FALL 2020
Beyond the business major Pg. 8
ALUMNUS ESTABLISHES EIGHT SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS Pg. 3
STUDENTS OUTPERFORM THE NATIONAL STOCK MARKET Pg. 12
Welcoming Dr. Shane Hunt I am very excited to be
Also, in this issue, you will see a focus on our alumni
the new dean of the
and donors, whose support is more critical than ever to
College of Business
our students and College. As a first-generation college
and a professor of
student myself, I saw firsthand the positive impact
marketing
at
that the scholarships you provide have on a student’s
Idaho State University
ability to succeed and graduate. A week never goes by
and so thankful to be
when I do not hear a story about how your gifts are
part of our amazing
having an extraordinarily positive impact on the lives
Idaho State College of Business family. Our top priority
of our students. In the weeks and months ahead, we
in the College of Business is always our students and
look forward to celebrating our donors in new ways,
their success. During the past five months, I have met
including a new scholarship event this spring where
so many outstanding students in my marketing class,
we will bring together all of our College of Business
my office, on Zoom or across campus that are working
scholarship donors with the current Idaho State
hard and showing the perseverance, flexibility and
students who received their specific scholarship.
FALL 2020
03
TO A GENEROUS MAN
04
PAYING IT FORWARD
05
MAKING TOMORROW BETTER
06
A NEW WAY TO COMMEMORATE
07
ALUMNI UPDATES
08
BEYOND THE BUSINESS MAJOR
10
ALUMNUS SHARES HIS INSIGHTS
11
BRINGING BUSINESS TO RADIO
12
OUTPERFORMING THE NATIONAL STOCK MARKET
13
ECONOMICS STUDENT WINS COMPETITION
14
BOLINGER BOOK & NEW FACULTY
here
problem-solving skills that will help them succeed both on campus and as they become the business leaders of
Thank you all for welcoming my family and I to this
tomorrow. I hope you will enjoy learning more about
incredible community and University. It is a truly great
some of the great things our students are doing in this
time to be part of the Idaho State College of Business
issue.
and I believe that our best days are ahead of us. Roar, Bengals, Roar! SHANE HUNT, PH.D. Dean, College of Business
| 3
To a generous man Over the years, the College of Business and its students have been supported by the generosity of many great alumni and friends. One of these sources is the unstinting support of alumnus Peter C. Kole. Throughout the years, Kole and his wife Nancy have established and funded eight scholarship endowments for the College’s students. “This year, we were able to award over $16,000 in scholarship funds to thirteen College of Business students thanks to their generosity,” said Director of Development Catherine Rider.
Several of those students wanted to share their gratitude for Kole’s support and
comes to Idaho State from Nepal and has been able to maintain a 4.0 grade
the difference it has made in their lives, including healthcare administration
point average. Shrestha explained that in Nepal, free public education was not
student, Maya Tillotson. Tillotson is a first-generation college student who was
available to him. “It was really hard for my parents to pay for my education.”
raised by a single mother of five. “She has worked so hard for us her entire life
Shrestha’s parents were unable to pay for his secondary education, so earning
and I wanted to do right by her and earn my degree,” said Tillotson. “Through
scholarships has been essential for him to earn his degree.
this scholarship, I have been able to do that.” For Tillotson and the other scholarship recipients, the Kole scholarships have made it possible for them to
Nancy and Peter’s scholarships have also made a huge difference this year in
focus more closely on their academic success rather than working more hours
the education of Jaxon Chapman, an economics and finance major, and Amber
to afford their education.
Phillips, an accounting major. For Chapman, adapting to a college atmosphere was challenging. “I didn’t feel prepared for college and working while going to
“This scholarship has helped me to stay motivated and focus on my studies
school has been difficult.” Chapman said that thanks to scholarships like the
more than ever,” said finance and management student Saugat Shrestha, who
one he received from Kole; he has remained debt free thus far. Continued on page 15...
4 |
Paying it forward I n beginning his position at the College of Business, one of the first things
attend school. Hunt was a first-generation college student and wanted to
Dean Dr. Shane Hunt did was establish a scholarship endowment in honor of his
honor his parents through this endowment. His father Loren, who passed away
parents, Loren and Debbie Pilgrim, to help future students achieve academic
in 2015, was a member of the United States Postal Service for more than 30
success.
years and his mother Debbie was an operations director for a staffing service for over 25 years. His mother has since relocated to Pocatello and is now an
Hunt dedicated “The Loren and Debbie Pilgrim Business Excellence Scholarship Endowment” to his parents because of all the sacrifices they made so he could
“
avid Bengals fan.
I am thrilled to honor the legacy of my parents by permanently endowing this scholarship.”
“Going to college positively changed every aspect of my life, and that would not have been possible without the love, support and sacrifice of my incredible parents,” Hunt said. “I am thrilled to honor the legacy of my parents by permanently endowing this scholarship that will help provide education opportunities for our Idaho State College of Business students for generations to come.”
| 5
Making tomorrow better Healthcare administration faculty member Joshua Thompson and his wife
Idaho State students will push forward healthcare, [throughout our nation].”
Amy have established the “Joshua and Amy Thompson Scholarship Endowment” available to involved, senior-level, healthcare administration students.
“We want to express our sincere appreciation to Joshua and Amy for their very generous gift and for their dedication to our students,” said Director of
Joshua completed his undergraduate degree in political science and a Masters
Development Catherine Rider. “Scholarships are of tremendous importance to
of Public Administration with an emphasis in healthcare administration, both
our students and it is truly wonderful to see our alumni and faculty stepping
from Idaho State, and has been teaching at the College since 2015.
forward to provide opportunities like this for our students in perpetuity.”
Joshua said he has had the goal of establishing a scholarship since he was a student. “When I was a student, I ran for the University’s Legislature and was able to do a large amount of research on Idaho State and the needs of its students,” said Joshua. “At the time, I knew how difficult it was for myself to make ends meet and I thought if I was ever in a position to provide an opportunity to take a little of the financial burden away from a future Bengal, I would.” During his college career, Joshua read a quote that he said has stuck with him throughout his life: “For two hundred years, we’ve lived in the future, believing that tomorrow would be better than today and today would be better than yesterday.” Joshua said, “If we can be an outlet to continue that forward, isn’t that our responsibility?” Joshua said the University has had a profound impact on his family’s lives. “The scholarship is our way of hoping to continue to push forward that belief. That
6 |
A new way to commemorate The College will unveil a new display to recognize its distinguished alumni.
“We are very proud of our incredible alumni base in the College of Business
Two walls have been designated to display past and future Idaho Business
and we are excited to be able to showcase the success and accomplishments
Leader of the Year recipients as well as Professional Achievement Award
of our alumni with these new recognition walls,” said Catherine Rider, Director
recipients.
of Development.
The College worked in conjunction with the University’s Marketing &
Rider explained that not only will the walls recognize the accomplishments
Communications department to develop a modern and timeless wall mounting
of alumni, “But they will also be a source of inspiration for current and future
that follows the new branding standards of the University. These recognition
students who will look at the names on those walls and realize that a bright
walls will prominently feature past recipients on modern acrylic plaques.
future and a successful career are within their reach as well.”
Thank you to our donors The College of Business and our students are eternally grateful for the generosity of the donors that established these endowments. Anita and Frank Pirrone Endowmen
Clarence W. and Velma A. Byrne Scholarship Endowment
G. Lynn and Judith Kidd Scholarship Endowment
Arthur Andersen Accounting Scholarship Endowment
College of Business Scholarship Endowment
General R. F. Molinelli Memorial Endowment
Bartlett Family Trust Endowment
College of Business Endowment
Harry and Susan Bruestle Endowment
Beta Alpha Psi Endowment
Danny H. & Pauline Thiros Scholarship Endowment
Bert and Lenee Godfrey Memorial Scholarship Endowment
David A. Hill Endowment
J. A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation Business Scholarship Endowment
Billy D. Vickers Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Don and Jeanine Sauer Scholarship Endowment
James and Betty Kelly Endowment
Boyd W. Hodson Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Dr. Bill Phillips Memorial Professional Development Endowment
Jay Eggleston Scholarship Endowment
Burton J. Albertson Memorial Endowment
Earl C. Carlson Scholarship Endowment
Jay Glasmann Family Scholarship Endowment
Carl C. Weaver College of Business Scholarship Endowment
Ewer Marketing Scholarship Endowment
Joshua and Amy Thompson Scholarship Endowment
Christopher L. and Rebecca L. Barth Endowment
Gary D. and Susan G. Campbell Scholarship Endowment
Junius Larsen and Peter C. Kole Scholarship Endowment
| 7
Alumni updates SCOTT ALLRED- MACC & MBA ‘13
GLENNIS WILLIAMS- HR MANAGEMENT, ‘99
Hired as controller at Fin Fun, started October 2020
Named vice president and chief human resource officer for MSA Safety Incorporated in February 2020
TODD COOPER- FINANCE, ‘84 & MBA, ‘91
Named president of Idaho First Bank in June 2020
KORBY WRIGHT- MANAGEMENT, ‘97
Hired as managing director at Coforge in September 2020
ERIN SIMMS- HCA, ‘03 & MBA, ‘05
Promoted to vice president of human resources for St. Luke’s Health
SHARE YOUR UPDATES WITH US:
System in July 2020
Keep the College of Business posted on changes to your career. We would love
LAURA SMITH- MASS COMMUNICATION & MARKETING, ‘04
to share your success in the next issue. Send your updates to: westkels@isu.edu.
Promoted to vice president of public relations at Idaho Central Credit Union in August 2020
Ken Smith Scholarship Endowment
M. T. and Jennie H. Deaton Endowment
Ray G. and Effie G. Kaufman Endowment
Kenneth M. and Linda Jantz Scholarship Endowment
Mahmoud Fouad Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Richard and Peggy Garvin Scholarship Endowment
Kenneth and Rachel Franklin Endowment
Michael J. Byrne Scholarship Endowment
Richard T. and Julia R. Norman Memorial Endowment
Klime and Athina Kole Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Michihide D. Totoki Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Rodney D. Lind Scholarship Endowment
Larry Bird Scholarship Endowment
Mildred C. Ames Scholarship Endowment
Sheel Pawar Scholarship Endowment
Larry J. Roberts Endowment
Stephen M. Meikle Scholarship Endowment
Leland D. Beckman Scholarship Endowment
Nelson Family Charitable Trust Endowed Professorship in Accounting
Loren & Debbie Pilgrim Business Excellence Scholarship
Nile Boyle and Julie Boyle Endowment
T. Kim Allen Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Lud Pollack Scholarship Endowment
Peter C. Kole - Dr. Kenneth Smith Scholarship
Luella M. Hopkins Brick Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Peter C. Kole - Frank W. Lane Scholarship Endowment
Tamila Gates Scholarship Endowment Fund for Fearless Pursuit of Personal Success
Masters of Accountancy Endowment
Peter C. Kole - Dr. Frank Seelye Scholarship
Tom and Genevieve Skaggs Accounting Scholarship
Melanie Smith Endowment
Peter C. Kole - William E. Stratton Scholarship Endowment
Wilburn J. Adams Scholarship Endowment
Michael C. Ruettgers Endowment
Peter C. Kole College of Business Scholarship Endowment
M. Lee Jacobsen and Morgan F. Hyland Endowment
Ramona Strahan Henderson Scholarship Endowment
Steven J. Skaggs Scholarship Endowment
Beyond the Business Major Since July, the College of Business has announced several exciting new
engineering backgrounds will discuss how sales has been incorporated into
initiatives. Two major new programs are centered around teaching sales and
their careers.
financial literacy. In September, Dean Dr. Shane Hunt announced the launch of a sales certificate program and the Bengal Sales Challenge at the first
Additionally, the College will launch the financial literacy program in Fall 2021,
Professional Selling Series speaker event. “Sales is at the heart of modern
which includes a financial literacy talk show hosted on KISU-FM. The show will
business,” said Hunt. “We are thrilled to provide our new Professional Sales
begin covering financial literacy topics and featuring financial speakers from
Certificate to students from every major on campus. Understanding and using
around the region. After the show airs, it will be available in podcast format
the aspects of sales in order to improve for-profit business, not-for-profit
across multiple platforms.
organizations and students’ career prospects is a critical educational activity that will benefit students for years to come.”
“Helping people develop financial literacy and preparing them to manage their finances has the ability to positively impact generations of our citizens,” Hunt
The new sales program will continue to feature the Professional Selling Series,
said. “I think this will provide a tremendous benefit to students across the Idaho
in which a panel of alumni speakers from business, pharmacy, healthcare and
State campus from all majors and people throughout our community.”
| 9
Both the sales and financial literacy programs will include a nine-credit
industry experts and compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships.”
certificate obtainable by any student in the University, regardless of major.
Through each program, Hunt hopes to expand career opportunities for students outside of the College of Business and instill in them a responsible
Each program will also feature opportunities for scholarships. Within the financial literacy program, scholarships will be available to students who have completed the first two courses of the program and are pursuing the certificate. The Inaugural Bengal Sales Challenge, launching in April, will pose an opportunity for scholarships as well. “This competition is open to every Idaho State student,” said Hunt. “[The challenge] will provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their selling skills, get individual feedback from
“
understanding of their personal finances as they enter into their careers.
I think this will provide a tremendous benefit to students across the Idaho State campus from all majors and people throughout our community.”
10 |
Alumnus shares his insights In October, the College of Business was fortunate to have alumnus Roger Akers visit. He was the first speaker for the College’s new Graduate Association of Business Students (GABS) Executive Speaker Series. Initiated by Dean Dr. Shane Hunt and Director of Graduate Studies Kristine McCarty, the GABS Executive Speaker series brings in successful alumni from the College of Business graduate programs to speak to students about their career trajectory. This provides networking opportunities and allows current students to witness the successes of those that have come before them.
A California resident, Akers traveled a few hundred miles to share his experience
knowing what venture capitalists want to see before investing.
with College of Business students. Over the course of the day, Akers had lunch with members of the GABS club, visited a number of classes and went on a
When asked by a student what his greatest piece of advice would be, Akers
campus tour. Akers spent a great deal of time connecting with current students
responded, “People in our world take far too little risk in their lives. They settle.
in the College of Business graduate programs. “Roger helped us understand
Take risks and trust yourself that things will turn out okay.” This seemed to be
how to apply complex concepts like taking risks and failing, he even gave us
the theme of the day, and it struck a chord with many of the students.
interviewing tips,” shared Nikole Layton, a GABS member pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and Master of Healthcare Administration
“Our students appreciate the opportunity to learn from the experiences of
(MHA) degree.
those more advanced in their careers. Roger’s visit was a great success, and we look forward to inviting more graduate program alumni back in the future,”
Akers’s speech focused on dealing with venture capital firms as an entrepreneur. As a founder of the successful Akers Capital LLC, he has had firsthand experience
said McCarty.
featured alumni
| 11
Bringing business to radio In September, College of Business Dean Dr. Shane
estate agent and partner at Colliers International, Don
Hunt launched the new Bengal Business Radio Show
Zebe and management professor, Dr. Alex Bolinger.
on KISU-FM 91. “I was inspired to launch [the show]
October’s show featured alumnus and managing
to share the great things happening in the College of
partner at Big Four accounting firm- KPMG, Mike
Business and to have successful alumni and professors
Hayhurst and economics professor Dr. Iris Buder. “We
who are experts in their field provide insights on
have had some great discussions about the impact of
current business topics,” said Hunt. “Our faculty guests
COVID-19 on commercial real estate, large accounting
get to share their research and the impact it is having
firms and the economics of healthcare,” said Hunt.
across industries and our alumni get to share advice that benefits current students and other listeners
Hunt said he is planning to feature more great guests
throughout the region.”
for future episodes and plans to discuss topics at the forefront of business conversations such as the future
After just a few months of airing, Hunt said he has
of retailing, healthcare administration during the
received numerous compliments on the show from
pandemic and the impact of Big Data on businesses in
listeners throughout the state. “I have been told by
2021.
several listeners how much they enjoy hearing about the great classroom projects and research our faculty
The segment airs the last Thursday of every month at
and students are working on together,” said Hunt.
7:30 PM MT on KISU-FM. KISU’s signal is located at 91.1 in the Pocatello area, 91.3 in Idaho Falls and 88.1 in the
Thus far, the show has had two episodes. The first show
Upper Valley. The show and all past episodes can also
in September featured alumnus and commercial real
be heard online at kisu.org/programs/bengal-business.
12 |
Outperforming the national stock market Students in the 2019 to 2020 College of Business Student Managed
“The class has given students the opportunity to learn about and apply the
Investment Fund class earned a $9,452.45 check for the College as part of a
principles of stock analysis and portfolio management to a real portfolio where
course that is supported by the D.A. Davidson Investment Fund. The course
they are investing real money,” said finance professor Dr. Kenneth Khang. “This
allows students to invest and manage real money in the stock market. This year,
gives students a real-world investment experience where their decisions have
the students had portfolio gains of 42.8 percent, which placed them fourth
an actual dollar impact and gives them the experience of putting theory into
out of 21 colleges and universities participating in the program. The class also
practice.” The College of Business has participated in this program since the
outpaced national markets such as the Dow Jones and S&P 500 by 20.86 and 32.53 percent respectively. The D.A. Davidson Investment Fund is
“
fall semester of 2005, and over the
This class gives students a real-world investment experience of putting theory into practice.”
past five years, Idaho State has ranked sixth on the Sharpe Ratio, which is a measure of reward to risk. “The original goal for the D.A. Davidson
a program created by D.A. Davidson & Co. to help
students across the West and Midwest get real experience in finance, stock
Student Investment Program was to provide upper-level college students with
investments and portfolio management. This fund gives $50,000 to student
hands-on experience managing an actual investment portfolio,” said Aaron
teams in senior-level finance courses at participating universities who then
Buckalew, a representative and advisor for D.A. Davidson and the class. “This is
invest the money and manage the portfolio for a year. After the year, they assess
an incredibly unique opportunity where decisions being made directly impact
their investments and have the opportunity to earn money for their school,
the value of the money they are given to invest. My hope is that this experience
receiving half of any gains above five percent. On the other side, if there are
builds a solid foundation for investing that the students will use throughout
losses, D.A. Davidson absorbs them so there isn’t any loss to the students or
their careers and personal lives.” Buckalew has been the advisor for the Idaho
colleges.
State class for eight years.
| 13
Economics student wins UNA-USA competition In September, Ritesh Yadav, an economics student at the College of
campus. I want our campus community to be a leader in adopting sustainability
Business, won first prize in the UNA-USA Sustainable Development Goals pitch
on-campus and set an example.”
competition. In August, the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) sent calls for pitch proposals to over 20,000 members.
After graduation Yadav plans to attain a Ph.D. in development economics and
Eight candidates were selected to present four-minute pitches explaining their
eventually start a non-profit.
proposal to the judges. Yadav was declared the winner and awarded $500 to implement his proposal on campus. Yadav’s proposal focused on two Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-- SDG 13: Climate Change and SDG 14: Life Below Water. His pitch centered around starting an awareness campaign through discussions that would incentivize students to participate and learn about the problems that single-use plastics create. As a board member of the UNA-USA Idaho State chapter, Yadav plans to work with his fellow members to develop a strategic plan to implement his proposal on campus. “We have often learned about the harm plastic causes to our environment,” said Yadav of his inspiration for the project. “Unfortunately, only a handful of universities in the United States have adopted sustainable alternatives on-
14 |
Bolinger publishes a book A book by
Welcoming new faculty Dr. Alex Bolinger, associate
professor of management, and his co-author, Dr. Julie Stanton from Pennsylvania State University at Brandywine, has been published by Edgar Elgar Publishing. The book, entitled Role-Play Simulations, provides a systematic guide to using role-play simulations as an experiential approach to teaching business. The idea for the book began nearly a decade ago, when Bolinger and Stanton were colleagues at the Penn State campus in suburban Philadelphia. Stanton uses a unique activity involving chopsticks and Starburst candies to help students experience working on an assembly line. Similarly, Bolinger uses immersive, one-on-one role-play to illustrate effective negotiation. A distinctive feature of the book is its focus on how to facilitate role-play simulations online in addition to face-to-face. Bolinger says that the book is a tribute to the legacy of his former faculty, as a management major at Idaho State, who used role-play simulations extensively. “I had the good fortune of learning from faculty members who are masterful at using role-play simulations to make the principles of management skills come to life,” Bolinger said. “This book is a thank-you to people such as Jim Jolly, Bill Stratton, Kathy Lund Dean, Dennis Krumwiede, and so many others who have in the past and continue today to use role-plays and other creative approaches to engage students.”
Erik Boyle, Ph.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING
Dr. Erik Boyle joined the College of Business after spending several years working as an auditor for KPMG. After his time at KPMG, Boyle returned to academia to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Utah. He teaches auditing in both the undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as fraud accounting. His research investigates audit quality and explores the relationship between auditors and clients. In his spare time, you can usually find him on the sidelines of some field or court cheering on - and sometimes coaching - his kids.
Daniel Kim, Ph.D. MHA PROGRAM DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Dr. Daniel Kim received his doctorate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with an emphasis in strategy. His primary research interests focus on health literacy, health disparity, leadership competencies and strategic management and outcomes. He has taught courses on the U.S. healthcare system, research methods and philosophy of science. Kim joins the College of Business as an assistant professor and the new director of the Master of Healthcare Administration program.
| 15
Peter Kole continued “Scholarships like this one have also helped me to inspire my friends that are
Other dedications have included Danny and Pauline Thiros and Klime and
hesitant to go to school because of the cost. Now they see that if you earn
Athina Kole. Pauline is the University’s athletics director, and Klime and Athina
scholarships then it is doable,” said Chapman.
are Kole’s parents, who immigrated to the United States from Albania when Peter was just a year old.
Phillips, who grew up in Meridian, began her educational journey out of state
“
and decided to transfer to Idaho State. “This scholarship has really helped me to regain some of the finances I lost,” said Phillips. “It has also made grad school more obtainable.” Phillips said she plans on entering the Master of Accountancy program and becoming a Certified Public Accountant.
Kole has also dedicated scholarships to past College of Business professors: Frank Lane, Dr. Ken Smith, Dr. William
We were able to award over $16,000 in scholarship funds to thirteen College of Business students thanks to their generosity.”
Stratton and Dr. Frank Seelye (1963 – 1968 dean of the College and an instrumental leader in securing funding for the business building). The College of Business is not the only
Each of these students noted that Kole’s generosity and the impact of his
one to be honored by Kole’s generosity and support. Kole has established and
scholarships have inspired them to return the favor to future Bengals once
funded other scholarships on campus in both the College of Education and the
they have the means to do so.
Athletics Department.
Kole has dedicated each of his scholarships to individuals in the College,
Kole graduated from the College of Business in 1963. Before recently retiring,
University or his personal life that have had an impact on himself or others. In
he owned and ran Paramount Metal Products in Cleveland, Ohio for over 40
1999, Kole and Nancy established the Junius Larsen Scholarship Endowment
years. Kole’s success and support of the University has led to his selection as
in recognition of the chemistry professor’s dedication and kindness to his
a past recipient of the Idaho State University College of Business Professional
students. Larsen began teaching at Idaho State in 1928 when it was known as
Achievement Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award and an Honorary
the University of Idaho, Southern Branch.
Doctorate.
College of Business 921 South 8th Ave., Stop 8020 Pocatello, ID 83209-8020 ABA003
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