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No.

04

Jeff Kane

Trustee named Executive-in-Residence

dean’s fellows Students represent college’s best

Belk College Connects

winter 2010

joe mazzola Dean outlines college vision

gary kohut

Professor leads program innovation

Contents 3

NEWS

5

STUDENTS

10

FACULTY

13

IN FOCUS

16

DONOR LIST

19

CLASS NOTES

On the cover: A rendering of UNC Charlotte’s new Center City Building, currently under construction. Rendering courtesy of KieranTimberlake.

bcc: (Belk College Connects) is published

twice a year by the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte. To suggest story ideas, share feedback or change your mailing address, email belknews@uncc.edu. 24,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $10,562, or $.44 per copy.

The Belk College of Business UNC Charlotte 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223 www.belkcollege.uncc.edu

Communications Staff Sasha Trosch Director of Communications & Community Affairs Sarah Caron Marketing Manager

CONTRIBUTORS Photography W  ade Bruton, Craig Ramsey, Ron Deshaies, Kim Hummel Graphic Design Bright Yellow Jacket

college leadership Joseph B. Mazzola Dean C. W. Sealey I nterim Associate Dean for Faculty & Research Jack M. Cathey I nterim Associate Dean for College Finance & Operations Christie Amato I nterim Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Daryl L. Kerr A ssociate Dean for Undergraduate Programs

Rendering courtesy of KieranTimberlake

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UNC Charlotte Breaks Ground on New Center City Building When UNC Charlotte’s new Center City Building – currently under construction at the corner of 9th and Brevard Streets – opens in late 2011, it will mark a new chapter in the long relationship between the Belk College of Business and the Charlotte business community. since donated $9 million to UNC Charlotte to establish the Levine Scholars Program for outstanding undergraduate students. (story, p.7) The Belk College will occupy three floors of the Center City Building, and many of the college’s graduate programs – including the MBA – will have a significant presence there. For Belk College Dean Joe Mazzola, 2011 can’t come soon enough. “Our current space serves its purpose, but limits us in the type and size of programs we can offer there,” he said. “The new, state-of-the-art facility will allow the college to not only continue the long success of our graduate programs, but to expand our new initiatives in executive education and community programming.” The building was designed by the renowned architectural firm KieranTimberlake, in partnership with Charlotte-based Gantt Huberman Architects. The university is pursuing LEED silver certification and hopes the building will be a model of innovation and environmental stewardship. “The new Center City Building will enable UNC Charlotte, and the Belk College, to fulfill our mission as North Carolina’s urban research university,” Mazzola added. “The opportunities that will be available to our students, faculty and alumni will add value to the Belk College educational experience and will benefit the Charlotte business community as well.”

Belk College Connects

The Belk College has offered classes uptown for more than ten years – first at the Cityfair facility at College and 6th Streets, and since 1999 at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design building on North Tryon Street. But the new building will be home – classroom space custom-designed to meet the needs of today’s students and professors, as well as an auditorium and reception spaces for public programs and events. The 12-story building, with its distinctive “stack of books” design, will have 143,000 square feet of space, as well as an underground parking garage and an outdoor plaza that will be shared with a new city park. Future plans include private development of an urban village which is expected to include offices, apartments, shops and restaurants. Plans also call for the city’s light rail – with a stop within walking distance of the new building – to be extended to the university’s main campus, allowing students and professors to commute easily between campuses. Construction broke ground last April at a ceremony attended by UNC System President Erskine Bowles, UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees Chair Ruth Shaw, local and state dignitaries and members of the Levine family, who generously partnered with the university to bring the uptown facility to reality. Leon and Sandra Levine have

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Kane Appointed Executive-in-Residence Jeffrey S. Kane, a UNC Charlotte trustee who retired last year as the officer in charge of the Charlotte branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, has joined the Belk College of Business as Executivein-Residence. In this role, Kane will work closely with Dean Joe Mazzola and college leadership on a variety of special projects, including creation of the new executive education curriculum and development of new and enhanced relationships between the college and the Charlotte business community. In addition, Kane will serve as a guest lecturer in undergraduate and graduate courses in finance, economics and accounting. “We are honored that Jeff will bring his years of banking regulation and financial services experience to Belk College classrooms,” said Dean Mazzola. “Our students will have the opportunity to learn firsthand from an expert with an insider’s perspective.” Kane retired in March 2009 after serving as senior vice president in charge of the Charlotte Office of the Fed since 2003. In addition to being responsible for activities at the Charlotte branch facility, he had overall responsibility for Fifth District cash operations, reserve accounts and loans functions. Kane is a frequent speaker on the role of the Federal Reserve Bank, various leadership topics, and the importance of financial and economic education. He has appeared several times on the

PBS television program “Carolina Business Review” and was profiled in the North Carolina Career Network magazine and Greater Charlotte Biz magazine. He was awarded the “Newcomer of the Year” award from Leadership Charlotte for his contributions to the community. In addition to his service to UNC Charlotte, Kane is the chairman of the board for the United Way of Central Carolinas and Jeff Kane chair of the board at Community Link, a Charlotte-based nonprofit with a mission to help break the cycle of poverty by enabling individuals and families to obtain and sustain safe, decent, and affordable housing. Kane also has served in volunteer leadership positions at the Charlotte Regional Partnership and the Charlotte Chamber. Kane earned a B.A. degree in mathematics at the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware and The Bankers School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia.

Belk College Connects

UNC Charlotte Tax Team Places in National Top Ten

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A team of UNC Charlotte accounting students has placed in the top ten in a national tax competition. Katie Condit, Mark Ramirez, Ashley Saddock and Irka Templeton – all students in the Master of Accountancy program in the Belk College of Business – participated in the Deloitte Tax Case Study Competition, sponsored by the Deloitte Foundation. In the competition, student teams have five hours to complete a case study that requires participants to analyze information, identify issues and alternative tax treatments, and develop a recommended solution that appropriately cites Internal Revenue Service code and Treasury regulations. Under the supervision of Howard Godfrey, professor of accounting, the students met for a series of case-solving exercises, including all-day sessions, group meetings and writing practices. Dr. Godfrey says that all four students have accepted job offers from top accounting firms and will join the firms after they complete their degrees. “It is an honor for the UNC Charlotte team to finish in the top ten in the nation, given the intensity of the competition,” Dr. Godfrey said. “The students challenged themselves and insisted on absolute excellence in their work. We are very proud of their accomplishment.”

L-R Mark Ramirez, Ashley Saddock, Dr. Howard Godfrey, Irka Templeton, Katie Condit

bcc: STUDENTS Dean’s Fellows Program Taps Top Students for Service and Leadership

Top L-R: Gloria Bidetti, Lisa Thomas, Sarah Wilbanks, Ryan Schroeder, Leslie Matthews. Bottom L-R: Claudia Vir, Catherine Davidian, Tonderai Mushipe, Christie Ryan. (Not Pictured: Abdul Sawaneh.)

The Dean’s Fellows also played a significant role in the launch of the Senior Class Gift project last year. Working with the college’s Development and Communications teams, students were actively involved in a weeklong fundraising event which raised over $5,000 for student scholarships. Dean’s Fellows are encouraged to not only give back to the college, but to the larger community as well. Through their work on special projects, members of the program have served on volunteer engagements with Loaves and Fishes, Crisis Assistance Ministry and local retirement communities. “The Dean’s Fellows program has been a great success,” said Dean Mazzola. “They are an exceptional group of students who genuinely exhibit the spirit we want to build throughout the Belk College.” story Sarah Caron photos Craig Ramsey

Belk College Connects

In the fall of 2008, the Belk College tapped a select group of students from a variety of majors to participate in a new initiative, the Dean’s Fellows program. Conceived by Dean Joe Mazzola to foster the leadership development of high achieving undergraduate and graduate students within the college, the program also connects current students with the Dean, alumni and business community while providing them with valuable leadership and professional development experience. The program is managed by the college’s Development team. “We intend for the Dean’s Fellows to represent the best of the Belk College to the external community,” Dean Mazzola said. “An engaged and energetic student is one of our greatest ambassadors.” This year, 11 students were selected to participate in the program through a rigorous application and interview process. In addition to considering academic performance, community involvement and overall commitment to the Belk College, a large weight was placed on students’ performance throughout the interview process and their potential to represent the Belk College. Beth Fischer, director of development, notes, “The interview process really gives us a chance to gauge whether the student has the professional qualities that the Belk College strives to cultivate in each of its students.” Once admitted to the program, the Dean’s Fellows have many opportunities for professional development. In addition to workshops focused on career and leadership development and business etiquette training, students gain valuable networking experience through their participation in Belk College alumni and community events. The students are also encouraged to serve in leadership roles within the program through special project committees such as community service, donor stewardship or program recruitment. Perhaps the most significant benefit for Dean’s Fellows is a newly formed mentoring program, through which each of the students is matched with a member of the Belk College’s Alumni Advisory Council based on their professional interests and goals. Students also have the opportunity to share their resumes with both the Alumni Advisory Council and the college’s Business Advisory Council, which is comprised of prominent Charlotte executives.

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Special Programs and Initiatives Provide Learning Opportunities for Undergraduates

Belk College Connects

While UNC Charlotte has transformed into a research institution over the past 15 years, in many ways the undergraduate program remains the heart of the university. In the Belk College of Business, Dean Joe Mazzola has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the undergraduate learning experience through a number of strategic initiatives.

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Managing Enrollment Undergraduate enrollment in the Belk College has grown exponentially over the past 20 years. Enrollment first topped 3,000 in 2000, putting a strain on the Belk College’s space and faculty resources. The college has attempted to control growth by increasing standards for incoming students, raising the necessary GPA to declare a major from 2.0 to 2.5. While this new hurdle resulted in a decrease in enrollment, the dips proved to be temporary. “When confronted with a new set of admissions standards, students tend to work harder to meet them,” said Dr. Daryl Kerr, associate dean for undergraduate programs in the Belk College. In addition, UNC Charlotte’s overall enrollment growth has resulted in more students in the Belk College every year, including a jump from 3,119 in the fall of 2008 to more than 3,300 this fall. Belk College leaders are considering a number of plans and initiatives to strategically manage undergraduate enrollment, including further raising admissions standards, requiring an essay or other writing samples for admission, and exploring the possibility of an enrollment cap. Another innovative approach to managing enrollment is the introduction of an interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate in Entrepreneurship, which is currently under consideration by the faculty and university administration. “By offering a specialized certificate program in entrepreneurship, we can provide students throughout the campus with the opportunity to learn the essential elements of starting a business enterprise,” Dean Mazzola said. “This should prove an attractive option for a student whose academic inter-

est or strength lies in another discipline, but who has a desire to learn more about business principles.” Enhancing the Undergraduate Experience While grappling with issues surrounding enrollment growth, Belk College leaders are also committed to providing all undergraduates with opportunities to enhance what they are learning in the classroom. “Many of our undergraduates are first-generation college students, and many of them work a significant number of hours while taking classes,” Dr. Kerr said. “This makes it challenging for us to find ways to reach out and help students connect with the college and university, but opportunities are there for any student who wants them.” Connections for new students begin with SOAR orientation sessions, held throughout the summer for students enrolling in August (and in December for those enrolling in January). Students and their families can meet the Belk College advising team, tour the campus, get information about student organizations and other special programs and learn tips for a successful transition to college life. Additionally, for more than ten years, the college has hosted a speaker series featuring top regional and national business leaders. Past speakers (listed with the title they held at the time of their speeches) have included John Allison, chairman and CEO of BB&T Corp.; Paul Anderson, CEO of Duke Energy Corp.; Tom Nelson, CEO of National Gypsum; and N.C. Treasurer Richard Moore. In addition, countless local executives and Belk College alumni have been guest lecturers and special guests in classes, sharing their personal success stories and career experiences with students. Centralized Advising Last summer, the Belk College changed its approach to undergraduate advising. Previously, all pre-business, pre-accounting and pre-economics

Business Honors Program While managing enrollment, the Belk College still strives to attract top students to UNC Charlotte. The Business Honors Program (BHP) offers bright and motivated students a challenging courseload, a required internship, co-op or study abroad experience, opportunities for service and networking, and a thesis or senior project. Students graduate “with honors” – and with an advantage in the competitive job market. “When a student joins the BHP, they’re not only gaining a built-in group of classmates – they’re developing a network of lifelong relationships,” Dr. Kerr said. “Our BHP alumni are engaged and enthusiastic supporters of the program, and of the Belk College.” Acceptance into the BHP is competitive and takes into account the student’s high school or collegiate grade point average, SAT/ACT scores and class standing. Students must submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors, and must interview with the associate dean or director of undergraduate programs. Additional information is available at www.belkcollege.uncc.edu/bhp.

The response to UNC Charlotte’s new merit scholarship program has exceeded all expectations. In the three months after it was announced, the Levine Scholars Program received more than 1,000 nominations from 25 states. The scholarships were made possible by philanthropists Leon and Sandra Levine, who donated $9.3 million to UNC Charlotte to establish the program. Leon Levine is the founder of the Family Dollar retail chain. The Levines are involved in a number of civic and charitable causes through the Leon Levine Foundation. The program has been compared with the esteemed Morehead-Cain Scholars at UNC Chapel Hill, Park Scholars at North Carolina State University and Benjamin N. Duke Scholars at Duke. The value for in-state students will be about $90,000 and about $140,000 for out-of-state students. The first group of 15 Levine Scholars will enroll in Fall 2010. Chancellor Philip L. Dubois has called the creation of the Levine Scholars Program a “transformational” event for the university.

July 1. Students from all backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply. Special Programs In addition to the BHP and the BLC, the Belk College offers a number of signature programs for students: • Dean’s Fellows, profiled on page 5 of this issue of bcc:. • Student Managed Investment Fund, an experiential learning program through which students earn course credits and invest funds from the UNC Charlotte endowment. • Students In Free Enterprise, an organization that offers students the opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills through team competitions and service projects. These programs, as well as the college’s many active student organizations, can be explored online at www.belkcollege.uncc.edu/undergraduate/.

story Sasha Trosch photos Wade Bruton, Kim Hummel

Belk College Connects

Business Learning Community The motto of the Belk College’s Business Learning Community (BLC) is “Living. Learning. Succeeding.” The BLC is a special, one-year program for any student who wants to take their learning beyond the classroom and apply it, in a practical sense, to the business world. BLC students live on campus together, enroll in common courses, and participate in business-related extracurricular and career development activities. Because the BLC offers students exclusive tutoring services and specialized advising, it can be especially beneficial for students who might need extra support to manage the transition from high school to college. In the fall semester, students take College Algebra and Introduction to Business, a course that covers study skills and introductory business concepts. Students in the BLC and other UNC Charlotte learning communities live in Lynch Hall, one of the newer dormitories on campus. In addition to suite-style rooms, where four students share a bath and living space but generally have their own bedroom, Lynch Hall has quiet study areas, meeting halls and classrooms. To be considered for the BLC, students must first be admitted to UNC Charlotte and the Belk College as first-year students enrolling in August. Applications are available online at www.lc.uncc.edu. Preference is given to students who apply by May 1, but applications may be submitted until

Response to Levine Scholars Program Exceeds Expectations

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majors were advised by the staff in the Belk College Advising Center, while juniors and seniors were advised either by a professor or staff member in their major. After considering student feedback and learning best practices at other universities, Dr. Kerr recommended that the college transition to centralized advising, with all students being advised through the Advising Center. Staff resources were shifted, and the Advising Center now has six full-time, professional advisors. “The move to centralized advising is a great step for the Belk College,” Dr. Kerr said. “In a perfect world, we’d have more advisors and we’d be able to devote more time to each student appointment. For now, we are very pleased that students will be served by the same advisor throughout their college career, so they can build a rapport and we can ensure students are receiving the right information to help them be successful.”

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Belk College Efforts Give Students Tools to Stand Out from the Competition

Belk College Connects

LEFT: Dan Bross, senior director of corporate citizenship for Microsoft Corp., speaks to students at a networking breakfast. The Belk College hosts high-profile business executives each semester to share their personal success stories and discuss current business topics with graduate students. Recent speakers have included Clay Presley, CEO of Carolina Pad and a survivor of the US Airways 1549 crash and Chris Kearney, CEO of Charlotte-based SPX Corp., a Fortune 500 company.

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Today’s graduate students are navigating an increasingly tumultuous job market, one that seems to offer fewer job opportunities. Finding ways to stand out among the growing competition has become more important than ever. With an eye towards developing the “total professional,” the Belk College is focused on providing students with career and personal development opportunities that will shape their career paths and develop their personal brands. “More and more, employers are looking for the complete package when hiring future employees,” says Jeremiah Nelson, director of graduate student services at the Belk College. “We offer a series of professional development activities, all aimed at helping our students hone the soft skills they need to distinguish themselves in the job market.” Over the past year, the college offered more than Jeremiah Nelson 30 professional development seminars, with topics ranging from creating an executive resume and successfully marketing yourself to networking, successful interviewing, and negotiations. “The Belk College’s career services have helped ‘de-mystify’ the areas of interviewing, resume building, salary negotiations, and even career direction for me,” explains recent MBA graduate Brian Decker, who used the techniques he learned in the negotiations seminar to obtain a better employment offer.

Nelson reports that, in addition to the seminars, students are actively taking advantage of the other career services available to them, including personal career counseling, access to career and internship listings, mock interviews and resume assistance. Robin Boswell, director of graduate student career development, works one-on-one with Belk College graduate students to define their individual professional development plans. “Having a plan enables students to focus on the short-term steps they can take to ultimately achieve their career goals,” notes Boswell. She encourages students to take advantage of the “hidden” job market by expanding their networks. The graduate student services team also hosts a series of networking events and coordinates an executive speaker series that focuses on topical business issues, ethics and leadership. This spring, Boswell will spearhead a new initiative for graduate students: the Professional Development Robin Boswell Program, or PDP. The PDP will help students define their individual skills, values, interests and potential so they can focus their career goals. A highlight of the program will be a mentoring component, in which students will be paired with Belk College alumni based on their professional interests and goals. Students’ applications for the PDP will be evaluated based on various criteria, including GPA, school and work load, commitment to leadership and community involvement, and career goals. Accepted students will receive a scholarship for participation in the program. “The PDP is a great opportunity for students who want to make the most of their Belk College experience, and we’re excited to roll it out this year,” Boswell said. “The professional development activities, combined with the strong business background they will gain in the classroom, should make these students exceptional prospects for employers.” story Sarah Caron photos Craig Ramsey

Alumni and community members who would like to be involved in the Belk College’s professional development efforts for graduate students are encouraged to contact Robin Boswell (robin.boswell@uncc.edu) or Beth Fischer (beth.fischer@uncc.edu).

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Belk College Connects

Gary Kohut Appointed to Key Roles in MBA, Executive Education Programs

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Last fall, Dr. Gary Kohut got an offer he couldn’t refuse. Belk College Dean Joe Mazzola asked him to take the lead in two of the college’s most important endeavors: strengthening the MBA program and launching an Executive Education initiative. “I see it as an opportunity for the Belk College to really make its mark,” said Dr. Kohut, a professor of management who joined the Belk College faculty in 1983. “I’ve been inspired by Dean Mazzola’s vision for the college and was eager to join a team of energized individuals who want to do something special .” As interim director of the MBA program, Dr. Kohut is leading a task force of faculty and business professionals that is undertaking a comprehensive review of both the traditional MBA and Sports MBA programs as part of the college’s strategic planning process. “We are looking at both curriculum and content and also at how our courses are delivered,” he said. “Our challenge is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities that will help them be effective in their current positions and throughout their careers.” Advances in technology present both opportunities and challenges in delivering a leading MBA program, Dr. Kohut says. “We take great pride in providing an MBA program delivered by quality faculty who are eager to work with students.” Dr. Kohut, along with the MBA task force, plans to meet with major employers in the region to discuss their workforce needs and the qualities they seek in management talent. “Employers have told us that they would like MBAs to better develop what are often called ‘soft skills’ – communication skills, leadership, problem identification in ambiguous environments, self awareness. They are asking us to do more work with scenarios and case studies so students can see the connections between what they’ve learned in their education and current business practice.” In Dr. Kohut’s other area of responsibility, Executive Education, he sees the potential for the Belk College to “redefine our outreach.” “We want our programs to stimulate a different kind of thinking,” he said.

“While we plan to provide some traditional programs for middle and upper managers, we also plan to offer programs that will marry cutting-edge thinkers with the talent existing in the Belk College, and in the business community as a whole. “The 21st century is defined by innovation and creativity and the speed at which change is taking place,” he continued. “Companies are employing different business models, and leaders are beginning to think differently. Loyalty has shifted from organization to individuals. These changes aren’t evolutionary, they’re revolutionary.” Dr. Kohut cites companies like Google and Amazon as leaders in this new world of business. “As organizations get flatter, individuals are wielding more influence and this has created a new type of leader – ‘drop-in’ CEOs who would prefer to be closer to their employees and their customers, rather than sequestered in their executive suites.” As the Belk College develops its executive education portfolio, Dr. Kohut again will look to major employers and business leaders for ideas and feedback. “This market is idea-driven,” he said. “We want our alumni, friends and partners to tell us what they see on their radar screens and what they will need to be successful in the 21st century.” story Sasha Trosch photos Kim Hummel

Denis Arnold, the Surtman distinguished scholar in business ethics, has been named an associate editor for Business Ethics Quarterly, the most selective and prestigious journal for academic business ethics. Dr. Arnold is serving as guest editor for an upcoming special issue of the journal focusing on business ethics and the credit crisis. He also organized a conference on the same topic at UNC Charlotte in March 2009 for academics and the business community.

Dean Joseph Mazzola has been appointed to the International Scientific Committee of the HEC Management School at the University of Liège, Belgium (HEC-ULg). The committee evaluates and sets the strategic direction for the research conducted by HEC-ULg faculty. Committee members include top academics and business professionals from Sweden, France, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and the United States.

Lloyd Blenman, professor of finance, has been elected president of the Midwest Finance Association, the second oldest academic finance association in North America. In addition, he serves as vice president of the Midwest Finance Education Foundation and is associate editor of the Financial Review.

Steven Ott, the John Crosland Jr. professor of real estate and director of the Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte, led a professional development workshop last summer for the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a nonprofit education and research institute which focuses on issues related to real estate, land use and public policy. He also has been reappointed as a Distinguished Fellow of NAIOP, the national commercial real estate development association.

John Connaughton, professor of economics and director of the UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast for North Carolina, has been elected president of the Southern Regional Science Association (SRSA) for 2009-10. The association provides intellectual leadership in the study of social, economic, political and behavioral phenomena which have a spatial dimension. Craig A. Depken II, associate professor of economics, recently was elected vice president of the North American Association of Sports Economics for 2009-2010. The NAASE promotes and facilitates research and teaching in the economics of sports.

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faculty news briefs

Carol Swartz, clinical professor of economics, helped readers of The Charlotte Observer maneuver through last year’s economic uncertainty as an advisor to the paper’s column and blog, “The Squeeze,” which analyzed economic data and trends and shared stories of people coping with job loss and financial hardship. Observer reporter Peter St. Onge said, “We think it’s valuable to give our readers information that looks beyond the reports that are in the news. That’s why Carol Swartz is a terrific resource for ‘The Squeeze.’ She explains, with insight.”

Connaughton Studies Impact of Film Industry on Charlotte Economy

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tantly, we have a very unique labor force. It’s very talented and hard to find in other regions.” Connaughton has produced economic-impact studies for major industries, non-profits and governmental organizations for more than 20 years, including the N.C. Motorsports Association, the Arts & Science Council, and a variety of sports teams. He also serves as director of the UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast, a quarterly report on the state’s overall economic health. The full Charlotte Film Commission report is available at http://www. charlotteusa.com.

Belk College Connects

ohn Connaughton, professor of economics, recently conducted an economic impact study for the Charlotte Regional Partnership to determine the contribution of the film and video production and distribution industry to the regional economy. Connaughton found that the impact was more than $468 million per year, and that the industry adds the equivalent of 2,453 full-time jobs to the regional workforce. The economic impact study will be used by the Charlotte Film Commission, a division of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, to entice production companies to choose the Charlotte region for their productions. Movies filmed in the region have included Leatherheads and Shallow Hal, and the cable SPEED Network and NASCAR Media Group are also based in Charlotte. “Charlotte has a video production and distribution industry that’s not rivaled in that many other places in the country in terms of its size,” Connaughton said. “We have a lot of major players here. But more impor-

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John Connaughton

Sunil Erevelles Tim Carmichael

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Ed Malmgren

Sunil Erevelles, associate professor of marketing Last year, Dr. Erevelles earned a perfect cumulative score of 5.0 on teaching evaluations from both his undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Erevelles’ classroom can be best described as fast-paced and engaging. He consistently encourages students to be current and aware of the marketplace around them – in Charlotte, the U.S. and the world. Dr. Erevelles is a well-respected instructor and continues to contribute to the strong teaching reputation of the Belk College.

Dean’s Award for Faculty Excellence:

Ed Malmgren, associate professor of accounting

The Belk College of Business presents awards honoring exemplary faculty and staff each year. The 2009 recipients were:

Outstanding Service Award:

Outstanding Staff Award:

Dr. Connaughton has served as director of the UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast for the past 27 years. His economic report is presented to the public quarterly and provides analysis and forecast of key economic variables for the state economy. Dr. Connaughton has established a reputation with the media as a prominent economics expert and has provided guidance to many

Tim Carmichael was cited by faculty and staff as being extremely knowledgeable and providing exemplary service. As a member of the UNC Charlotte community for over 11 years, Carmichael is widely recognized for his dedication, professionalism, and positive outlook in achieving common goals and challenges.

John Connaughton, professor of economics

Belk College Connects

Excellence in Teaching Award:

Widely regarded as a gifted professor, Dr. Malmgren’s classroom style and personality have long connected with students, and he is frequently cited by Belk College alumni as a faculty member who has had a lasting impact on their development. Dr. Malmgren’s passion and skill in the classroom have been recognized with numerous teaching awards over the years, including the Thomas C. Turner Distinguished Teaching Award (twice presented) and the highly selective Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence, the university’s highest teaching honor. In addition to his service in the classroom, Dr. Malmgren served for more than 10 years as the faculty advisor to Beta Alpha Psi and as academic advisor to undergraduate accounting majors.

Belk College Recognizes Outstanding Professors and Staff

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high-profile community groups. In addition, Dr. Connaughton has demonstrated exceptional dedication by serving in a variety of leadership roles benefitting the economics profession, the Department of Economics and the Belk College.

Finance faculty lead international symposium on risk management and derivatives

Tim Carmichael, director of information technology

The Belk College of Business and the Wang Yana Institute for Studies in Economics at Xiamen University hosted an International Symposium on Risk Management and Derivatives last July in Xiamen, China. Dr. Steven Ott, director of the Center for Real Estate and the John Crosland Jr. professor of real estate, was a keynote speaker. Finance professors Richard Buttimer, Bill Sealey and Weidong Tian each chaired a session and served on the symposium planning committee. Finance Ph.D. student Xinde Zhang presented a paper, “Takeover, Agency Cost and Corporate Governance,” co-written with Dr. Tian and Dr. Dolly King. The mission of the symposium is to bring together leading academic and industry experts in the fields of finance, economics, mathematics, statistics, and engineering to identify, quantify, and manage risk in derivatives portfolios. In addition to the UNC Charlotte delegation, other top experts in finance and economics participated, representing universities in the U.S., Canada, Germany, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong and China.

bcc: IN FOCUS Building the 21st Century Business School By: Joseph B. Mazzola, Dean

As a graduate of the Belk College of Business, you probably know quite a bit about business schools, but you may not be aware of the history of these institutions, or their evolution over time.

The first university-based business school was the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, established in 1881. The Tuck School at Dartmouth was founded in 1900, the Harvard Business School in 1908, and the Stanford Business School in 1925. Business schools are essentially a 20th century institution.

especially those for the MBA degree. To be sure, there have been changes at the margin, but business schools as we know them are desperately locked into 20th century thinking. Modifications have been modest at best, and they lack the transformational, breakthrough change that has so permeated the business world as a result of globalization and innovations in technology. The time has arrived for business education, and the MBA degree in particular, to be dramatically redesigned. At the Belk College of Business, we intend to be at the forefront of these changes.

The 21st Century Business Leader A good starting point for guiding our understanding is to consider the skills required of the 21st century business leader.

Business schools responded to these reports by modifying their curriculum and placing more emphasis on rigor and research. Thus was the advent of the b-school as you and I know it.

As is now the case, she needs to have an effective knowledge of business principles in accounting, economics, finance, operations (processes and supply chains), technology management, human resources, strategy, marketing, organizational design and management, and change management.

Since implementing the changes initiated by these reports half a century ago, there has been remarkably little change in business school curricula –

Additionally, he needs a broad knowledge of, and deep insight into his organization; the industry and its underlying competitive structure; the

Belk College Connects

Midway through the 20th century, the Carnegie and Ford Foundations published studies critical of the approach that business schools had taken in their attempt to educate managers. Business schools, they said, had taken on a trade-school approach, rather that addressing the theoretical principles that could ultimately lead to better management of capital and resources. These reports stressed the need to increase the number of business school faculty with doctoral degrees and recommended that business school faculty and students be trained in quantitative analysis as well as in the behavioral sciences.

Photo by Wade Bruton

The concept of the business “manager,” as we know it, began to develop in the 1870s. As enterprises grew in size and extended their reach, the need emerged for the role of managers – positioned between equity holders, employees and the customer. Business schools were founded to educate and train these professionals.

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IN FOCUS bcc: local, national and global economies and socio-political environments; and the trends occurring in technology relating to the industry. This, however, is not enough.

She must have the ability to inspire and motivate groups and to understand fundamentally that properly functioning groups generate more creative and effective solutions than individuals acting alone.

She needs to have already become a “continual learner,” which is characterized by being open minded, an excellent listener and a critical thinker. The 21st century leader must have honed the ability to think creatively.

The 21st century leader must have a keen sense of the rapid rate of technological development and can ill afford to become complacent, nor can he allow his team to become complacent.

She must be an effective communicator. This encompasses being an excellent listener, an effective written communicator (in both traditional and electronic media), and a versatile speaker who can adapt to different audiences. She must be able to read an audience and adapt the delivery of her message in real time.

She must be able to “see around corners” and recognize that change itself needs to be bold and nonlinear. It cannot be merely a comfortable, incremental linear extension of the present.

In addition, the 21st century business leader must also have a high level of self awareness and deep knowledge of his leadership style. He must have a realistic sense of himself, and be able to motivate and to earn and maintain trust.

The 21st century business leader must be of the utmost integrity and be grounded in a strong ethical foundation. He needs to have a strong moral compass, without suffering from a sense that his view uniquely constitutes the only ‘true’ moral high ground. He must genuinely answer to a purpose that is greater than his individual goals and needs.

Belk College Connects

The 21st Century Business School

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She needs to be extremely confident in her vision and her ability to achieve that vision, but at the same time, needs to be able to keep her ego in check. She needs to understand the current limits of her own abilities as well as her current envelope of effectiveness.

The challenge facing the 21st century business school, as you can see, is enormous. The 21st century business school must educate 21st century business leaders to be effective along all of these dimensions, and in each of these areas.

Similarly, he must know his comfort zone, as well as those of his management team, and be willing to push beyond them. He must have the energy, passion and drive to keep the organization moving forward.

It is clear that that these skills require both intellectual and emotional intelligence. It is also clear that it is impossible to convey all of these principles in a single program of study spanning one, two, or even four years. Indeed, we must change our educational model, so students begin to think of learning as an intentional, on-going, experiential process.

The 21st century business leader must have developed and refined her negotiation skills so that she can “get to yes,” regardless of the circumstances. She must have the ability to manage through difficult times. He must also have the ability to think strategically, without getting bogged down in the details.

To begin to understand how the 21st century business school can develop the capabilities both to impart the expertise required to master these skills and to facilitate the development of these skills in its students, let’s look at this a little differently.

knowledge and intellectual growth as well as a dedication to service. We engage in research that fosters innovative business theory, policy, and practice. In strategic partnership with the Greater Charlotte region, we educate our students to become leaders who are critical thinkers, ethically informed, and globally aware.

However, because they did not exist at the time, your studies could not have included a host of topics, many of which have been transformational in their impact on business and society.

First, we will become the new model of a 21st century business school in partnership with Charlotte, which is becoming the new model for a 21st century city. Over the past year, the region’s leaders have seen first-hand that Charlotte must move beyond its roots in financial services. By no means should it abandon them; instead, it needs to diversify beyond them.

For example, you likely pursued your studies under the 20th century misconception that the world is something other than “flat.” It’s also likely that you never studied about Google’s business model; homeland security (including global supply chain security and cyber security); the importance of, or even the meanings of, sustainability and corporate social responsibility; cloud computing; or International Financial Reporting Standards. You didn’t study neuroscience or “Human Sigma” and their impact on customer-employee interaction and behavior; marketing in social networks and the potential of viral marketing; crowd sourcing or expert sourcing. There are many more topics in the same vein, and new ones seem to emerge at an ever-increasing pace. The world is changing so quickly. The 21st century business school needs to be aware of these developments as they develop and impact the marketplace. More importantly, it needs to play a vital role in helping to stimulate and create innovative technologies and solutions. Rather than defining the 21st century business school – because a definition, by its nature, becomes limiting – let’s describe its characteristics. The 21st century business school needs to be innovative, flexible, responsive, transformational, current, forward-looking, interactive, nonlinear, dynamic, scientific, relevant and global.

The Future of the Belk College Over the course of the past year, a dedicated group of faculty, staff, students, alumni, community leaders and administrators engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process. Working together and gathering input from key internal and external constituencies, we examined the college’s academic programs, research and scholarship, external relations and internal operations.

Vision Statement: The vision of the Belk College of Business is to be a leader in 21st century business research and education. Mission Statement: We are committed to creating an inclusive culture that inspires a passion for

How do we plan to accomplish our vision and mission?

One way for Charlotte to diversify is to become known as a national center for innovative, transformational management knowledge and practice. This means establishing a base of expertise: housed within UNC Charlotte and the Belk College, housed within consulting companies and institutes within the region, and housed and practiced within the companies and organizations that constitute the region. Together, we can form the core network, the partnership; and then we will utilize technology to spread our network throughout the world. In an upcoming issue of bcc:, I will look forward to sharing details about some of the exciting plans that are currently emerging in the Belk College.

The time has arrived for business education, and the MBA degree in particular, to be dramatically redesigned. In addition to these new initiatives, we are carefully considering our array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, to ensure that we are not only responding to the current needs of the business community, but anticipating their future needs as well. We remain committed to excellence in all of our programs. The future is ours. It is playing out before us. We can either stand on the sidelines and watch it pass before us, or we can actively engage – not only in experiencing it, but in shaping it. This is my vision for the 21st century business school in a 21st century city. I welcome your comments and suggestions and thank you for your ongoing support of the Belk College of Business.

Belk College Connects

From this process emerged a new vision and mission for the Belk College, as well as a set of shared values: Integrity, Knowledge and Innovation, Excellence, Diversity and Inclusion, and Global Citizenship.

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Suppose you earned an MBA ten to 15 years ago. It is likely that you are well versed in the basic quantitative models, behavioral principles, and terminology you encountered in the classic core business courses. Through elective classes, you were exposed to deeper knowledge in at least one area of concentration. In your work experience, you have honed your skills in this area of specialization.

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bcc: DONORS The Belk College extends sincere gratitude to the individuals, foundations and corporations that contributed and committed more than $2,396,565 in the 2008-2009 fiscal year (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009). Your support has a profound impact on our ability to recruit and support promising students; attract and retain top faculty; develop and expand the curriculum; and pursue new opportunities. We have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of the donor list; however, please accept our sincere apologies for any omissions or errors. If you would like to see your name included on our Honor Roll next year, contact Beth Fischer at 704-687-7677 or beth.fischer@uncc.edu for more information.

Gifts & Pledges $25,000 and up American Asset Corporation Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc. Batson-Cook Company BB&T Charitable Foundation Beacon Partners Chandler Concrete Company, Inc. Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association Childress Klein Properties, Inc. CREW Charlotte Inc.

$10,000 to $24,999

Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors® Concrete Supply Company Carolyn B. Faison and Henry J. Faison FE Charitable Contribution Fund Fifth Third Bank North Carolina Affiliate Charitable Fund Johnston, Allison & Hord, PA N.C. Surplus Lines Association North Carolina Home Builders Association SunTrust Carolinas Group Foundation, Inc. Wells Fargo Foundation Larry Woodell Shirley A. Wright and Richard J. Buttimer, Jr.

Belk College Connects

$5,000 to $9,999

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Bailey W. Patrick Family Donor Advised Fund Belk, Inc. Carolinas Chapter of Risk & Insurance Mgmt. Society Amy Lynn Clement and Steven D. Clement Patti Curtis and Ron T. Curtis Ernst & Young Foundation Frozen and Refrigerated Food Council of NC Stephanie G. Good ’03 & James Edward Good ’03, ’04

Crosland Inc. John Crosland, Jr. Donor Advised Fund Judith Crosland and John Crosland, Jr. Faison Enterprises Inc. Fifth Third Bancorp Foundation for the Carolinas K&L Gates Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation Inc.

I.R.E.M. The John Lewis Endowed Scholarship Fund King & Spalding LLP Jennifer Mosley Knapp and Mike Knapp ’90 John D. Lewis Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Medalist Capital Merrifield Partners Kristen Salls Mills ’98 and Steven Richard Mills ’98 NAIOP Charlotte Bailey W. Patrick Potter & Company, P.A. PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation Robert Qutub ’88 Sara Rayburn and Frank R. Rayburn ’71 Frank C. Spencer Lori P. Stewart ’93 and Jeffery A. Stewart ’93 Jill S. Tietjen ’79 Donaldson G. Williams $1,000 to $4,999

AAA Insurance Bailey and Rose Patrick Donor Advised Fund

Michael E. Baker BDO Seidman, LLP Blair, Bohle & Whitsitt, PLLC J. Kathryn Blanchard and Gregory S. Ross ’88 The Boardwalk Group, Inc. Carlson Bullock Family Trust Cynthia Maxwell Carlson ’70 and William R. Bullock, Sr. CarolinaPower Michael E. Carscaddon ’82 John P Derham Cato ’73 Charlotte Association of Insurance Women Charlotte Chapter of CPCU, Inc. Ronald M. Cofield Cogentrix Energy, Inc. Benjamin LaMar Collins ’07 Compass Group LLC Consultants in Data Processing, Inc. Peter J. Covington C.P.C.U. Loman Educational Foundation Amy E. Curtis and R. Christopher Curtis ’97 David and Sheila Perkins Foundation, Inc. Elliott Davis, LLC Deloitte Services LP Dickson Foundation, Inc. The Duke Energy Foundation Jubal A. Early Timothy C. Flanagan, Jr. Curt W. Fochtmann Deitra Dean Foody ’86 and Paul J. Foody Freeman Family Foundation Suzanne Hill Freeman ’75 and John P. Freeman ’75 Grant Thornton, LLP Grant Thornton Foundation Gray’s College Bookstore Nancy S. Hauser ’77 and David Lee Hauser ’77 Evelyn C. Hinrichs ’72 and Ivan C. Hinrichs Hinson Electric, Inc. Susan L. Hoppe ’76 and Robert R. Hoppe ’73 Howard Brothers Electric Co. Steven L. Hyland ’72, ’80 IBM International Foundation Independent Insurance Agents of Charlotte Mecklenburg Vickie Johnson ’71 and Gene Johnson ’73 Jubal Early & Associates Inc.

$100 to $999

Michael Trent Dulin ’83 David Ronald Edwards ’71 Kay Elrod and T. Lake Elrod ’78 James S. Emmanuel ’04 Charles Abel Erikson ’74 Kimberly O. Eudy and Donald Ray Eudy ’74 Hunter Drew Everton ’93 Frances C. Falco ’95 JoAnn R. Favitta and Michael Favitta Daniel Finkle ’97 Karen L. Finnegan and Robert Joseph Finnegan ’81 Elizabeth Norwood Fischer and A. J. Fischer Ira McDonald Flowe, Jr. ’87 Bryan Todd Freeman ’90 Surassawadee Keopradit Fry ’99 Mary Randolph Frye and Antonio C. Frye ’98 Robert Brent Gabriel ’79 Martin Eric Gentle ’84 April Pace Gillis and Stephen Ward Gillis ’83 Royden Lee Goode II ’80 Grainger Sherry L. Griffin and Chad William Griffin III ’89 Joy P. Gussman and Phillip John Gussman ’92 Sheila Chafin Haas ’86 Matthew Scott Halso ’99 Leticia P. Harmon ’95 and Tom Harmon Catherine J. Harris and Cavan J. Harris ’96 Jane Shanklin Harris ’87 and C. Gordon Harris, Jr. ’87 Karen Gibbs Harris ’89 Steven E. Harris ’05 Julie P. Haynes ’88 and Mark Edwin Haynes ’89 Bradley Alan Heitzmann ’99 Gail P. Helms and Eric T. Helms ’62, ’69 Julie Trull Helms ’85 and David Andrew Helms ’90 Heritage House Realty, Inc. Daryl Rene Hinton ’78 Victor Scott Hoffman ’81 Cynthia S. Hoffner ’84 and Paul R. Hoffner ’84 Sherry B. Honrine ’85 and John Jeffrey Honrine ’84 Charlie B. Hoover, Jr. ’72 Brett H. Houston ’93 Jean Houston and James H. Houston, Jr. ’74 Linda M. Howe and Jim Howe, Jr. Kelly L. Huffstetler and William Spencer Huffstetler ’96 Pamela M. Humphrey ’77 Frances B. Hupfer and Charles John Hupfer ’74 Gregory P. Ingrassia ’00 Douglas W. Isaac, Jr. ’81 Walter I. Jenkins III ’83 Jacob H. Jones ’79 (deceased) Melissa A. Jones Marika S. Kalogerakis ’03 Wissam Sleiman Karout ’03

Belk College Connects

Wanda W. Adkisson and Michael Glen Adkisson ’75 Susan Rich Aliota ’90 and Robert Aliota Altria Group Inc. Patsy L. Anderson and Ken R. Anderson ’86 Robert Lee Anderson ’74, ’79 Louis Andre III ’01 Virginia T. Angus and William Evans Angus ’83 Anonymous Denise R. Appleyard ’86 and Robert David Appleyard, Jr. ’85 Donna Carol Armstrong ’84 and Richard A. Armstrong Terri Wright Arnold ’78 Charles C. Askins, Jr. ’84 AT&T Foundation Gale Hyett Atkins ’84 and W. Henry Atkins Candice Williams Austin ’04 and Bradley L. Austin ’03

Elizabeth Moore Austin ’77 Leslie Auton ’94 Charles Turner Beane ’81 Barbara Masulovich Benson and Paul L. Benson ’94 William Glenn Bickett ’82 Barbara Ann Bissell ’04 Karen Sebralla Black ’81 and David G. Black ’82 H. Parry Bliss, Jr. ’69 Martha G. Bookout ’77 and David C. Bookout ’76 Kevin Edward Bostic ’91 Gwendolyn D. Bowman and Nathaniel Bowman III ’89 Dale Wayne Boyles ’87 David F. Bradshaw ’72 Cameron C. Brandon ’96 Deborah Appling Brannan ’84 and Robert B. Brannan III ’84 Robert A. Brower, Jr. ’77 Carla B. Brown ’79 and Harvey E. Brown, Jr. ’78 Nancy Hovis Brown ’87 and Stephen Michael Brown Russell Hugh Brown ’06 Patricia E. Bruner and Michael Joe Bruner ’83 Russell Philip Buck ’02, ’04 Julie Wall Burris ’90 and Alex S. Burris ’91 Amy Burton and Cooper J. Burton ’08 M. Bryan Butler ’95 Henry Carson Byrd III ’59 David M. Campbell ’77 Carolyn R. Carpenter and Ken B. Carpenter ’78 Erin M. Carpenter ’03 Christine Hilderman Carper and Michael Wilkins Carper ’92 Rhonda Gibson Cato ’83 and Wayland H. Cato III Andy I. Chen ’08 Brian S. Chu ’09 Clariant Corporation Meredith Colenda Collie ’01 and Stephen Lane Collie ’02 James Richard Connors ’87 Rusty Corzine, Jr. ’88 Covidien Samuel J. Crane III ’79 Paula Perrin Croom ’82 Richard E. Culler ’76 Johanna Evangeline Dalber ’04 Melba W. Daniels and Eric E. Daniels ’87 Dean Reges Davey ’77 Annette Elliott Davidson ’93, ’98 and Todd F. Davidson ’91 Kathy E. B. Davis and R. P. Stephen Davis Caroline K. Dellinger and J. Bennett Dellinger III ’73 Jessica Susan Dill ’00, ’01 Linda Hembree Dinh ’99 William Thomas Dixon ’70 Patricia P. Doster ’80 Howard L. Douglas ’99 Ashley Andrew D’Souza ’88 Rhonda C. Duggan ’95 and Brian John Duggan ’94

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Sandra H. Kelly and Don S. Kelly ’81 Killian & Associates, Inc. Ray A. Killian, Jr. Jason Edward Lackey ’97 LarsonAllen LLP Lowe’s Companies, Inc. LT Mechanical Inc Peggy Mazzola and Joseph B. Mazzola Michelle Luhr Menard ’97 and Vernon J. Menard III N.C. State Board of CPA Examiners Vivian Adele Nix ’04 and Eric M. Nelson Linda Okowita Connie Ott and Steven H. Ott Rose Tarrant Patrick and Bailey Patrick, Jr. David Brien Perkins ’84 Mildred Rosetta Powell ’81 and LaMont D. Powell PPC Foundation Christine Fowler Price ’82 and Joe Lee Price II ’83 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP S. Brent Royall ’07 Robert A. Rucho ’94 Marcella Wallace Schumacher ’92 and James A. Schumacher ’86 The Shields Family Fund Marion C. Shields and Michael Kirk Shields ’80 Abigail Kuntz Smith ’00 and Derrick D. Smith ’00 Holly Lynne Stump ’05 Linda E. Swayne and William K. Swayne Vogel Family Foundation, Inc. Christopher Montgomery Vogel ’05 Warren & Associates Frank Warren David Lewis Wedding ’80 Terry Wright Karen J. Zapata ’75 and Manuel L. Zapata ’69, ’73

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Barbara Jo Keane ’98 and John James Keane ’94, ’95 Janice Alberto Keil ’84 and Thomas Laird Keil ’78 John D. Kersh, Jr. ’72 Susan King and Thomas M. King Betty J. Kluttz and Mickey Lee Kluttz ’84 Kristi F. Kunar and Brian Larry Kunar ’88 Paul Kurzeja ’01 Frederick Ray Lanier ’73 Jan Larosa and Ralph Vincent Larosa ’84 Judith Lee Kimberley N. Lee and Richard B. Lee ’93 Gregory M. Lipe ’84, ’92 Keping Liu ’07 Virginia Ruth Long ’82 and Samuel Long III Levan Arness Lunsford ’95 Heather C. Macintosh ’03 and Scott MacIntosh ’03 W. Travis Mangum ’76 R. Jerry Martin ’54 Angela Marie Matousek ’00 Scott P. Mattingly ’02 Charles Jay Maurer ’74 Randall Glen Maxey ’88 Steven Maysonet ’01 Sharon Janine McClurd ’83 Holly G. McIntyre and David E. McIntyre ’74 Kathryn Elaine McKenzie ’04 Larrissa Kay Mebane ’00 Catherine M. Meisner ’80 and Randy J. Meisner ’81 Rhonda J. Merholz and Martin D. Merholz ’86 Viji Sanders Mills ’06 Alfred Leon Minter ’01, ’05 Cherrie McDaniel Moore ’84 and Jeffrey Douglas Moore ’84 Gregory Lee Moore ’99 Kimberly Elaine Moore ’95 Rachel N. Moore ’76, ’78 and Kevin Brent Moore ’78 Carla H. Moran and Michael William Moran ’78 William D. Morgerson ’98 Eric G. Murdock ’99 Carol Morse Myer ’82 Katheryn Lee Northington ’00 and Otis B. Northington Patrick J. Oberer ’93 Grant Alexander Opitz ’06 Roman Gabe Ottinger ’85 Erika D. Owens ’02 and Ernest Franklin Owens ’01 Bonnie S. Parrish and Vernon R. Parrish ’81 Carl F. Parrish, Jr. ’97 John S. Patterson ’89 Jan L. Peelle and Henry E. Peelle III ’83 Sarah Marie Peifer ’07 Wendy Perriman Wendy Holmes Peterson and Randy Peterson ’96 Carolyn J. Phillips ’93 and John Gregory Phillips ’73

Erika Marsh Pitman ’06 Vicki S. Pleasant and Joseph M. Pleasant, Jr. ’77 B. Elizabeth Poole ’85, ’01 Michele Myerly Prevost Dale Edward Prillaman ’00 Margaret J. Prim and John F. Prim, Sr. ’77 Debra Lee Ransom ’81 and Dan Berglund Dustin C. Read ’08 Kenneth L. Read Brenda Y. Rehn ’79 Allison Bernhard Rendall ’98 Karen Honeycutt Reynolds ’78 Kathy McElwaine Rhyne ’80 and John M. Rhyne R.J. Reynolds Foundation Rachel Leah Richards ’05 Teresa Pardue Robbins ’80 and J. Wayne Robbins, Jr. ’80 Catherine Aston Rodgers ’81 and Frederick Rodgers Barbara J. Rosengrant ’81 and Earl Rosengrant Tracey Carr Rossman ’88 and Rudolph John Rossman John Sydney Rowe ’90 Berdell B. Rowell and Robert A. Rowell ’81 Alisa Bennett Roy ’02, ’06 and Joseph Allen Roy ’04 Michelle H. Russell ’99 and Robby Lee Russell ’83 Benjamin Russo Pamela L. Sadoff and John W. Sadoff ’75 Siraj Negash Salih ’02 Jeffery Michael Salyers ’03 Natalie Kay Sanders and Craig Eugene Sanders ’92 Philip J. Sanders ’86 Nancy K. Sanford and Charles Sanford Donna Roman Sappington ’85 and John R. Sappington ’87 Michael Fenwick Sarber ’00 Susan B. Seamster and Larry G. Seamster ’73 Joseph Richard Selzer ’80 Ann L. Shaffer ’84 and Roger A. Shaffer William T. Shaw ’97 Michael D. Sheltra ’84 Jennifer L. Shinn ’87 Amy R. Shippy ’97 and Brett A. Shippy ’89 David J. Shortridge, Jr. ’96 Gary Dale Shue ’93 Lee H. Shrum and Ray B. Shrum ’73 Eric Andrew Sim ’06 M. Ward Simmons, Jr. ’79 Ellen Crabtree Simpson ’97 and William C. Simpson, Jr. Marlene Baucom Simpson and James Duane Simpson ’74 Jack Donald Skinner ’67 Smith, Kesler & Company, P.A. Marcus Smith ’96 Sonoco Foundation Cari F. Stackpole ’95, ’97 State Farm Companies Foundation Greg Steele ’93

Cindy L. Stellute ’83 Douglas Jon Stevenson ’96 Pamela Seaford Stone ’88 and Michael Vance Stone ’88 Ruth Halter Straley ’95 and Michael L. Straley Jan Ellen Strope ’79 and Robert W. Strope Chandrasekar Subramaniam Brian David Swilling ’03 Robert V. Sytz, Jr. ’82 Patricia C. Szmuriga and Arthur F. Szmuriga ’77 Keiko Takai and Kiyoshi Takai ’01 Katherine Lee Taylor ’81 and Richard E. Feinleib Richard Way Thacker, Jr. ’91 Gary Bruce Thomas ’71 Steve Edwards Thomas ’93 Kimberly Bisson Thompson ’99 and Lawrence P. Thompson III ’99 James A. Thompson ’81 Harold G. Till, Jr. ’77 Savio V. Tran ’02 Sylvia E. Uzzell and H. Wright Uzzell, Jr. ’77 Mary T. Valenta ’96 The Vanguard Group Foundation Venture Realty, LLC Richard Daniel Vitolo ’77 Carla Tamika Walker ’01 Marsha Rene Walker ’92 Robby William Walters ’89 Frances P. Walton ’79 and John A. Walton ’78 Cathy J. Wangerin and Steve W. Wangerin ’86 Angela M. Warner ’93 and Timothy M. Warner Allen P. Watson ’81 Dana Michelle Weaver ’08 Tracie R. Weeks ’87 Kimberly S. West ’85 Eleanore J. Wherry ’79 Kristen S. Whisnant ’99 and Tommy Whisnant Gladys Norris White ’97 John Daniel White ’77 Kimberly H. Wiebel ’81 Barrie L. Wiggins ’82 Paula M. Williams and Horace J. Williams, Jr. ’71 Roddey H. Williams ’75, ’05 Stephen J. Williams ’86 Somjai Williford Dennis Floyd Wood III ’87 Christopher David Wrench ’04 Ginger W. Yost ’90, ’95 and Eric R. Yost ’95 Angela Linker Zimmer ’85 and Michael Frank Zimmer ’86 Richard A. Zuber

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Winter 2010 Class Notes

Michael (Mike) Wood ’68 retired as CFO of Progressive Redevelopment, Inc. on July 31, 2009. He previously worked 38 years for Deloitte & Touche, starting in their Charlotte office and retiring in May 2006.  Mike continues to live in the Atlanta area with his wife, Jennie. John Cato ’73, chairman, president and CEO of The Cato Corporation, was a finalist in Ernst & Young’s 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year program for the Carolinas in the Retail

and Consumer Products category. John also is a member of the Belk College’s business advisory council. Greg Johns ’74, ’76, chair of the Belk College’s Accounting Advisory Board, recently was inducted as an honorary member of the UNC Charlotte Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi and also was recognized as an “Outstanding Alumnus” by Beta Alpha Psi and the Department of Accounting. Greg is a tax partner at LarsonAllen, LLP, in Charlotte.

Jill Tietjen MBA ’79, will be inducted in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2010. Jill is an engineer and author who has endowed a scholarship at UNC Charlotte. She was profiled in the Spring 2008 issue of bcc. Amy Raynow Warren ’80 was married on June 13, 2009 to Charles E. Warren. Amy has two grown sons who are serving in the Army and the Army National Guard. She recently retired from her position as Haywood County Register of Deeds after serving four terms in this elected office. Monaghan Group PLLC, led by Beth Monaghan ’88, was named one of North Carolina’s top small businesses by Business Leader magazine. Companies named to the list were evaluated based on revenue growth, business achievements and community involvement.

From left: Mike Rucker, Mac Everett, Director of Athletics Judy Rose, Chancellor Phil Dubois, Gene Johnson, Joe Price, Bob Hull. (Not pictured: Johnny Harris, David Hauser)

Belk College alumni, advisors lead the charge for football The three Belk College alumni serving as executive chairs are: David Hauser, chairman and CEO of FairPoint Communications; Bob Hull, CFO for Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; and Joe Price, president of Consumer and Small Business Banking for Bank of America. Former Carolina Panthers Mike Minter and Mike Rucker also signed on as campaign ambassadors. “We have a great opportunity to make history,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois. The Charlotte 49ers expect to field a football team in 2013. To purchase a seat license or for additional information, visit www.charlotte49erfootball.com/.

Belk College Connects

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nfluential community leaders Mac Everett, Johnny Harris and Gene Johnson are leading the fundraising campaign team to bring football to UNC Charlotte. The powerful team also includes a trio of Belk College alumni who hold high-profile leadership positions at three Fortune 500 corporations. Everett, an honorary chair, is the general chairman of the PGA’s Quail Hollow Championship and a member of the Belk College’s sports advisory board. Harris, the second honorary chair, has supported the Belk College’s Center for Real Estate through his development firm, Lincoln Harris. Johnson, the retired chairman and CEO of FairPoint Communications and a 1973 graduate of the Belk College, is chairman of the fundraising committee.

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ALUMNI bcc:

Alumni Spotlight: David Hauser, MBA ’77 Belk College alumnus David Hauser, MBA ’77, had a memorable 2009. In February, he was named an executive chair of the fundraising campaign to bring football to UNC Charlotte. In June, he retired as group executive and chief financial officer from Duke Energy Corp. During his 35-year career at Duke, David served in a variety of leadership positions, including vice president of procurement services and materials and chief financial officer. On July 1, he became chairman and CEO of Charlotte-based FairPoint Communications, the nation’s eighth-largest telephone company. And in September, he was sworn in as a member of the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees. In addition to his service on the football campaign committee and Board of Trustees, Hauser remains a member of the Belk College’s Business Advisory Council. Asked to share his rules for success with students and alumni, David provided the following list: • Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff. • Work to live, don’t live to work. • Work hard and play hard, but play harder. • Be on a steep learning curve. If you aren’t on a steep learning curve, you are slowing your career. • Other people can always do your job. Don’t get enamored with your position. If that is not true, you can never move up. • Begin each day with a sense of purpose and end it with a sense of accomplishment. • Nobody is responsible for your career but you. • Have fun at work. If you’re not, then do something different. • Make your job seem easy. Make it look to others as if your job is a piece of cake. • Be proactive. Don’t procrastinate. Most of us put off what we don’t want to do. That won’t make it easier. It may make it harder.

Donald Campbell ’90 has received Green designation from the National Association of Realtors. He has his own firm, Donald A. Campbell Real Estate, based in Charlotte.

Belk College Connects

David Bruno ’93 has started a cost recovery company, Business & Property Solutions, Inc.

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Angela Sherrel Micalizzi ’93 started a business last year to provide non-profit organizations with grant writing and grant research services. Angela and her husband, Bernard Micalizzi, were married September 15, 2007. They live in Charlotte. Linda Champion Daley ’94 began a new role at Bank of America, benefits communication change consultant, in October 2009.

Susan Harden, ’94 MS Economics, received the 2009 Civic Engagement Professional of the Year Award from Campus Compact, an organization that promotes community service in higher education. Susan is coordinator for UNC Charlotte’s “Crossroads Charlotte” initiative. Mitzi Kincaid ’96 has opened a second location in Charlotte for her law firm, Kincaid and Associates, LLC. The firm, which also has an office in Wilmington, N.C., handles business formations, wills, trusts, copyrights, trademarks and other transactional legal issues. Scott D. Smith ’96 was recently promoted to director of North America sales solutions

at eMeter, Inc. Scott and his wife, Leigh Ann Yates Smith ’98, live in Pittsford, NY. Nick Rhodes ’97 married Elizabeth Hinko on September 6, 2009 at Belk Chapel in Charlotte N.C. The couple lives in Alexandria, Va. Rafi-uddin Shikoh ’97 MBA, was invited to address attendees at the 2009 Middle East Leaders Forum, held in New York City last November. Rafi is founder of The DinarStandard, a growth strategy and intelligence service provider focused on OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) markets. Clay Tison ’97 joined FSB Legal Counsel, a Fisher Broyles LLP, as a partner to launch of an office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Previously, Clay was in-house counsel for Gemini Real Estate Advisors, LLC and served as outside general counsel for a local developer focusing on real estate turnaround management activities. Ben Bennett ’98 joined the Country Music Association, based in Nashville, Tenn., last October as online marketing manager.  The CMA produces the CMA Awards and CMA Music Fest. Ben is in charge of online and social media initiatives to help drive viewers to the shows. Michelle Punch Preslar ’98 is the Greater Charlotte Executive Director for Autism Speaks.  She is married to Dan Preslar and resides in Charlotte.  Michelle and Dan celebrated their two-year anniversary by running the New York City Marathon last November. Matthew Johnson ’99 was invited to participate in a prestigious rally-car road race in Mexico last July. The Corona Rally Mexico was part of the ESPN “X Games.” Jessica Dill ’00, MAcc ’01 was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2009 list of “40 under 40” for professional achievements and community leadership attained before the age of 40. Additionally, she has joined the Belk College Alumni Advisory Council.

Adam Steele ’03 and Kara Summers Steele ’04 announce the birth of their daughter, Baylee Summer, on July 3, 2009.

Davette Stephens Harper ’01 has joined the Allen Tate Company as a broker/Realtor, representing buyers as well as sellers.

Jessica Best ’04 joined Integra Staffing as marketing manager in June 2009. She is responsible for marketing, public relations and relationship management, and recruiting. She also oversees the company’s newly launched non-profit organization, The Diversity Forum.

Derrick Smith ’00 and his wife, Abby – a 2000 graduate of the College of Education – are pleased to announce the birth of Cameron Matthew on April 6, 2009. The family lives in Edgewater, N.J. Jessica Brown ’03 was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2009 list of “40 under 40.” The award honors individuals under the age of 40 who are making major strides in their careers and impacting their communities. Jessica is vice president, brokerage at CB Richard Ellis.

James Good ’03 completed a cross-country bicycle trip from Seattle to Charlotte last summer. His journey was profiled in The Charlotte Observer and he blogged about the experience at http://jamesegood.blogspot.com/.

Ben Lincoln ’03 of Redwood Wealth Management was named a “Five Star Wealth Manager” by Charlotte magazine. The firm provides comprehensive investment solutions to individuals, families and institutional investors.

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Phil Murray ’00, ’06 announces the launch of a beta site for StrictlyExecs.com a confidential, exclusive, executive-level talent website.

Courtney Peters ’04 married Justin Patterson on May 23, 2009 in Atlanta. Courtney earned an MBA from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., in December 2007 and working for The Hartford. Courtney and Justin live in Huntsville, Ala. Scott Plunkett ’05 and Lindsey Raborn Plunkett were married May 30, 2009 at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church in

Charlotte Alumni Event

donor IMPACT luncheon

2009

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Charlotte. Scott is an assistant director of Alumni Affairs at UNC Charlotte; Lindsey is an elementary education major at UNC Charlotte who expects to graduate in May 2010. 

Cory Treadaway ’07 married Ann Marie Coddington, a fellow UNC Charlotte graduate, on June 12, 2009. The couple lives Asheville, N.C. Cory is a cost accountant at ArvinMeritor, Inc.

Darren Moorehead ’09 is the operations manager for ARAMARK Healthcare.

Katharine Baas ’06 is in her third year of service with AmeriCorps. She spent the first two years at the Kernodle Center for Service Learning at Elon University and currently is with AmeriCorps State/National with City Year Miami, serving as a recruitment program leader.

Col. Thomas E. Hiebert ’09, Ph.D., the first graduate of Belk College Ph.D. in Business Administration program, has been appointed to the faculty at West Point.

Martin Borbone ’07 earned a Master’s degree from the School of Library and Information Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been appointed client manager at Publishing Technology. Martin is based in Cambridge, Mass.

Give the Gift that Makes a Difference

Belk College Connects

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n spite of the drastic change in economic conditions over the past two years, charitable giving has exceeded $300 billion, according to Giving USA 2009. You might be surprised to learn that individuals contribute approximately 82 percent of all donations through outright gifts and bequests, while corporations and foundations give the remaining 18 percent. Interestingly, giving to the Belk College does not reflect these national trends. Instead, individuals give only 15 percent of the College’s overall philanthropic funding, while corporations and foundation have generously donated 85 percent of our overall contributions. As any of our students or alumni could tell you, it is important for businesses to keep a diversified funding portfolio. Likewise, the Belk College must diversify its donor base. Corporate support decreased almost 5 percent last year, and our funding from the state continues to decline, by 20 percent in this year alone. Fur-

Amy McGhee MBA ’08 and Sean McGhee ’09 MS Math Finance welcomed a daughter, Madeline Quinn, on June 28, 2009.

thermore, the number of individual contributors is declining – down by almost 50 percent since 2005, reflecting national trends. Each year, giving to educational organizations ranks second, behind giving to religious organizations. Giving to educational purposes dropped 5.5 percent this past year, while giving to religious causes increased 5.5 percent. The good news is, it’s not all bad news – and you can play an active role in the solution. Private support is crucial to the future of the Belk College. We need alumni, parents and friends to join our Honor Roll of Donors and make a gift today. Each and every gift makes a difference. In fact, three anonymous individuals have agreed to match first-time gifts up to $10,000. This match immediately doubles the impact of your contribution, no matter the size. Your gift will assist with two important Belk College initiatives: student scholarships and

Awards Granted

2007

2008

2009

Scholarships

$333,900

$260,000

$160,000

Faculty Development

$32,000

$85,600

$49,000

Total

$365,900

$345,600

$209,000

Wei Tsay ’09 was selected to speak at the UNC Charlotte Commencement ceremony in May 2009. While a student, Wei was active in a number of student organizations, most notably serving as president of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

Beth Fischer is director of development for the Belk College. To learn how you can get involved with the college, contact her at 704-687-7677 or beth.fischer@uncc.edu

faculty development funds. Faculty support is particularly important so the college can develop courses that utilize emerging technologies. The University is not immune to changes in the market, and thus our endowment levels have dropped significantly. The result is that many of our endowed funds are not able to support the causes for which they were established. As you can see in the chart, our ability to award student scholarships and faculty development grants has been constrained. Of course, like many public institutions demand for financial aid at UNC Charlotte has increased, while resources have decreased. At the same time, enrollment in the Belk College has increased from 3,100 students in 2007 to more than 3,300 in 2009 – and enrollment is projected to rise again next year. Won’t you make the Belk College a top funding priority and contribute today by visiting www.uncc.edu/giving and designating your gift to the Belk College?

New Student Union, Branding Campaign Build 49er Pride on Campus Student Union UNC Charlotte’s 196,000 square foot Student Union officially opened last August, providing meeting space and resources for over 300 student organizations. The Union is home to various amenities including a two-story campus bookstore, a 210-seat movie theatre, dining options including Einstein Bagels, Starbucks and Wendy’s, a game room, and an art gallery. The new Student Union will also serve as a university community center for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. 4.NINERK Last October, more than 600 runners turned out for the inaugural 4.NINERK race. The 4.9 kilometer race raised over $27,000 for need-based scholarships. All proceeds from the race will go directly to financial aid for students to remain in school this spring. UNC Charlotte “Stake Your Claim” Brand Campaign UNC Charlotte officially launched its “Stake Your Claim” brand campaign last August with the installation of three, 18-foot tall pickaxe sculptures. The pickaxes were installed at UNC Charlotte’s main entrance, as well as the atrium of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the First Citizen’s Plaza in Center City Charlotte. The pickaxes visually reinforce the University’s brand campaign tagline, “Stake Your Claim,” which ties the university’s aspirations to the region’s history of mining 49ers.

9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223