Business @UM-Flint, Celebrating 50 Years of Extraordinary People Creating Community Value

Celebrating 50 Years of Advancing Knowledge and Business Practices

Dear Friends of the School of Management

We are 50! We are dedicating this issue to all people, students, staff, faculty, and graduates of our programs for their contributions to advancing the knowledge and practice of business, and making the School a powerhouse in our region.

As our school turns 50, in this special edition of the Business @UM-Flint magazine, we take a look at the people, the research, and the events that have shaped the School of Management. We scroll down to look at the school's history decade by decade and some of its notable people.

Throughout our history, our focus has been on a student-centered real world of business education to prepare our students for their careers. As we look forward, we will continue on this mission.

I look forward to seeing you at one of the several events we have organized to mark this wonderful occasion throughout the 24-25 academic year. With these activities, we are not only hoping to bring back our graduates to the School, but also to help raise funds for SOM completion scholarships to assist students who face financial challenges close to their graduation.

GO BLUE! GO FLINT!

Best wishes,

Yener Kandogan, PhD Interim Dean, School of Management

So Far at 50 Years… The History of UM-Flintʼs School of Management

The University of Michigan-Flint was founded in 1956 (then called the Flint College of the University of Michigan) to deliver an affordable world-class education for practical, careeroriented, and – often – working students who were financing their own education.

It was vital to offer students degrees and programs that would directly lead to the career opportunities they were seeking, and the establishment of the School of Management 50 years ago was a vital component of the ability to deliver on that promise.

“Students always change across generations, but the main characteristics of a typical UM-Flint student have remained constant,” said Dr. Yener Kandogan, interim provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and interim dean of the School of Management. “Our students have always been hardworking, motivated, juggling multiple responsibilities while focusing on their career objectives. We now have a 50-year history and track record of a school and programs that have continuously evolved to best meet the needs of our students and the businesses in our region.”

That history has made an immense impact on students, faculty, staff, the surrounding community, and even globally.

Origins and Formation

UM-Flint initially offered a limited range of undergraduate programs in its efforts to make undergraduate education more accessible to Flint-area students. The Bachelor of Business Administration program began in 1956 with the launch of the University, which eventually led to the School of Management’s formation as a separate academic unit.

“There was a rapidly growing demand for business education in this area,” Kandogan said. “The School of Management’s formation represented a response to that need and a more structured approach to management and business education for students.”

UM-Flint has always had a large percentage of students who are working full-time or part-time while taking courses, and the School of Management’s formation helped meet the needs of those students.

“I remember most of my class members worked other fulltime jobs and attended college at night or around their work schedules,” said Rick Tromble, who graduated with a BBA in 1978. “I was proud to get my BBA from the UM-Flint campus.”

Growth and Development

Almost as soon as it launched, the School of Management rapidly began expanding its offerings. Initially, the focus was primarily on undergraduate business education.

The curriculum was designed to provide students with a solid foundation in business principles, including finance, marketing, management, and accounting. But the demand for advanced degrees was quickly identified as a gap, and the Master of Business Administration program was introduced in 1981.

“I started my MBA during a pivotal point in my career, and my choice to study at UM-Flint propelled me into changing from working for someone to working for myself,” said Lou Ciccone, class of 2007. “The curriculum, professors, and classmates I had were the best I’ve ever experienced. My MBA has been invaluable in my life and has opened my eyes up to a new world of opportunities wherever I go. Having the prestige of an MBA from the University of Michigan brings more than just a

Professor Richard Fortner instructing a class in the 1980s.

degree – it’s a lifestyle, attitude, approach, and focused mentality you can’t get anywhere else.”

In the years that followed, the School of Management experienced significant growth and reached several milestones, including expanding its faculty, increasing research output, and developing new programs and specializations for both graduate and undergraduate degrees. But a critical achievement was reached in 1992 when the School of Management received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

“This accreditation is a hallmark of excellence in business education and is awarded to institutions that meet rigorous standards of quality and effectiveness,” Kandogan said. “Achieving this placed the UM-Flint School of Management on par with leading business schools worldwide, and we’ve kept building on that reputation since.”

The School of Management was also able to add new partnerships with businesses and institutions to help students get more hands-on, real-world experience in their education and enhance global connections to give students unique international experiences, including organizing the first faculty-led study abroad program in Russia in 2002, signing the School’s first dual degree program agreement with Tamkang University of Taiwan in 2006, the School’s first student exchange agreement with Zagreb School of Economics and Management of Croatia in 2009, and its first corporate educational partnership agreement with former Diplomat Pharmacy in 2017.

“One of the things that surprised me when I came to Flint is that we have faculty from all over the world,” said Dr. Michael Witt, PharmD, JD, Entrepreneur in Residence, and Lecturer IV in Business Law and Entrepreneurship, who has been a faculty member for 20 years. “Students get to interact with people from Saudia Arabia, China, Mexico, and Canada.”

From 2006 to 2008, the School’s number of full-time faculty doubled from 10 to 20. The School also changed locations twice in the 2000s, first moving to the William S. White Building in 2002, and then eventually into the newly renovated Riverfront Center in 2009. The rapid growth of the program also resulted in the MBA program being recognized among the top 50 part-time programs in the US by Bloomberg BusinessWeek for the first time in 2010.

Modernization and Innovation

The School of Management has continued to evolve teaching and course delivery methods, spaces, and resources available to students on campus, and continuously enhancing programmatic offerings.

The first online BBA program offered by the university began in 2005. By 2019, School of Management students were able to complete any of their programs 100 percent online.

“That was especially vital during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kandogan said. “Because we had already transitioned to offering courses virtually, we were able to operate smoothly during that time period, when many other universities weren’t yet offering all of their programs in online or virtual formats.”

During that time period, the School of Management also began an impressive run of rankings: the BBA degree has ranked No. 1 among online business programs in Michigan every year beginning in 2021.

The School’s expanded focus on entrepreneurship has also had a major impact on students. In 2015, thanks to a $2 million gift from the Hagerman Foundation, the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was established.

Dr. Kandogan has a discussion with a student at a SOM event.

The center offers students opportunities to enrich their education with experiences that take them beyond the classroom, facilitating entrepreneurial and innovative skills to help graduates thrive and be successful.

The following year, the Center started the Zillion Solutions contest, a campuswide competition where graduate, undergraduate students of all majors (including undecided students), dual enrolled, and Genesee County high school students make a short video or slide deck describing their unique idea for a new product or service that will solve a problem, with winning ideas receiving up to $2,850.

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FEATURE

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“Zillion Solutions has become one of most resoundingly successful programs in nation,” said Phil Hagerman, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of the Hagerman Foundation. “Now, nearly 1,000 people have gotten involved from every division and department at UM-Flint.”

The School also continues to diversify its degree and program offerings. In 2023, the School of Management launched a Doctor of Business Administration program, and in 2024 it added a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management.

“In just 50 years, the School of Management has transformed from a regional business school to an internationally recognized leader in business

“We now have a 50-year history and track record of a school and programs that have continuously evolved to best meet the needs of our students and the businesses in our region.” – Dr. Yener Kandogan

Remembering SOM Through the Years

1970s

Rick Tromble Class of 1978

“I remember most of my class members worked other full-time jobs and attended college at night or around their work schedules. Mott Community College had a lot of students. I went to the Mott library to study. Parking was difficult at times, as most students drove. I was proud to get my BBA from the UM–Flint campus.”

1980s

Lisa Banks Class of 1984

“My experience at UM-Flint was life-changing. I am still proud to be a Wolverine.”

2000s

Lou Ciccone Class of 2007

education,” Kandogan said. “That track record and legacy is a testament to the commitment and vision of many faculty and staff members over the years, as well as the achievements of our graduates.”

What hasn’t changed, though, is a focus on providing hardworking students with a mix of theory in the classroom and hands-on practical experiences that will directly lead to career success.

“Classmates in my master’s program became such good friends with one another due to interactions in classes and working on projects together that we got jobs and did business with each other (after graduating),” said Dylan Straka, class of 2021. “My relationships with the SOM faculty and team have provided current opportunities for jobs for myself, and they’ve also helped find students (for positions) as I look for staff for my team. UM-Flint SOM is always here for you; you are a Wolverine for life.”

“I started my MBA during a pivotal point in my career, and my choice to study at UM-Flint SOM propelled me into changing from working for someone to working for myself. The curriculum, professors, and classmates I had were the best I’ve ever experienced. My MBA has been invaluable in my life and has opened my eyes up to a new world of opportunities wherever I go. Having the prestige of an MBA from the University of Michigan brings more than just a degree- it’s a lifestyle, attitude, approach, and focused mentality you can’t get anywhere else.”

Ryan O'Roark Class of 2007

“I really enjoyed my time in the School of Management and felt my time here has really helped me in my career. I had a few classes with Professor Yener Kandogan that were great, and the teamwork that we as students put forth really helped me to understand the materials. Probably my favorite memories were having beers after finals at the White Horse!”

Feben Teklemicael

Class

of 2008

“My journey through the School of Management was shaped by moments of clarity and inspiration that have guided my life. Dr. Jacob Peng’s fun and engaging class on Accounting Information Systems was particularly impactful, revealing the immense value in the tools that support business functions, and played a part in my decision to pursue a career in software development. Equally influential was Dr. George O. White III, whose experiences in Asia, even addressing us in Chinese, inspired me to think bigger and reach beyond the familiar. His hands-on approach in encouraging students to pursue international experiences made a lasting impact on me, showing that there was even more of the world to explore than I had imagined. These experiences taught me that our paths may not always follow the common trajectory, but they are rich with potential for growth and discovery, making the journey both fun and worthwhile.”

Martha Everett Class of 2008

“I am proud of the MBA that I received from UM–Flint. While I enjoyed the flexibility of the program, balancing the demands of work, family, and the MBA program each semester was challenging. Memories from this whirlwind include taking the commuter bus to Troy so that I could gain two hours of study to and from work each day! I remember Yener Kandogan shocking us in his statistics class with his admonishment to NOT study with others! He told us that struggling with the material is how one learns! I have not forgotten that lesson and use it frequently. One of my favorite and most impactful classes was the Capstone Strategy course with its inch-thick instruction manual on how to interact with the business simulation software and play the game of running a business. I learned handson the importance of having a good marketing and business strategy, and also the importance of being agile and changing quickly if it proves to be ineffective. The dynamics between a CEO and the CFO were quickly illuminated, and my team was blessed with two strong players in those roles. The lessons learned from that class made me a savvy strategist and successful in the rest of my career.”

2010s

Nicholas Goldsworthy Class of 2012

“During my time at UM-Flint, I met a wonderful woman who worked at the recreation center. She later became my wife, and we have been happily married for over seven years

now, with a delightful 4-year-old daughter. One of the most pivotal moments was meeting Dr. Michael Witt, my business law professor, who not only excelled in teaching but also mentored me outside the classroom, profoundly shaping my career path. His guidance and support were instrumental in navigating my journey through my undergraduate studies, law school, and beyond. The vibrant campus life and supportive faculty at UM-Flint provided a strong foundation that I continue to cherish.”

Dani Kandalaft (Godin) Class of 2013

“When I reflect on my four years at SOM, the words that immediately come to mind are transformative, engaging, and supportive. As a freshman, I was encouraged by Professor Kandogan to join the International Business Student Organization. IBSO opened doors to a rich tapestry of experiences, from insightful lectures to diverse culinary adventures to meaningful interactions with students from other countries through the International Ambassadors program. During my junior year, Professor Cullari ignited my passion for debate by encouraging us to argue our exam answer. My SOM experiences culminated in the HR capstone class with Professor Laurence. A few classmates would regularly attend Professor Laurence’s office hours before class, where our research discussions sparked fresh insights and shaped perspectives that continue to guide me in my professional journey.”

2020s

Dylan Straka Class of 2021

“UM-Flint School of Management was the place I made lifelong friends and met the love of my life. Classmates in my masterʼs program became such good friends that we got jobs and did business with one another due to the interaction in classes and working on projects together. UM-Flint helped me get an internship my sophomore year. It was through organizations that I got a job I was at for seven years. The professors truly cared and went above and beyond, special thanks to Dr. Witt, Professor Lawrence, and Dr. Miller who made introductions to business owners and advocating for job opportunities. My relationship with the SOM faculty and team have provided current opportunities for jobs for myself and helping find students as I look for staff for my team. UM Flint SOM is always here for you. You are a Wolverine for life, not just our few years at college, and this has been my experience 110%.”

New Chancellor. New Opportunities.

The University of MichiganFlint welcomes new chancellor Laurence Alexander.

Alexander, who had previously been chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for 11 years, was welcomed to campus during a reception in May. He was named to the position after a 10-month national search and received a five-year appointment by the Board of Regents.

Alexander brings more than three decades of combined professional and academic experience as a university chancellor, professor, attorney, and journalist.

“I am thrilled to join the UM-Flint community,” Alexander said. “I’m pleased to become a part of one of the world’s greatest universities. I’ve been impressed by the people, existing programs, facilities, and the

solid foundation that’s been laid by previous leadership, and I can’t wait to get to campus and build on those things with the experience I’ve gained throughout my career.”

While at UAPB, the university’s enrollment, retention, and graduation rates all improved. The school also launched new academic programs, saw new research grants and investments, made significant facilities improvements, attracted new corporate partners, and grew its endowment by 200 percent.

In 2022, Alexander was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as chair of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development.

UM-Flint has recently navigated through enrollment and graduation challenges, but Alexander takes over leadership of the university during exciting times as, for the first time in nearly a decade, UM-Flint recorded an increase in total fall enrollment last September with more than 6,100 students enrolled at the downtown campus, a gain of 2.4% from

the previous year. Winter enrollment followed suit with an increase of more than 9% from the prior year.

Alexander succeeds former Chancellor Deba Dutta and Interim Chancellor Donna Fry.

“The Board of Regents and I remain firmly committed to a brighter future for the Flint campus. That transformation work will now continue under the leadership of Chancellor Alexander,” University of Michigan President Santa Ono said in a message to campus. “He is the right person at the right time to lead UM-Flint.”

Prior to joining the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Alexander served 22 years as a professor and administrator at the University of Florida, where he held key leadership roles, including provost administrative fellow in the Office of Academic Affairs, associate dean of the graduate school, director of the Office of Graduate Minority Programs, chair of the Department of Journalism, and Distinguished Teaching Scholar.

Alexander received a bachelor’s degree in drama and communications from the University of New Orleans, a master’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Florida, a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University, and a PhD in higher education from Florida State University.

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Chancellor Alexander enjoys lunch with faculty and students.

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Chancellor Alexander having a discussion with students on campus.

Engaging with Exciting Anniversary Experiences

Keep the Conversation Going with Events Celebrating 50 Wonderful Years of Education EVENTS

To commemorate and celebrate 50 years of the School of Management, we’re hosting a range of exciting events. Explore our calendar for details on upcoming celebrations and register today. We look forward to seeing you there!

BUSINESS SUMMIT

October 31

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: Riverfront Banquet Center

Join us for a lunch featuring keynote speaker Ray Scott, President and CEO of Lear Corporation. The event will be followed by two breakout sessions at 1:30 PM on the following topics: Family Business Succession Planning and Venture Capital 101 for Entrepreneurs.

Please scan the QR code to RSVP*.

U-M FOOTBALL GAME TAILGATE

November 9

Time & Location: TBD

In collaboration with U-M Club of Greater Flint. Check website for location and time. Please scan the QR code to RSVP*.

VETERANS LUNCHEON

November 11

Time: 12 – 1 PM

Location: Happenings Room, UCEN

Event is free, please scan the QR code to RSVP*.

* Please note that registration will close one week prior to the event. 4 3 2 1

ECONOMIC FORUM

December 13

Time: 12 – 1:30 PM

Location: Food Bank of Eastern Michigan 1939 Howard Avenue Flint, MI 48503

In collaboration with the Rotary Club of Flint. Event is free and lunch will be served. Please scan the QR code below to RSVP*.

Built on Integrity

Sorensen Gross Celebrates 100 Years

F or a century, a guiding principle has always been at the core of any work done by Sorensen Gross: “To provide exemplary consulting and construction services to those who own, build, operate, and maintain facilities through innovation, competence, and courtesy; but utmost, with integrity.”

That principle has helped the company complete construction of hospitals, university buildings, warehouses, water treatment facilities, public safety buildings, and even airports since its founding in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1925. The company moved to Flint in 1927, and in the years since has become a premier building and construction management company, but has also been focused on revitalizing and supporting the community.

The company was founded by John Sorensen and Robert Gross. In 1966, Ghassan Saab joined Sorensen Gross and soon realized the opportunity to lead a company with a solid reputation and a loyal, competent staff. Accepting the role of CEO in 1972, Saab has continuously overseen the company’s management since.

The company has helped clients complete thousands of projects throughout the United States and internationally that have created jobs, transformed infrastructure, increased access to vital services, and built communities from the ground up, offering services that include construction management, design build, general contracting, international services, management consulting, staffing, and specialized trades with clients in commercial, educational, industrial, medical, municipal, and mixed-use building fields.

Genesee County Courthouse

The company has been a major supporter of the community through philanthropic and sponsorship efforts for hundreds of Flint-area organizations and events over the years.

Sorensen Gross has also directly invested in Flint and its future by moving its entire Midwest Headquarters to downtown Flint, near UM-Flint’s campus, in 2022.

“The move to downtown Flint capped many decades of support of Flint’s revitalization, as well as our strong belief in the city’s bright future,” said Ghassan M. Saab, CEO of Sorensen Gross. “A thriving Flint benefits all of us – residents and families, businesses, organizations, and surrounding communities. We are proud to continue providing support to the community that has supported us for nearly 100 years.”

Part of that strong influence in Flint is directly visible on the University of Michigan-Flint campus. Sorensen Gross is currently leading construction of the university’s new College of Innovation and Technology building under construction near Saginaw Street and Fifth Avenue. The 14,000 squarefoot building will prepare students for future jobs in fields like cybersecurity, software engineering, machining and automation, sustainable and renewable energy, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, human-centered design, and electrical and computer engineering.

“The University of Michigan-Flint is a vital anchor for Flint and its surrounding areas as an educator of students and an employer,” Manal Saab, CEO of SGCS said. “We are grateful to have played a role in the university’s growth and expansion over the years, and in helping equip the campus’s facilities for the next generation of students.”

Sorensen Gross has also built or performed work on other campus facilities, including David M. French Hall, First Street Residence Hall, Murchie Science Building, the UM-Flint Recreation Center, the Riverfront Center, and the William S. White building.

Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence in Construction

Sorensen Gross was founded in 1925 with the simple guiding principle of delivering quality construction services with competence, courtesy, and integrity. Over the years the company has transformed into a full-service, comprehensive construction enterprise serving those who own, build, operate, and maintain facilities.

Sorensen Gross has worked with clients on thousands of projects throughout the United States and around the world, providing innovative construction management, designbuild, general contracting, consulting, and specialized personnel services. We are proud to serve the construction needs of leaders in the commercial, industrial, educational, medical, municipal, and multi-residential sectors.

As we celebrate our history, Sorensen Gross remains forever focused on our core principle of building with integrity. We look forward to a promising future of working with our clients, partners, and community for the next century.

The Sponsors Shaping Our 50th Year

As the University of MichiganFlint School of Management celebrates its 50th anniversary, we extend a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors whose support has made this milestone truly exceptional. These generous sponsors are not only helping us honor our institution’s remarkable journey and its impact on education and business, but are also playing a crucial role in our exciting range of event programming. All funds raised as part of the Business Summit Event will support the SOM Degree Completion Scholarship, which helps students approaching graduation avoid dropping out due to financial hardship. Thanks again to all of our sponsors.

Leaders & Best Title Sponsor

Helping Senior Students Cross the Finish Line

School of Management Degree

Completion Scholarship

At the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management, we are committed to our students' success. We strive to empower students from around the globe to excel academically and become skilled leaders who will shape the future of business. We recognize that the cost of tuition can be a significant barrier to completing their degrees, especially as students approach graduation.

The School of Management Degree Completion Scholarship is designed to support undergraduate business majors who are nearing graduation but face financial difficulties that could prevent them from finishing their degrees. To qualify, seniors must maintain satisfactory academic performance and regularly meet with their academic advisors. Similar scholarships at other University Innovation Alliance member institutions have successfully reduced student account balances, helping students stay enrolled, and complete their degrees, and graduate.

Thanks to a generous gift by Steve Whitener, your gift will be matched 1:1 up to a total of $50,000.

Support this scholarship by donating today. Scan the QR code here to get started!

Master of Science SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

As the modern economy changes and develops, an integrated strategy of strengthening the US manufacturing sector is taking precedence. The UM-Flint Master of Science in Supply Chain Management will thoroughly prepare students to excel in this dynamic new business landscape.

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LEARN CRITICAL SKILLS FOR MODERN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Those pursuing a career aligned with business must have the talent that employers are looking for today. For Supply Chain Management, this includes critical thinking, expertise in procurement, logistics, teamwork, decision-making skills, and analytics. UM-Flint's faculty take students through the coursework needed to learn these key characteristics, and excel in the field. As UM-Flint attracts students from all across the state, the nation, and the world, those pursuing the MS in Supply Chain Management will also learn in a classroom with a diverse cohort of backgrounds, increasing their exposure to new ideas.

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MULTIPLE PROGRAM FORMATS FOR YOUR FLEXIBILITY

As UM-Flint is home to many students that are also working professionals, the School of Management has made it a priority to allow individuals to choose a schedule that fits their lifestyle. The program is offered in a mixedmodel flex modality. All courses are available online asynchronously, with once-a-month optional meetings that may be attended online or in-person.

 RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

UM-Flint highly encourages experimental learning at all levels. Teamwork is key to the success of supply chain management, so most classes in Supply Chain Management feature a degree of team-based learning. Students are encouraged to learn in collaboration with each other, echoing some of the practices of the most successful businesses. In addition to these classroom experiences, students will have ample opportunities to engage in research to put their theories into practice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with a graduate degree in Supply Chain Management may qualify for many HIGH-PAYING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

The average growth rate for some these opportunities is 1.4% higher than average. Examples of careers that may qualify for include.

• Purchasing Managers

• Supply Chain Managers

• Buyer Planners

• Materials Managers

NETWORKING EVENTS

Building SOM Connections

Our monthly networking opportunities offer invaluable insights, career guidance, and real-world perspectives, helping students to grow both academically and professionally. We believe that these networks are crucial for academic achievement and personal development, building lifelong relationships and unlocking future opportunities.

March Networking

April Networking

January Networking

Featured Speaker: Milton Straham Straham Consulting and Millennial Tax

Featured Speaker: Greg Viener

Featured Speaker: Professional Managers Network General Motors

ALUMNI & STUDENT EVENTS

Get In on the Fun & Fellowship!

At the School of Management, we take pride in offering our students and alumni opportunities to grow both individually and collectively. That’s why we provide a broad selection of event options. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a relaxed evening watching a sporting event or seeking professional development opportunities, we welcome you.

 Students joined SOM for a full-day event that included career panels, guest speakers, and career assessments.

 SOM students gathered for a relaxed kickback with games, gift card prizes, goodie bags, and treats.

Scan the QR code here to see our upcoming events –we look forward to seeing you there!

One of the panels from the Career Development Summit.

Alumni hanging out at a local Flint Firebirds game.

Let's Stay Connected!

JOIN THE U-M ALUMNI CLUB

Graduates of the University of Michigan have always sought to maintain a strong connection with both their alma mater and fellow alumni. Beginning in August of 1845 at the Ann Arbor inaugural commencement, a graduation of 11 students, began the immediate formation of the Society of the Alumni. Then in 1958, the University of Michigan-Flint (Flint Senior College of the University of Michigan at the time) celebrated its first graduating class, welcoming 86 students to the alumni community.

Fast forward to today, when there are hundreds of thousands of U-M alums spread worldwide. As a student at the University of Michigan-Flint, you are part of this group. Become a member of the Alumni Association and join your local alumni club today at alumni.umich.edu/join.

Here are just a few other ways to stay involved after graduation: Be Social

Follow UM-Flint social media. Share your photos and videos on our official social media sites and be sure to like the UM-Flint School of Management page on Facebook!

Make an Impact

Consider making a gift to SOM! Every gift to our campus matters, regardless of the gift’s size. Support the university’s efforts to prepare the next generation of Leaders and Best. Visit umflint.edu/som/ and click “give now.”

Use Our Talent

UM-Flint has a deep talent pool that has been producing leaders for more than 60 years. SOM alumni can post internships/job postings, along with utilizing career counseling to gain assistance finding a job. For more information, contact Justin Skibin, SOM career development manager, at 810.762.3366 or jskibin@umich.edu

Read All About It

Stay up to date with the latest UM-Flint news and stories with your friends and fellow alumni – visit news.umflint.edu.

Show It Off

Check out the UM-Flint Bookstore for the latest UM-Flint and Wolverine gear and show off your UM-Flint pride. Visit umflint.bncollege.com

Ride in Style

UM-Flint is located in the heart of the Vehicle City. Show your university some love with a UM-Flint license plate available from the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/sos.

LET’S STAY IN TOUCH!

For more information about alumni opportunities with the School of Management, contact Anna Swartz, SOM alumni liaison, at 810.424.5587 or annas@umich.edu

Outstanding Alumni Recipient Focused on Paying It Forward

Stephen Whitener, a 1977 University of Michigan-Flint graduate, has remained supportive of the university since graduating for a simple reason: to pay it forward. And he hopes others will as well.

“My message to the current generation of students is that it’s a privilege to be here,” Whitener said. “When it’s your turn, you need to pay it forward and extend that same privilege to others who come after you.”

Whitener said that had others before him not done the same, he wouldn’t have graduated.

“Without the financial support and help I was able to get on this campus, I couldn’t have got to the finish line,” he said. “Now, it has allowed me to be in a position to help them and give back. They got me there, so I’m going to make darn sure others can too, because graduating from college changes your whole life.”

This year, Whitener was recognized with the Outstanding Alumni Award. Whitener was humbled by the recognition.

“I don’t even know the right word, it was like a tidal wave coming over me,” he said. “Of all of the people who they could’ve picked, and the people who have received this award, it’s just an honor to be in their company.”

Whitener, who is originally from the Southern United States and grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, has carved out a successful business career. After graduating, he purchased several real estate properties, and had a successful career at Westinghouse Electric Co., Eaton Cutler Hammer, Pirelli International, and Anixter. Whitener founded National Systems Installers

in 1993 to provide infrastructure cabling services to companies. In 1999, he founded Nuspire Networks, which offers managed IT security services to companies.

Whitener has established two endowed scholarships: Stephen A. Whitener Scholarship for Innovators and Whitener Merit Plus. Whitener said these are intended to leverage and support the talent on campus with two to three full scholarships per year. Both scholarships supported more than 50 students since 2017.

Whitener also returns to campus frequently, as the chairman of the School’s business advisory board, and attends many of the events, during which he talks to students about his business career and keys to entrepreneurial success. One big takeaway from his time as a student is simply understanding the value of a University of Michigan degree.

“It’s a complete game-changer,” Whitener said.

“When you carry a UM

degree, it carries a lot of horsepower around the world. If you’re a Michigan grad you can do anything.”

He has remained impressed with how the university prepares business students with a balance between traditional academic learning and resources that teach them how to be entrepreneurial-minded and creative.

“The school has always been an all-star in regards to accounting graduates,” Whitener said. “But the School of Management’s advent of the Entrepreneurs Society and the Zillions Solutions competition, and other programs like that is incredibly selfteaching. You start to think for yourself and learn how to jump through different hoops to seize opportunities.”

“My last two years there, I lived in town and those were two of the best years of my life. I met people that I still hang around with and see at least once each week today,” he said. “The university is like a big family.”

Mr. Whitener is with students who were named Whitener Scholars over the years.

How to Nominate Outstanding Alumni

The School of Management honors its exceptional graduates with the Early Career Alumni Achievement award given to graduates of its bachelor’s programs who have achieved great success in their first 10 years after graduation, and with the Outstanding Alumni award given to graduates of any SOM programs. Each fall and winter semester, one graduate will be selected by the School’s executive committee, following online nominations open to all constituents of the School.

Following the selection, the awardee is expected to give a speech to current students during the semester, after the unveiling of the framed awardee information displayed in public space at the School and social media, and speak at the School’s honors dinner that semester.

This award recognizes outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves through:

• Exceptional accomplishment in their chosen profession.

• Exceptional community service.

• Exceptional service in support of the School and the University.

Nominations now open until January 31, 2025

Joubran Career Readiness Fund Provides Scholarships

Students in the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management have several resources available to them as they begin navigating the job market, but the Joubran Career Readiness Fund has consistently provided steady opportunities since it was established in 2022.

The fund supports career readiness and development opportunities for students, including scholarship assistance for students enrolled in the UM-Flint SOM internship course.

“Many of our students are also working full- or part-time as they complete their degrees,” said Justin Skibin, career development manager for the UM-Flint School of Management. “Resources like the Joubran Career Readiness Fund make it possible for students who may not otherwise be able to have

an internship or do an internship for course credit by providing financial support to them.”

The Joubran Career Readiness Fund provides about $3,000 per semester in scholarships to students in the internship course, with awards to students varying based on their financial needs. The fund also supports things like assistance with resumes, networking opportunities, and other career readiness programs.

The fall 2024 recipients are:

• Mary McCormick, $400

• Jessica Vlahakis, $400

• Aaron Chapman, $400

• Jen Barnett, $400

• Jasmine Barksdale, $400

• Missy Gheorghiu, $400

Maize & Blue RECIPIENTS RECOGNIZED

In April 2024, two University of Michigan-Flint School of Management students were recognized as Maize & Blue Award recipients.

The Maize & Blue Award is the highest academic recognition given to undergraduate students during the commencement season. The award is presented to no more than 26 students per year who excel academically and exemplify intellectual maturity and depth, character, talent, and service to the university and the community. The recipients are selected by a faculty committee, with both faculty and staff writing letters of recommendation for students who apply for the award. This year’s two recipients are:

Elaine LaFavor

Woodland, Michigan

Elaine earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on Marketing from UM-Flint. She is a mother of four and serves as treasurer for her children’s football league. Passionate about management, construction, design, and accounting, Elaine is currently seeking a career in management. She and her husband, a foreman, have dreams of starting their own construction business, inspired by their experience building and managing the construction of their own home.

“I worked incredibly hard during my time at UMFlint and I was deeply honored to receive the Maize & Blue award. Instantly, I cried and felt many different emotions, including pride, relief that I made it, gratitude, and happiness. I spent countless nights staying up late into the early morning to make sure I equally balanced being a mother of four, a wife, and a student. I wanted to show and teach my children the value of perseverance, tenacity, and resilience. I also taught them the value of not giving up when things are hard; not giving up on your dreams, even if they seem impossible. Many things seem impossible until you make them possible; and the importance of keeping your priorities straight and remembering what makes you happy and brings value to your life. I am so grateful for my experiences and journey at UM-Flint, including my amazing education I received from incredible educators. I will take my knowledge and experiences gained and apply them throughout my career and life.”

Miles Roberts

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Miles holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in finance. He currently works at Fisher Investments as an incoming investment counselor, helping highnet-worth clients develop tailored investment strategies while providing guidance and education to help them achieve their goals.

“My experience at UM-Flint provided me with the education necessary to gain confidence in the skills that I will be using in both my career and my own investing and financial planning journey. An integral part of my experience was joining the Financial Management Association. This group added to the lessons I learned in class by giving me practical experience in forecasting and valuing equities while working with a team of capable and driven students to manage the university’s stock portfolio. The experience I gained from becoming president of this association, coupled with my academic education and successful pursuit of the Maize & Blue Distinguished Scholar Award, allowed me to quickly obtain a fantastic role in wealth management which exceeded the expectations I had set out for myself at the onset of my education. I firmly believe that having this award on my resume helped me stand out to employers when searching for a career postgraduation. I’m extremely grateful for the strong foundation that UMFlint has provided me and looking forward to what the future holds.”

Outstanding Student Awardees

Fall 2023 Honorary Awards

Outstanding Student Award in Accounting

Brooke Nelson

Natalia Shango

Outstanding Student Award in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management

Noone Noone

Outstanding Student Award in Finance

Jacob Porrett

Outstanding Student Award in General Business

Benjamin Berson

Courtney Graichen

Outstanding Student Award in International Business

Timothy J. Brooks

Outstanding Student Award in Marketing

Thomas Martin

Outstanding Student Award in Operations & Supply Chain Management

Ryelle Conley-Dankert

Outstanding Student Award in Organizational Behavior & Resources Management

Jordyn Morrish

Outstanding MBA Student Award

Nicholas Bolduc

Matt Hall

Outstanding MS in Accounting Student Award

Rocio Rivera Mercado

Outstanding MS in Leadership & Organizational Dynamics Student Award

Jessica McClorey

Winter 2024 Honorary Awards

Financial Executives Institute Award

Jessica Lamoreaux

Stacy Giroux

Institute of Management Accountants Award

Michael Smith

Outstanding Student Award in Accounting

Jessica Lamoreaux

Outstanding Student Award in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management

Katey Peterson

Outstanding Student Award in Finance

Joshua Appleberg

James Perkins

Outstanding Student Award in General Business

Nikki Mackie

Outstanding Student Award in Marketing

Lauren Cowley

Outstanding Student Award in Operations & Supply Chain Management

Daniel Blondin

Outstanding Student Award in Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management

Kaitlin Garvey

Nicoleta Uicker

Outstanding MBA Student Award

Karly Saez

Sarah LaBean

Outstanding MS in Accounting Student Award

Stacy Giroux

Outstanding MS in Leadership & Organizational Dynamics Student Award

Jennifer Hagerman

Plante Moran Outstanding Accounting Student Award (Awarded only in April)

John Riley

Kunwoo Lee

Gabrielle Conklin

Beta Gamma Sigma Inductees Honored

Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition that a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by ACCSB International.

Congratulations to the 2024 Beta Gamma Sigma Inductees:

Cassandra Aebersold

Joshua Appleberg

Amanda Armstrong

Zee Baig

Chloe Brown

C’Mone Carter

Katie Devereux

Christina Evans

Emily Gilsdorf

Mitchell Giuliano

Ana Gonzalez

Lindsey

Hampshire

Alison Hopkins

Ryan Kreklau

Sarah LaBean

Kristin Lewis

Steve Maki

Jenn Millspaugh

Jordyn Morrish

Courtney Nix

Chamika Phillips

Caden Picard

Joseph Platek

Michael Smith

John Tempey

Kimberly

Van Tifflin

Marie Wang

Andrew Wilson

Kim Wolfe Davis

New FACULTY

LINA ALNAGGAR

Lecturer of Supply Chain Management

FOCUS: Supply Chain Management

BACKGROUND: Lina Alnaggar holds an MS in supply chain management from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, along with a BBA in operations management. She brings a blend of academic expertise and practical experience from her work in consulting, research, and teaching. Lina’s research interests lie in optimizing processes within sustainable systems and nonprofit organizations. In 2020, she received the distinguished Honor Scholar Award from UM–Dearborn’s College of Business. As an instructor, Lina is dedicated to helping students apply theoretical concepts to address real-world business challenges analytically.

INTERESTS: Lina enjoys playing board games and exploring the outdoors, especially with family and friends.

ANKIT KAPUR

Assistant Professor of Finance

FOCUS: Finance

BACKGROUND: Dr. Ankit Kapur joins the University of Michigan–Flint as an assistant professor of finance. Dr. Kapur recently completed his PhD in business administration specializing in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). At UTA, he taught business finance, investments, and financial derivatives at the undergraduate level. His research interests includes asset pricing, corporate finance, financial disclosures, credit ratings, and corporate governance. He’s presented his research work at multiple conferences, and has been actively peer-reviewing journal and conference submissions. He’s worked in managerial roles in the banking sector in India and has an MBA from Xavier

TATIANA LUKOIANOVE

Lecturer

of International Business

FOCUS: International Business and Strategy

BACKGROUND: Dr. Tatiana Lukoianove has joined the School of Management in 2024 as a lecturer I in international business. She holds a PhD in political science and an MA in economics from the Pennsylvania State University, specializing in international political economy and research methodology. Dr. Lukoianove is deeply passionate about her scholarship and has always been fascinated by the complexities and diversity of institutional environments globally, along with their strategic implications for business.

Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB).

Dr. Kapur finds great joy in teaching and has been actively involved in improving and making education in finance more accessible. In the past, he has developed tools and assessments such as an accessible VBA-based financial calculator for severely visually impaired and blind students, and automaticallygraded finance spreadsheets.

INTERESTS: Dr. Kapur enjoys reading, music, and spending time with his friends, family, fur baby (Austin), and feathered baby (Phoenix).

Teaching, for her, is about more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about guiding students through the challenges they encounter and helping them achieve success in their future careers. She places a strong emphasis on teaching the importance of integrity and ethics, ensuring her students not only become competent in the subject matter but also appreciate the significance of maintaining ethical standards in all aspects of their lives. Throughout her career, she has taught a wide range of courses in international business and strategic management at both public and private universities across the United States and Canada. One of her proudest contributions is the development of a specialized MBA course on the analytics of international business environment. This course was designed to equip students with the analytical skills and data-driven approaches needed to excel in the analysis of foreign markets.

As an interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Lukoianove has advanced our

LISA NOVAK Lecturer of Accounting

FOCUS: Accounting

BACKGROUND:

Dr. Lisa Novak teaches a variety of accounting courses and is an alumnus of UM-Flint. She has a Doctorate of business administration (DBA) from Indiana Wesleyan University with a focus in accounting. In addition, Lisa has a Master of Science (MSA) in administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of business administration (BBA) from the University of Michigan-Flint with a major in accounting. She also teaches accounting at Mott Community

College (MCC) in the Business Division. Previously, she worked for over eight years in accounting for K-12 public education including the areas of budgets, grants, payroll, and special education funding. She also has experience in public accounting.

Her passion is community service, especially in the area of education. She has served on the Lapeer Community School Board for almost eight years and is currently Board Secretary. Additionally, she has served as Board Treasurer for the Lapeer Intermediate School District for almost six years.

Her primary research interests are in the field of utilizing Strengths for students and data analytics in accounting.

INTERESTS:

In her free time, she enjoys walking, exercising, reading, and spending time friends and family.

GWEN WITTENBAUM

Lecturer of OBHRM

FOCUS: Organizational Behavior

understanding of the sociopolitical factors that shape international business. Her work has appeared in leading journals in the field, and she was particularly honored to receive the Journal of World Business 2018 Best Paper Award for one of her publications. She also earned two academic grants, in 2018 and 2020, from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada, equivalent to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the US, through a highly competitive selection process. These grant-funded research projects aim to generate new knowledge on the opportunities and challenges of doing business in emerging markets.

Beyond her academic work, she strongly believes in giving back to the community through active engagement in local nonprofit and other initiatives. Since 2021, she has been serving as the president of the parent-run, nonprofit Chinook Rhythmic Gymnastics Club (CRGC) in Calgary, Canada. In this

role, she has seen the club grow in both membership and opportunities for young athletes. Her leadership during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly strengthened the club’s fundraising efforts and its impact on the community. Dr. Lukoianove also actively contributes to her professional associations: her 2024 activities include serving as the track chair for the “International Business Strategy” track at the 2024 AIBNE Annual Conference and earning the Best Reviewer Award at the 2024 AIB Annual Meeting.

INTERESTS: When she's not focused on her professional and community commitments, Tatiana enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, reading, exploring new places, and listening to music. This year, she traveled around the world in 40 days, starting in Canada and visiting South Korea, Turkey, Croatia, Italy, and France. Being a mother also brings her immense joy, complementing her academic and community-centered activities.

BACKGROUND: Dr. Wittenbaum’s research interests have focused on team collaboration and communication. She co-founded the Interdisciplinary Network for Group Research (INGRoup) – a nonprofit professional association that unites group and team researchers from around the world. Her teaching interests within organizational behavior span topics that help people to work together better, such as teamwork, leadership, negotiation, and influence. She loves to teach and coach students and executives alike to elevate their leadership and team-building skills.

As a retired professor of communication at Michigan State University (MSU), Dr. Wittenbaum brings a diverse scholarly background, including a PhD in social psychology from Miami University (Ohio) and a consultantship with philosophers in MSU’s Toolbox Dialogue Initiative.

INTERESTS: Dr. Wittenbaum enjoys reading nonfiction books, working in her perennial garden, and walking her American Eskimo dog, Luna.

Welcome to all our newest UM-Flint faculty members!

Farewell to Our Retiring Professors 2

AtUniversity of Michigan-Flint School of Management, we are fortunate to have faculty and staff who share our mission of helping students grow and excel in the business world. As we bid farewell to another remarkable academic year, we would like to celebrate the service and dedication of our six retiring faculty members.

John A. Helmuth II, PhD

Professor of finance at UM-Flint SOM. Retired January 1, 2024. Helmuth received his BA (1974) and MA (1975) from Old Dominion University and his PhD (1981) from the University of South Carolina. Helmuth served as a tenured associate professor at Rochester Institute of Technology before becoming chair of accounting and finance at UM-Dearborn in 1996. He then was dean at Niagara University (2002) and UM-Flint (2007), where he developed programs in entrepreneurship and international business. He returned to teaching in 2012. His research covered family businesses, capital market efficiency, and economic impact, with publications in journals such as Review of Financial Economics and the Journal of Accounting and Finance Research He also served as president of the New York State Economic Association (1987-88) and was on its board of directors (1984-92).

Scott D. Johnson, PhD

A professor of marketing at the UM-Flint SOM. Retired January 1, 2024. Johnson earned his BA (1977, Phi Beta Kappa) and MBA (1981) from the University of Minnesota and his PhD (1990) from Michigan State University. In 2009, Johnson served as a dean of the College of Business at Illinois State University, then became dean of SOM in 2013. After eight years, he returned to his role as professor of marketing, retiring two years later. His research included word-ofmouth communication, recommendationbased decision making, and the global middle class. He published extensively, taught internationally, and served as an expert witness on trademark dilution. Johnson also contributed to the AACSM accreditation and was president of the Midwest Business Deans Association. He values his honorary lifetime membership in the Student Marketing Association.

Gerry Knesek, EdD, MBA

Lecturer of management in the UM-Flint SOM. Retired from active faculty status September 1, 2024.

Knesek received his BA (1973) from St. Mary’s University, his EdD (1988) from Indiana University, and his MBA (2003) from Madonna University. Before joining SOM, he worked in education and human resources at General Motors, New United Motor Manufacturing, and Delphi, providing his students with many examples from his professional life. He valued continuing education, and obtaining certification in various business and management fields.

Larry Nichols, MBA

Lecturer of management in the UM-Flint SOM. Retired May 1, 2023. Nichols earned his BA (1975) and MBA (1986) from UM-Flint. Before joining UM-Flint, Nichols held executive roles in banking at Genesee Bank, NBD Bank, Huntington National bank, and more. While teaching, he also consulted, advised students, and placed them in internships. Nichols remains active on several boards, including University Bank, Michigan Seniors Golf Association, and the Economic Roundtable of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Ruth J. Person, PhD

Professor of management at UM-Flint SOM.

Retired January 5, 2024.

Person earned her BA (1967) from Gettysburg College, MS (1974) from George Washington University, and PhD (1980) from the University of Michigan. Person’s career included roles as dean at Clarion University, associate vice chancellor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and vice president for academic affairs at Ashland and Angelo State universities. She served as chancellor at Indiana University in Kokomo and UM-Flint, where she later returned to teaching. Her research spanned library sciences, personnel management, and leadership, with publications in journals such as College & Research Libraries. As chancellor, she advanced academic programs and helped UM-Flint achieve significant growth and recognition.

Mark Simon, PhD

Hagerman Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Director of the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UM-Flint. Retired June 30, 2024. Simon earned his BS from Babson College (1980) and MS (1990) and PhD in strategy and entrepreneurship (1996) from Georgia State University. Simon taught at Oakland University from 1996 to 2016, where he was recognized with Michigan’s Distinguished Professor Award in 2013. He joined UM-Flint in 2016, leading initiatives that earned the Center the Excellence in Co-Curricular Entrepreneurship Education Award in 2024. Simon’s research on entrepreneurial decisionmaking was published in top journals and featured in Inc. Magazine. His work greatly impacted his students and the field of entrepreneurship.

Larry Nichols with his wife, Janet.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

International Insight on Global Business Trends

New Research Explores Reputational Value, Supply Chain Strategies, and Corporate Social Responsibility

Inhis more than 10 years with the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management, Dr. Keith Kelley has been impressed by the School’s ability to attract top international talent to help prepare students to be leaders and contributors in the global workforce. The makeup of the School of Management’s faculty also fits well with Kelley’s research interests. Kelley’s education and professional experiences are in global business, strategy, supply chains, and how global companies manage their reputations.

“Reputation management is a really critical part of understanding how multinational companies navigate cultural or political landscapes in different countries while trying to build trust and practice corporate responsibility,” said Kelley, associate dean of the School of Management and associate professor of international business and strategic management.

In a 2021 article titled, “Creating Shared Reputational Value While Managing Informational Asymmetries Across Borders: The Platform Business Paradox,” Kelley and his coauthor explore the challenges faced by platform businesses operating internationally. In particular, how companies build shared value to their reputations while navigating countries or environments where information is not always shared the same way. Companies have to find a balance between trust and local adaptation through a variety of tools while still maintaining a strong global reputation.

In a 2000 article, Kelley and his co-author examined the “bullwhip effect” – how demand variability is amplified along supply chains – under uncertain conditions. The study compares regional and global strategies, showing that regional supply chains reduce the effect with shorter lead times and being closer to their target markets, while global supply chains have longer and more complex networks, which can worsen the effect.

Kelley has also written about corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including in a 2019 study. He and his co-authors explored how multinational companies in emerging markets can

benefit from strategic CSR initiatives that align their corporate goals with societal needs.

“Corporate responsibility initiatives can create benefits for both the company and the country,” Kelley said. “It can help create better sustainability or environmental efforts, or other outcomes that are mutually positive for both the company and the people in the region.”

Kelley credits the collaborative approach in the School of Management as well as faculty with diverse backgrounds and expertise for fostering a rich research environment. But he also is a passionate teacher and credits the students for being passionate about their career goals and education.

“We have always had hardworking students,” he said. “We regularly see our graduates enter the workforce and have immediate success, and also hear from employers about how well prepared they are because of the way our programs mix practical business education with different hands-on and experiential opportunities.”

As associate dean, Kelley supports several initiatives in the School of Management, including curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and strategic planning. He has a PhD in international business and management from Florida International University and has extensive experience in both academic and corporate settings.

HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS

• Creating Shared Reputational Value While Managing Informational Asymmetries Across Borders: The platform business paradox. Kelley, K., & Thams, Y. (2021). AIB Insights, 21(3), 1-7.

• Bullwhip Severity in Conditions of Uncertainty: Regional vs global supply chain strategies. Alvarado-Vargas, M. J., & Kelley, K. J. (2020). International Journal of Emerging Markets, 15(1), 131-148.

• Corporate Social Responsibility, Country Reputation and Corporate Reputation: A perspective on the creation of shared value in emerging markets Kelley, K. J., Hemphill, T. A., & Thams, Y. (2019). Multinational Business Review, 27(2), 178-197.

Race for Market Share Gains

How Emerging Market and Advanced Economy MNEs Perform in Each Other’s Turf

Ozkan, Kubilay; Khan, Huda; Deligonul, Seyda; Yeniyurt, Sengun; Gu, Qian; Cavusgil, Erin; Shichun Xu (2022) Journal of Business Research, 150, 208-222.

Multinational enterprises from emerging markets and advanced economies compete for market share in each other’s regions, but how they go about doing that can vary.

Dr. Shichun Xu, professor of marketing and chair of the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Management, and his co-authors examined how organizations compete in each other’s regions in a recent study focused on the strategic behavior of these firms when entering foreign markets, comparing their approaches to gaining competitive advantage.

The study finds that emerging market multinational organizations are more aggressive in pursuing market share in advanced economies, driven by their need for rapid growth and resource acquisition. In contrast, advanced economy multinational organizations tend to adopt a more cautious approach in emerging markets, leveraging their established resources and capabilities. The research highlights that the success of each type of firm depends on how well they adapt their strategies to the local environment, emphasizing the role of flexibility and strategic partnerships in securing market dominance in unfamiliar territories.

Xu has been with UM-Flint since 2015 and holds a PhD in Marketing from Michigan State University, an MBA from the University of Arkansas, and an MA in linguistics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. His research interests include innovation and new product development, international marketing strategy, and R&D alliances.

“When it comes to new product development, I focus on R&D alliances, when firms join forces to come up with new products,” he said. “So, there’s opportunities and challenges associated with working with other firms, concerns about knowledge or technology leaks, and managing processes can be a challenge.”

Xu’s work has been widely published in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of Product Innovation Management, with studies that explore topics like the impact of national culture on business-to-business relationships and the dynamics of knowledge development in R&D alliances.

In addition to his research, Dr. Xu is highly active in professional organizations, including the American Marketing Association (AMA) and the Academy of International Business (AIB). He has served on editorial review boards and frequently reviews for top journals in his field.

At UM-Flint, Xu teaches courses in marketing strategy, new product development, and integrated marketing communications at both the undergraduate and MBA levels. Xu has also contributed significantly to the university through various leadership roles on committees and curriculum reviews. He noted that the atmosphere in the School of Management creates a rich environment for learning, teaching, and research.

“We have a very collegial environment, and colleagues are very supportive of each other,” he said. “That strong culture is really important to me. Our student population is also pretty diverse. As faculty members we try to accommodate the different individual needs for different students, and what I observe is we have students who work hard and care a lot about their own education and experience here. A lot of them are also working full or part time, so overall they are hardworking and driven to be successful in the future.”

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Michael Witt Empowering Students Toward Career Success

There’s a simple answer for what has kept Michael Witt, PharmD, JD, entrepreneur in residence, and lecturer IV in Business Law and Entrepreneurship at the University of MichiganFlint School of Management for 20 years: the students.

“What initially attracted me to this university, and what has endured during the entire time I’ve been here, is the nature of the student body here,” Witt said. “They’re hardworking. On average, they’re paying for their own college, they’re working while attending school, they’re trying very hard. These have always been diligent and tough kids who are accustomed to working. They’re responsive, receptive, and open-minded, and as a teacher, that makes it rewarding.”

Prior to joining the UM-Flint faculty, Witt’s background was in new company formation, especially in drug and medical device development industries. He has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) from the University of California San Francisco, and a law degree (JD) from Case Western Reserve University.

At CWRU, along with Prof. Duncan Neuhauser, he started Health Matrix: A Quarterly Journal of Health Sciences Management. This journal continues today at CWRU School of Law and is presently the leading law medicine publication of its kind. After law school, he practiced corporate health care law for seven years at Warner &

Stackpole, a large Boston law firm, representing hospitals, biomedical research institutions, universities, and pharmaceutical companies.

He has taught courses on food and drug law, and health and hospital law, at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences. While practicing law and teaching, he published a book titled AIDS: Legal, Ethical and Social Implications, and was also published in the American Medical Association

Journal on public health research guidelines. He was instrumental in establishing hospital policies on managing the AIDS crisis across the nation and was a frequent lecturer on this topic in numerous venues.

He launched a technology company in California that specialized in commercializing medical research that comes out of universities. The company worked on projects worldwide and developed nine drugs and 14 medical devices in a decade.

He and his family moved back to Michigan in 1997. He began managing MichBio, Michigan’s life science trade association, in Ann Arbor, and practicing law at Cox, Hodgman, and Giarmarco, in Troy, before taking a teaching position at UM-Flint.

Witt mentioned that the supportive environment and ability to experiment with new ideas create a rich environment for faculty in the School of Management.

“When we come up with fun ideas, we can always find others here who are willing to go along with us,” he said.

One of those ideas, the UM-Flint Entrepreneurs Society founded by Witt in 2008, continues to make a big impact on students across campus. The Entrepreneurs Society introduces students to the world of business, with member students acting as resources to each other to create an environment that is collaborative and creative and helps strengthen ideas.

“We try to give a range of experiences that are practical in their [studentsʼ] grounding, but we also push academic standards and make them work like hell.” – Dr. Michael Witt

“A lot of what I do is just ask students what they want to do or be,” Witt said. “If they tell me they have an idea, that’s when I know I got ’em. I can then say, ‘OK, let’s take your idea through this process,’ and then learning ensues in all manners. Some students want to start their own business, some want to work in a certain industry, some want to find a great internship that helps them get into graduate school.

I just try to help support them accomplishing their career goals. And the Entrepreneurs Society is a tool that promotes and facilitates

student engagement. Whether they have an idea for an IT business or a landscaping business, I can teach them all of the academic aspects and the rigor they can bring to any business – who their competition is, what their revenue goals are, how to understand their supply chain. It's hardcore business with a practical edge, and that matches our population of students.”

That mix of practical and theoretical education experiences is part of what Witt says is a strength of School of Management programs. He also talked

about the exposure to many different countries and cultures students receive during their education.

“One of the things that surprised me when I came to Flint is that we have faculty from all over the world,” he said. “Students get to interact with people from Saudia Arabia, China, Mexico, Canada. So we bring international experiences directly to our students through our faculty.”

Witt said the reason UM-Flint SOM graduates make great hires in many different types of companies is because of the combination of their own work ethic and some of the unique experiences they receive through their programs.

“We try to give a range of experiences that are practical in their grounding, but we also push academic standards and make them work like hell,” Witt said. “Just seeing the success of our students after graduating, it’s a testament to them and their tenacity.”



Dr. Michael Witt leads a discussion with his UM–Flint students.

Phil Hagerman Passion to Help Grow Entrepreneurial Spirit Guides Local Philanthropist

Afamiliar saying serves as a guide to Phil Hagerman’s approach to philanthropy.

“I believe the best way to make an impact is to teach a man to fish rather than give a man a fish,” Hagerman said. “If you help someone pick up a new skill or get a new opportunity, them they can perpetuate it. If you teach then an entrepreneurial skill, they can go out and change the trajectory of their entire life.”

Providing support to educational institutions like the University of Michigan-Flint complements that approach. In 2015, a $2 million gift from Hagerman established the Hagerman Center

for Entrepreneurship & Innovation as the heart of entrepreneurship on campus and as a hub of Flint’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The center offers students opportunities to enrich their education with experiences that take them beyond the classroom, facilitating entrepreneurial and innovative skills to help graduates thrive.

The center aims to increase the University of Michigan-Flint community’s awareness of and interest in entrepreneurship and innovation. Initiatives include faculty awards, the Summer Entrepreneurship Institute, the Zillion Solutions competition, a speaker series, scholarships, and more.

“Successful entrepreneurs or businesspeople have to be able to listen to the market, and to suppress their own ego,” Hagerman said. “If you listen to the market, understand what is accepted or exciting, and can recognize that no ideas are immediately perfect, so they need to grow and morph, you can be successful. People often get so focused on their own idea that they don’t pivot or change course based on what feedback from the market is telling them people want or need.”

Hagerman is passionate about creating resources in the Flint area that can provide tools and opportunities for more successful entrepreneurs and business leaders to come out of this area and pass on some of the knowledge he’s gained in his career. He’s an entrepreneur, philanthropist, pharmacist, and former CEO and chairman of Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc., which was at one time the largest independent provider of

“The School of Management and the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation are offering increasingly relevant tools and skills, and the growth since 2015 has been impressive.” – Phil Hagerman

specialty pharmacy services in the United States. He cofounded Diplomat in 1975 with his father, Dale Hagerman, and took the company public in 2014.

He founded SkyPoint Ventures, a real estate and venture investment firm, in 2013. Hagerman is currently CEO of Forum Health Enterprises, Inc. Forum Health, founded in 2019, focuses on building a network of integrative and functional medical practices across the country.

His foundation, the Hagerman Foundation, is a nonprofit focused on giving to programs across Michigan that support family, community, and education.

With nearly 10 years of history and impact since his initial donation to establish the Hagerman Center at UM-Flint, Hagerman is pleased with the legacy and impact it is creating.

“It always takes three to five years to sort of set the stage, and then another three to five for an idea to grow and prosper,” he said. “I’ve been thrilled with what has happened with the Center. The School of Management and the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation are offering increasingly relevant tools and skills, and the growth since 2015 has been impressive. Our reach, starting to bring people from 50 miles away or more, right into Flint, is giving UM-Flint even greater visibility. We’ve won a significant amount of national

awards as the center has grown, and we’re neck and neck in terms of impact with entrepreneurial centers in other places that have been around for 25 years or more.”

In particular, the Zillion Solutions competition has been highly successful for the university. Zillion Solutions is a campuswide competition open to students from all majors and Genesee County high school students to win cash prizes for creating a new product or solution to solve a problem. Participation in the competition has steadily increased each year.

“It has been one of the most resoundingly successful programs in the nation,” Hagerman said. “We now are nearing 1,000 people involved from all majors across UMFlint as well has high school students. It really showcases that anyone, whether they’re majoring in business or not, can be entrepreneurial and create new ideas.”

Hagerman’s support for the University of Michigan was recognized in 2023 when he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university.

“It was both shocking and made me incredibly proud,” Hagerman said. “If you do what you love and stand behind it, good things will happen. It’s an incredible honor.”

Hagerman measures his career in terms that go beyond business success. He’s passionate about helping others find ways to succeed in their goals and remains committed to supporting future generations of UM-Flint students.

“I’m incredibly proud of the reach UM-Flint has created for the Hagerman Center,” Hagerman said. “A thriving UM-Flint is critical to the ecosystem of Flint. The school has grown in significant ways, has added new programs, and is on the rise. Working with the university has given me the opportunity to share what I love in business with others, and watch them grow and prosper.”

Mr. Hagerman receives an honorary degree from UM-Flint.

Considering starting or supporting a scholarship?

Tips on Creating an Endowed Scholarship Fund

Business@UM-Flint has featured countless stories recognizing the generosity of donors and the impact these gifts (often in the form of scholarships) have had on students and the school as a whole. As you read these articles, perhaps you wondered how scholarships get started – or maybe you’ve been thinking about starting one yourself. Learn more from gift officer Melissa Stephens-Farrell, as she shares answers to the most frequently asked questions about this rewarding opportunity.

Q: How much money is needed to fund an endowed scholarship?

A: Individuals can make scholarship gifts at any level or support an existing scholarship if they so choose. To create a named scholarship, the minimum required is $25,000, which can be pledged over (up to) five years. At this level the fund would generate an approximate $1,125 award for a student annually.

Q: How long does it take from the time the monetary gift is given until the time a scholarship is awarded?

A: For endowed scholarships, once the scholarship has reached the amount designated, e.g., $25,000 or more, the dollars that have been reinvested will be ready to disburse the following academic year. If someone has a scholarship that is fully vested in December of 2024, it would be awarded in the fall of 2025

or could be held until winter of 2025. The fund does have to reinvest to then disburse 4.5% to the student. Keep in mind this is the gift that keeps on giving if it has been endowed. The principal of $25,000 is never spent and individuals can continue to build their fund to distribute the level of support they wish to go to students.

Q: How much input do donors have when determining scholarship requirements and naming the scholarship?

A: While there are a few rules that must be adhered to, donors get to determine the name and criteria for their scholarship and the type of student they want to help. We have a step-by-step process we walk them through. Donors often received scholarships themselves when they were students.

Q: What part do donors play in the annual selection process for the scholarship?

A: Their role is in setting the criteria for the scholarship. The University then supplies an eligible pool of applicants (based on the donor’s criteria) to the SOM Scholarship Committee. Based on the criteria, students are selected by faculty on the committee.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of starting a scholarship?

A: Most donors feel it is rewarding to hear from their student recipients. Most share the positive impact these gifts make in their lives and oftentimes on a person’s entire family.

Q: What are some other benefits of establishing a scholarship?

A: It is truly inspiring to the students who receive an award. The acknowledgement is incredibly rewarding to them, and students are so grateful a stranger would care enough to help fund their education.

CREATING AN ENDOWED FUND

UM-Flint offers the option of establishing an endowed scholarship fund through a donation of $25,000 (or more), which can be pledged over five years.

Unlike other gifts, an endowed fund offers long-term impact for students. It is invested in perpetuity, with interest income used to finance the corresponding scholarship(s) available to students.

For more information about endowed funds or other opportunities to support student success at SOM, contact Melissa Stephens-Farrell at 810.424.5480 or msfarrel@umich.edu.

2023-2024

Scholarly Publications & Presentations

Refereed Journal

Publications

Banerjee, S., Sen, A., & Zahay, D. 2023. The effect of in-store electronic word of mouth on local competitor spillovers in the quick service restaurant industry. Electronic Commerce Research

Blume, B.D., Ford, J.K., & Huang, J. 2024. Transfer of informal learning: The role of manager support in linking learning to performance. Business Horizons, 67(2).

Salamon, J., Blume, B.D., Orosz, G., & Nagy, T. 2023. The moderating effect of coworkers’ training participation on the influence of peer support in the transfer process. European Journal of Training and Development, 47.

Bryan, J., Kim, D., Sinkovics, R., & Cavusgil, E. 2024. The effect of business model innovation on SME’s international performance: The contingent roles of foreign institutional voids and entrepreneurial orientation. Journal of Business Research, 175.

Kubilay, O., Khan, H., Deligonul, S., & Cavusgil, E. 2024. Redefining the organizational resilience construct using a frame based methodology: A new perspective from the ecology based approach. Journal of Business Research, 172. Chen, C., Liu, Z., Tang, W., & Tuo, L. 2023. Accounting reporting complexity, audit engagement partner mandatory rotation, and audit quality. The Journal of Corporate Accounting and Finance, 35(2). Chen, C., Jones, K., & Moreland., K. 2024. The interactive roles of individual motivational characteristics and delivery method in upper-level accounting courses. Accounting Education Kandogan, Y., & Johnson, S. 2024. Political economy and income inequality: How did trade liberalization and changes in political and economic freedom affect the middle classes across the world? Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1).

Kandogan, Y. 2024. What are the relevant dimensions of distance for direct investments from emerging countries? The role of home and host country contexts. Journal of Applied Economics, forthcoming.

Kandogan, Y. 2023. Host country profiles beyond pair-wise distances in gravity models of foreign direct investment. Global Business and Economics Review, forthcoming.

Kandogan, Y. 2023. A comprehensive multi-country study of country-of-origin effects using actual product ownerships. Journal of Marketing Analytics, forthcoming.

Kim, Y.H.A., Kang, M.J., Cao, S., & Park, S. 2024. The voice of risk: Wall Street CEO’s voice pitch and the 2008 financial crisis. Asia-Pacific Journal of Financial Studies, 1-38.

Choi, D., Gam, Y.K., Kang, M.J., & Shin, H. 2024. The effect of ESG-motivated turnover on firm financial risk. The British Accounting Review, forthcoming.

Li, W. 2024. Optimizing with attractor: A Tutorial. ACM Computing Surveys, 56(9).

Li, W. 2024. The Traveling Salesman Problem: Optimization with the AttractorBased Search System, Springer.

Liu, Y., Xu, H., & Liu, Z. 2023. Does strong team identity facilitate or hinder internal whistle-blowing? Strategic Finance, 105 (3).

Mehdian, S., Gherghina, S.C., & Stoica, O. 2024. An intraday examination of financial markets reactions to U.S. bank failures. Financial Research Letters, 60.

Mehdian, S., Rezvanian, R., & Jeklin, K. 2023. Profitability of US small banks pre- during- and post- 2008 financial crisis: Evidence from ratio analysis. Journal of Accounting, Business and Management, forthcoming.

Mehdian, S., Gherghina, S.C., & Stoica, O. 2023. Investors' sentiment and equity markets during Covid-19 period: A quantile regression approach and Wavelet analyses. Journal of Business Economics and Management, forthcoming.

Mehdian, S., Gherghina, S.C., Stoica, O., Stephens, J. 2024. The reaction of the

financial market to the January 6 United States Capitol attack: An Intraday Study. Financial Research Letters, 56.

Mascha, M. F., & Miller, C.L. 2024. Applying internal control concepts using database design: An educational case. AIS Educator Journal, forthcoming.

Reinstein, A., N. T. Churyk, & Miller, C.L. 2024. Improving audits of larger governmental entities and employee benefit plans, The CPA Journal, forthcoming.

Liu, X., Vu, D.D., Perera, S.C., Wang, G., & Xiong, R. 2023. Nexus between water-energy-carbon footprint network: Multiregional input-output and coupling coordination degree analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 430.

Vashchilko, T., White III, G.O., Mihalache O’Keef, A., Demirkan, I., Jiang, C., & Chintakananda, A.A. 2024. Emerging methodologies in sociopolitical risk research: An introductory perspective. Journal of International Management, forthcoming.

White III, G. O., Chintakananda, A., & Rajwani, T. 2023. Seeds of corruption? The contingent role of ties to politicians and foreign subsidiary relations with government-sponsored financial institutions. British Journal of Management, 34.

Conference Presentations

Ahmed, M. U., & Shafiq, A. 2023. Investing in sustainable product development: Insights from the theory of planned behavior. Decision Sciences Institute’s Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Banerjee, S., Sultan, F., & Butt, M. 2024. Predicting BOPIS from online and offline cross-visit pattern data. ISMS Marketing Science Conference, Sydney, Australia. Banerjee, S., Sen, S., & Sinha, N. 2023. Adoption of firm’s ESG disclosures by employees in the Indian context: Do values of faith matter? International Conference on Sustainability: An Ancient Indian Approach, Management Center for Human Values at IIM, Calcutta, India.

Runnalls, B., Blume, B.D., Huang, J., Wang, Z., & Ford, J. K. 2024. Sink or swim? Empowering trainees for informal learning to improve transfer and distal outcomes. Academy of Management Conference, Chicago, IL.

Blume, B.D., Donaldson, E.S., Lugger, S., & Simon, M. 2024. The Hagerman Center: Igniting an innovative mindset throughout a university! California Entrepreneurship Educators Conference, San Diego, CA.

Kandogan, Y. 2024. Relative quality of market-supporting institutions at home and host countries of foreign direct investment. Academy of International Business Annual Meeting, Seoul, Korea.

Kang, M.J., & Kim, Y.H.A. 2024. The voice of risk: Wall Street CEOs’ vocal masculinity and financial crisis in 2008. FMA Asia Pacific Annual Conference, Seoul, Korea.

Laurence, G.A., & Newport, S.B. 2024. A trans-disciplinary design thinking approach to creating study abroad curriculum. Conference on the Arts in Society, Seoul, Korea.

Longstreet, P., & Brooks, S. 2023. Life satisfaction: Still a key to internet & social media addiction? AMCIS, Panama.

Sadeghi A., & Felipe, A.V. 2024. Evaluating water distribution strategies in post-disaster humanitarian logistics. POMS Annual Meeting, Istanbul, Turkey.

Sadeghi, A., & Felipe, A.V. 2024. An efficient algorithm to optimize vehicle routings in post-disaster humanitarian logistics. IISE Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada.

Sadeghi, A., & Felipe, A.V. 2024. Optimizing water delivery in post-disaster humanitarian logistics with social costs. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. Vu, M., Hewitt, M., & Vu, D.D. 2023. Solving time-dependent traveling salesman problem with time windows under generic time-dependent travel cost. CSONET International Conference on Computational Data and Social Networks, Hanoi, Vietnam.

White III, G.O., Rajwani, T., Lawton, T.C., & Benischke, M. 2023. Laying down the law: Assessing the effects of ethical codes and legalism on MNE monitoring of foreign subsidiary supply chain partners in emerging markets. Strategic Management Society Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

White III, G. O. 2023. Methodological challenges and approaches in international nonmarket strategy research. Academy of International Business Annual Meeting, Warsaw, Poland.

Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to our 2023–2024 scholarship recipients!

Diplomat Scholarship Fund

Tiffany Gagne

Jennifer Hagerman

Angela Rushlow

Baker-Roberson Scholarship

Marcia Brauer

Brenda Clor

Rachel Maloney

John Riley

Burke Family Scholarship

Alexander White

Robert Cojeen Scholarship

Kelsey Andrykovich

Anthony Barbat

Rebecca James

Marco Saccal

James & Desoline

Cokley Family Scholarship

Anthony Barbat

Daniel Blondin

Kathryn Hunter

Elaine LaFavor

Hayden Shinabarger

Dean’s Choice Award

Daniel Blondin

David A. Page

CPA Scholarship

Rachel Maloney

John Riley

Felicia Weaver

Dr. Walker E. Fesmire Scholarship

Shayani Alonso Lorenzo

John Riley

Felicia Weaver

Flint Journal Scholarship Fund

Emily Johnson

Kate Lawrence

Flagel Family

GR Studies Fund

Alysha Johnson

Freeman SOM Scholarship

Kelsey Andrykovich

Anthony Barbat

Jacob Bass

Daniel Blondin

Marcia Brauer

Alexander Burant

Jacob Burgess

Trinity Chatley

Anna Densmore

Kaitlin Garvey

Christiana Hawkins

Patrick Johnson

Trevor Kulsavage

Sebastian McLaughlin

Coryn Moore

Jordyn Morrish

John Riley

Lucas Thon

Semen Salaev

Aaron Sandlin

Hayden Shinabarger

Jakub Wasniewski

Alexander White

Taylor Winstead

Clayton Wistuba

Freeman NetPlus

MBA Scholarship

Caitlin Cullar

Fatima Eid

Aaron Fogelsonger

C’Mone Johnson

Joshua Jones

Sarah LaBean

Emmanuel Olupot

Dasia Parks

Daniel Smith

Courtney Witczak

Nick & Sharon

George Scholarship

Abraham Dabaja

Cathleen Hale

Scholarship

Tempess Charda

Jasmine Lolita

Hagerman Scholars

Isabella Bupp

Jacob Burgess

Shayani Alonso Lorenzo

Semen Salaec

Heitmann Family Scholarship

Christian Bates

Michael Smith

Gwen Ifill Award

Emily Johnson

Jessica Hagemeister

Memorial Scholarship

Shayani Alonso Lorenzo

John Riley

Felicia Weaver

Joubran Career

Readiness Fund

Caitlin Belleville

Ashley Dameworth

Anna Densmore

Savannah Foster

Arielle Hermann

Hailey Lane

Erik Legault

Skyler McCurry

Morgan Pierce

Madison Speer

Adisson Willford

Kartha Family

Study Abroad SOM

Blake Ackerman

Anna Baker

Cooper Brown

Linda & Randy Leach

Family Scholarship

Tyler Baxter

Daniel Blondin

Chloe Brown

Kathryn Brown

Trinity Chatley

Elaine LaFavor

Alexander White

Adisson Willford

Cathleen Miller Scholarship

Felicia Weaver

The Cathleen Miller

MS Scholarship

Dasia Parks

Keeranun Pyle

I Douglas Moon

SOM UG Merit

Alexander White

Dr. Nallapu Reddy Scholarship

Nizamuddin Djebili

Oliver LaGore

VanValin Inv Grp

Lindsey Hampshire

Keith Saylor

Osher Foundation Scholarship

Jennifer Barnett

Kaitlyn Boggs

Shayna Bono

Nicole Bostwick

Jonathon Clase

Courtney Cody

Beonka Conklin

Austin Crissman

Jennifer Fogelsonger

Shyronda Green

Anna Golson

Trisha Holton

Tameshia Jackson

Corey Kinsey

Kelley Kummer

Sara Lamblin

Tami Latham

LaShonda Lee

Brett Marcum

Curtis Meyer

Kimberlyn Nicke

Michelle Nelson

Daniel Passage

Jeffrey Pezzi

Hannah Phillips

Mary Phillips

Charity Prosyk

Eric Richards

Haley Shewmaker

Ruha Sous

Christopher Staggs

Christina Talamantez

Chanece Ulin

Taylor Wisniewski

Ruth Person Scholarship

Adisson Willford

Pamela Hernandez Scholarship

Nicole Downing

Riane Griffin

Plante Moran

Accounting Scholarship

John Riley

Charles E. Rachor Scholarship

Rebekah Jinnah

Quinton Pincomb

Alfred Raphelson

Family Scholarship

Alayna Best

Elsa Butterfield

Taylor Culinski

Sarah Johnson

Corey Lyons

Gilbert Rubenstein

Law Scholarship

Jordyn Morrish

Ryan and Ryan Scholarship

Kelsey Andrykovich

Anthony Barbat

Jacob Bass

Alexander Burant

Samantha Cadotte

Anna Densmore

Ashley Garlick

Kaitlin Garvey

Alexander Glenn

Lindsey Hampshire

Christiana Hawkins

Rebecca James

Patrick Johnson

Alexandra Martin

Sebastian McLaughlin

Julian Melton

Coryn Moore

Jordyn Morrish

Maria Pasillas

Marco Saccal

Keith Saylor

Crystal Scott

Emily Scroggs

Beyonce Sinclair-Woodard

Hayden Shinabarger

Alejandro Del Rio Rios

Lucas Thon

Jakub Wasniewski

Adisson Willford

Taylor Winstread

Clayton Wistuba

SOM Excellence Fund

Andre Aguer

Joshua Appleberg

Jennifer Barnett

Brooke Bolton

Adam Castillo

Ashley Dameworth

Andrew Daulton

Fatima Eid

Lakiesha Hines

Alysha Johnson

Tara Johnson

Tracey King

Jordyn Morrish

Andrew Novak

Courtney Nix

Holly Paisley

Miles Roberts

Avery Rosebrough

Jordan Ross

Alivia Schwerin

Derek Self

Reva Spikener

Andrea Tamez

Andrew Wilson

SOM Graduate Scholarship

Andrew Abbo

Emily Alanis

Sydney Allen

Maria Barrios

Elizabeth Bees

Brett Close

Kelly Collins

Christine Conran

Andrew Daulton

Joan DesRochers

Salma El Ganzouri

Ava Giannella

Francine Hennessey

Hailey Howell

Brett Hull

Haley Jacques

Milanna Jones

Eric Keahey

Ramandeep Kaur

Evan Lemak

Hayley Marcinkowski

Valerie Norries

Brittany Porter

Lacie Rippee

Martin Steffke

Steven Strzelecki

Keonia Thompson

Lindsay Urick

Kathryn Veenstra

Timothy Villies

Ting Zhao

Sherri Stephens

Wealth Scholarship

Anna Densmore

Lindsey Hampshire

Michael Torrey

Family Scholarship

Shayani Alonso Lorenzo

John Riley

Felicia Weaver

Timothy Purman

CPA Scholarship

Christian Bates

Marcia Brauer

John Riley

Tromble Family Scholarship

Samantha Cadotte

Kaitlin Garvey

Kathryn Hunter

Semen Salaev

David Tucker

CPA Scholarship

Christian Bates

Ashley Garlick

Riane Griffin

Whitener Merit Scholarship

Chole Brown

Samantha Cadotte

Theodis Ellis

Elaine LaFavor

Jordyn Morrish

Shaenkia Parker

Stephen Whitener Scholarship for Innovation

Timothy Brooks

Jacob Burgess

Abigail Ramsey

Abigail Weycker

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT BUSINESS