Fowler College of Business - Impact of Your Philanthropy 2020

Impact of Your Philanthropy 2020

Message from the Thomas & Evelyn Page Dean (Interim) On behalf of more than 60,000 alumni and our 6,000 students, thank you for your support of the Fowler College of Business.

Fowler made substantial progress this year in tracking and improving student outcomes. Based on post-graduation survey research, we identified paid internships as the best predictor of successful job placement, and as a result, multiple departments are currently incorporating internship opportunities as a requirement or elective in their program majors. The Career Management Center, available exclusively for Fowler students, has been providing our undergraduate and graduate students the career readiness skills that are an essential component of a rigorous business education. This past year, we also added advisors to our Center for Student Success, which has reduced our students-to-advisor ratio from 964:1 in AY 2019-20 to 595:1 in AY 2020-21.

Most critically, we are making progress in our Fowler Match Campaign fundraising priorities. We have secured multiple endowed professorships that will help us recruit and retain exceptional faculty who are dedicated to creating meaningful teaching and research experiences for our students. Additionally, we have secured endowments to support the Fowler Scholars Program, which is focused on developing ethical business leaders who will have a positive impact on society. Finally, we cultivated continued support of Guardian Scholars and veteran scholarships that demonstrate the transformative nature and social mobility that a Fowler business education can provide.

Our peers around the nation are recognizing our progress, as evidenced by the recent rankings published in U.S. News & World Report. We have achieved our goal of becoming a Top 10 International Business Program (#8) and are closing in on our goal of being a Top 25 Entrepreneurship Program (#36) and a Top 50 Undergraduate Business Program (#81).

Thank you for your dedication to our students, faculty, and programs.

Your support has made these achievements possible.

With gratitude,

Bruce A. Reinig, Ph.D. Thomas & Evelyn Page Dean (Interim) Fowler College of Business San Diego State University

Fowler College of Business Points of Pride

National Rank

#8

Public Rank

#4

#36 #14 #55 #34 #81 #50

Category

International Business

Entrepreneurship

MBA Part-time Program

Undergraduate Business Programs

Above rankings issued by U.S. News & World Report 2021

Fowler College of Business FY 2019-20 Updates

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Dr. Bruce Reinig is serving a two-year interim appointment as dean, effective June 1, 2019, and a permanent dean is expected to begin July 1, 2021. Under Dr. Reinig’s leadership, the Fowler College of Business continues to thrive as a leading business school in the country.

San Diego State University’s MBA part-time program continued

Spring 2020 Enrollment

to climb in new national rankings of graduate school programs

by U.S. News & World Report: The 2021 U.S. News Best Graduate School rankings maintain years of improvement in expert opinion and statistical indicators of their

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program quality. The MBA part-time program in SDSU’s Fowler College of Business is ranked No. 55, vaulting from No. 81 last year.

Dr. Reinig attributed the strong showing to several sources of support.

SDSU’s Sports MBA Program Ranked Among Top Globally: For the third straight year, SDSU's Sports MBA program was ranked

Degrees Awarded AY 2019-20

among the top 10 post-graduate sports business education programs in the world, according to the 2019 SportBusiness survey. This year, the Sports MBA program was named as the fifth-best sports industry post-graduate educational program in the U.S. and sixth-best on an

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international scale. The program’s global ranking jumped one spot from its seventh-best overall ranking in the 2018 survey.

SDSU to Offer New Cybersecurity Management Master’s Degree: The Fowler College of Business began accepting applications for the STEM-designated degree program in Fall 2020. We look forward to providing further details on program and student progress in the near

San Diego FCB Alumni Network

future.

SDSU Student Team Wins Regional CFA Challenge: A team of four SDSU students emerged victorious in the San Diego regional competition for the 2020 CFA Institute Research Challenge

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held February 25, 2020. CFA is the premier global association for investment portfolio managers. In this competition, students gain realworld experience when they assume the role of a research analyst.

The SDSU students were one of five teams representing four Southern California-based universities to compete at a local level this year.

Global FCB Alumni Network

The Fowler Match Commitment Summary The Fowler College of Business continues its rise in reputation and rank, bolstered by scholarships, professorships and fellowships, and programming that attract talented students and faculty. The Fowler Match is an inspiration to donors and is instrumental in elevating support for the college.

The following match-eligible commitments have been secured since the campaign began in FY 2014-15:

FY 2019-20 Commitments - $2,602,014 Programming

$250,054 $1,395,572

Professorships & Fellowships

$775,888

Scholarships Other

$180,500

Veterans and Guardian Scholars

Lifetime Commitments - $8,043,315 Programming

$1,000,054 $2,475,447

Professorships & Fellowships

$3,239,814

Scholarships Other

Veterans and Guardian Scholars

$743,000

$585,000

Fowler Scholars

The giving summaries above display total commitments as of 6/30/20, including anticipated matching gifts for endowments that have yet to mature as well as pending gift agreements awaiting signatures.

Student-members of the Center for Advancing Global Business provide a group presentation

Fowler students receive targeted guidance in breakout groups

Fowler Scholars Program Incoming Class of 2024 The Fowler Scholars Program recently welcomed its third class, which will benefit from established components of the program and interactions with earlier classes. The program remains focused on developing ethical business leaders who benefit business and society through key activities:

Weekly Seminar: Speakers consist of successful business and community leaders, subject matter experts, senior faculty, and alumni. A typical semester includes five topical discussions, one to two case studies, and six to eight guest speakers.

Networking: The program provides the opportunity to attend and participate in special networking events, both on and off campus. These events offer students a unique opportunity to meet successful leaders in business and the broader community in professional settings.

International Experience: Each Fowler Scholar experiences a winter semester travel abroad trip where they gain a global perspective to understand the nuances for conducting business with differing cultures and social mores.

Mentorships: Each student is matched with a professional (business leader) mentor, faculty mentor, and peer (upper-class) mentor.

Internships: A professional internship is required to complete the program, providing students the opportunity to apply their classroom experiences and gain skills and competencies to support a successful career. Internships are helpful in identifying students' interests and may also lead to a full-time position after graduation.

Fowler Scholars also serve as college ambassadors and participate in SDSU networking events, community and industry events, donor events, and advisory board events. The Fowler Scholars Program hosts two outreach events for Fowler Scholars Program supporters:

An annual reception to recognize mentors A donor appreciation event, wherein Fowler Scholars are encouraged to give a short speech about their program experience. This event was held for the first time on January 16, 2020, and it was such a success, we intend to continue it annually. A video recap of the event can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/HmduCOW-tsE

Fowler Scholars gather with donors at the January 2020 event

Fowler Scholars Program Incoming Class of 2024 Fowler Scholars are selected holistically on a variety of characteristics – demonstrated leadership, ethical conduct, collaborative nature, initiative, and academic ability. We are confident the incoming Class of 2024 has the potential to positively impact business and society based on their ethical grounding and well-rounded nature.

Rhys Aiem, General Business Aiem’s career interests span from the sports industry to finance. A Helix High School graduate, Aiem participated in basketball, golf, Interact Community Service Club, and the La Mesa Youth Advisory Commission while juggling studies as an honor roll student. As he begins the program, Aiem shares, “I’m very eager to begin as a Fowler Scholar to network and meet new people. I know the program will give me opportunities to succeed throughout college and give me the resources to find a job after graduation.”

Karl Hedberg, Management Hedberg dreams of one day starting his own business after graduation.

While at Saint Augustine High School, he was an honor roll student who played lacrosse and served as the basketball team manager. Hedberg looks forward to his experience, stating, “I am excited to be at SDSU and flourish with the opportunities available in San Diego. As a Fowler Scholar, I am ready to learn and be an outstanding businessman. I hope to benefit my community with the skills and opportunity I will be receiving.”

Gaby Mabey, Marketing Following her studies at SDSU, Mabey envisions a career in Digital Marketing as a Social Media Manager. As a Helix High School student, Mabey was an honor roll student and participated in swim, water polo, and airbands. Outside of school, she mentored special needs students and volunteered at church summer camps. Mabey is enthusiastic about the program, sharing, “I am most excited to start exploring the unique opportunities the FSP provides me with and to meet new people in the business world.”

Zachary Lafer, General Business Lafer aspires to work within real estate development while prioritizing clients' interests and conducting business ethically. During his Scripps Ranch High School career, he participated in golf and the Student Movement Against Cancer club, graduated with honors, and received the Advanced Placement Scholar Award. He looks forward to his time with peers, explaining, “I am excited to create a sense of comradery with my fellow scholars and for us to make each other better, more ethical businessmen and women.”

Faculty Recruitments Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy Over the course of the year, the SDSU Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy made programmatic changes to the graduate accounting program (MSA), updated accounting curriculum of the MBA program, started the advanced taxation certificate, and admitted students to the newly established MS Cybersecurity Management program (offered with the MIS department).

Additionally, three new accounting faculty were recruited to join the school in Fall 2020:

Dr. Marcus Brooks Assistant Professor Dr. Brooks received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and earned an MBA and bachelor's degree from Texas State University. As an accounting professional, Dr. Brooks gained Big-4 experience at Deloitte, and before joining SDSU, taught at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Brooks will teach ACCTG 431 Auditing, a lecture focused on auditing financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as well as Dr. Marcus Brooks

ethics in auditing.

Dr. Shira Cohen Assistant Professor Dr. Cohen holds a Ph.D. and MBA from Columbia Business School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Cohen gained work experience in both the consulting and finance industries and also served in the government as a visiting scholar-in-residence at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Dr. Cohen previously taught at Temple University and Columbia University and has earned Dr. Shira Cohen

recognition for her research and teaching. At SDSU, she will teach ACCTG

334 - Intermediate Accounting II.

Dr. Valerie Li Assistant Professor Dr. Li obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Prior to joining SDSU, she was an assistant professor at the University of Washington, Bothell. Dr. Li conducts archival financial accounting research with interests in the areas of financial misstatements, executive compensation, and auditing. Her research has been published in leading academic journals, including The Accounting Review, Review of Accounting Studies, and The British Accounting Dr. Valerie Li

Review. At SDSU, Dr. Li teaches an undergraduate course, ACCTG 333 - Accounting Information Systems, that integrates information technology and data analytics in teaching business processes.

Professorships and Fellowships Terry Atkinson Endowed Professorship in Finance Terry Atkinson ('70) recently made a $1 million gift to the university: $500,000 established the Terry Atkinson Endowed Professorship in Finance, while the other half was allotted to the new Aztec Stadium in SDSU’s planned Mission Valley expansion. Atkinson spent nearly 30 years working for Wall Street firms in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York and considers the donation to be a sound investment in SDSU.

“I couldn’t be happier making this contribution,” Atkinson said.

“This is an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often.”

A member of The Campanile Foundation Board of Directors, Atkinson has made many investments in SDSU through the years.

He said he directs his philanthropy toward things he believes in — and he believes in SDSU.

Kathy Taylor and Terry Atkinson The $500K gift to the Fowler College of Business will be bolstered by the Fowler Match, strengthening the endowment and allowing the future Professorship in Finance to have an even greater impact on the college and our students.

“Put together enough gifts to match, and all of a sudden, you have $50 million at a school that never raised that kind of money in the past,” Atkinson said. “There is nothing but upside.

You’re going to attract the best students, the best professors, the endowed chairs, all the things that really make a university sing.”

Atkinson was among the alumni and friends of SDSU who helped raise the necessary funding to promote the university’s Mission Valley expansion plan and place it before San Diego voters in November 2018. Voters approved the measure to sell the city-owned stadium site to the university at fair market value to construct a river park, a new stadium, an innovation district, housing and more.

SDSU officially broke ground on SDSU Mission Valley Monday, August 17. The existing stadium will be demolished in the first quarter of 2021, and Aztec Stadium is scheduled to open in fall 2022.

“Along with this stadium and the building of a new campus, we can take San Diego State to another level,” Atkinson said. “We have an opportunity for the school to be the best it can be — a state college of great renown in the country.”

Atkinson said he has always considered an SDSU education to be one of the best values anywhere.

“Almost everybody I know who went to San Diego State would say they met a lot of people, did a lot of fun things, and got a hell of an education.”

The above excerpt was obtained from an SDSU NewsCenter article titled, “Terry Atkinson: Investing in SDSU” by Tobin Vaughn.

Program Excellence Osinski Family Women in Leadership Endowment More than 1,800 registered attendees were on hand for San Diego State University’s fourth annual Women in Leadership forum held February 27, 2020.

Steven Osinski, a member of the marketing faculty at SDSU’s Fowler College of Business, said he founded the event because he saw first-hand “how badly women were treated in the workplace, from gawking to downright rudeness. My daughters are successful sales professionals in Silicon Valley, Ronda Sedillo addresses audience members

and I didn’t want them to have to go through that.”

Nine-time Olympic medalist in track and field Allyson Felix served as this year’s keynote speaker.

Felix spoke of exposing Nike for its financial mistreatment of female athletes who became pregnant while being sponsored by the company.

Students, young professionals, and community members in attendance also heard from young female leaders and women executives about their experiences in starting and succeeding in their careers.

Attendees learn from emerging and executive leaders

The Emerging Leaders panel included Victoria Ashton (VP People, GoSite), Eriko Bailey (VP Supply Chain, Pura Vida Bracelets), Heather Doyle (Zone Business Manager, Frito-Lay), and Angelia Trinidad (founder and CEO, Passion Planner). The panelists discussed issues ranging from transitioning from college into the business world, to dealing with setbacks, and learning how to work with colleagues of all generations in the workplace.

The Executive Leaders panel included Lisa Graham (Sr. Director, Global Leadership, Adobe Systems), Susan McLain (SVP for Global Product Management, Disney), Ronda Sedillo (SVP, Chief Financial Officer, San Diego Padres), and Erin Taylor (Strategy Director, Foodservice, PepsiCo).

For an overview of the event, we invite you to view a video: https://youtu.be/jFUb6idQRIQ

The above excerpt was obtained from a San Diego Union-Tribune article titled, “Women in Leadership” by U-T Staff.

Program Excellence Leonard H. Lavin Entrepreneurship Center Endowment During FY 2019-20, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center offered SDSU students its signature Lavin Entrepreneur Program, through which students receive mentoring from professional entrepreneurs, unique networking opportunities, invitations to exclusive events, and experiential classes. The center also provided students with opportunities to hone their presentation skills through pitch competitions, learn business lessons from successful entrepreneurs through an annual lecture series, and secure internships through our extensive internship program.

After a three-year hiatus, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center once again hosted our LeanModel Competition, in conjunction with SDSU’s Zip Launchpad. This time, the event took place virtually due to the school’s mandatory move to online classes and events in response to the pandemic. The goal of the competition, which is open to students of all levels and majors, is to help create viable startups that are solving big problems in large markets and industries. The winning team went home with a $5,000 cash prize to help fund their startup.

In January, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center’s VentureStart Competition put problem-solving skills to the test. In the three-hour competition, students grappled with solving complex societal challenges and, at the end of the day, team Kid Fyt walked away with a first place trophy and a $1,000 cash prize. The team focused on tackling the issue of childhood obesity by using wearables, such as Apple Watches, combined with gaming to ensure kids are getting enough exercise each day.

“It's incredible how much your mind can spin from a

Team Kid Fyt hoists the first place VentureStart Competition trophy

three-hour burst of intense ideating, and it had me thinking all weekend about this new venture,” said Bella Messina, a Lavin Entrepreneur and member of Kid Fyt. “It was exciting to take on meaningful, largescale problems and rapidly bounce ideas back and forth until something stuck, and then run with it.”

The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center provides students with the knowledge, resources, and experience needed to navigate the process of launching a company. The impact of our center can be seen in the list of companies founded by Lavin alumni and current Lavin Entrepreneurs and other students who have come to Lavin for advice and assistance.

Lavin students address attendees at the VentureStart Competition

“It’s about being able to help future generations stand on the shoulders of others ... and then people can stand on their shoulders to create a better world.”

Ron Fowler, in 2016, on establishing a $25 million endowment as a matching gift to benefit Fowler College of Business students, faculty, and programs in perpetuity.

THANK YOU!

Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-8045 Email: DonorRelations@sdsu.edu