Business Bulletin: Winter 2019

WINTER 2019

the impact of an education pg. 7

WINTER 2019

WINTER 2019

NEW ACTING

A

dean s a long-time member of the College

operations and am ready to work with College

of Business, I am honored to serve as your acting

faculty and staff. I’ve been at ISU since 1988,

dean for the spring 2019 semester. In this role, I

when I began teaching Business Statistics and

will be carrying out the administrative duties of

working as the staff economist for the College. I’ve

dean, while the College conducts a national search

since served as Master of Business Administration

3

building our future|dyer hall

4

sharing his story

for a candidate to fill the position permanently. In

academic director and then associate dean prior

5

professors teaching in high schools

the meantime, we are on track to continue our

to my transition to Academic Affairs in 2016.

6

b u i l d i n g p r o f e s s i o n a l s | 60th i b l o y

excellent programs and are making plans for the

We will keep you updated throughout our

7

upcoming accreditation review in 2021-2022.

transition. Stay posted as there are exciting new

the impact of an education

Having previously held administrative roles with

opportunities ahead.

10

beyond the degree

the College of Business, I am familiar with its

11

pitching for cash

12

a light in the darkness

13

recognition for community service

14

top publisher|leadership changes

15

remembering zeke

JOANNE TOKLE, PH.D.

acting dean, college of business

leave us feedback:

bit.ly/2GDlDUy

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feature

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building our future B E C O M I N G A C O L L E G E O F D E S T I N AT I O N

I

n 2018, the leadership of the College of Business began the initial planning stages of launching a campaign to build a new business building that will better serve the needs of our students and the business community.

Along with our talented faculty and staff, an essential element to achieving

the College’s mission is upgrading to a modern, technology-enabled teaching and learning facility. An appropriate facility will create space for our current programs to expand and for our new programs to develop and thrive, while enhancing student learning and attracting new students.

Resident attendants (R.A.) and business students Kaushal Wagle and Sage Alexander have been working to build the community feel in the College’s residential

Achieving our bold goal requires a great deal of hard work, planning, and the

community in Dyer Hall by getting faculty involved.

support of our alumni and friends. Toward that end, the first step the College

“Hanging out with the professors makes being a part

took was completing a feasibility study to gauge the interests of alumni,

of the College of Business even more special,” said

donors and the business community, as well as to analyze potential for state

Alexander. The R.A.’s have hosted Pizza Night, Movie

support and the bonding capacity of the University. The response has been

Night and a Talent Show. The events have been a huge

overwhelmingly supportive, and the planning stage of the project continues.

We are taking a thoughtful and measured approach to our building campaign by focusing on the needs of our students. We anticipate announcing more plans, and opportunities to contribute to a transformative campaign later in 2020. If you have questions or are interested in learning more, please contact Photo: Preliminary building mock up completed for the feasibility study.

BUILDING A SENSE OF Community

Kent Tingey at tingkent@isu.edu or (208)221-3549.

success in helping students get to know their instructors on a more personal level. Resident Trinity Kimmit said, “Playing Rock Band with my professor made me feel more comfortable asking him questions.”

Photo: Accounting professors, Jerry Leffler (far left), Dave Bagley (drums), and accounting chair Ray Rodriguez (far right) play Rock Band with a Dyer Hall resident.

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feature

sharing his story

S T U D E N T ’ S L O V E O F I S U L E A D S T O V O L U N TA R Y R E C R U I T I N G I N N E PA L

his home to share his story. “I am biased

many students he spoke with knew what they

toward the benefits of entrepreneurship and I

wanted to study, but did not know how to apply

believe whatever field you end up studying, it

for admission. Fortunately, he was able to help.

will always lead to business.”

Wagle will graduate in 2020 and is looking

Last spring, Wagle approached Assistant

forward to spending his final semesters making

Dean John Ney regarding his idea. “I really

memories in Pocatello. After graduating, he

appreciate that he volunteered for the job. He’s

plans to start an IT consulting firm, and hopes

such a great student so I thought it would be a

to stay in the U.S. for at least a year.

fantastic idea,” said Ney.

T

Wagle’s trip proved to be quite successful,

he College of Business

has made a

visiting over 100 students to share his

significant impact on many students,

experiences. The trip included two seminars at

but one student in particular has

Trinity International High School and a session

enjoyed his education so much, that

organized by the United Nations Education

he chose to voluntarily recruit for the College.

Foundation (UCEF). As an international student

Kaushal Wagle, a junior in informatics and

himself, Wagle could speak well as to what it’s

native of Nepal, opted to use his time visiting

like studying in another country. Wagle said

“

whatever field you end up studying, it will always lead to business.”

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feature

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professors teaching in high schools

L

“ B U S I N E S S H I G H ” M A K E S A S U C C E S S F U L S TA R T

aunching this fall,

the

College

of

Business’s “Business High” program, (formerly “Free Enterprise High”) had a good start. The new program allows

high school teachers to invite professors to their classrooms to speak on various business topics.

So far, the program has reached over 300 students in five high schools including the three public high schools in Pocatello as well as the Pocatello Charter School, and the Meridian Medical Arts Charter School.

student audience. Focusing on this approach,

For teachers, the program has benefitted

“The primary goal is to build relationships with

Healthcare

greatly

the high school teachers and their students,”

Thompson conducted a case study with a

Jennifer Parker, a registered nurse and the

said Assistant Dean John Ney. “It’s also a

Pharmacy Tech class in Pocatello. During the

school district 25 Health Occupations instructor

great opportunity to show high school students,

course, students were presented with a real

said, “It’s so good for these students to hear

first hand, the great professors we have in the

situation where a patient had died due to being

from a college professor, as it reinforces what I

College of Business and what a great University

given the incorrect medication. Thompson then

have been teaching. I really appreciated them

we have right here in Southeast Idaho.”

broke the students into groups representing

coming to my class and for setting up a tour

Ney explained that one of the most important

the various business units, challenging them

of the College. I look forward to having them

aspects of the program is to keep the topics

to determine who was at fault for the patient’s

back.” Schedule a visit: isu.edu/cal/liberal-

interactive and fun for the high school

death.

arts-high or email neyjohn@isu.edu.

Administration

Professor

Josh

in

emphasizing

their

instruction.

I

building professionals n February, the College of Business’s Professional Development program offered students an array of trainings to prepare for the spring career fair. Two main events included:

SALARY NEGOTIATIONS Ann Swanson (Small Business

ETIQUTTE DINNER Certified

Development Center) and Linda Leeuwrik (AAUW)

Callista Gould of the Culture and Manners Institute

presented on four key points in salary negotiations:

lead students through a networking session and

1) Use objective data to know your value. 2) Identify

a multi-course meal. Students gained practice

your desired minimum, target and bolstering salary

introducing themselves, practicing their pitch, as

and benefit offer. 3) Have a strategy to both avoid

well as polite protocol during professional meals.

being the first person to mention salary and for

Gould used a variety of stories to demonstrate

considering the offer. 4) Practice your negotiation

how a meal-time interview can make or break the

skills prior to the interview.

candidate’s chance at the job.

CELEBRATING THE

60th

Etiquette

Instructor,

IDAHO BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Students in the Alpha Kappa Psi

This award annually recognizes an Idaho business

business fraternity are excited to

leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and

announce Mary Johnson as the 60th

professional ethics while contributing significant support

Idaho Business Leader of the Year. Johnson is the owner of

to worthwhile community, civic and education activities.

three McDonald’s locations in Pocatello and Chubbuck.

Awarded by business students since 1959, the recognition

Johnson will be recognized on Thursday, March 14 at the

program is the longest-standing of its kind in Idaho.

Stephen’s Performing Arts Center.

Purchase tickets at: idahostate.akpsi.org/ibloybanquet/

the

impact

educatio of an

on

7

lthough

the impact of an education

|

everyone has faced a different story on their journey to education, the College of

Business alumni family can likely all attest to the impact their education has had on their lives.

Recently, the College collected alumni stories and surveyed the University’s potential audience of students. We found that even today, many students are first-generation college students. A number of them are also non-traditional students, attending school with children, working multiple jobs to support their studies, or have even come from financial struggles in their families.

For most of our alumni, the impact of their education and the change it made in their lives has been profound. Nearly every graduate noted that their life would be significantly different had they not attended college, and their confidence and abilities were broadened beyond what they ever realized they were capable of. The experiences they gained in their college career provided them with the tools to continue to broaden their horizons, their understanding and their abilities.

Following, are just two brief alumni stories. These are the stories of individuals who may have overcome struggles, lived out their dreams and through an education- changed the outcome of their lives.

Cliff Olsen ,

born in Blackfoot, began his

journey as a first-generation college student.

“My mother grew up as a member of the working class in England where formal education beyond what we would call high school was out of reach,” said Olsen. His father was devoted to hard-work and believed he could make a good living without a college degree. “Arguably he has done that but not without enduring difficult times financially.”

However, Olsen’s goals inspired him to pursue higher

has remained with the firm for 32 years, now

education. “I wanted to have a grand life where I

serving as a partner. However, Olsen will be

could work with some of the best people anywhere,

retiring from practice in a few months at the

see the world and provide well for my family,” he

age of 59 to which he says “That would not have

said. But, Olsen’s journey through his education

happened” had he decided not to pursue higher

was challenging. As a husband and parent, he had a

education. “My college education completely

lot to juggle. “I needed to go to school full-time and

changed my life trajectory and that of my family.

work almost full-time in order to support my family

My children have also had the opportunity to

and obtain the ultimate goal which was to become a

attend college, get degrees and get great jobs.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA).”

Because of my education, I have had the chance

Olsen graduated in 1986 with his Bachelor of

to work with leadership from some of the largest

Business Administration

corporations in America and work with some of

in accounting and was

able to earn the Idaho Gold Medal on the May 1986

the best professionals in my field.”

CPA exam. This enabled Olsen to move on to Utah

In retirement, he’s looking forward to being able

State University where he obtained his Masters of

to spend more time with his family, travel, and

Accounting the following year. Upon graduating,

as he puts it, “find meaningful ways to render

Olsen was employed by Deloitte & Touche and

service to others.”

Cliff and his wife, Sherlyn when he became partner at Deloitte & Touche in 1999.

Cliff with his son Brian, daughter Ashleigh, wife Sherlyn, and son Daniel.

Laura preparing for a Phi Chi Theta event.

Looking

back

on

Laura graduating from ISU in 1972.

Laura is an avid traveler in her retirement.

her

experience in the College, Laura Benson

fondly

recalled

the

relationships she had with many of her professors as one of the most prominent memories of her college career.

culture at ISU. “The Greek life enhanced the college

spanned over 25 years in both Idaho and Utah.

“My instructors provided me with so much

experience for me,” said Benson. “It was a base of

She retired from Northern Trust as a high-end

encouragement and a true desire to learn.”

friends, as they were all women I lived with in the

private banker in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Benson, a 1972 College of Business graduate

dorms, and it provided a strong sense of community.”

Throughout her career she continually served

from

her

Benson said due to her participation in these

her communities by sitting on the Board of

education with a strong push from her parents.

groups, she truly developed life-long friendships. “I

Directors for the Girl Scouts of the USA, as

“My parents were adamant that I go to college,

am still in contact with some of my sorority sisters

well as numerous other boards that helped and

so right after graduating high school I began

and I have been active in the alum chapters in Utah,

served women. She was also a member of the

attending ISU.” Benson said the College of

California and now Arizona.” Maintaining these

College’s Leadership Board from 2005-2010.

Business was her first choice in colleges, “They

connections has been a driving factor in helping her

Now in retirement, Benson and her husband,

had a great reputation for success, and I knew

become involved in many of the communities she

Jean-Luc Bidegain, are avid world travelers

that’s where I wanted to go.”

has lived in throughout the years.

and residents of Arizona. As she reflected on her

As a student, she quickly began to make the

In addition to an enhanced college experience

career and life, Benson noted, “My education at

most out of her education and in her junior

through involvement and community, Benson said

ISU started me on a strong path of success and

year, she helped develop the women’s business

the education she received at ISU gave her a strong

for that I am so grateful.”

fraternity, Phi Chi Theta. She was also an active

foundation in all aspects of the business field. As a

member in the social society, Alpha Chi Omega,

marketing major, Benson noted that she was given

and the university’s Outdoor Club.

the tools to have a very successful career in banking.

Throughout this period, social sororities and

“Right after graduating, I began working for First

fraternities were a prominent part of the

Security Bank.” Her career with First Security Bank

the

marketing

program,

began

1972

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real world classroom

beyond the degree

D R AW I N G R E A L - W O R L D C O N N E C T I O N S T O T H E C L A S S R O O M

M

ost students enter college with

uses the same approach in his Master of

similarly. MBA student, Adam Hornby said,

the goal of earning a degree.

Business Administration 6623 class. Here,

“One of my major takeaways was that the

However, what they may not

Ney’s students learn to work in teams as

process of understanding the client’s goals

initially realize is that the

colleagues, as well as with their clients.

and vision for the project is just as important

true benefit in an education is greater than

Vanesa Fontes Nava, an MBA student,

as gaining knowledge from the project

the degree itself. As an example of this,

worked on a group project with Citizens

itself.” Petrus Van Rooyen, said he learned

many CoB classes allow students to apply

Community Bank. “Working around banking

that you shouldn’t accept all information at

their classroom skills to actual projects.

regulations was both a challenge and a

face value, “Look deeper and determine the

Management professor Neil Tocher does this

great learning experience,” says Fontes

validity of sources and content.”

with his Master of Business Administration

Nava, “every industry is different in its

Tocher and Ney’s classes are not the only

(MBA) course MBA 6628, “This class ties

own way and knowing how to work with

courses that focus on experiential learning

everything students have learned in the MBA

different types of businesses is a great asset

in the College. In addition to many other

program together.” The College’s professors

for a student about to enter the workforce.”

projects professors oversee, the College also

teach under the principle that a valuable

Another student, Kyle Peterson, was so keen

offers students opportunities to participate in

education consists of strategically selected

on the project that he said, “If you are in a

financially supplemented experiences such

experiences

Teaching

class that isn’t going to offer this, try to do it

as Bengal Solutions, National Information

beyond typical classroom lectures helps

on the side in your student career because it

Assurance Training and Education Center

students apply their textbook knowledge

will help with future job interviews.”

(NIATEC), and the Career Path Internship

and make connections to develop solutions

Students in Tocher’s capstone course felt

(CPI) program.

for

the

student.

to problems. Marketing professor John Ney

11

real world classroom

|

pitching for cash STUDENTS COMPETE FOR THE BEST IDEAS

A

fter months of preparation, the CEED/U.S. Bank Pitch-Off Contest was held in December. The event, in its second year, had 28 teams from four colleges and divisions across campus competing for prize money sponsored by U.S. Bank. Over 50 students,

ranging from a Ph.D. candidate to a senior from Highland High School, pitched their entrepreneurial ideas in a 10-minute presentation to a panel of 21 judges The winning team this year came from a student team proposing a self-cleaning

STUDENTS IN THE stock market

baby changer station for public restrooms. The all-female student team presented

This year’s class participating in the D.A. Davidson

a working prototype of the automated device and a compelling pitch to take

Student Investment Program earned $4,732 with a

it to market. The team won $2,000 for the best idea. They also won $250 for

return that was well above the S&P 500. Earning

the best prototype, built by the College of Technology under the direction of the

a return of 29.3 percent, the team performed the

team. In total, nearly $10,000 was awarded by U.S. Bank to winning teams.

sixth best among the 20 participating schools.

Open to all students on campus, this U.S. Bank ‘pitch-off’ event, organized by the

Since joining the program in 2005, ISU students

College of Business’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

have earned more than $20,650 in returns.

(CEED) program, helped incentivize young entrepreneurs to polish up their

As part of the program, D.A. Davidson gives

eventual application to the statewide $100,000 Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge

$50,000 to 20 different universities for

held each March in Boise.

students to gain hands-on investing experience.

from campus, business and civic organizations.

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economic development

a light in the darkness

I N D E P E N C E F O R T H E W O M E N O F N E PA L

T

1) A Nepalese woman knits products for NariHub 2) Nepalese student, Kaushal Wagle gathers survey responses at the Art Walk in Old Town Pocatello 3) Co-founder Rituraj Yadav at the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge in Boise

he beautiful country of Nepal is

day. This is my chance to give back to

home to 29.3 million people,

them,” says Rituraj Yadav, co-founder

half of whom are women.

of the company. With support from the

Over the years, events like the

College’s Center for Entrepreneurship

2015 earthquake have drawn many of

and Economic Development (CEED) and

the country’s men to the Middle East for

professors Jeff Street and Donna Lybecker,

work. This has left numerous Nepalese

the startup is marketing sweaters and other

women alone to care for their families

clothing made by these impoverished

in a culture where females are almost

Nepalese women. These items will help

entirely reliant on their husbands for

generate a stable source of income while

financial support. These issues have

simultaneously teaching essential skills in

created an extremely low quality of living

business. Yadav hopes that the women

for these women.

will eventually be able to sell their goods

NariHub hopes to change that. The

in the U.S. independently, so NariHub

company, with Nepalese roots, aims to

can help others in similar situations. “I

help women in Nepal achieve financial

would love to implement this program

independence and gain encouragement

all over the world to help all women in

to raise their voices in defense of their

need,” says Yadav.

rights. “The women of Nepal have

After first presenting the idea at a

challenges that I saw them face every

conference in Boston, Yadav and co-

13

faculty & staff

|

founder Asim Dhakal entered into the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge (IEC).

The team won runner-up, best marketing display and pitch position.

Since then, the team has continued to make the idea a reality. In December, they distributed surveys at Cottonwood Junction and the Old Town Mercantile in Pocatello in an effort to gauge market

recognition FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

interest in product design and price point. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Both Lybecker and Street feel that NariHub

A

ccounting professor Bob Picard was named a “TIAA Difference Maker 100 Honoree” for his work as

American Falls, Chubbuck, Downey, Lava

Treasurer and a Board Member

Hot Springs, Preston and Pocatello. The

of Health West Inc., a community health center

clinics provide dental care, family medicine

agrees that the merchandise being sold

serving Southeast Idaho. As a result of Picard’s

and behavioral health services to patients

“is also quite suitable to the winter climate

selection, Health West received a $10,000

regardless of their ability to pay. “My hope is

and the outdoors-person demographic of

donation from TIAA as part of their $1 million

that this award will help Health West spread

Pocatello and Idaho in general.”

campaign for promoting “a better tomorrow”.

the word about the services we provide,” said

In addition to their market research, the

Picard began serving on Health West’s board

Picard.

company has partnered with College of

in early 2013. “I believe in the organization’s

“I have always viewed quality healthcare

Business alumni Roshan Kumar, owner of

mission and when I agreed to serve on the

as a fundamental human right in a highly

Himalayan Grocery and Smoke Shop as

board, I believed there was a lot that could be

developed, progressive society,” said Picard

their distributing agent in Pocatello. To

done to expand access to quality healthcare in

in his nomination. “Experiencing firsthand

learn more or to place a pre-order visit:

the area.”

the quality of care provided by Health West

facebook.com/narihub

Health West Inc. is located in Aberdeen,

energizes me to continue this work.”

will do very well in Pocatello. Lybecker notes that, “Pocatello is a community that understands people’s needs.” Street

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faculty & staff

hinder work coordination and team performance.“ I believe there are people who are essential to teams in every kind of organization, and our goal was to shine a light on how they contribute,” said Bolinger.

AMR is unique in that it publishes conceptual articles which highlight cuttingedge ideas to guide future organizational research. AMR is the second-ranked management journal in the world, according to Journal Citation Reports, and is listed by the Association of Business Schools as one of only four “world elite” management journals. Statistically, AMR only accepts about six percent of all submissions.

a top publisher

RESEARCH SHOWN IN TOP JOURNAL

T

Bolinger collaborated with co-authors Anthony Klotz and Keith Leavitt from Oregon State University throughout the project.

leadership changes

he research of Alex Bolinger, an associate professor of management, was published in one of the top management

Dr. Bob Houghton

Dr. Ray Rodriguez

Dr. Jeff Brookman

journals in the world, the Academy of Management Review

Interim Associate Dean

Accounting Chair

Finance & Econ Chair

(AMR), last October.

The article, entitled, “Contributing from Inside the Outer Circle: The Identity-Based Effects of Noncore Role Incumbents on Relational Coordination and Organizational Climate,” explains the contributions of team members in “noncore” roles. These noncore members may receive little recognition or individual rewards, but their work is critical – they are often the “glue” that holds the team together.

Drawing on various examples, the paper theorizes how the quality of relationships between noncore team members and members who occupy more visible, core roles (e.g., the surgeon on a surgical team) facilitate or

remembering zeke

PROFESSORS RECOUNT THEIR MEMORIES OF LOST ALUMNUS

Left to right: Jorge Garcia, Zeke Uribe, Accounting Professor Dawn Konicek

A

ccounting

Professors

Dawn

student, Uribe began his journey at ISU feeling

worked as a preparer and moderator for the

Konicek and Michele O’Brien-

a bit insecure. “He was so shy, he really kept

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Rose have a tendency to become

in his shell,” said Konicek. “But, as he began

Uribe’s excitement for his education emerged

very close to their students. “There

to succeed and saw what he was capable of,

through his passion for getting involved and

are always a handful that remain really close

he started to feel more comfortable and gained

always committing to do his best. “He loved

and stay in touch,” said O’Brien-Rose. Esequiel

more confidence in his abilities. He just had to

school and he just loved the program,” said

“Zeke” Uribe, was one of those students.

prove himself to himself.”

Konicek. “When he graduated, he told me

Last fall, the College of Business family was

Uribe’s personality shined as he began to

he was excited for the next step, but he was

devastated to lose the 2018 accounting and

join more student groups. “He was super

actually a little sad to be leaving and ending

marketing graduate.

funny, we always got a laugh out of him,”

the journey.”

“When I first met Zeke, he was an online student,”

said Konicek. Uribe was extensively involved

After graduating, Uribe went on to work for

said O’Brien-Rose. “But he was so thorough, so

in the Beta Alpha Psi fraternity, serving as the

Platform Tax in Pocatello and had recently

diligent, that he came to campus every week

vice president of information, and presenting

begun working for Eide Bailly in Twin Falls as

to meet with me.” As a first generation college

at national and regional meetings. He also

an auditor. Continued next page...

ABA 003 COLLEGE OF BUSINESS 921 S. 8th Avenue, Stop 8020 Pocatello, ID 83209-8020 isu.edu/cob

Zeke (bottom right) and classmates visiting Deloitte for the fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi.

awarded once,” said O’Brien-Rose. “Zeke’s memory means so much more than that. To

make an impact

keep this going, we need the scholarship to be an ‘endowment’.” O’Brien-Rose explained that an endowment is perpetual and allows the scholarship funds to be accrued from the principle’s interest. “However, the minimum The memory of Zeke Uribe will always be a

amount needed to start an endowment is

fond one for professors and his classmates in

$25,000,” said O’Brien-Rose.

the College. Zeke brought so much light and

Although the scholarship is in the beginning

laughter to so many people’s lives. “We want

stages of development and its criteria have not

to keep his memory alive and we want it to

been finalized, the professors both agreed that

go on in perpetuity,” said O’Brien-Rose. In

qualifying applicants would need to be both an

remembrance of Uribe’s accomplishments, and

accounting major and a first generation college

his love for his education, the two professors

student.

are in the process of developing a scholarship

Those

in his name. “We really want this scholarship

establishment of the endowment can contact

2) Visit isu.edu/cob/give

to be more than just a fund that is built up and

Kent Tingey at tingkent@isu.edu.

3) Contact Kent: 208.221.3549 | tingkent@isu.edu

interested

in

contributing

to

the

A college education truly changes your life. Scholarships, innovative facilities and opportunities are what makes that impact possible. Your contribution will go a long way in making a difference in our students’ lives.

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