Business Leaders Magazine by Appalachian State University

BUSINESS LEADERS

Experiential Learning at Appalachian Also Inside

Global Education & Sustainable Business Data Analytics & Technology

2020

Business Leaders Magazine is published annually by the Office of the Dean for alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University.

ADMINISTRATION Heather Norris, Dean Dave McEvoy, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs & Administration Martin Meznar, Associate Dean for Global and Civic Engagement Sandra Vannoy, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research DEVELOPMENT Will Sears, Executive Director of Development Joe Helton, Assistant Director of Development MAGAZINE STAFF Haley Childers, Managing Editor Emma Spear, Layout and Design Sarah Huffman, Contributing Writer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Meghan McCandless Rebekah Saylors Jessica Stump PHOTOGRAPHY Sabrina Cheves Marie Freeman Chase Reynolds Elizabeth M. Williams ON THE COVER Senior marketing major Emma Spear and junior marketing major Sarah Huffman develop plans for this issue of Business Leaders magazine. Two of the dozens of student workers employed by the Walker College of Business, Emma and Sarah are engaging in outstanding opportunities and enjoying on-the-job training before graduation. Student employment is one experiential learning opportunity available at Appalachian; other opportunities include internships, practicums, consulting assignments, faculty-led student research, fellowships, study abroad and service learning. business.appstate.edu © 2019 Walker College of Business Appalachian State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disabling condition or sexual orientation. Appalachian also actively promotes diversity among students and employees.

Soft skills are still top skills

Features Experiential Learning

06 | Beans 2 Brew offers unique hands-on work 10 | Soft skills are still top skills 18 | Walker WORKspace: At the intersection of industry and practice

Global Education & Sustainable Business

22 | Holland Fellows focus on eliminating plastic waste 24 | Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi encourages positive change 26 | Business for Good: Training students and faculty

Data Analytics & Technology 33 | Sharpening data analytics skills

35 | FinTech and InsurTech course development

The Walker College of Business delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling approximately 3,000 undergraduates in 10 majors, as well as 175 graduate students in three master’s programs, the Walker College’s full time undergraduate

Intersection of industry and practice

Fellows focus on plastic waste

In Every Issue Student Spotlight

Focus on Faculty & Friends 23 | Holland awarded honorary degree 27 | Sustainable business champions 30 | Outstanding international engagement 36 | Faculty and staff honored for excellence

enrollment is the highest in the UNC System. Appalachian is consistently named one of “The Best Business Schools” by The Princeton Review and is accredited by AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the premier global accrediting body for schools of business.

Encouraging positive change

DEAN’S WELCOME

Taking Measure of Experiential Learning Experiential learning — or the process of learning by doing — is not a new concept. Defined 35+ years ago by educational theorist David Kolb, the idea of knowledge creation through transformational experience has long influenced our work and our teaching at Appalachian State University. Today, by gathering under one umbrella and evaluating the hundreds of existing experiential offerings in the Walker College of Business, we are better defining the Walker Experience for our students. The Walker Experience is the best preparation for students to succeed in this rapidly changing world. With the help of our alumni and industry network, we are growing an experiential ecosystem that helps our students build a personal competitive advantage while at Appalachian. Our business students take an active role in the process of learning concepts in the classroom, apply them to real-world problems and then participate in immersive experiences outside of the classroom. Leveraging these experiences — internships, global competitions, consulting projects and more — our graduates find that studying business at Appalachian has given them the practice needed to quickly achieve career success. The latest data show that 93% of Walker College alumni are at their ideal destination by at least six months after graduation. This means that a great number of App State alumni are already doing business for good, and (because the Walker College is serving more business students in the state every year than our UNC System peers “off the mountain”) our Walker College network is a major force for good in North Carolina. In fact, Appalachian has the highest undergraduate business enrollment of any school in the 16-college UNC System. So in addition to Business for Good and the Walker Experience, concepts that are helping us better tell our story, you’ll continue to hear us talk about our Appalachian Family. That’s because our network is not only significant, it’s also influential and continues to be our most important asset. My hope is that taking measure of experiential learning at Appalachian will amplify the student experience, strengthen our partnerships and involvement with industry, and ensure that our graduates continue to leave campus as adaptable and resilient community members ready to make a positive impact on their communities, locally and globally. And, as alumni, you have a key role. We need you to tell our story, and there is more opportunity than ever for alumni to return to campus — serving as advisory counselors, recruiters or donors — or to host students where you are with site visits or through internship programs. Together, at Appalachian, we are doing more with more.

Heather H. Norris Dean, Walker College of Business

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

Business Advisory Council H. Edward Boyles Jr. BAC Chair

Managing Director Wells Fargo Securities

Phillip Ostwalt ‘83 BAC Vice Chair

President D.L. Phillips Investment Builders

Don Bailey ‘88

Principal, Financial Services Advisory (Retired) Grant Thornton LLP

Ryan Bolick ‘01

Beth Monaghan ‘82

Founder and CEO (Retired) Monaghan Group

Rick Redden ‘91

President, Atlantic Region Wells Fargo Company

Amy Rumford

Vice President, Supply Chain Operations Service Excellence and Analytics Advance Auto Parts

Jack Sheffield Jr. Managing Director Alex.Brown

Vice President, Business Improvement WarnerMedia

Gerry Smith ‘70

Marshall A. Croom ‘86

Hayes Smith ‘82

Chief Financial Officer (Retired) Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Brian Dalgetty

Founder WizeView Healthcare Analytics

Richard Finlay

Partner (Retired) Conyers, Dill & Pearman

Patrick Getzen

Vice President & Chief Actuary Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC

Benjamin Hamrick ‘82 Chief Executive Officer Johnson Price Sprinkle PA

First VP Investments (Retired) Smith Barney Managing Partner Second Creek Development Company

Jill Sparks ‘91, ‘96

Executive Director Small Business Center and Business Incubation Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Richard G. Sparks ‘76, ‘78 President & CEO (Retired) Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

David Thompson

Tax Partner Deloitte & Touche

General Partner & CFO (Retired) WEDGE Capital Management, LLP

Thomas H. Hudspeth Jr. ‘82, ‘83

CEO (Retired) Yadkin Bank

Helen Hollifield ‘87

Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers

Joseph Towell ‘74, ‘78

Doug Johnson ‘77

Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Blue Ridge Energy

Members Emeriti W. Winfield Beroth ‘65

Jeffrey A. Shepard

William S. Creekmuir

Scott K. Lampe ‘94

Robert G. Darst

Frank H. Skidmore, Jr.

Robin H. Gagnon ‘82, ‘95

Mike Steinback

President Beroth Oil/4 Brothers Stores

President Pinnacle Search Partners, LLC Retired Burlington Industries, Inc.

Co-Founder We Sell Restaurants

James E. Harris ‘84 CFO Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

William R. Holland Former Chairman EnPro Industries, Inc.

Charles V. Murray ‘87 CEO Murray Supply Company

CEO (Retired) Footstar Co-Founder Rise Capital

Managing Partner (Retired) IBM Global Services Managing Partner Stonebridge Partners

G.A. Sywassink ‘94

Chairman & CEO Standard Holding Corporation

Allan Singer

Attorney Singer Law Firm, PA

About our student contributors

wo of the dozens of student workers employed by the Walker College, marketing majors and graphic design minors Emma Spear and Sarah Huffman were instrumental in creating this edition of Business Leaders Magazine. Junior digital marketing major Sarah Huffman is from Raleigh, North Carolina. “I recently started working as the marketing communications assistant in the dean’s office to further my marketing and graphic design skills in a dynamic environment. I have a minor in graphic arts and imaging technology, and it has been so fun to apply both my marketing and graphic arts skills in the college where I devote so much of my time.” At Appalachian, Sarah has been involved in many different things, including serving on her sorority’s executive board and the student conduct board for the university. This past summer, Sarah worked with Local Government Federal Credit Union in Raleigh as an instructional design intern. “Both roles have been very educational for me, and I’ve been able to see how my major and minor work together in a professional setting.” Senior Emma Spear, from Waxhaw, North Carolina, has been working in the dean’s office as a marketing communications assistant since her junior year. “My time working in the dean’s office has provided me with experiences and insights that are preparing me for a successful career. It has been an incredible experience and has given me so much confidence — especially during interviews and when applying for jobs to pursue following my graduation in May.” At Appalachian, Emma has spent her time studying in both Peacock Hall and Katherine Harper Hall, working toward her degree in marketing with a minor in graphic arts and imaging technology. “When I declared my major and minor at the beginning of my sophomore year, I could not imagine how well they would complement one another! Marketing and graphic design go hand-in-hand, and my work in the dean’s office has continuously enforced that notion.” Emma also completed a summer internship before her senior year in marketing communications with Momentive in Huntersville, NC. “It was a great opportunity to continue growing and learning in a position that would highlight the skills that I had already established, as well as help me begin to understand more about marketing in a business-to-business setting.” Both students say that the marketing major with graphic arts and imaging technology minor combination has aided them in both Appalachian State University | 3

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | Student Employment

Emma Spear and Sarah Huffman brainstorm ideas in the Broyhill Commons for this edition of Business Leaders Magazine. classroom and professional settings. “Marketing requires so many skills, from writing to design. My minor has allowed me to improve my design knowledge and offer a unique skillset to potential employers,” Sarah explained. Emma, who has worked extensively on the design for the Business Leaders magazines, has found that her minor has helped her succeed in her marketing assistant role. “A lot of the work that I do in the dean’s office requires me to utilize skills from my minor of study,” she stated. “Graphic Walker College of Business | 4

design helps me understand more about creating work that is visually intriguing and functional at the same time.” Emma and Sarah collaborate on projects in the Walker College. Some of these include This Week in Walker, a weekly newsletter for students; the Dean’s Update, a video and electronic message system for alumni and friends; event promotion and coordination; and writing and posting news stories to the college’s website and social media platforms. The marketing communications assistant role has

provided both soft and hard skills that Sarah and Emma can apply beyond Appalachian. “I go into interviews knowing that I have an impressive background with relevant experiences to discuss with potential employers,” Emma said. “I feel more confident applying to jobs in the future because I have learned so much here in the Walker College. I have learned proper professional etiquette, collaboration techniques, writing and design skills and more,” Sarah agreed.

TAKE YOUR APPALACHIAN PRIDE TO A NEW LEVEL.

Give to the Dean’s Club It’s the best way for Walker College alumni to support outstanding faculty, students and programs in the Walker College of Business.

Dean’s Club donors are pictured with student scholarship recipients during the 2019 Scholarship Reception in the Holmes Convocation Center at Appalachian.

Make an impact. The Walker College Dean's Club Fund enhances academic programs in business through student scholarships, travel and competition support and seed funding for new programs. Give to the Dean's Club today, and take your Appalachian pride to a new level. Call Assistant Director of Development Joe Helton '11 at (828) 262-6187 or go online:

business.appstate.edu/give

PROFILE | Beans 2 Brew

Beans 2 Brew Fueling business students in more ways than one

Walker College of Business | 6

eans 2 Brew is a non-profit, student-run organization in Peacock Hall that not only serves refreshments to hundreds of students daily, but also gives many a unique, handson business experience in their field of study. “One of our core values includes volunteer development,” said Beans 2 Brew president Collin Cornelius. “We provide self-motivated individuals opportunities for professional growth and skill development through involvement in the business team.” Beans 2 Brew directs more than 100 volunteers per year and the business team is 17 strong, including one position

dedicated to leading sustainability efforts, another core value of the group. Opened in 2015, after the modernization of Peacock Hall, the coffee counter was the idea of student entrepreneurs in the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship. While it began as a rolling two-week fundraising model, the organization soon switched to a continuous partnership model, which, Cornelius explains, better supports the clubs in the college and helps Beans 2 Brew innovate. “This change has given our affiliate clubs more flexibility and control over how they raise funds,” said Cornelius. “Working with the same people throughout the year

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

of hot 13,704 cups coffee

of iced 1,444 cups coffee

2,385 bagels 737 cinnamon rolls

Each SIP tasks one of the four functional areas: supply chain, management, finance and human resources, to develop a project — utilizing the SMART goals model — to improve some part of their team. Cornelius believes continuous improvement will lead to long-term viability, and — with more than 15,000 cups of coffee sold and $46,500 in gross sales annually — he may be right. In addition to the 20+ business clubs and student-run organizations in the Walker College, Beans 2 Brew has also partnered across campus with members of the Students with Diverse Abilities Program to provide job experience, as well as community businesses like Stick Boy, Appalachia Cookie Co., Hatchet Coffee and CAMP Coffee.

Annual Report

allows us to implement ‘Semester Improvement Projects’ or SIPs.”

2,402

muffins & scones

305 cookies $46,499.76 gross sales

Appalachian State University | 7

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

A record number of students (1,221) attended the fall 2019 Business Connections event in the Holmes Convocation Center, with more than 300 recruiters from 128 companies on hand to engage them with career and internship opportunities. The photos in this section were taken by senior art major Elizabeth M. Williams.

Appalachian State University | 9

PROFILE | Walker Business Connections

Soft skills are still top skills

he culture and expectations in the Walker College prepare students with soft skills that will help them succeed in the business world. A key expectation is preparation for and participation in Business Connections, the college’s signature career fair held each fall — and the Business Connections’ spring counterpart, Spring Connect. Business Connections is in its seventh year and grows annually. A record number of students (1,221) attended the fall 2019 event, with more than 300 recruiters from 128 companies on hand to engage them with career and internship opportunities. In the past, Business Connections has been held in Peacock Hall, but, due to outgrowing our space, it’s now held in the Holmes Convocation Center on campus. The simple aim has remained the same: to connect students and employers. “Employers from a variety of business backgrounds and industries come from all over the region for Business Connections,” said Jackie Garner, who coordinates the event. “It’s exciting for our students to have access to so many professionals and the opportunities they present without having to leave Boone, but it’s fun for the employers, too — many of whom are Appalachian alumni returning for a weekend in the High Country!” The event is typically held on a Thursday, with interviews the following day. To prepare students for those interviews and other opportunities

Photography by Elizabeth M. Williams

Our faculty members do a phenomenal job of preparing our students academically, and Business Connections helps make the link between what they learn in the classroom and how they will apply that knowledge in the business world.” Walker College of Business | 10

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

presented during Business Connections, students are encouraged to participate in resume reviews and career fair boot camps in the weeks leading up to the event. BUS 2001, the college’s required one-credit-hour “soft skills” course, also plays a key part. “We ask each student to look at who they are and want to be as a future leader — we frame it in the BB&T model that you can’t lead others until you know how to lead yourself,” said Michelle Boisclair, executive director of business career services in the BB&T Student Leadership Center. Boisclair added that those in the college aim to bring business leaders to campus as often as possible. “Our faculty members do a phenomenal job of preparing our students academically, and Business Connections helps make the link between what they learn in the classroom and how they will apply that knowledge in the business world.” The work around Business Connections, and the resources available in the college’s business career services office, prepare Walker College graduates to “hit the ground running.”

Photography by Elizabeth M. Williams

PROFILE | The Appalachian Network

The Appalachian Network: Key to student success The Walker College network is strong. Regular events like Business Connections help provide the foundation for long-lasting relationships that connect students to jobs. With thousands of alumni launching new business careers each year, Appalachian is a force of positive change in our communities and in our world.

Employment rates The Walker College’s job placement rates are consistently higher than the national average. Much of this success is due to career-focused programming, internship and job placement support from Business Career Services in our BB&T Student Leadership Center, the strength of our network and the innovative curriculum our faculty develop and deliver. It’s all part of the Walker Experience. Today, Appalachian business graduates are employed at a higher-than-average rate. Survey measures are taken between commencement and six months after graduation. The most recent data pertains to the class of 2018, and 92 percent of those graduates had successfully reached their first destination (including 15 percent who are attending graduate school and two percent who are involved in non-career related pursuits such as world travel).

Average salaries The 75 percent who reported full-time employment had an average base salary of $49,694. Preliminary data on the class of 2019 suggests an even higher rate of employment. Once available, the data will be published online, business.appstate.edu/results. Those not at their first destination are still seeking full-time employment, but may have accepted part-time employment or a temporary, full-time job.

North Carolina impact With 3,000+ undergraduates — the highest enrollment of any business school in the UNC System — the impact of Appalachian’s alumni base on North Carolina industry is significant. Seventy nine percent of the recently surveyed Walker College of Business | 12

graduates elected to work full-time in the state of North Carolina. More than nineteen thousand of the college’s 25,285 alumni live in North Carolina. South Carolina has the next largest population, with 1,130 Walker College alumni residents. Compiled by staff at in the BB&T Student Leadership Center, first destination statistics report employment rates, salaries and additional information regarding undergraduates six months post-graduation.

An invitation to alumni Engage with Appalachian students! Developing your network and connections with others is key at every life stage. Opportunities to return to campus include Spring Connect, the Boyles Lecture and the Global Opportunities Conference in the spring, and Business Connections, Business for Good and the Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit each fall. Help us strengthen our network and provide outstanding opportunities to our students and graduates. For event dates or to get started, go online, business.appstate.edu/alumni.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

Appalachian State University | 13

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | Clubs & Organizations

A Legacy of Excellence

Student board members of Appalachian’s Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) chapter attended the organization’s 2019 annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois, where they participated in sessions relating to the theme of Inspiring Future Leaders to Leave a Legacy of Excellence.

Legacy of Excellence is something Appalachian’s Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) students know all about, as the group has been named a superior chapter 37 times. Plus, Appalachian has earned the nod for 27 consecutive years! During their travels, students had opportunities to network, learn, compete and participate in an International Day of Literacy (sponsored by KPMG LLP and KPMG Foundation), where they distributed books to local organizations in under-served neighborhoods. In celebration of BAP’s 100th anniversary, chapters showed their school spirit by adding their school pennants to a display board. App State students, with accounting professor and BAP faculty advisor Tracy Reed (standing at left), show off the black and gold. Walker College of Business | 14

“The students worked hard and do a great job presenting,” said Reed, regarding student competition. “They gained confidence, networked and made numerous useful connections.” BAP is one of more than 20 student clubs and organizations in the Walker College. It’s one way students find their niche at Appalachian. Learn more online, business.appstate.edu/clubs.

The students gain confidence, network and make useful connections.”

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

Insurance retail store provides hands-on experience Representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina traveled to Boone to present a check to students and staff in Peacock Hall. The visit was coordinated with the opening of a BCBS retail center in Boone. The center is only the third of its kind — the other two are in Raleigh and Charlotte — intended to provide members with better access to information and service. “We opened the center to be a part of this community,” said Boone center manager Wayne Randall. “We partnered with Appalachian to make sure that we’re serving community members and students alike.” Randall said there were 13 students who worked as licensed BCBS representatives for this academic year. “It’s exciting to see them grow and see them excited about their careers and what they’ll be doing when they graduate and moving forward,” he said.

The new center is located on Howard Street, across from the Walker WORKspace, offering community members access through shared parking with adjacent businesses between Howard and Rivers Streets. The center’s close proximity to Peacock Hall will also ensure easy access for student employees. “It’s a great opportunity to gain the synergies from what the students bring, what the Blue Cross team brings, what the school brings,” said vice president Gary Bolt, who also serves as a board member for the Walker College’s Brantley Risk & Insurance Center. “There are lots of possibilities in terms of what the students will learn and how Appalachian’s new benefits program might influence students and industry.” Appalachian launched an employee benefits minor last year, which prepares graduates for careers in underwriting, claims and brokerage. Students studying benefits learn all facets of employer-provided benefits, including medical, prescription, dental, retirement, wellness, disability, child care, group life and long term care insurance plans. Learn more online, insurance.appstate.edu.

Representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina present a check to students and staff in Peacock Hall.

Appalachian State University | 15

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | Internships

Inside an Appalachian Internship

ppalachian encourages and supports experiential learning opportunities that employers and graduate schools say they value. Perhaps the most industry-valued experience is the internship. It’s one of the best ways to get “a foot in the door” of one’s chosen career field and allows students to demonstrate skills alongside qualified mentors, expand their competencies and network with industry professionals. Last year, Appalachian students earned academic credit at more than 1,600 internship sites. “This is a chance for students to prove they know and can do what they’ve learned in class,” said Sharon Jensen, associate director of Appalachian’s Career Development Center. “It’s also that important step in learning how to research potential employers, submit a resume and interview for a position before they graduate.”

Charles Fisher

Senior, Risk Management & Insurance About the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center The Brantley Risk and Insurance Center enhances the academic experience by providing additional space and staff to assist risk management and insurance majors with networking, job placement preparation and contact with faculty members outside the classroom. It provides students opportunities to participate in professional designation and licensing programs and invites industry leaders to participate in classes and speak to student organizations.

Walker College of Business | 16

We caught up with one of the hundreds of Walker College students who completed an internship this academic year, risk management and insurance senior Charles Fisher. Tell us about your internship. My internship was with CRC Insurance Services, Inc. for nine weeks in Birmingham, Alabama, at their headquarters office. CRC specializes in wholesale excess and surplus- property, casualty and professional liability. I learned about the internship through Walker Business Connections. At the career fair, I had the opportunity to speak with representatives from CRC and was then invited to interview with them afterward in Peacock Hall. CRC is one of the nation’s largest wholesale insurance distributors, and they have some of the best real-time intellectual data that helps their brokers place their clients first. How would you describe your experience at your internship? I really enjoyed Birmingham — the city and my internship exceeded my expectations! It was my first time in Alabama, and, while I went there knowing that I wanted to be a wholesale broker, my experiences have prepared me to pursue this career. At the conclusion of my internship, I was awarded best intern in the country for CRC! As a result, I earned the opportunity to travel to England to experience the market in Lloyd’s of London. CRC has also provided extensive, continuous education for me through the Institutes and National Alliance, allowing me to complete certifications to further my abilities and ready me for my insurance career. What are some takeaways you can apply to your career once you leave Appalachian? Before arriving in Alabama, the college’s Brantley Risk and Insurance Center had already equipped me with a wide array of knowledge of the insurance industry as a whole. At CRC, my knowledge was further developed — I got a real grasp on the day-to-day career expectations. My time with CRC gave me the opportunity to learn directly from brokers; in the end I had a solid understanding of their operations, as a whole.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

As I progress toward my career, I’ve learned that: 1. nothing is handed to you — you have to have unique strategies, servicing and tools around you to grow. 2. you have to work from the ground up and learn the back-ends of the systems, to make relationships with markets and retailers along the way. 3. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” I heard this often from my colleagues, and I now carry it with me daily. Would you encourage other students to participate in an out-of-state internship? Sometimes, in order to grow you need to step outside of your comfort zone. I was worried at first to go out-of-state, but it is something that has allowed me major growth. Students should pursue the internship(s) they really want, regardless of the location. There are opportunities everywhere; embrace them! How did the Walker College help you succeed at your internship? Because of the professional development opportunities in the Brantley Center, I found a direct path to a career that ties my strengths together. The opportunities at Appalachian — to travel, speak at conferences, conduct and publish cutting-edge research with App RISE — have allowed me to apply what I have learned in the classroom. In addition, leadership positions and networking opportunities through Gamma Iota Sigma have helped connect me with future industry leaders. These Appalachian experiences put me in a position to succeed at my internship.

About App RISE Appalachian’s Risk Initiative for Student Engagement (RISE) is a faculty-student research collaboration. Research projects have focused on cyber and supply chain risk, emerging and evolving risks, NC flood financing and others.

About Gamma Iota Sigma Appalachian’s Rho Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma is an international professional collegiate insurance organization that promotes, encourages and sustains student interest in insurance, risk management and actuarial science as a profession.

Following graduation, Charles will be returning to Birmingham to work at CRC full-time. His success story is representative of the opportunities provided to Walker College students.

#iBackAPP 4.30.20 Get ready. For the first time ever, your donation will support business students StateClub. University | 17 and programs directly, when you designate your gift toAppalachian the Dean’s

PROFILE | Walker WORKspace

Walker WORKspace

Students collaborate in the Walker WORKspace, a flat-concept space on Howard Street, during Appalachian’s first CreatAthon.

At the intersection of industry and practice At the intersection of industry in practice... that’s one way to think of 182 Howard Street. Another way to think of it is near the intersection of Howard and Depot Streets. Yet another is simply “Walker WORKspace.”

The 2,500 square-foot, flat-concept building less than onethird of a mile from Peacock Hall is now guided by the area’s first-ever “community enterprise” permit. Created between the Town of Boone and Appalachian State University, this agreement is helping the Walker College of Business serve the local community while satisfying the college’s mission to offer transformational experiences and develop students into productive citizens. Walker College of Business | 18

Since small business owners with limited staff cannot always manage every critical business skill, and since students need opportunities to practice what they learn in classrooms, the alliance is a win-win, explained Walker College Dean Heather Norris. “WORKspace will help connect business students with faculty from all backgrounds, industry professionals and non-profit managers,” said Dean Norris. “It will help our students solve complex problems, learn to do business for good and meet industry needs.” Norris added that the experiential learning opportunities

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

taking place in WORKspace, while helping the community find solutions to its business needs, are also shaping students into analytical thinkers and problem solvers. She has high hopes to meet the needs of her students and is dedicated to preparing Appalachian business graduates for success in a rapidly changing world.

A catalyst for innovation The two-year lease on WORKspace underscores the college’s major focus on experiential learning during the period. Nestled in the heart of downtown, at the edge of the university’s campus, WORKspace is a place for meaningful, interdisciplinary collaboration around key themes including sustainability, creativity, community engagement, technology and problem seeking and solving. While misconceptions about the business school culture potentially cause peers to refrain from collaborations in Peacock Hall (finding the perceived environmental rigidity daunting), the Walker College aims to break down walls, so to speak, and invites peers and professionals to share space as we co-create knowledge. “More than ever before, our business school is breaking down silos and forging new community partnerships, realizing the interdependence required to best serve our future leaders,” said Norris. The WORKspace provides an inviting, non-intimidating “storefront” for community partners to engage with us.

The Walker Experience Founded on the belief that “learning by doing” is the best preparation for life after graduation, the Walker Experience provides a multi-faceted approach that provides an experiential ecosystem resulting in the opportunity to build a personal competitive advantage in school. Problem solving, adaptability and resilience are cornerstones to the Walker Experience. Experiential learning faculty fellow Bob Stec oversees the creative direction of the program, which he says starts in the classroom with the blueprint—a “learn by doing” environment in each and every class. “The blueprint is customized by each department and personalized by each faculty member to enhance the learning experience,” said Stec. “It provides a baseline for deeper learning during the student’s time at Appalachian.” Faculty members are accessing the WORKspace for ideation, team projects, case studies and even business consulting, which Stec views as a culminating experience for students. Two examples of the consulting activities in WORKspace

include Second Story Media’s recent CreatAthon and the work of the Impact Clinic.

Second Story Media’s CreatAthon Second Story Media is a student-run communication agency, housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts’ Department of Communication, that provides pro bono communication services to local, nonprofit clients. “Preparing students for their life beyond college is critical,” said Laura Brittain, faculty advisor to Second Story Media. “The department’s vision is a student collaborative where the students give back to the community while gaining professional experience and portfolio materials.” To support the needs of local nonprofit organizations, Second Story Media provides services like brand development, web design, event planning and social media strategy. Utilizing the Walker WORKspace, Second Story Media served four such organizations and executed Appalachian’s first-ever CreatAthon, a 24-hour marathon that harnesses marketing skills for social good. Several student members of Second Story Media are business minors. At CreateAthon, they worked on projects for Appalachian’s Child Development Center, the Blue Ridge Conservancy, the Hub for Autism and Neurodiversity and Girls on the Run. “I want to show students who are looking for an opportunity to take advantage of what they’ve learned and show off the skills they’ve acquired that they’re not really students anymore,” said entrepreneurial studies minor Max Lichtfuss. “At this point in the game, if you’re a junior or a senior, you’re a young professional.”

Impact Clinic The Impact Clinic is another example of how the university is utilizing Walker WORKspace. The clinic, developed by accounting professor Tammy Kowalczyk, pairs student teams with businesses to measure and manage businesses’ environmental and societal impacts. Approximately 125 students have worked with 12 businesses in Western North Carolina to date, earning professional and practical experience in a multidisciplinary environment. Alex Helms ’13 ’16, a lecturer in the Department of Accounting and past business participant in the Impact Clinic, said, “This experience is pivotal for students. Many of our students have had little or no work experience — especially the type involving strategic decision-making. This Appalachian State University | 19

PROFILE | Walker WORKspace

program provides many students their first opportunity to come in and see how a

business works from a management perspective and develop creative solutions to complex problems.”

... a collaborative where students give back to the community while gaining professional experience and portfolio materials.”

Helping companies use their businesses as a force for good and working to solve the world’s problems is central to the Walker Experience. Learn more about the Walker Experience or Walker WORKspace online, business.appstate.edu/experience. Pictured from left, opposite page, are management minor Karah Smith, hospitality and tourism management minor Kyndall Bennett, entrepreneurial studies minor Izzy Koch, general business minor Cabrina Scionti, entrepreneurial studies minor Max Lichtfuss and international business minor Kayla Hall. The students are members of the College of Fine and Applied Arts’ student organization, Second Story Media.

Introducing the J. Dana Clark Student-Industry Development Fund

You could say Dr. Dana Clark has been a fixture in Peacock Hall for 29 years. Except he doesn’t stand still; he’s on the go year-round visiting interns, networking with alumni and traveling with students to industry conferences. Dr. Clark is known and loved for his sense of humor and teaching antics, but also for his leadership of the state’s hospitality and tourism industry. Please join us in honoring him with your support of the J. Dana Clark Student-Industry Development Fund, which will allow future Appalachian hospitality and tourism management students to travel to and participate in industry conferences. Help us meet our goal:

business.appstate.edu/give

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING |

Appalachian State University | 21

PROFILE | Holland Fellows

Holland Fellows focus on eliminating plastic waste By: Meghan McCandless

n Appalachian education means preparing to live as an engaged global citizen working to create a sustainable future for all. A recent collaboration between the college’s Holland International Business Fellowship and faculty in the College of Fine and Applied Arts focused on design thinking offered a group of students a unique opportunity to do just that. The Holland Fellows, a group that includes 12 Appalachian students and 12 students from the University of Fudan in Shanghai, is an annual six-month international impact exchange program that provides students with the tools and strategies to develop breakthrough business models. The 24 students collaborate both in-person and remotely throughout each spring semester on a faculty-introduced challenge, and eventually present their findings at the annual Shanghai Forum in May. Every March, the Chinese students spend several days in Boone with their Appalachian counterparts, and Holland Fellows Director Jesse Pipes introduced a different collaboration method during their visit this year. “I wanted to breathe new life into the program,” he shared. “Traditionally, the students write a paper and give a presentation together. What I started to realize – what really created the essence of this program, which is the long-term relationships that the students have with each other – was the challenge of working on something together. I was interested in changing the format so that it’s something they don’t do in every other class.” Pipes enlisted the assistance of Jason Miller, an associate professor in Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts’ Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, to plan and facilitate a week-long design thinking sprint workshop. The students were challenged to focus on plastics – primarily plastic waste – and how to change the outcome of waste by replacing, eliminating or recycling. According to Miller, the sprint workshop structure Walker College of Business | 22

presented an opportunity to model the challenge solution through the working process. “Design thinking is predicated on establishing critical and creative feedback loops between research, ideation, and prototyping potential solutions for a particular problem. Iteration is paramount to that process,” he said. “Using design thinking methods afforded the students a new approach to problem solving, one that fit neatly into the problem space of changing linear plastic economies into circular ones. We sought to change ‘lines’ into ‘loops,’ and I feel this immersive process certainly aided the business product.” As an additional challenge, Pipes and Miller banned the use of technology during the group’s working sessions. According to Pipes, this required students to apply their preexisting knowledge to the topic and encourage conversation, collaboration and idea-sharing. International business and global studies major Molly Campillo enjoyed the flexibility and creativity the students had as part of the project. Her group drafted a business plan that includes an app designed to reward customers who consistently use reusable mugs when visiting coffee shops. She said that the idea is to build in not only a rewards system, but an added level of convenience — in the form of mug stickers linked to customers’ credit cards for easy payment — to grow the app’s audience. “It feels very much like an actual scenario where we’re trying to create something, rather than it being a project with specific guidelines,” she shared. “Often, in a group assignment, you split up the work so you know what’s going on in your part but not necessarily in everyone else’s. We were all fully involved in the entirety of the project.” Both Walker College of Business and the College of Fine and Applied Arts prioritize helping students find solutions to global challenges. To this end, Pipes is encouraged by the student response to the experience. He says that the students are working well in small groups, and they are taking part in new activities together – like skydiving – outside of the planned curriculum. “Our number one priority with the program is to provide an experiential educational opportunity that changes their worldview and teaches them how to execute their ideas,” he said. “Ideally, we’ll change the way the students see the world, how they work together and how they see their place in the world.”

GLOBAL EDUCATION & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS |

Entrepreneurship lecturer and Holland Fellows Director Jesse Pipes gives advice to Holland Fellows participants.

Holland awarded honorary degree Program namesake, Dr. William “Bill” Holland, was conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during Appalachian’s Spring 2019 Commencement. The Holland Fellows program, established in 1996, has been the catalyst for many business students to have the knowledge and confidence for international business careers. Holland had a distinguished career with United Dominion Industries and has served on many corporate and civic boards of directors. He earned his B.A. and law degrees from the University of Denver and served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. At Appalachian, Holland has received the Honorary Alumnus Award, served twice as a Boyles lecturer and is member emeritus of the Business Advisory Council. Dr. William “Bill” Holland is conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts.

PROFILE | Boyles Distinguished Lecture

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi speaks to a crowd in the Schaefer Center during the Walker College’s 2019 Boyles Distinguished Lecture. The event was the 61st in the Boyles Series and was held in conjunction with the college’s Global Opportunities Conference.

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi encourages lecture attendees to make positive change Copyright Mountain Times

obel Laureate and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi received more than 45,000 speaking invitations since he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 (the same year as Malala Yousafzai) for his work to protect children around the world from human trafficking, enslavement and child labor, as well as his support of education for all. Lucky for Appalachian State University, Satyarthi spoke to a full house at the Schaefer Center on April 26 as part of the Boyles Distinguished Lecture and Global Opportunities Conference. Satyarthi’s lecture, “Making Positive Changes in the World,” encouraged listeners to make the world a better place by searching Walker College of Business | 24

for internal positivity. “Everybody is born with this divine blessing of positivity,” Satyarthi said. Satyarthi’s journey to protect child rights began when he was five and a half years old. He saw a “cobbler boy” sitting outside of the school gate, but the boy wasn’t attending school. The boy was working, not going to classes. Satyarthi recalled being upset at the thought of the boy not being in school because the boy was in a low caste in India’s caste system. At the time, Satyarthi said he was too young to understand social hierarchy, but he felt something was wrong and began questioning everyone around

him for validating the notion that some children don’t deserve education. Young Satyarthi started to collect books, money and other educational supplies to give to children forced to leave school in his hometown. Now, Satyarthi has protected more than 87,000 children from exploitation. He created the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, an organization that strengthens governmental policy around children’s rights, inspires groups to free children from exploitation and promotes a “child-friendly environment.” Additionally, Satyarthi spearheads the 100 Million Campaign, which aims to inspire young people to be change-

GLOBAL EDUCATION & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS |

makers and protect their own rights and their peers’ rights.

several Parliamentary Hearings and Committees around the world.

“There is a hero inside you,” Satyarthi said. “There is a change-maker inside each of you.”

He was honored by former President Bill Clinton for being featured in Kerry Kennedy’s book “Speak Truth to Power,” where his life and work was included among the Top 50 human rights defenders in the world including Nobel Laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Elie Wiesel, the Dalai Lama and more.

Satyarthi also spoke of converting anger into positive change, widening moral conscience and utilizing compassion to change the suffering of others. Through these mental shifts, Satyarthi found he was able to make a difference. “I learned that if you follow your heart, your mind will follow you,” Satyarthi said. “And if your mind has started following you, then you can conquer the world; the whole world will follow you.” Satyarthi has been a member of a High Level Group formed by UNESCO on Education for All. Satyarthi has addressed the United Nations’ General Assembly, International Labour Conference, United Nations Human Rights Commission, UNESCO and

Lecture attendee Jennifer Bowman, an App State alumna of Fort Mill, S.C., said that Satyarthi’s speech encouraged her to reconsider what she “walks past everyday” and to question her conditioned responses. App State student Ciara Fogarty honed in on Satyarthi’s advice to channel anger to make a change. “You can turn your anger into something positive,” Fogarty said. Watch video from Mr. Satyarthi’s lecture, or view photos of the event online, business.appstate.edu/boyles.

April 3 Friday | 10 a.m. Schaefer Center Mr. Jose Minaya, CEO Nuveen, a TIAA company

You’re invited! Make plans to join us on campus. Learn more online, business.appstate.edu/boyles Appalachian State University | 25

PROFILE | Business for Good

Business for Good: A conference in sync with the college’s motto trains students and faculty The Walker College is committed to teaching business practices that promote responsible management of resources. To ensure our students will make a positive impact in and on our world, faculty must lead the way. Now in its sixth year, the college’s Business for Good conference helps professors collaborate around sustainability best practices, hearing from practitioners, like Mr. John Replogle, CEO and President of Seventh Generation (pictured top) and Erin Meezan (pictured middle) and from thought leaders, like Dr. Stuart Hart, one of the world’s top authorities on the implications of environment and poverty for business strategy (pictured bottom).

r. Replogle, who spoke on Leading with Purpose: Becoming a Citizen Leader, shared that the solution to today’s sustainability issues rests with business and that students entering the workplace must “think and act differently” than previous generations and remember that responsible business leadership incorporates the three Ps: People, Planet and Profit. “Business is 20 times the size of non-profit and seven times the size of government,” he said. “We turn to business for the pace, scale and global reach to solve our problems.” Replogle challenged the last generation’s business education model, and said the “new rules” are about how you treat your employees and the way you interact with your community. “If every business would adopt their hometown, then we’d change the world,” said Replogle. “It’s not about externalizing cost and internalizing profit; it’s about being values-led and being clear on your principles. It’s about relationships, not transactions; it’s about win-wins,

not win-losses.” Replogle added that hallmarks of the 21st Century leader are vision, courage, collaboration, engagement and moral code. “I see business as a great calling to drive positive impact,” said Replogle, and eighty five percent of students seem to agree, he added, citing the data as evidence that today’s graduates want to work for a social and ethical organization. Other recent speakers include Crystal Chissell, Vice President of Operations and Engagement for Project Drawdown; Joby Carlson, Director of Global Sustainability at Walmart; Vance Merolla, Global Director of Sustainability at Colgate-Palmolive Company; and Andy Acho, former worldwide director of environmental outreach and strategy for Ford Motor Company. See a complete list of speakers and watch video from their talks online, business.appstate.edu/b4g.

GLOBAL EDUCATION & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS |

Green E Awards honor ‘sustainable business champions’

wo Walker College professors were presented Green E Awards during the 2019 Business for Good conference. The awards recognize individuals in the college for outstanding accomplishments in the area of sustainable business, with the “E” referring to the three E’s of sustainability — economy, environment and equity. The recipients are Dr. Joseph Cazier, professor in the Department of Computer Information Systems and executive director of the college’s Center for Analytics Research and Education (CARE), and Dr. Todd Cherry ’92, professor in and chair of the Department of Economics and senior research fellow at the Center for International Climate Research Oslo in Norway. Dr. Jim Westerman, the Holshouser Distinguished Professor in Ethics in the college’s Department of Management, conferred the awards, which are presented by Appalachian’s Sustainable Business Collaborative and funded by the university’s Holshouser Ethics Program. He said the recipients are “sustainable business champions, who embody the best of Walker, advancing the college’s sustainability work in meaningful and impactful ways — both locally and internationally.” Dr. Cazier was recognized for his research work with the United Nations, Apimondia and other organizations on applying data analytics to aid in bee-saving efforts. In summer 2018, Cazier presented on how farmers and beekeepers can work together to save bees during the seventh annual BeeWeek in Brussels, Belgium, hosted by the European Parliament. Additionally, Dr. Westerman highlighted Dr. Cazier’s work to make Appalachian’s campus more energy efficient, using analytics in partnership with New River Light and Power to promote more sustainable consumer behaviors. Dr. Cherry was recognized for his contributions to sustainable business through his extensive research in the field of environmental and natural resource economics. His research focuses on how behavioral insights can improve environmental policies and has contributed to major climate change reports by the United Nations and World Bank.

Appalachian AppalachianState StateUniversity University| |2727

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | Enactus Appalachian

Appalachian represented at Enactus World Cup

Members of Appalachian’s chapter of Enactus pose with fellow Enactus members from other universities at the 2019 Enactus World Cup. By: Adam Garrison, Michelle JeannitonGarrett and Hannah Ross

or the first time, Appalachian was among the universities represented at the 2019 Enactus World Cup in San Jose, California September 16-18. The students — sophomore international business major Adam Garrison, sophomore management major Hannah Ross and MBA student Michelle Jeanniton-Garrett — are members of Appalachian’s chapter of Enactus. The Enactus World Cup showcases the entrepreneurial action students have taken through shared innovation Walker College of Business | 28

that transforms lives and creates a better future. The three-day event focuses on the positive power of business, entrepreneurial action and social innovation to address the most important issues affecting the world. Attendees also celebrate the diversity of culture, an abundance of ideas and the synergy of cross-generational leadership in action. “It was the embodiment of innovation, tenacity and international collaboration that is Enactus,” said Ross. “The energy, connections and opportunity were incomparable.” Ross and Jeanniton-Garrett served

as student speakers on the Top to Future Top panel discussion, an event sponsored by Robert Half that mediated dialogue between world business leaders and Enactus students about the World Economic Forum 2022 Skills Outlook. Both students said the experience fostered an unparalleled opportunity to discuss the future with professionals in attendance. “The opportunity to share ideas around sustainability and how I, as a student, can contribute was inspiring,” said Jeanniton-Garrett.

GLOBAL EDUCATION & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS |

The students said what they learned at the conference will make an immediate impact back in Boone. The projects presented in the competition were fueled by student passion to change one life at a time, a characteristic Enactus Appalachian’s students aim for when planning projects on campus. “I was amazed to see the amount of dedication and impact Enactus had around the world,” said Garrison. “From improving farming techniques in Zambia, to making custom clothing for the disabled in Germany, the projects were energizing!” Enactus is a global nonprofit organization that provides a platform for teams of outstanding university students to create community development projects that put people’s own ingenuity and talents at the center of improving their livelihoods. Guided by educators and supported by business leaders, Enactus students take the kind of entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to be a part of their own success. It is the mission of Enactus to improve the world through entrepreneurial action, and the work Enactus students perform not only transforms the lives of the people served, but, in turn, also transforms the lives of the participating students as they develop into more effective, values-driven leaders. “We are excited to continue our work with the community to take entrepreneurial action to improve the lives of others and shape a more sustainable world,” said Ross.

Business students at App State step in and stock up for the High Country’s hungry By Rebekah Saylors

ast summer, about 581 pounds of food was collected and more than 10,000 pounds processed by students enrolled in a graduate-level executive skills course and Enactus members. The students were donating their time and energy to “A Simple Gesture,” a charitable arm of Boone’s Hunger and Health Coalition (HHC) dedicated to eradicating hunger in the High Country. “About six families of four could eat for one week with the 42 fully stocked bags we gathered,” said Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidate and Enactus member Michelle Jeanniton-Garrett, from Indian Trail. Jeanniton-Garrett has been volunteering with the HHC since fall 2018. Enactus members partnered with HHC as part of their focus on food

insecurity in the community, and, with a reduced number of students on campus during summer, Enactus turned to the MBA class to ask for assistance in continuing its efforts. This also allowed for a service opportunity in fulfilling the social responsibility component of the course. “Social responsibility is one of our core goals in the Walker College of Business MBA program,” said Ken White, instructor of the Executive Skills class. “The efforts of these students exemplify what we hope to inculcate in our graduates. I am very proud of the effort and those that will benefit from this activity.” MBA candidate Eden Spencer, from Cary, said, “Social responsibility is important as an MBA student because we are the next generation of leaders. If we can bring our sustainable ideas into the workplace, we can have positive lasting impacts on the environment around us and encourage those who come after us to keep the sustainable initiatives going.”

Bags of food collected by students in the Walker College of Business are ready for delivery to the Hunger and Health Coalition as part of the “A Simple Gesture” program. Appalachian State University | 29

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | International Business

Recognizing outstanding international engagement

Business students and faculty members earned awards for outstanding international engagement. Pictured from left are Benjamin Tiffany, Patrick Schwarz, Dr. Michael Young, Laura Harkleroad, Dr. Nana Vezi-Magigaba, Roberto Sibrian and Dr. Charlie Chen.

’m so proud of you for taking advantage of these opportunities,” said Walker College Dean Heather Norris, who welcomed students to the college’s international awards ceremony. “You are our future, and by expanding your horizons, you’re expanding ours making the world a better place for all of us.” International business and accounting double major Patrick Schwarz from Greensboro, North Carolina earned the Outstanding International Business Major Award in recognition of exceptional academic success and remarkable international engagement. Finance and banking major Benjamin Tiffany from Raleigh, North Carolina earned the Outstanding International Walker College of Business | 30

Business Minor Award. “Being fully immersed and present allowed me to have meaningful interactions with students and the community abroad,” said Tiffany of his time in France as a Angers Summer Business Program participant. Risk management and insurance and supply chain management double major Roberto Sibrian from Carrboro, North Carolina earned the Faculty-led Program MVP Award in recognition of his outstanding intercultural awareness, engagement and global perspective. He stood out for his professionalism, impressing the host university faculty, fellow students and company executives in India and earning an invitation to study abroad

at Kristu Jayanti for a semester. International business and supply chain double major Laura Harkleroad from Swansboro, North Carolina earned the Global Citizen Award in recognition of having established meaningful connections with the international community while abroad. “Think about a map and all the boundaries that we as humans have created to divide us,” said Harkleroad. “I have never been a person to limit myself by boundaries or to think within the confines of borders set by society.” Dr. Michael Young, an associate professor of management, received the Outstanding Faculty-led Program Leader Award in recognition of

GLOBAL EDUCATION & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS |

remarkable leadership, global mindset and cultural depth of knowledge. Dr. Charlie Chen, a professor of information systems, earned the Global Engagement Award in recognition of innovative and enthusiastic global engagement in teaching, service and research. Dr. Sandra Vannoy, associate dean of graduate programs and research, earned the Inspiring International Leaders Award in recognition of inspirational international leadership. Dr. Nana Vezi-Magigaba, a visiting professor from the University of Zululand (Unizulu) in South Africa who is teaching social entrepreneurship at Appalachian this semester, was presented with the Intercultural Ambassador Award. Dr. Vezi-Magigaba said that Appalachian is building bridges to the rest of the world. “There should be no boundaries when it comes to education,” she said. “It is our duty to expose students to other cultures and languages as no country will survive without the help of others.” Dr. VeziMagigaba also encouraged students to learn other languages, and “when tasks are assigned, do them with enthusiasm and 100% effort.” The awards ceremony also provided a forum to announce the winners of the fall 2019 #WalkerFamous photo contest. Faculty, staff and student participants in Walker College faculty-led programs, semester abroad or international internships were invited to share images from their travels. The top entry, pictured, is entitled “Endless Lanterns” and was taken in Tokyo, Japan by supply chain management major Sonoma Dixon. View all event photos online, business.appstate.edu/walkerfamous. Photo by Sonoma Dixon

Appalachian State University | 31

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Launching innovative businesses

From left are Big Idea Pitch Contest winners Evan Wunder, Banner Main, Sam Cheatham and Trevor Miersen with Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship Director Erich Schlenker. Photo by Matheson Media

eeding backyard birds is a favorite activity amongst birdwatchers and backyard bird enthusiasts. Appalachian sophomore Evan Wunder wants to spread the joy of his lifelong hobby with his business idea, Red Bird Outfitters. According to Wunder, Birdseed is often purchased from big box stores, where it can sit on the shelves for weeks at a time with little turnover, and it’s often not the right type of seed for the birds in the region. Red Bird Outfitters aims to solve these and other issues with a subscription-based, online marketplace especially for backyard birdseed. Wunder is a sophomore management major from Waxhaw, North Carolina and the first place winner of the 2019 Big Idea Pitch Contest. His idea earned him bragging rights and $1,500 in prize money during the shark-tank-style competition, during which ten Appalachian students presented their ideas to a panel of entrepreneur judges. Three other students left the competition one step closer to fulfilling their entrepreneurial dreams. Senior sustainable Walker College of Business | 32

technology major Banner Main, from Newland, North Carolina, earned second place and $1,000 in prize money for his idea, Electric Boats, born from the destruction Hurricane Dorian left on the Bahamas. According to Main, Electric Boats will solve this issue with its solarpowered watercraft to aid in post-disaster rescue, saving lives as climate change worsens. Third Place winner Sam Cheatham, a sophomore sales marketing and economics double major from Asheville, North Carolina, won $500 for his business idea, Billion Star Hotel. Cheatham’s idea of a guided camping service will help people experience the outdoors without complicated gear and time spent preparing. “I want to focus on how to make camping easier and more affordable for the people of Boone.” Trevor Miersen of Raleigh, North Carolina, was named audience choice winner for his idea, Go Fence. The event was hosted by the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship at Appalachian and sponsored by Bobby Martin and Silicon Hollar.

DATA ANALYTICS AND TECHNOLOGY |

Sharpening data analytics skills

our M.S. in Applied Data Analytics (MSADA) students: Lindsay Abdelfattah, Megan MacDonald, Henning Tovar and Josh Williams, along with their professor and program director, Dr. Lakshmi Iyer, attended the 2019 Teradata Universe in Denver, Colorado. The annual Teradata conference brings “customers, business leaders, experts and innovators together to focus on the possibilities, opportunities and challenges of next-gen analytics.” Dr. Iyer serves on the board for Teradata University for Academics, an academic partnership that provides free resources to faculty and students worldwide, and she knew the event would provide unique experiences for Appalachian students to learn from industry experts and compete with their peers. “We saw student teams from all over the country present on topics from bicycle-sharing programs to food shortages to drug usage amongst teenagers,” said Williams. “There were dozens of breakout sessions every day where we learned about all things data, including using tools and techniques that supplement what we’ve learned in class.” Abdelfattah recounted the opportunity to speak with Teradata’s sponsors and partners and learning from the speakers. “It was exciting to hear many of the speakers

from sessions discuss topics that I am currently working on in the classroom and inspiring to see these lessons applied in different ways,” she said. “The experience was amazing and allowed me the chance to travel and further connect my education with real-world experiences.” MacDonald agreed. “Teradata Universe was an awesome experience that I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to attend,” she said. “We were exposed to the newest trends and products in the data science field, and we interacted with the individuals behind these products. One of the most meaningful experiences for me was attending the Female Leaders in Tech roundtable, and having the opportunity to interact with women in this line of work. I left Colorado feeling inspired and empowered to continue making my way in this innovative field.” Tovar enjoyed getting to know the tech companies in a particular area of analytics. “Companies at the intersection of data storage and data analytics demonstrated what is possible with machine learning, for example the data cataloging company,” said Tovar. “It was eye-opening in terms of preparing for future career opportunities, and it was a really nice chance to network and connect with other students and measure our skills against theirs.”

MS in Applied Data Analytics Program Director Lakshmi Iyer, second from left, with students.

Appalachian State University | 33

PROFILE | Dynamic Curricula

Supply chain management program transitions, reflects trends in industry and business education

n 2019, the supply chain management degree program transitioned from the Department of Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) to the Department of Marketing; the resulting departments are the Department of Computer Information Systems and the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management. The move is a reflection of global trends in both industry and business education. “The restructuring will benefit our students, better meet the needs of industry, and allow for growth in targeted programmatic areas,” said Dean Heather Norris. “Our marketing and supply chain students will better learn the key relationships between supply chain and customers, and our information systems students will better learn business analytics.” As data and information are becoming increasingly critical to effective business, new curricular combinations of functional and technical knowledge position graduates as leaders in global, data-driven enterprises. “Our faculty members are poised to grow innovative program content that will prepare our students for jobs of the future,” said Norris. Both departments remain core to the Walker College of Business. Graduate Programs and Research Associate Dean Sandy Vannoy is serving as interim chair of the Department of Computer Information Systems, and Dr. Jim Stoddard is chair of the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management. Dr. Tim Forsyth, a professor of accounting in the Walker College, is serving as acting director for the MBA program while Dr. Vannoy is interim department chair. Dr. Dinesh Davé remains director of the supply chain management program, working closely with Dr. Stoddard. Appalachian’s BSBA degree in SCM provides

Walker College of Business | 34

students skills and knowledge in logistics, operations, strategic sourcing, six sigma and supply chain technologies, enabling them to compete in the global marketplace. Companies focus on SCM as a way to not only reduce costs and improve profits but also expand into international markets. Students majoring and minoring in CIS gain valuable professional skills and capabilities, enabling them to pursue a wide variety of technology-related careers. The CIS major teaches students how to successfully interface between the technical and management aspects within organizations.

Our marketing and supply chain students will better learn the key relationships between supply chain and customers, and our information systems students to better learn business analytics.”

DATA ANALYTICS AND TECHNOLOGY |

FinTech and InsurTech course development

A pilot program in financial literacy

New for Fall 2019, finance professors Lori Medders and Brandy Hadley launched a cutting-edge course in financial and risk innovation, delving with their students into the use of modern technology — Big Data analytics, block-chain and machine learning — and the implications for the finance, banking and insurance industries.

Dr. Lorilee Medders, left, and Dr. Brandy Hadley, right, have developed a pilot program in financial literacy for female students at Appalachian as part of their Innovation Scholars project.

During the past 15 years, revolutionary advances in computing technology and the explosion of new digital data sources have expanded and reinvented the core disciplines of insurers, and today’s advanced analytics and technology in insurance are dramatically different. Walker College graduates must capitalize on data analytics, cloud computing and modeling techniques to develop a keen understanding of their organizations’ brands and the competitive landscape, and harness the opportunities in this new business environment. “We respond to these technological opportunities with excitement,” said Dr. Medders, “for our students and for the future of the financial services sector.” The course is key to the career futures of our students as well as to the continued relevance and success of our academic program in risk and insurance,” said Brantley Risk & Insurance Center Director David Marlett. “At Appalachian, we pride ourselves on offering ‘best practice’ applied and experiential learning opportunities for our students.”

“A Pilot Program in Financial Literacy for Appalachian Student Women” is designed to promote economic sustainability by developing behaviors that promote financial stability and growth. Funded by a 2019 Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program, the project will: address challenges facing higher education; create lasting institutional change; provide community and societal benefits; establish opportunities that increase student engagement; and promote broad-based sustainability. Drs. Medders and Hadley are the project creators. Statistics reveal a gender gap still exists when looking at economic sustainability, Medders said, and this pilot certificate program will ensure female students at Appalachian are not comparatively disadvantaged in their knowledge and confidence regarding personal financial management. Hadley added, “Hands-on workshops will teach students real-world skills while offering a model for consideration by other higher education institutions.”

Appalachian State University | 35

PROFILE | Teaching, Research & Service

From left are Amy Odom, Rachel Shinnar, Mary Stolberg, Peter Groothuis, Pennie Bagley, Michelle Boisclair and Dana Clark.

Faculty and staff honored for excellence Five faculty and two staff members were recognized with the college’s 2019 Sywassink Awards for Excellence. Dr. Rachel Shinnar received the award for excellence in teaching; Dr. Peter Groothuis was honored for his research contributions; and the award for excellence in service was presented to Dr. Pennie Bagley. Additionally, Dr. Mary Stolberg ’14 was honored as the outstanding non-tenure track faculty member and Dr. Dana Clark earned the Spirit of Walker Award for faculty. Michelle Boisclair received the 2019 staff excellence award and Amy Odom ’03 is the recipient of the Spirit of Walker Award for staff. “These individuals are an excellent representation of the work being done to provide transformational, educational experiences in the Walker College of Business and at Appalachian State University,” said Dean Heather Norris. “I’m honored to work alongside each of these faculty and staff members, and I commend them for their accomplishments.” The Sywassink Awards are presented annually and are made possible by a contribution from G.A. Sywassink, chairman of Standard Holding Co. of Charlotte, former member of Appalachian’s Board of Trustees and the University of North Carolina Board of Governors and member emeritus of the Business Advisory Council.

Warm welcomes Seventeen faculty members and 5 staff members joined the Walker College faculty and staff this year. The Department of Accounting welcomed one new lecturer, Mr. Alex Helms. The Department of Computer Information Systems welcomed four new faculty members: Assistant Professor Jeff Kaleta and Lecturers Adebiaye Richmond, Julie Taubman and Johann Vaz. The Department of Economics welcomed two new faculty members: visiting Walker College of Business | 36

assistant professors Patrick McGuire and Tanya Molodtsova Ince. The Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance welcomed two new faculty members: Assistant Professors Justin Cox and Alex Holcomb. The Department of Management welcomed five new faculty members: Assistant Professor Jacqueline Tilton, Visiting Professor Makhosazana Faith (Nana) Vezi-Magigaba and Lecturers Zak Ammar, Hannah Costello and Alex Naar. The Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management welcomed two new faculty members: Lecturers

FACULTY & FRIENDS |

Notable honorees North Carolina Bankers Association Professor of Banking Harry Davis was awarded the W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion in recognition of his efforts to provide campus leadership for students. “Dr. Harry Davis is passionate about teaching the business leaders of tomorrow. Through work in the classrooms and hallways of Peacock Hall, he is leaving a legacy through hundreds of future banking executives,” said a nominator. Finance, Banking and Insurance Executive-in-Residence Leigh Dunston received the 2019 Academic Freedom and Faculty Governance Award from the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Dr. Dunston has taught at Appalachian since 2002 and has been an advocate for faculty governance throughout his career. Accounting Professor Ken Brackney was recognized for excellence in teaching by the UNC System. “Appalachian is proud to count these honorees among our faculty,” Chancellor Sheri Everts said of the seven awardees. “They exemplify Appalachian’s dedication to the success of our students and contribute to our standing as the premier public undergraduate institution in the state.”

Outstanding Service Awardee and CARS CEO Steve Norwood

Appalachian’s Alumni Association named Ronald “Steve” Norwood ’80, of Raleigh, a 2019 Outstanding Service Award recipient. Norwood is founder and CEO of Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems in Raleigh. A member of the advisory board for Appalachian’s Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, Norwood provided seed funding for the Student Venture Fund — the first program in the state system enabling students to launch new businesses while promoting local and regional economic development. Jeff Mick, past president and CEO of Amarr garage doors, was the featured speaker during the college’s 2019 scholarship reception. Mr. Mick has served as an advisory board member for the Department of Accounting and he and his wife, Elizabeth Mick ’81, are current members of the Dean’s Club and fund two annual scholarships in the Walker College as well as two scholarships for App State Women’s Golf. During his talk, Mick explained why he has hired 61 App grads in his career. “They came in with work ethic, they came in with knowledge, and they are always people you can count on.”

Scholarship reception speaker, Jeff Mick, with wife Elizabeth Mick ’81 and one of their scholarship recipients, Jesse Mazza

Laura Brewer and Christy Cook. Five staff members joined the Walker College: Maureen Cathey, associate director in the office of Business Career Services; Jill Hoekstra, administrative support specialist for the Department of Accounting; Elizabeth Jones, records specialist for the college’s academic advising office; Roxanne Saltman, administrative support specialist in the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship; and Lacy Schmidt, program specialist in the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center.

Appalachian State University | 37

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

416 Howard Street, Peacock Hall Boone, NC 28608 business.appstate.edu

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Boone, NC Permit #36

Thank you, Dr. Martha Guy. For 15 years, student participants of the Martha Guy Summer Institute experienced an unparalleled professional preparation and business immersion experience at Appalachian. Banking icon and female pioneer Dr. Martha Guy provided this experience, and, through it, made an impact on the lives of hundreds of Appalachian students. Dr. Guy passed away October 12, 2019 at the age of 97, but her legacy will live on through these students, as well as others she served having led Avery County Bank for 60+ years. Dr. Guy was a member of the North Carolina Banking Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Legends in Banking Award and a member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. Throughout her life, she dedicated much of her time to community service, including the advancement of higher education in North Carolina. Dr. Guy is pictured below with the 2019 participants of the Martha Guy Summer Institute.