The TROY STATEMENT
Sorrell College of Business Academic Year in Review 2022-2023
Table of Contents
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From The Desk of Dean Judson
The Sorrell Strategic Plan
New Faculty & Staff
Faculty Recognition
Student Accomplishments
Outreach & Engagement
School of Accountancy Naming
Big Impact & Big Ideas Program Spotlight
In Memoriam
Center Justified
Isabela Robledo was recognized as the HSTM Outstanding Student of the Year for 2022-2023. She was also selected as a Troy University Outstanding Woman of 2023. Additionally, she served as the Hospitality & Tourism Club President and was inducted into the Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society.
Edwards
+ The Troy Statement is an annual magazine created by the Sorrell College of Business. Publisher & Editor
Natalie Bryant, J.D. Assistant Dean and Associate Professor
Creative Director Dr. Paul Willis Lecturer & Communication Manager, Department of Management, HRM, and Law
Art Director
Chris Stagl Associate Professor of Design Assistant Chair of Art & Design
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From The Desk Of The Dean
Greetings! We are excited to provide you with the first edition of The Troy Statement, an annual publication of the Sorrell College of Business. In this first edition, we take a look back at Academic Year 2022-2023. During this academic year, we welcomed a dynamic class of new faculty and staff, made substantial progress towards our strategic planning initiatives, celebrated successes and accomplishments of our distinguished faculty and students, grew and evolved our academic programming, and strengthened our outreach through our industry and alumni connections and our external centers.
The start of the 2022-23 academic year brought with it the implementation of our new strategic plan. In formulating our new vision, mission, and values for our 2022-2026 strategic plan, our thought leadership was able to articulate the intrinsic traits we see in our faculty and students every day. They have heart. Our faculty are compassionate, caring educators and our students are determined in their pursuit of their educational and personal goals.
Our faculty and students exhibit humility in their pursuit of excellence and impact. Their motivation behind their work is largely in pursuit of greater societal impact for their fellow peers, their College, their University, and their community. There is no doubt that our faculty and students believe in hard work. Their hard work has resulted in incredible accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom. Our values of heart, humility, and hard work are what drive our teaching, engagement, collegiality, and scholarship all in an effort to graduate GEEKS that are prepared to change the world.
Our student-focused teaching continues to be at the center of what we do. Our academic programs continue to evolve with the ever-evolving demands of the market place. With that, we’ve seen the addition of new programs and courses and the integration of new theories and technology into existing ones. The Sorrell College faculty are committed to providing high-engagement classroom experiences for our students that focus not only on content and theory but also the development of critical soft skills that are highly desirable by employers.
Through our commitment to service, our students have been selected for top internship positions, created new student organizations, received competitive scholarships and grants, and have been provided extracurricular programming connecting them with key industry partners and alumni. These experiences prepare our students well to be competitive upon graduation.
We hope you enjoy the first edition of the Troy Statement. Whether you are an alum of the Sorrell College of Business, an industry partner, or friend, please consider connecting with us. On the back cover, you will find different ways to receive up to date information and communications about what is happening in the Sorrell College of Business. We are always looking for opportunities to connect our faculty and students with the business community and our alumni. If you would like to be a guest speaker in one of our classes, are in need of faculty expertise for a consulting project, are looking for well-qualified interns and job applicants, or have a project suitable for our students to complete as part of their course requirements, please reach out to us at sorrellnews@troy.edu.
Thank you for your commitment to Sorrell College!
As you flip through the pages of this publication, our commitment to high quality teaching, research, and service are evident. Our faculty have made great strides in their research garnering “A” publications as ranked by the Australian Business Dean’s Council Journal Quality List, a premier journal ranking system utilized by top business schools. They have pursued and been rewarded various grants from esteemed organizations, and they are committed to engaging with the business community through multiple avenues.
Judson C. Edwards, Ph.D. Dean and Professor of Economics Sorrell College Class of 1996
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The Sorrell Strategic Plan 2022-2026
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Strategic Direction 1: Enhance Academic Excellence
1.1 Recruit, support, and graduate diverse and qualified learners.
1.4 Promote personal and professional development of learners through effective, innovative teaching supported by applied education experiences that positively impact society.
1.2
Recruit, support, and recognize sufficient and qualified faculty and professional staff.
1.5
Promote the development and dissemination of quality, diverse, and impactful intellectual contributions.
1.3
Develop and deliver market-relevant, innovative academic programming.
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Strategic Direction 2: Enhance Stakeholder Engagement
2.1
Strengthen brand recognition and reputation of the Sorrell College.
2.4
Strengthen financial position through increased alumni and philanthropic support to advance continuous improvement.
2.2
Enhance alumni relations and engagement and support lifelong learning beyond graduation.
2.5
Increase meaningful connectivity to students and stakeholders through faculty service, improved communications, and facility utilization and design.
2.3
Cultivate external partnerships through outreach, research centers, and facultydriven activities that positively impact society.
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GOALS GOALS
G.E.E.K.S. +
Globally aware
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ngaged with the business community
Ethical decision-makers
Knowledgeable to compete
Successful
Vision +
Leading with heart, humility, and hard work, we educate GEEKS prepared to change the world.
Mission +
Our student-centered culture, high-quality teaching, meaningful engagement, and impactful scholarship will improve business and society by preparing a diverse student body to become GEEKS leading happy and rewarding lives.
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4 + Annual Report
We Are The Sorrell G.E.E.K.S.
New Faculty & Staff Members
+ Jessica Kimbro Lecturer, Department of Management, HRM, and Law
Jessica is a graduate of Troy University where she earned a B.S. in International Business and an MBA. She previously worked in Troy University administration for ten years before joining the Sorrell College of Business as a full-time faculty member. Her research interests include organizational behavior and business ethics.
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Mauree Alice Porter Program Coordinator, IDEA Bank
Mauree Alice Porter serves as the Program Coordinator of the Troy University IDEA Bank. Upon graduating from Troy University in May of 2023 with her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, she began her role at the IDEA Bank. Mauree Alice leverages her fresh perspective to contribute innovative ideas. Through combining her passion with her experience, Mauree Alice spearheads external communications, program development, strategic community and student engagement, event management, and more.
Preston E. Pritchett, III
Lecturer and Program Coordinator, Sorrell 360 Center for Professional Life
Preston Pritchett received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and his master’s degree in Business/Marketing Education from Auburn University. Preston serves as a Lecturer and Program Coordinator in the Sorrell 360 Center. Preston is pursuing his doctoral degree in Global Leadership from Troy University. Additionally, Preston is a Ramsey Certified Financial Coach and holds a certificate in Leading with Finance from the Harvard Business School Online.
Tu To Rasberry Lecturer, William H. Carr School of Accountancy
Tu To Rasberry graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s in accountancy from Troy University. She is a Lecturer of Accounting, teaching Principles of Accounting courses and Accounting Analytics. Tu hopes to impart an understanding of the fundamentals of Accounting and teach students to elevate historical financial information to make decisions and explore possible outcomes. Before becoming a Lecturer at Troy, Tu was an auditor at a large regional public accounting firm, providing audit services to various organizations such as not-forprofits, captive insurance companies, employee benefit plans, and financial institutions.
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+ Dr. Yilu Wang
Assistant Professor of Management, Department of Management, HRM, & Law
Dr. Yilu Wang earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration (Organizational Behavior) from the University of Texas at El Paso. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Wang worked for several years in diverse industries in Australia and China. He teaches a variety of courses including Global Human Resource Management and Business and Society. Dr. Wang’s research interests include leadership, idiosyncratic deals, job embeddedness, engagement, team climate, and multilevel issues.
Dr. George “Paul” Willis Lecturer & Communication Manager, Department of Management, HRM, and Law
Dr. Willis holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from The University of Alabama, an M.A. in Mass Communication, and a B.A. in Advertising from the University of South Alabama. Prior to joining the Department of Management, HRM and Law, he worked as videographer with the University of South Alabama’s Native American Studies Program and taught creative media and business communication courses at The University of Alabama. Additionally, Dr. Willis holds a graduate certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of North Georgia.
Dr. Can Trinh
Assistant Professor of Marketing, Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Dr. Trinh holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration:
Marketing from the University of Tennessee. Before embarking on a career path in academia, Dr. Trinh worked as a professional marketer in both advertising and brand management positions. Understanding practical issues that marketing practitioners faced in the industry, Dr. Trinh hopes to inspire his students to not only develop a well-rounded foundation of marketing knowledge but also become proactive and creative in finding solutions to various marketing-related problems.
Dr. Dan Yang
Assistant Professor of RMI, Department of Economics, Finance, and R.M.I.
Dr. Dan Yang earned her doctoral degree from the University of Georgia in Risk Management and Insurance and a master’s degree from Temple University in Actuarial Science. Dr. Yang joined the faculty of Risk Management and Insurance at Troy University in August 2022 where she teaches Principles of Risk Management and Insurance, Property and Casualty Insurances, and Insurance Operations. She has experience working in national and international public accounting firms in China. Dr. Yang’s research interests include insurer’s operations, financial accounting, and earnings management.
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Faculty Recognition
+ Certification
Dr. Frank Thompson received his Lego Serious Play Certification, which has allowed him to incorporate Lego Serious Play into his courses and into trainings he offers to industry and community organizations. “Everyone develops and explains models built through the LEGO bricks,” said Dr. Thompson. “This factor greatly increases the ideas and solutions presented. In the classroom, the students have been surprised by both their peers’ creations and how easily they have remembered each of them.”
+ Publications
Dr. Joohan Lee’s article, Turnover intentions: the roles of job satisfaction and family support, was published in Personnel Review, an A publication in the Australian Business Dean’s Council Journal Quality List.
Dr. Ying Schwarte’s article, Passion as process: Three perspectives on entrepreneurial passion and an integrated path forward, was published in Journal of Business Research, an A publication in the Australian Business Dean’s Council Journal Quality List.
+ Awards
Dr. Allen Mendenhall received the AmPhil Fundraising Fellowship from the American Phlianthropic, The Heritage Foundation Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prize, delivered the Henry Hazlitt Memorial Lecture at the 2023 Austrian Economics Research Conference.
+ Media Appearances
Dr. Josh McGowan was a guest on the “IssuesWatch” podcast of the New Jersey CPAs to discuss the major issues being raised around the 150-credit requirement to qualify for CPA licensure.
Dr. Dan Sutter completed 23 new episodes of Econversations, which has over 200 episodes and airs on TrojanVision, TROY’s TV station that airs on cable.
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Dr. Christina Martin and Dr. Rob Mathner received a grant from the International Center for Gaming Regulation.
+ Grants
...we look forward to using this research fellowship to broaden the understanding of this under-studied area of the impact of sports wagering on young athletes.
Dr. John Dove received a $57,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State to establish an economic research center or Soran University, a public institution located in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Dr. Robert Mathner
+ Grants
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International Trade Show +
Student Accomplishments
The event focuses on enhancing students’ understanding of diverse global cultures, business practices, and the significance of the global market in fostering competition,
Awards
The Outstanding Women Award 2023 goes to Isabel Robledo - Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management, Mithzi Bharucha - Honors Economics, and Melody Taylor - Marketing.
Scholarships
Megan Sadler, an accounting major in the William H. Carr School of Accountancy, received a $10,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversights Board (PCAOB).
RMI student Virginia Braswell was selected as a scholarship recipient from Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.
Maria Laura Arce Leonardo received a Young Scholar Award to participate in the Association of Private Enterprise Education’s 47th Meeting in Cancun, Mexico.
RMI students Theo Thoenes, Joey Trahan, and Garrett McKeon received Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association scholarships for the 2023 academic year. Virginia Braswell received the WSIA Diversity Foundation scholarship.
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Six RMI students attended the annual RIMS RiskWorld Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Internships
Daphne Posadas, who is studying for her M.A. in economics, appeared widely in both Guatemalan and U.S. media to discuss the Guatemalan presidential election.
Six students from Management, HRM, and Law participated in internships for credit at ACOM, Deloney & Gandy Timber, Inc., Troy Athletics, Lowe’s, Clarke Air Company, and Personnel Resources.
14 students from the William H. Carr School of Accountancy participated in internships with 7 unique accounting firms, the Alabama Department of Examiners, and more.
20 RMI students secured internships at 13 unique firms located in Troy, Montgomery, Birmingham, Atlanta, Florida, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and California.
Student Organizations
+ Travel & Press
+ Annual Report
+ New organizations in the Sorrell College include Women in Business and The Sorrell Men’s Society. +
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Outreach & Engagement: Industry
+ Sorrell College Career Fair
Each Spring the Sorrell College of Business in collaboration with the Career Services Office hosts a career fair specifically for Sorrell College of Business Students. Fifty employers and over 200 students were in attendance at the 2023 Sorrell College Career Fair.
+ Accountancy Day
The program recognized the eleven sponsors and the members of the Accounting Advisory Council, the 23 interns for 2022 and the 14 students that accepted internships for 2023. Dr. Josh McGowan was recognized as the recipient of the Steve Grice Outstanding Accounting Professor of the Year.
+ Hyundai Plant Visit
Faculty from the Department of Management, Human Resource Management, and Law participated in an industry tour of the Hyundai plant in Montgomery organized by Department faculty member Dr. Mike Schraeder.
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The biannual BBQ with Bankers event held during the fall and spring semesters provided Sorrell College of Business students the opportunity to learn more about the banking industry and allowed them to network with banking executives. The event is hosted by the Sorrell 360 Center for Professional Life and the Alabama Bankers Association and features a panel of community banking executives. The panel shared with students the various job opportunities available in the banking sector and answered students’ questions on wealth management, financial planning, and important qualities in employees and candidates.
+ + Annual Report 12
Outreach & Engagement
Wells Fargo Executive Vice President, Derek Ellington, spoke to Sorrell College of Business students in February and challenged them to “do what Trojans do” by leading.
“You must commit to being a lifelong student of your industry craft.”
+ Chad Jones, President and CEO of First Bank of Alabama, Class of 1998
“Leadership is a journey, not a destination.”
Sorrell College of Business alumnus Chad Jones, president and CEO of First Bank of Alabama, challenged students to take on the “journey” of leadership and build relationships.“My time at Troy University was the beginning of my path towards leadership,” he said.
+ Wells Fargo Executive Vice President, Derek Ellington, Class of 1992
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Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business has renamed its School of Accountancy to honor William H. Carr, an Enterprise native and the founder of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC.
During the Accountancy Day celebrations on September 8 at Troy Campus, Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. officially designated the school as the William H. Carr School of Accountancy, paying tribute to Carr’s contributions to the field.
Carr, who established CRI in 1992, guided the firm to notable growth, achieving the 19th national ranking among accounting and advisory firms in 2018 by Accounting Today magazine.
Dr. Judson Edwards, Dean of the Sorrell College of Business, praised Carr’s ethical leadership, personal integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Edwards also stated that the new Carr School reflects these same qualities as verified by holding supplemental AACSB Accounting Accreditation, making it one of the few in the world to hold this distinction of quality.
Carr emphasized Troy University’s pivotal role in the firm’s success, addressing students by stressing the importance of integrity, adaptability, continuous learning, and passion within the ever-evolving accounting field. Throughout his career, Carr upheld the belief that genuine passion eliminates the feeling of work, embodying this sentiment in his professional journey.
+ Annual Report
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Small Business, Big Impact
The Alabama SBDC Network provides emerging and established businesses with the expertise and resources needed to succeed. The SBDC at Troy University serves ten counties in Southeast Alabama and beyond. It creates possibilities for prosperity for the state’s most important economic engine by helping entrepreneurs and small business owners SURVIVE difficult times and THRIVE in a growing economy. The Alabama SBDC at Troy provided confidential, one-on-one assistance to 206 clients last year, assisted in the creation of 52 local jobs and 28 new businesses,
Juliana Bolivar, Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
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Lynne Firmin George, IDEA Bank
As the Troy University Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship Accelerator, the IDEA Bank exists to support students’ entrepreneurial interests and serve as a hub for collaboration. In 2022-23, the IDEA Bank assisted in the development of nearly 20 new student businesses, supported the growth of more than 40 existing student businesses, and fostered countless ideas. Event highlights included two market-style events, an Ideation Gallery, a student marketing competition with $2000 worth of advertising for the winner, the launch of a high school entrepreneurship program which awarded a high school student with a $2,000 scholarship to TROY, and more than 15 unique workshops.
+ Big Ideas, Unvaulted + Annual Report 16
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Program Spotlight
+ The Music Industry MBA
With the music and sights of Nashville serving as the backdrop in an iconic music venue, Troy University announced its newest academic program, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Music Industry, and celebrated the launch of the Master of Business Administration in Music Industry degree.
It is the first music industry-related undergraduate business program in the country to be AACSB accredited and is a collaboration between the Sorrell College of Business and the John M. Long School of Music. The MBA in Music Industry shares AACSB accreditation as well.
Dean Edwards and the late Robert W. Smith, Professor of Music and Coordinator of Troy’s Music Industry program, collaborated closely to overhaul the curriculum, crafting specialized program options to prepare students comprehensively for careers in the music industry with a strong foundation in business principles. Smith, a highly prolific composer with a repertoire exceeding 600 published works, attained global acclaim for compositions performed by diverse bands worldwide.
His music transcended mediums, gracing television, film, and esteemed concert venues. Alongside his role as President/CEO of RWS Music Company, Smith imparted his expertise in music composition, production, publishing, and business within Troy University’s esteemed Music Industry program.
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In Memoriam of Robert William
Smith
I am heartbroken over the loss of my friend, who was one of the most talented people I have ever known. He had such a caring heart for students, and through his professional success, created the highly successful music industry program at our beloved alma mater. We had such a great time working together to create the MBA in Music Industry Management, bringing together the strengths of the The Sorrell College of Business at Troy University and the John M. Long School of Music. Rest in Peace my friend, I and our TROY family will miss and never forget you.
Dr. Judson Edwards
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1958 – 2023 20
Robert
William Smith Professor of Music
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The Sorrell 360 Center for Professional Life offers holistic professional development and serves as a hub for student engagement to all Sorrell College students.
The Center for Global Scholars houses an honors program with specialized courses, study abroad trips, and experiential learning requirements giving students the opportunity to work with global industry professionals and complete an international internship.
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Center Justified
Dr. Laura Dove, Sorrell 360 Center for Professional Life
Dr. Clint Relyea, Center for Global Scholars
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The Johnson Center supports the exploration of economic freedom and its role in promoting the economic wellbeing of all people. The center is built on the assumption that liberty is valuable in its own right and plays a crucial role in societal prosperity.
The Sorrell Center for Corporate and Community Collaboration cultivates strategic opportunities and partnerships with regional businesses.
Dr. Allen Mendenhall, The Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy
+ Annual Report +
+ Professor Stan Blakenship, Sorrell Center for Corporate and Community Collaboration
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Stay Connected
Visit Sorrell +
By scanning the QR code, you’ll gain direct access to the Sorrell College of Business website. This portal serves as a hub for staying updated on the latest news, engaging with the academic community, following recent developments, and providing opportunities for donations to support our endeavors.
Sorrell College of Business
151 John Robert Lewis Hall
Troy, Alabama 36082
