthen event at the speedway. few months have been notable as a her resume. Princess duties involve community series of successful interviews. Not The February service. Williams read to children at only did the Presidential Scholar and process included Christ the King Elementary School in accounting major secure her first profes- two four-minute Evansville on Read Across America sional job, she also earned the experi- interviews, each day, made blankets for children at Riley ence of a lifetime as a princess for the with four judges. Hospital in Indianapolis with the finan- 2005 Indy 500 Festival. In the interview, cial support of BKD and Black Beauty April Williams Williams interviewed with repre- Williams had an Coal Company, and participated in a sentatives of Evansville’s BKD account- opportunity to visit by the Indianapolis Motor Speed- ing firm on campus in fall semester; and explain how she balanced playing sports way’s rolling museum to the elementary after a subsequent interview at the BKD with success in academics. She was a school in Lyons, Indiana, where her office, she received an offer to become a women’s basketball player 2001-03. mother teaches fourth grade. Williams staff accountant. She starts the job on A top scholar, she received the David is from Lyons and is a graduate of August 18. S. Deering Presidential Scholarship. White River Valley High School. Meanwhile, Williams was among A week after the interviews Each of the princesses is mentored several hundred college women vying Williams learned she would be one of by one of the festival board members, in February for the opportunity to 33 princesses and was invited back to all of whom are top executives of busi- become an Indy 500 princess. “I had Indianapolis for orientation and further nesses in the Indianapolis area. been spending a lot of time focusing on interviews that would determine the Williams’ mentor is a College of Busi- my academic career, and I wanted to do festival queen. “That interview was ness alumnus, Steven J. Schenck ’72, something to let my hair loose,” she kind of ‘Apprentice’-like,” she said, chief executive officer of the Midwest said, adding that festival participation referring to the Donald Trump reality Banking Group for Regions Bank. would be a good way to network and show. “There were eight or 10 judges

Summer 2005 5 Company we keep

Speakers Deidra Conner ’87 Jessica Hahn ’03 Matt Merkel Mark Chandler ’01 Evansville ARC Luthen Old National Bank Old National Bank The following individuals were among speakers to business classes. Pat Coslett Mike Haynes Jerry Moore Michelle Choate ’91 Pat Coslett’s Furniture Festival Umbach & Associates, LLP The DOMA Group Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Howard Abrams Inc. DeJong’s (Retired) Laura Davis ’04 Tania Herke ’95 Steve Mudd BKD, LLP American General Financial Riney Hancock & Co., PSC Cindy Cole Derek Adams ’03 Services Deaconess Hospital, Inc. BKD, LLP Mike DeVoy Greg Newman ’88 Old National Bank Travis Hudak ’00 Kemper CPA Group, LLC Lainie Collins Rebecca Alcorn GE Plastics St. Mary’s Medical Center Gaither Rutherford & Co., LLP Holly Dunn Martha Niemeier Dunn Hospitality Sally Joest ’74 University of Southern Indiana Annette Combs ’96 Alex Anderson Harding, Shymanski & Company North High School Aviza Technology Craig Ehlen Connie Nord University of Southern Indiana Janet Johnson ReMax Services Deidra Conner ’87 Tom Austerman University of Southern Indiana Evansville ARC Bank of Evansville Bradley Elpers ’94 Jerry Nord CMC John Kamman ’80 ReMax Services Jean Crowe Gary Bolinger Bookkeeping and More, Inc. Casino Aztar Indiana CPA Society Deavron Farmer ’91 Jeannie Oakes Matrixx Group Jennifer Kellams Vectren Katie Dahmer Don Breivogel ’83 University of Southern Indiana CMC American General Steve Farrell ’73 Dave Papariella ’84 Financial Services Gaither Rutherford & Co., LLP Ryan Kelly Harding, Shymanski & Company Andy Ellerbrook ’98 Smith Barney Investment Co. Shoe Carnival Bob Brezette Jennifer Fonner ’05 Dane Partridge Evansville Courier & Press BKD, LLP Jaci Kerwin University of Southern Indiana Nancy Epperson Deaconess Hospital, Inc. Integra Bank Randy Brown ’98 Dan Gardner Stephanie Polen ’98 CGM Computer Consulting, Evansville Small Business Center Mike Lamey M.B.A. ’05 Susan Everett ’81, MBA ’99 LLC American General Financial CMC Keller Crescent Co. Debbie Garrison Services Tim Buecher Berry Plastics Erin Powell ’99 Chris Feagans University of Southern Indiana Cecile Martin Vectren Keller Crescent Co. Emily Gessner ’04 Body Works School of Massage Stephen Byelick, Jr. BKD, LLP Jason Powell Jeff Fischer ’01 Bank of Evansville Earl McDaniel Keller Schroeder & Associates Silgan Closures Matt Giles ’02 Greg Charnes Old National Bank Jon McDowell Al Ritz Debbie Fleck ’91, MBA ’00 American Express BKD, LLP CMC American General Financial Jennifer Gudorf ’03 Services Brandon Conner Umbach & Associates, LLP Wendy Meredith Ryan Robertson ’01 Management Recruiters of Deloitte & Touche Fifth Third Bank Rosa Froiland Newburgh Shoe Carnival

Cheryl Giesman Toyota official speaks to Accounting Club Mock interviews Koch Air These individuals conducted mock Bob Gossman employment interviews for students Bootz Manufacturing in the career planning and profes- sional development classes. Linda Gottfried Mead Johnson Nutritionals/Kelly Jamie Barnes Services Shoe Carnival Sarah Goulet Kelly Barnett Welborn Clinic Evansville ARC Ken Graves ’71 Julie Bennett ’96 Crescent/Wabash Plastics Old National Bancorp Brock Haas ’02 Brenda Bosecker Black Beauty Coal Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Inc. Ron Hagy Old National Bancorp Jason Braun Rexam Closures John Halverson Human Resource Support, Inc. Angie Brawdy ’93, MBA ’99 University of Southern Indiana Jill Harper ’04 Connie S. Wellmeyer ’84, manager of cost management for Toyota Motor Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Manufacturing Indiana, spoke March 16 to the Accounting Club. Wellmeyer is Tara Chaffin ’04 Inc. Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., chair elect for 2005-06 of the College of Business Accounting Circle. Inc.

6 University of Southern Indiana College of Business Danny Henderson Elizabeth Shappell ’02 Marketing research pros talk about careers Casino Aztar Kelly Services

Chris Herr Cheryl Simmons Fifth Third Bank St. Mary’s Medical Center

Rachel Howard ’03 Darryl Spurloch HR Solutions, Inc. Umbach & Associates CPA

Josh Jackson ’03 Cris Stichler CMC St. Mary’s Medical Center

Frank Kanowsky Terry Stumpf ’77 Ferro Corporation Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Mike Lewis ’96 Old National Bank Gregrie Sweney Victoria National Golf Club Carol Lukens Wabash Plastics, Inc. Cathie Thomas ’96 Cintas Dick Lynch Vectren Kim Tran Fifth Third Bank Stuart Martin ’97 Keller Crescent Co. Susie Traylor ’93 CMC Lisa Ryan-Hutton and Kevin Harris, both of rsc (research systems corp) in Amanda Mason St. Mary’s Medical Center Cynthia Tremper Evansville, spoke to members of the Marketing Club and students in a market- HR Support ing management class about careers in marketing research. Ryan-Hutton is vice Susie Mattingly ’84 Keller Schroeder & Associates Tom Utley president of global product management for the company; Harris is global man- Koch Air ager of global operations. Elexia McAllister Mead Johnson Nutritionals/Kelly Brian Wallace Services American General Financial Services Molly McConnell Internships and Gray Loon Marketing Group Fifth Third Bank Cindy Wildey Jim List cooperative Greek Greetings Evansville ARC Architectural Sales Harding Shymanski & Co Carol McMichael programs House Hunters America Lynn Mautz Hurst Manufacturing, Inc. CMC Susan Wilson The following 62 employers Old National Bank WIKY Jasper Engines & Transmissions provided 121 internships and/or Kemper CPA LaKeisha Minor cooperative programs to College of Integra Bank Scott Wunderlich ’98 Brandon Meier Kimball International Advantium Real Estate Services Business students during summer Koch Development Corp. Old National Bank 2004, fall 2004, and spring 2005. Vikki Miskimen LeMond's Yamaha-Honda- Shoe Carnival Mike Miller Access Partners, LLC Kawasaki Promark American General Financial Mark Harmon & Company Cindy Moore ’93 Services MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. Deaconess Hospital Career exploration Lindsey Powers Berry Plastics Mead Johnson & Company These individuals provided career Menlo Worldwide BKD, LLP Mead Johnson Nutritionals Jerry Moore exploration or job shadowing Casino Aztar METS The DOMA Group experiences for students in personal Patsy Reed Century 21 Scheetz Northwestern Mutual Financial selling and marketing management Designs For Living Cintas Corporation Network Allen Mounts ’74, MBA ’91 classes. Clarion Creative Media Office of the Attorney General Old National Bancorp Mark Schachte ’03 CLGA Properties LLC Ohio Valley Heartcare Lori Brubaker ’99 South Central Communications CMC Our Greater Community, Inc. Steve Niemeier Merck and Company, Inc. Comprehensive Accounting PricewaterhouseCoopers Human Resources Support, Inc. Stacy Thepru Services Progressive Health Jennifer Curry US Holland Motors Deaconess Hospital Rehabilitation Janice Oliver Interstate Imaging Dewig Photography Purity Party Ice Keller Crescent Co. Tricia Tinius ’05 DeWitt Mortgage Group Reitz Home and Museum Dave Farlon University Directories Eagle Crest Financial Revlon Vickie Oshodi SYSCO Evansville ARC South Central Communications University of Southern Indiana Todd Walrod Evansville BlueCats St. Mary's Medical Center Robbie Godeke Maverick Tube Corporation Evansville Coalition for the Survey America, Inc. Brad Platts WFIE Homeless (ECHO) Three I Engineering Keller Crescent Co. Tony Witek Evansville Convention & Toyota Motor Manufacturing Cindy Hauschild Service Contract Sales Visitors’ Bureau Evansville Indiana Stephanie Polen ’98 Berry Plastics Evansville Philharmonic Trisha Tominack M.B.A. ’05 Orchestra Attorney-at-law CMC Jack Jourdan ’78 Evansville Vanderburgh Public USI Career Services CRS 1 Source Site visitation Library Vanderburgh County Treasurer's Office Mary Beth Reese Whirlpool Corp. FC Tucker Emge Realty Berry Plastics Corporation Jim Justis Fair Stream Financial Walt Disney World Families Thru International Wells Fargo Financial Tom Rose Kris Kassel Adoption Wellsprings Counseling Center Victoria National Golf Club University of Evansville Fifth Third Bank Gaither Rutherford & Co., LLP Stephen Russell ’83 Heather Kinnett ’04 GE Plastics Deaconess Hospital Van Ausdall and Farrar GFI

Summer 2005 7 Future belongs to those who show they have what it takes

Travis Hudak offers advice to accelerate budding careers

A College of Business graduate who was a star just five years ago, Travis Hudak ’00 in a position. passed along suggestions to help cur- • Set rent students take off fast and succeed aside time to in their careers during his Alumni-in- think about Residence presentation. how you can Hudak majored in business admin- create change istration with an emphasis in manage- and make ment. He completed a co-op program improvements at GE Plastics in Mount Vernon, Indi- rather than ana, as a student and was selected upon just execute graduation for the company’s presti- your responsi- Travis Hudak detailed his career advancement and advised students gious two-year financial management bilities. how to manage their careers to benefit their employers and achieve program with four rotational assign- • Never personal satisfaction in his Alumni-in-Residence presentation. ments. In four-and-half years with the identify a prob- company he has held seven different lem without unleash the potential in others. jobs, each with increasing responsibili- proposing a solution. • You live in a fish bowl. Imagine ty. He currently is finance manager for • Your actions in adversity will that you are speaking into a micro- GE Plastics’ Production Center of determine your destiny. phone every time you speak. Excellence in Mount Vernon. • Know your strengths and • Be a part of a team. He offered students the following weaknesses. • Data has no value. Analyze it. recommendations: • Believe in yourself and learn • Make your family a part of your • Set high goals and objectives, from your mistakes. “You may be wrong career. Do not put your family in sec- not mediocre ones. “If you strive high, sometimes,” he said, “but never be in ond place. you will surpass mediocre.” doubt.” Hudak was on campus February 21 • Choose assignments “where • Communicate well. “There is no for two large-group presentations, a something is broken.” It is difficult to such thing as over-communicating.” small-group discussion, and a luncheon shine when you follow an individual • If you want to be a manager, with students.

Trip to Louisville Slugger Museum is a hit for Marketing Club “This café demonstrates how a small business can market nationally Marketing Club officers and independently owned restaurant and tie in with the Louisville ads members visited Louisville during called Lynn’s Paradise Café. titled ‘Weird Louisville.’ The spring break for a tour of the facility serves only food pro- Louisville Slugger Museum. duced, processed, and grown Students learned about available in Kentucky,” Wiltsie said. products and their specialty produc- tion process; pricing and ordering, including service contracts with pro- fessional baseball teams; historical From left are Marketing Club advertisements; service guarantees; members Matt Gore; Mitch endorsement deals; and delivery Mehringer, president; Emily processes. Rauscher, vice president; Heath Lisa Wiltsie, Marketing Club Bassnet; Bryce Holman, faculty advisor, said the club also recorder; and Lisa Wiltsie, visited a unique nationally known, faculty advisor.

8 University of Southern Indiana College of Business Coslett Dr. R. Eugene Klippel, dean of tising and sales and promotion materials the College of Business, said the Joe • storage room Continued from page 1 Coslett Sales Management Develop- • observation area featuring one-way ment Laboratory will provide an out- viewing of the studios from the control room the-art technology and equipment for standing facility where students can Choe said that other departments video recording and editing and the develop expertise in sales in situations of the University and the community creation of high-quality advertising and that simulate sales jobs in the work- will benefit from the sales management sales promotional materials. Plans call place. The video capabilities will pro- development lab. For instance, students for an existing classroom on the second vide students a heightened awareness interested in interpersonal communica- floor of the Orr Center to be reconfig- of their sales skills and developmental tion in the College of Liberal Arts ured to provide appropriate space for needs and will allow instant feedback often choose careers in sales and may the lab. as they learn sales management. receive instruction and practice in the USI President H. Ray Hoops said, Dr. Sang Choe, chair of the lab. The College of Business plans to “The generosity of our good friend Joe Department of Marketing and Business share the lab with area companies for Coslett will benefit many future USI Communication, said that Dr. Carl training and development of their sales students as they work toward degrees Saxby, associate professor of marketing, forces on an as-available basis. Also, the and careers in marketing.” and Dr. Beth Mott-Stenerson, who video production capability will allow Coslett is a retired businessman will join the faculty in August as assis- the college to videotape presentations whose innovative career in sales tant professor of marketing, put togeth- made by visiting sales professionals. spanned more than 40 years. He came er the proposal for the lab. Mott-Sten- Development of the new laborato- to Evansville in 1964 as a sales manag- erson, an instructor at New Mexico ry will allow the College of Business to er for Bartel’s furniture and the follow- State University, recently completed provide better resources to increasing ing year became associated with L.B. requirements for a doctorate in market- numbers of USI students who plan Jones, a furniture manufacturing com- ing and planned to move to the Evansville careers in marketing. pany. Coslett headed the company area in June. Both Saxby and Mott- Choe said, “This lab is a valuable from 1967 until 1971, changing it Stenerson specialize in personal selling resource to help us educate our students during that time from a manufacturing and sales management. They will pro- to be ready to go into the workforce company to a retail operation. He vide consultation on the final design of after graduation. Because more of our bought the business in 1972 and devel- the space and selection of equipment students are going into sales, this is an oped it into a furniture gallery with in order to develop a laboratory that important facility.” brand names such as Broyhill, Pennsyl- aligns with the goals of the sales From fall 2000 to fall 2004, the vania, Tell City, and Kinkade. In 1978, curriculum. number of students majoring in mar- he was the first to introduce “free The proposal for the Joe Coslett keting more than doubled. In fall 2000, financing” in Evansville. Upon his Sales Management Development Labo- 103 students declared marketing as a retirement, his son Patrick assumed ratory includes the following: major. By fall 2004, the number of leadership of the company. • a group presentation studio with marketing majors had grown to 223 Coslett earned a bachelor’s degree multimedia equipment, including an students. In addition, 83 USI students in business administration, majoring LCD projector, speakers, video capabil- majoring in various disciplines throughout in merchandising at the University of ity, and boom microphones the University have chosen marketing Cincinnati. He is a former member of • two personal selling studios for as a minor. The marketing course in the Chamber of Commerce board and recording one-on-one personal selling professional selling and sales manage- the USI Foundation board. He was a presentations ment enrolled 53 students in 2000-01. member of the Evansville Regional • a control room for digital record- In 2004-05, 88 students completed the Airport board from 1980 until 1989, ing, video production, and editing course. Pre-registration for fall 2005 in during which time the present terminal • graphics production station for upper-level marketing courses is up opened. production of high-quality color adver- 37 percent over fall 2004.

Click on business.usi.edu for information you can use

Business Conditions and Outlook Survey Evansville Factbook A quarterly survey of businesses Demographic, economic, and social information in the Evansville area

Prepared by Dr. Mohammed Khayum, Associate Dean, USI College of Business

Summer 2005 9 Jane Johansen honors father with scholarship Roy to study how news

Jane Johansen, associate professor affects stock volatility of business communication, has estab- Dr. Anusuya Roy, assistant lished the Harry E. Thompson Business professor of economics, has been Scholarship honoring her father. awarded an Excellence through Thompson came to Evansville Engagement Summer Research during the depression and started Fellowship for USI faculty. working to put himself through college. Her research is aimed at Returning after service in World War investigating the impact of macro- II, he continued to put himself through economic news on stock returns. school, attending college on a part- She will study the effect of news time basis. He became a banker, state announcements on mean stock representative, state senator, and a Jane Johansen and Harry Thompson returns. She also will focus on leader in Evansville area development. differential impacts across eco- His efforts in the Indiana General working to pay for his education at nomic indicators and on the Assembly were among those which USI, maintaining a grade-point average relative response to adverse news helped pave the way for USI’s inde- of 3.0 or better, attending part-time, versus positive news. pendence. A resident of Newburgh, and majoring in a program offered by The Summer Research Fellow- Indiana, Thompson is co-owner of the College of Business. ships are funded by a grant from the Sunburst Stained Glass. The first recipient is Kyle M. Fields Lilly Endowment, Inc. Roy is one of The Thompson Business Scholar- of Evansville. He is a junior majoring seven University faculty members to ship goes to a male student who is in accounting. receive an award for summer 2005.

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10 University of Southern Indiana College of Business Northwestern Mutual Bussing-Burks, Kovanic honored in the community-at-large recognizes USI interns recognized as ‘Phenomenal’ category as a diversity management Two College of Business adjunct educator. She is an adjunct instructor Neil Fortwendel ’05 of Tell in management, a management con- City, Indiana, has been named one faculty members were among eight honorees in March at the fourth sultant, author, and co-owner of of the top 10 interns nationwide for GNO Jewelry and Gifts. Northwestern Mutual Financial Net- annual Phenomenal Women of USI and the Community recognition The Phenomenal Women pro- work. The company also has recog- gram is sponsored by the USI Multi- nized the USI team of interns at its ceremony. Dr. Marie Bussing-Burks was honored in the faculty category. cultural Center, the American Asso- Evansville office for ranking ninth ciation of University Women, and of 206 teams nationwide for She is an adjunct instructor in econo- mics, a philanthropist, author, and Old National Bank to recognize spring 2005. contributions to diversity. In addition to Fortwendel, the publisher. Dr. Nancy Kovanic was team included Lindsay Botsch, Luke Chamberlain, and Salina Dayton. Success Institute and a slice of pizza for Alpha Kappa Psi Fortwendel has served as a Members of Alpha Kappa Psi Northwestern Mutual intern since lunched at the famed Gior- summer 2004. He joined the compa- dano’s pizzeria while in Chica- ny’s Evansville office full-time as a go to attend the organization’s financial representative in May after Success Institute for Midwest graduating with a double major in chapters. From left are Aman- finance and economics. da Diehl, Sam Hanson, Julie The Princeton Review ranked Streeter, Jill Forcum, Duane Northwestern Mutual Financial Frohbieter, Jennifer Heidler, Network among “America’s Top 10 Ashley Ruggier, Jeff Soellner, internships” from 1997–2003. Nick Wallace, and Sarah Budzinski.

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We welcome comments from our alumni and friends regarding accomplishments, career choices, and momentous personal events. Send to Nancy F. Bizal, College of Business, University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712-3597 or [email protected].

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Summer 2005 11 College of Business students earn President’s Medal, Trustees Merit Award

Two students in the College of Tucker has held the Sigma, an academic Business earned top awards presented Robert F. and Florence R. honor society for stu- at 2005 Commencement and at honors Bernhardt Presidential dents in business pro- convocation. Scholarship and the Bris- grams accredited by Samuel J. Tucker of Evansville tol Myers Squibb National AACSB International received the President’s Medal for his Merit Scholarship. —the Association to commitment to In spring 2002, he Advance Collegiate academic excel- studied at the Warsaw Schools of Business. lence and his School of Economics in He completed a mar- service to the Poland. He was appointed keting internship with University and the in 2003 by the governor of David Huber, chair of the USI Accuride Corporation. community. The Indiana to a two-year term Board of Trustees, presents Keener received award, presented on the USI Board of the Trustees Distinguished the 2005 Paragon at Commence- Trustees. Merit Award to Matt Keener. Award from the Great ment, is USI’s Matthew S. Keener Lakes Valley Confer- most prestigious Tucker of Newburgh, Indiana, received the ence for academic excellence, athletic honor for a gradu- Trustees Distinguished Merit Award, ability and achievement, character, and ating senior. the most prestigious award given during leadership. He was named USI’s first Tucker graduated magna cum laude honors convocations for each academic Academic All-American for baseball in with two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in school. 2004. He is the recipient of the Seamans marketing and a Bachelor of Science in Keener graduated summa cum Merit Scholarship and the College of chemistry. The Student Affairs Com- laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Departmental Scholarship. mittee of the Faculty Senate selected marketing with a German minor. He is him for the President’s Medal. a lifetime inductee of Beta Gamma University of Southern Indiana is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity institution.

10001-01300 P04-5626 College of Business A publication of the University of Southern Indiana College of Business 8600 University Boulevard University of Southern Indiana Evansville IN 47712

R. Eugene Klippel, Dean Nancy F. Bizal, Editor 812/464-1801 Betty R. Vawter, News and Information Services