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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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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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.
| 12
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
| 14
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.
THREE WAYS YOU CAN
help...
1) Use the envelope inside this magazine to send a gift