Celebrating the 45th Sapphire Anniversary of the Fogelman College of Business and Economics
Fogelman College of Business and Economics
PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
Bill Hardgrave
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Michele Ehrhart
DEAN, FOGELMAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Robert Garrett
EXECUTIVE EDITORS
Madison Chappelear
Anna Grisham
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ellen Austin
Gregory Boller
Anna Grisham
PHOTOGRAPHY
Wendy Adams
ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN
Jonel Turner
PUBLISHED BY
The University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics 3675 Central Ave. Memphis, TN 38152 901.678.2432 memphis.edu/fcbe
College of Business and Economics
The University of Memphis does not discriminate against students, employees or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by the University of Memphis. The following position has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies: Director for Institutional Equity/Title VI Coordinator, oie@ memphis.edu, 156 Administration Building, 901.678.2713. The University of Memphis policy on nondiscrimination can be found at memphis.policytech.com. UOM479-FY25262M1C50 Paulsen Printing
Dean’s Letter
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Every great American city has at least one great business school. Memphis is a great American city — and the Fogelman College of Business and Economics (FCBE) is the business school of Memphis.
At FCBE, we’re proud to be part of a vibrant, diverse and resilient urban community. Memphis is more than just the place where our campus is located. It is a living, breathing partner in the education and empowerment of our students. This year, we celebrate that relationship and the unique opportunities it brings.
Unlike traditional college towns, where students must often leave to gain professional experience, our students live and learn in a college city — a city teeming with global corporations, entrepreneurial ventures and mission-driven organizations. Memphis offers our students the chance to earn, learn and grow without leaving the city limits.
Through internships and employment during the academic year, our students gain real-world experience, build professional networks and become career-ready — often before they graduate.
But this city offers much more than job prospects. Memphis is a city with soul. Whether it's music, food, sports, art or history; this city inspires and shapes our students in profound ways. Living in Memphis is about more than earning a degree — it’s about becoming part of something bigger. It’s about joining a community that embraces individuality, fosters growth and opens doors.
FCBE has listened carefully to the needs of Memphis — and we’re answering the call. With input from corporate and community partners, we're expanding programs in high-demand fields like Supply Chain Management and Accounting. We've grown our Center for Professional Career Development, which now supports more students than ever through workshops, mentorships and direct career connections. This year alone, our students collaborated with global companies in the classroom, engaged in mentorship through our MILE program and participated in events like the Hilton “What It Takes” panel that drew more than 180 students. Lowe’s even flew ten of our students to Charlotte, N.C. to meet with their CEO Marvin Ellison — a proud Fogelman College alumnus — and their executive leadership team. These are the kinds of opportunities that only a college city can provide.
Looking forward, we envision the Fogelman College and Memphis growing together. As the city thrives, so do we — and vice versa. We want to be a driver of the city’s growth by developing talent that stays and contributes here, and ultimately leads Memphis to bigger and better things.
As Simon Sinek reminds us, we must always start with why. What we do is not much different from other business schools; we teach students and conduct research. But why we do it is radically different. We do it to serve a city with soul. A city with grit. A city of opportunity, heritage and hope. We are here to build this community — and we’re proud that the love is mutual.
We thank you for being part of that journey. Let’s continue to grow — together.
Warm regards,
Robert Garrett, PhD D ean | Fogelman College of Business and Economics
DR. ROBERT GARRETT
by
Classroom and Community Intersect
Acornerstone of the University of Memphis, which was founded more than a century ago, the Fogelman College of Business and Economics (FCBE) celebrates its 45th anniversary this year. Appropriately for blue Tiger pride, this marks its sapphire year, a gemstone representing strength and wisdom.
Since its inception in 1957, the business college and the business community have fostered a mutually symbiotic relationship. More than 100 businesses have partnered with the college to provide mentorship and job experience.
Hosting biannual internship fairs, sponsoring executives in residence and employing professors who have experience in the field as executives and entrepreneurs are just some of the ways FCBE connects its students with the community.
UofM Board of Trustees member, David McKinney (BBA ’04 and JD ’07), vice president of Human Resources at AutoZone, sees the Memphis business community as an ecosystem.
“FCBE is critical to the workforce ecosystem, creating a robust pipeline of talent,” he explained.
To strengthen students’ business acumen, AutoZone is among the many companies based in Memphis that host internships. “We are always delighted to have FCBE students as interns at AutoZone,” extols McKinney. “We know that they’re tested and that professors provide a great amount of academic excellence, combined with realworld experiences. When you couple their academic acumen with an internship, those synergies collide for success in life.”
Photo
Alex Shansky
As a Fogelman College student, McKinney found his internship placement at Coca-Cola was both an invaluable experience and a career preview. He also realized that his FCBE education had prepared him as well as his Ivy League educated cohorts in that internship.
In considering the role internships play in this ecosystem, retired CIO of FedEx Corporation and UofM Board of Trustees member Rob Carter could point to several case studies of interns hosted by FedEx who later transitioned to senior executive positions in major corporations locally and worldwide. But his favorite? His own son, Nathan Carter (BBA ’21 and MBA ’25), who parlayed an internship into his current position as senior marketing specialist at FedEx.
Bill Dunavant, chairman of Dunavant Enterprises, shared another success story. “One of our star performers is recent FCBE grad Samir Bechchar [BBA ’24], who was our student intern in logistics before we hired him full-time after he earned his diploma.”
Trevia Chatman (MBA ’19), president of Bank of America Memphis, affirmed that collaboration between businesses and the College creates a thriving community. In her role as FCBE Executive in Residence, Chatman serves on panels and visits classrooms to introduce students to real-world applications of the textbook knowledge they’ve gained.
“To have economic mobility and workforce development, we must create a trajectory that is a pipeline from college to career,” Chatman explained. “It’s not just the will, it’s the skill…what assets can someone bring to an organization? FCBE develops community connectivity between businesses and students,
creating a circle effect. The college becomes an incubator of talent and ensures their grads are not only well educated, but they’re also career ready.”
Another example of community engagement is the Fogelman Center for Professional Career Development partnership with Bank of America. Together, they developed a targeted program to address barriers to degree completion, aligning students with internships and providing career readiness skills. Chatman proudly noted, “We graduated our first cohort of this two-year program in spring of 2024.”
Data supports the outcome of the interconnectedness between the community and the college. Among business colleges within a 150-mile radius of Memphis, FCBE alumni make up 50% of the region’s
graduates employed in the area.
“The Fogelman College of Business and Economics is a driving force for fueling businesses in our market,” explained Nancy Coffee, senior vice president of the Greater Memphis Chamber and former FCBE Advisory Board member. Moreover, the number of FCBE graduates has increased by 12% in the last five years. “FCBE is not only producing the lion’s share of the talent we need in the area, but it’s also growing.”
“These are really quality graduates; people ready to stand in any sector in our market. They are very agile, tech-forward, pragmatic…that next generation that can ensure that our businesses can continue to thrive and to grow.”
Samir Bechar
Logistics Coordinator, Dunavant Enterprises BBA, Supply Chain Management ’24, FCBE
MEMPHIS
Optimistic”
DAVID MCKINNEY
Vice President of Human Resources, Autozone Member, UofM Board of Trustees
“Charitable
ROB CARTER Retired CIO, FedEx Corporation Member, UofM Board of Trustees
“Energetic”
BILL
DUNAVANT Chairman, Dunavant Enterprises
Flagship Institution
Fosters Collaboration and Innovation
In my experience, every great city thrives on a great university,” observed Carter. “Memphis is no exception.”
McKinney agreed. “One reason I chose the University of Memphis for my business studies is that it is a leading institution in the state and the flagship institution of West Tennessee.”
FCBE Advisory Council member Michael Cook, founder and chairman of SouthernSun Asset Management agreed. “The University of Memphis is the single, most stable institution in the city of Memphis.”
“There are other great institutions that are critical to the city in their own right, but the place where everyone — irrespective of faith or background — can engage is the University of Memphis. That’s the beauty of a large, urbancentered university. It’s a place for everyone who wants to better themselves. It’s open. It’s engaging.”
Providing hands-on learning and real-world technological experience, the Cook Analytics and Trading Lab is a working example of the effectiveness of bringing together people of different backgrounds and expertise within the Fogelman College of Business and Economics.
Cook explains the vision. “A university benefits when there is collaboration across divisions. One of the primary reasons my wife [Jennifer Cook, MA ’04] and I established the Cook Lab was for it to be a place where every discipline could come at some point in their journey; because every discipline — somewhere, somehow — will have to engage with commerce.”
Carter also cited the effectiveness of interdisciplinary programming. “We established the FedEx Institute of Technology at UofM as a gathering place to bring together faculty, business and students to collaborate on projects, to conduct research together and to solve problems together…and that has proven to be true. We [FedEx] worked with the University to optimize supply chains and advance research, such as sensor and drone technology.”
“There are other great institutions that are critical to the city in their own right, but the place where everyone — irrespective of
The demographics of the city, including its racial and socio-economic diversity, are reflected in the student population of the University, which in turn strengthens the community at large.
“Memphis is very blessed to have a long-standing institution in the University of Memphis,” said Dunavant. Memphis is an urban city with an urban university. The college population represents the diversity of the city. I think that’s critically important.”
“Memphis is a model for how a majority minority city thrives,” Coffee added. “And, the University of Memphis is perhaps the most stable, unifying institution in our region, which has been critically important throughout the course of Memphis history and proves to be even more so today.”
Another campus
Where Business Thrives
The Memphis area serves as corporate headquarters or business support centers to 5,972 companies, employing more than 68,000 people in those services. In total, Memphis is home to 30,399 businesses. And the number of businesses choosing Memphis as their homebase is growing. In 2024, “Site Selection” magazine listed Memphis among the top 10 best U.S. cities for headquarters.
The Greater Memphis Chamber calculates new capital investment in Memphis in 2024 totaling more than $14.2 billion, with $5.4 billion estimated in the pipeline.
Dunavant, a sixth generation Memphian who has lived and conducted business across the globe, emphasized the significance of having the City of Memphis as an extension of campus.
“Memphis is recognized worldwide for one main reason: we are ‘the supply chain capital of the world.’ First, we have the Mississippi River which, historically, was the logistics hub of commerce before interstate railways and roads existed. And now, we have the homebase of FedEx with the busiest cargo airport in North America,” Dunavant explained.
The Mississippi River remains central to logistics infrastructure, as Memphis is the fifth largest inland port in the U.S. The city also has the third busiest trucking corridor in the country.
“We are also a tech city,” said Coffee. “Memphis is the hub, spoke and wheel of the ‘Digital Delta.’ Almost every big business in Memphis is likely tech. Fred Smith had been known to refer to FedEx as a tech company that happens to deliver packages. AutoZone is a tech company that retails auto parts. And looking to the future, we have xAI’s gigafactory.”
“The Wall Street Journal” ranks Memphis No. 4 among U.S. cities
with the most cutting-edge tech workers, an indicator of industry stability and growth.
Memphis is not only home to some of the most recognizable global brands, including FedEx, AutoZone, International Paper, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Terminix; but it also fosters new business. “Gusto” cited Memphis as the fastest growing city in jobs for small and medium sized businesses in 2023.
In addition to a growing job market, Memphis offers an affordable cost of living that’s nearly 14% below the national average. “The New York Times” places Memphis No. 5 on a list of U.S. cities that are easiest for Gen Z to buy a home. Coupled with the city’s comparatively low taxes, the average salary of Fogelman College of Business and Economics BBA grads makes them well positioned for a comfortable lifestyle in Memphis.
Persevering”
TREVIA CHATMAN
President, Bank of America Memphis
FCBE Executive in Residence
“Welcoming
NANCY COFFEE Senior Vice President, Greater Memphis Business Chamber
“Soulful
MICHAEL COOK Founder and Chairman, SouthernSun Asset Management Member, FCBE Advisory Council
A College City... It’s a Vibe
Memphis is more than a college town — it’s a college city.
As Cook defines it, “A college town is relatively empty when school’s not in term; the lifeblood of a college town is completely reliant on the college or university. In a college city, like Memphis, the city has its own character, its own dynamics, its own life apart from the university.”
Whether lifelong Memphians or transplants who moved here to establish their careers and raise families, all our executives felt a deep connection to the city and its rich culture, both its heritage and its modern beat.
by
The Art of Place
McKinney, a native Memphian, appreciates that living here means “there is no compromise.”
“There is a small town feel of a close-knit community, with an eclectic creative arts center,” McKinney explained. “But then there’s access to what you’d find in a large forward-moving city— expansive corporations and a hyper-focused business community championing innovation and accelerated economic growth.”
McKinney and his family take advantage of all the city has to offer. He revels in the full-circle moments — from touring the Memphis Zoo as a child to introducing the modernized, highly ranked zoo to his son. They attend local productions at Hattiloo Theatre and Broadway shows at the Orpheum Theatre.
Memphis is home to historic landmarks and many fine art and cultural museums. To bolster the area’s arts and culture, Carter and Chatman have both served on the board of trustees of Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Chatman is
also a founding chair of Keepers of 306 at the National Civil Rights Museum. Dunavant served as past president of Memphis Botanic Garden and established the Live at the Garden concert series.
The city is renowned for its music heritage, from its origins as the birthplace of rock-nroll and home of the blues, to contemporary recording studios, lively music festivals and a roster of venues featuring music of all genres. The Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center at UofM hosts performances for many of the city’s resident professional organizations, including the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. From classical to modern, Memphis supports opera, ballet and dance companies, as well as many professional theater groups.
For Carter, who has lived and dined globally, the Memphis food scene is paramount. “I’m not just talking about barbecue,” he says. I consider myself a foodie and get to eat at a lot of places around the world, but I love the Memphis restaurant scene and cuisine.”
Photo
Craig Thompson
David, his wife Dr. Shanea McKinney and nine-year-old son David Gethers McKinney
The Feel of Space The Feel of Space
Vast green spaces, including the 4,500-acre Shelby Farms Parks, of which Chatman is on the board of directors for its conservancy, and MeemanShelby Forest State Park, just north of downtown, provide a welcoming canopy for recreation and forest bathing. Overton Park, Audubon Park, Tom Lee Park and Big River Crossing offer playgrounds and adventure. Cyclists and runners enjoy more than 400 miles of bike paths and trails.
Among the many parks and wild spaces in the area, Coffee proudly admires one in particular.
“To me, the most special spot in our community right now is Tom Lee Park,” Coffee says. “It’s truly an example of what’s possible when a community pulls together and is creative. Thanks to philanthropists and visionaries, Memphis demonstrates how to honor its riverfront.
Seeing people from across our community drawn together at Tom Lee is inspirational.”
Carter agrees, “If you like the historical nature of waterways, you look out at the Mississippi River, and it’s just awe inspiring. I love to stroll the bluff or the Big River Crossing. There is so much to be passionate about in Memphis.”
Photo by Leah Gafni
The Fan Base The Fan Base
As one who has renovated a 100-yearold Memphis landmark to house his downtown business and family residence, Cook is a paragon of urban living. “From our home on the top floor [of our building], we overlook AutoZone Park stadium,” said Cook. He has a vacation home in Oxford, England, but, as a lifelong Memphian, he relishes Memphis and its heritage. He is proud to be instrumental in the downtown development.
Cook may have a bird’s eye view of Memphis Redbirds games, but his heart remains loyal to the Memphis Tigers. Both Cook and Carter, along with their wives, support UofM Athletics as Blue & Gray Tiger Leadership Circle athletic ambassadors. Like Cook, Chatman and McKinney grew up cheering on the Tigers, and all now enjoy rooting for Memphis’s professional sports teams as well.
Michael with his sons Phillip (L) and Whit (C), and grandson Lucas, at the FedExForum
Michael, his son Whit and wife Jennifer, cheering on their Memphis Tigers
Michael and Jennifer with their grandchildren Lucas, Elena and Lydia at the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
A City on the Rise
Making an impact on the future of the city is critical to these business leaders. Each proves his or her dedication by serving on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards. Their passion is reflective of Memphians and the business community at large. Memphis has frequently been ranked as the most charitable city in the country, a testament to civic devotion and commitment to future prosperity.
“Memphians are resilient…sharp, focused and determined,” McKinney pointed out. “We appreciate that life is not a linear journey. We’re optimistic, but also grateful. Our city has a tremendous sense of gratitude. We are givers of our time, talents, treasures and resources. Our community knows that people matter. We’re only as good and prosperous as the people that populate our spaces.”
“To change the outcome, we must change the income,” said Chatman, summarizing the community’s commitment to its workforce and economic development.
“Cities are an organism, they evolve and change,” Cook said. “The University of Memphis is a perfect example [that the city can emulate] of how changing the directive of the narrative can make a real impact. Throughout history, the University has remained stable, while creating a fresh vision of its own identity.”
Dunavant holds a similar vision. He has conducted dozens of speaking engagements, addressing civic organizations and businesspeople to educate them on the dynamic growth happening in the Memphis area. “If I can tell them something they didn’t know that makes them feel good about the city, I’ve helped focus their perspective on a positive narrative,” he said. “The spirit becomes contagious.”
Born in Taiwan, Carter grew up in the Philippines and received his BS and MBA in Florida before starting his career in Colorado. He moved to Memphis to
join FedEx more than 30 years ago. He raised his family here and explains why he chooses Memphis as his home, even after retirement.
“I love the city of Memphis,” he said. “It has a way of getting into your blood. I enjoy how friendly all the people are. Memphis is a city where it’s easy to get involved, a place where you can engage and make a difference.”
Cook agreed. “The city of Memphis has soul. There is a heart and soul to this community that is this intangible that attracts people.”
“What I love about Memphis is that we really maintain our essence,” said Coffee, who grew up in Colorado; studied at Dartmouth College, University of Chicago and the London School of Economics; and worked in Asia before calling Memphis home about 25 years ago.
“When you look at the whole panoply of U.S. cities, more and more are starting to look similar. But Memphis really cherishes its unique character and celebrates it. It’s one of the things that will continue to make us stand out and remain attractive to new businesses,” she said.
As a self-proclaimed “homegrown” Memphian, Chatman had some thoughts of her own. “Memphis is often referred to as a ‘grit and grind’ city, which means there is this perseverance that has always been part of our story. But what I see on the other side of that is the ability of our city to thrive, when it’s not always a struggle.”
“The evolution I have seen is the crosssector partnerships of non-profits, government, education and business that have gotten really good at coming together to shape how to move Memphis forward.”
She paused for a moment, then continued. “Memphis is definitely a city that is rising, that has gained national acclaim. We have the full wherewithal to thrive, to fly high.”
FLAVOR your
CXFFEEBLACK’S COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
By Anna Grisham
Growing up, Bartholomew Jones, co-founder and owner of Cxffeeblack, was not a coffee drinker.
Every time his dad offered him a sip, he always politely declined. In fact, as a teenager, the only way you’d catch him with a cup was if it was loaded with sugar and cream to mask the actual taste. At the time, he was under the misinterpretation that it was basically black sludge — a mass-produced commodity to be
served in steel canteens at large group functions. Little did he know that the $500 billion coffee industry would one day be the bedrock of his life’s professional pursuits.
It wasn’t until he went away to college and became immersed in the local craft culture — specialty whiskeys, beers, wines, and of course, coffee — that he became curious about the very thing he had once displeasingly dismissed.
s he began to frequent boutique cafes like Intelligentsia, located in the suburbs of Chicago, he was intrigued by the variety of ingredients such as strawberry, rhubarb, persimmon and bergamot that were being used to craft beautifully layered, nuanced, delicate beverages. He started to notice that there was a major difference in the way coffee could taste if you took the time to understand the history, processes and complexities.
“This really resonated with me because the things many folks, me included, used to think about coffee — you know that it’s burnt and bitter — were the same misconceptions people had about the community I came from. As a Black kid from Memphis, I knew I had an opportunity and obligation to change the narrative,” said Jones. “I began to realize the thing my dad had known all along, which was the coffee bean is the seed of an African fruit, and it has a million possibilities inside of it.”
When Bartholomew went off to college, he had every intention of never returning to his hometown. But his time away helped give him a different perspective. He realized that there were a lot of things that he took for granted in Memphis, especially for
an entrepreneur who was at the beginning his journey.
“Memphis is unique in that you have the opportunity to try, experiment, fail, iterate and try again.”
He quickly realized that in Memphis, he could innovate at a much higher level while simultaneously mitigating certain risks.
“I couldn’t have afforded to build what we’ve built in any other place besides Memphis,” said Jones. “Memphis is a place that has a worldclass distribution network, but it also is a place of soul, creativity and culture. All of these things were necessary for what I wanted to do.”
In 2019, Cxffeeblack was founded. Together with his wife, Renata Henderson, Bartholomew created the community-oriented, multi-disciplinary, education-based coffee company. They founded Cxffeeblack as a cultural operating system rather than simply a commodities-based enterprise.
Cxffeeblack quickly became an industry trailblazer. They were the first of their kind to create an all-Black coffee supply chain sourced directly from Ethiopia to Memphis, Tenn. Their plan — to reclaim coffee’s roots, create a superior product and champion a more equitable future for marginalized communities
— worked. After only five years in business, Cxffeeblack won the title of the “World’s Most Notable Roaster” in 2024.
“We were one of two United States coffee companies to be nominated, and the first one from the state of Tennessee ever,” said Jones. “Shout out to the great cities of Nashville and Knoxville. But, to win this award for the people of the city of Memphis, it was a big deal.”
“World’s Most Notable Roaster” is not a local honor, or even a national award — it’s a global
recognition. The award was presented by Sprudge and Pacific Foods Barista Series, at the 15th Annual Sprudgie Awards.
But it's more than just the coffee itself that sets Cxffeeblack apart. It’s their vision.
Bartholomew, Renata and their team traveled to Africa to learn the culture and history behind coffee, visiting tribes like the Guji tribe. This experience became the inspiration for one of their most popular products, Guji Mane.
Bartholomew Jones and wife, Renata Henderson, co-founders and owners of Cxffeeblack
“We had this amazing opportunity to learn from the indigenous communities in Ethiopia,” said Jones. “Not only did they teach us the best ways to brew the coffee, but they helped us rethink our relationships with the people that produce it and the surrounding lands. And I think that has been such a dope way of looking at coffee not just as a thing to drink, but as catalyst of consumable curriculum — for innovation, for creativity, for reconciliation.”
In 2023, Cxffeeblack announced the launch of their Barista Exchange Program. The first year they took four Black American baristas to Ethiopia and Rwanda. In 2024, they reversed the process and brought four African baristas to Memphis for an immersive cultural and coffee educational experience.
Bartholomew and Renata believe that coffee is the seed of peace, and this ideal is the heart of their company’s core values. They are committed to cultivating the highest quality products possible for their consumers. But their work serves an even higher purpose than merely brewing
beverages. They seek to provide a remedy to the maladies — physical, economic and social — that often plague local, marginalized communities. Operating as a safe space to gather and share, the AntiGentrification Cxffee Club was born; ultimately seeking to unite the community by promoting positive change.
“We’re not looking to just scale product,” said Jones. “What I love about coffee is that it’s never what you think it is. Coffee is the most complex beverage from a flavor perspective. It’s the same with this city. If you put in the time and care necessary, you can create something really beautiful.”
“MEMPHIS IS UNIQUE IN THAT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY, EXPERIMENT, FAIL, ITERATE AND TRY AGAIN. ”
Pictures captured at the house of Mensur and Nesru Abahika
In 2023, Cxffeeblack won the Sprudge Media Networks’ 14th Annual Sprudgie Award for Best Film in Coffee for its documentary, “Cxffeeblack to Africa,” which follows Cxffeeblack’s inaugural sojourn to Ethiopia.
Cxffeeblack was honored in the 15th Annual Sprudgie Awards as Global Notable Roaster of the Year and was the inaugural recipient of the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity’s 2024 Innovator of the Year award.
Cxffeeblack recently completed a successful $1M public equity investment campaign. They are currently building a new roastery and café location, which is set to open this year. The new location will be open to individuals as well as wholesale B2B partnerships.
Cxffeeblack has been featured in “Vice,” NPR, “The Hill” and Black Enterprise, among other outlets; and has collaborated with partners including MiiR, Oatly, La Marzocco, NBA Player Jae’Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets and West African coffee entrepreneurs at the Black Star Line Festival.
They are active partners with the UofM Crews Center for Entrepreneurship.
Bartholomew Jones was also a guest on the official FCBE podcast, “Business in Blue” (Season 1, Episode 3).
Cxffeeblack baristas, Sydni Barnes and Omarion Champion, preparing beverages
READY to
LAUNCH LAUNCH
BY ELLEN AUSTIN
As the sun warmed her back, Madeline (Maddie) Roberts, inhaled deeply, calling upon inner strength and her higher power before turning her gaze to focus on the distant target. With the javelin held firmly above her shoulder, she ran to the line with a powerful cross-step rhythm, planted her lead foot, then…launched.
The momentum she built prior to the release of the javelin that day showcased her speed and precision, to be sure. Yet, it also represented years of building strength and resilience to overcome life’s obstacles and establish her own victories.
It was March 28, 2025, at the Kennesaw State University Don McGarey Invitational, and Memphis Tiger Maddie Roberts had just won first place in women’s javelin and set a personal record. The fact that this was her first meet following a 12-,month rehabilitation from surgery to repair a torn UCL made it all the more impressive.
SPEARHEADING SUCCESS
Growing up in Tuscumbia, Ala., a small town about 150 miles from Memphis, gave Roberts a strong sense of community. Both her parents led by example to teach their daughters that treating others with empathy and integrity yields success in business and life. Her mother Leigh Ann Roberts established her own accounting firm, while her father Brian Roberts built a successful pawn shop. Maddie admires her parents’ work ethic and looks up to her sister Mackenzie, who is eight years her senior.
Roberts spent her childhood regaled by stories of championship winning athletes — her sister and her father, a two-time All-American, helped lead their respective college teams to national titles: she in softball in 2016; he in baseball in 1990.
True to this family legacy, Roberts did more than simply admire trophies on the mantel. She picked up the mantle herself, becoming a three-sport high school athlete in volleyball, softball and track. As a junior, in 2021, she cemented her own path to a college team when she set the 4A women’s javelin state record. Back to back state titles caught the eye of Auburn University, with whom she signed as a top recruit.
GRAVITY LEADS TO A NEW SECTOR
Roberts reveled in being a part of the SEC power conference and shined as a premiere freshman javelin thrower, placing second in the season opener and winning a tournament. But, when the track and field team decided to downsize some event groups to accommodate a new focus on other events, Roberts was devastated to learn her position had been eliminated at the end of her first year at Auburn.
“I felt as if my world was flipped upside down,” recalled Roberts. Ungrounded by this seismic shift, she chose to steady herself by using this as an opportunity to reassess her career goals.
She had entered college as an engineering major, but ultimately found lab studies isolating. A sociable person, she much preferred vibrant, creative exchanges among others and turned to the foundation her parents established. Reflecting on their entrepreneurship, she decided to change her academic focus to business.
Her future became clearer when University of Memphis coach Kevin Robinson saw her name in the transfer portal and eagerly recruited Roberts to become a Tiger with new stripes.
In June, she visited Memphis and felt immediate comradery with the track team. The coaches assured her that at UofM she would be respected as a student-athlete and not merely a figurehead who can throw points on their scoreboard. But it was touring the Fogelman College of Business and Economics that sealed the deal. When she saw all FCBE had to offer, she knew that the next sector she’d launch into — with her javelin and her business studies — would be Memphis.
FINDING HER STRIDE
Idiscovered that Memphis was a big city disguised as a small town. This move meant I was getting out of a small college town and gaining access to a big city with lots of opportunities,” said Roberts. “Memphis seemed like the right place to begin my business studies.”
She found her footing at Memphis — finding growth in her training and inspiration in her coursework. However, just before her first meet, she ruptured the UCL in her throwing arm, forcing an abrupt 12-month pause in her career. Instead of dwelling on being sidelined by her injury, Roberts directed her attention to rehabilitating her elbow and concentrating on her academic courses. While enduring a grueling schedule of physical therapy and strength training, she leaned on her coaches and her faith to guide her through the hardships she faced.
“THIS MOVE MEANT I WAS GETTING OUT OF A SMALL TOWN AND GAINING ACCESS TO A BIG CITY WITH LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES.”
-Maddie Roberts
“We met, talked and cried, then devised a systematic plan,” said Robinson. “We decided that this injury would allow her time to focus on strengthening every other aspect of her event. She worked relentlessly to become a better all-around athlete and turned a perceived negative into a tremendous positive.”
Thankful for a solid support network that helped her through her recovery, she felt called to lift up others who were experiencing challenging times of their own. She became the Mental Health Chair of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes team leader.
Meanwhile, her academic career was hitting its stride. During an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) summit hosted by the athletic department, Roberts was invited to compete in a fast-pitch NIL marketing competition to create a promotion for a local business. The students were assigned groups, each comprised of athletes representing various sports and academic departments. Given only one hour, she and her group developed a promotional video that won the competition. Roberts and each person on the winning team were awarded their own NIL contract and a $1K prize.
STRIKING THE LANDING
Another happy twist of fate arrived when she landed one of only six spots in her first in-person course, Creativity in Marketing Communications, with Dr. Gregory Boller. She always felt she had a creative spirit, but it was this course that gave her the skills and instilled the confidence for her to tap into those talents.
Boller was immediately struck by Roberts’s abilities. “Maddie is one of those extraordinary students that every professor dreams of being honored to teach,” he said. “Maddie is a serious student with a highly dedicated work ethic and a passionate quest to develop knowledge for herself. She is always first to volunteer for the most challenging assignments, and her creative writing for marketing communications is among the most brilliant I have ever seen from any student. Maddie’s superb interpersonal skills, fierce dedication to high performance teamwork and relentless drive to use her creativity for others makes her future wonderfully bright.”
Boller inspired Roberts to view training to be a business leader the same way she trained in her sport. Roberts managed to persevere and excel in both. Coach Robinson was as awestruck as Boller by what Roberts had accomplished.
He reflected on Roberts’s performance at Kennesaw State, that first meet after she was cleared to compete again. “Not only did she win the meet handily, but she also qualified for the NCAA National Regional Championship in May.” he said. “She erupted in emotion, realizing all the hard work and dedication was finally worth it. This is the truest testament of her unwavering character and her relentless pursuit of excellence.”
“Maddie exemplifies the warrior mentality,” Robinson continued. “A consummate teammate, fierce competitor and a woman of tremendous integrity. Her ability to rise above the injury and use the time to strengthen her weaknesses is an amazing feat. I absolutely cannot say enough great things about what she has done as a person and as an athlete, and I am also confident that she will continue to excel in all things in her future endeavors.”
And so it seems only fitting that the javelin should serve as a metaphor for Roberts’s athletic and academic career. After all, the first javelins used in the Greek ancient Olympics were honed from olive wood, which symbolizes strength, resilience and enduring faith, all hallmarks of Roberts.
Maddie Roberts is a marketing major at the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, with an expected early graduation in December 2025. She plans on earning her MBA after graduation.
When she’s not throwing a javelin, training for competition or studying for class; you may find her relaxing on the lake or serving her favorite coffee drink, a cookie butter breve, at 7 Brew, whose motto “cultivating kindness” is well suited to this barista.
TOP 25 MOMENTS
HIGHLIGHTING FCBE'S AMBITIONS, ACCOLADES AND ALUMNI
Avron B. Fogelman’s Family Makes Historic $10M Commitment
Longtime University of Memphis supporter Avron B. Fogelman and his family committed an eightfigure gift toward the erection of the new Avron and Robert Fogelman Business Complex. This marks the single largest gift the college has ever received and one of the largest in the history of the University of Memphis. We are enormously grateful for his continued support.
“Thanks to Avron’s enduring generosity, countless business students have access to a worldclass education and have gone on to enter the workforce as shining examples of the UofM’s legacy,” said UofM President Dr. Bill Hardgrave.
FCBE’s Official Podcast Business in Blue Showcases Memphis’ Talent
The second season of our “Business in Blue” podcast launched Spring 2024. We were excited to welcome an illustrious group of guests including
• Jack Soden | CEO, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
• Phillip Ashley | Founder and CEO, Phillip Ashley Chocolates
• Dr. Russell Wigginton | President, National Civil Rights Museum
• Dawn Graeter | CEO, Southern Security Federal Credit Union
• Jessica Benson | Host and Contributor, Memphis Grizzlies and Grind City Media
• Alex Boggs | Marketing and Area Director, Huey’s
• Trevia Chatman | President, Bank of America Memphis
• Brandon Seavers | Co-founder and CEO, Memphis Records Pressing
Season 3 is currently in production with another outstanding guest line-up and features our new host, Leia Harper. Tune in to Business in Blue, streaming on Apple, Spotify, Podbean and YouTube.
Martha and Robert Fogelman’s Family Contribute to FCBE Building Modernization Project
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Martha and Robert Fogelman family for their generous $2M contribution toward the FCBE Building Modernization Project. The Fogelman namesake serves as a catalyst for elevating FCBE to national prominence. The Fogelman family’s continued support has made a tremendous impact on the lives of multiple generations of business students, and this recent gift ensures that their legacy will continue.
Fogelman Leaders in Action Boasts Extraordinary Year Impacting 700+ Business Students and Professionals
The Fogelman Leaders in Action program, formerly known as Fogelman Women in Leadership, had yet another successful year with over 700 people participating in the unique programming opportunities. Leaders in Action offers two tracks — one designed to support working professionals and the other for current UofM students. For more information or to get involved in Fogelman Leaders in Action, email K.Tuberville@memphis.edu.
Avron B. Fogelman and UofM President Bill Hardgrave
MOMENTS IN 2025
Center for Professional Career Development
Coached 42.6K Students Since Inception
The Avron B. Fogelman Center for Professional Career Development (CPCD) recognizes FCBE students biannually who have successfully completed a level of the Professional Development Certificate Program. Students are encouraged to complete all three levels — Manager, Director and Executive — prior to graduation. The recognition program serves as another celebration to highlight the efforts of students who have gone over and above to develop themselves professionally as they become business ready. During the 2024-25 academic year, the CPCD proudly graduated 121 students from the certificate program.
Crews Center for Entrepreneurship’s Tiger Tank Awarded Six Student Ventures
The Crews Center for Entrepreneurship and Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music hosted the 2025 Spring Tiger Tank competition, awarding $10K in cash prizes to innovative student ventures. A total of 17 teams competed, representing a broad spectrum of industries including AI, sustainability, education, social enterprise, fashion, consumer products, food and beverage, music, hospitality and medical devices. The event was held at the FedEx Institute of Technology.
2025 TIGER TANK WINNERS
• CoMerch | Ayesha Issah and Kristina Mwangeka
• ChromAid | Onyinyechukwu Okoli and Sumiran Sharma
• Hurt2Healing | Sydnie Allen
CORDELL JACKSON MUSIC VENTURE FUND
• Brass Routes | Dylan Mashburn
• Once Lost but Now Found | Quanita Hankins
• Music Meets Ministry | Joshua Johnson
Ten Business Students
Attended Inaugural Lowe’s Leadership Program in North Carolina
The Fogelman College of Business and Economics (FCBE), Center for Professional Career Development (CPCD) and Lowe’s partnered to create an exclusive mentorship opportunity for ten outstanding business students interested in careers in leadership. These students completed three 1-hour training sessions led by local industry experts that focused on various leadership topics and career development. In addition to these sessions, Marvin Ellison (FCBE alumnus, BBA ’89), chairman and CEO of Lowe’s, graciously hosted the students at the Lowe’s Headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. for an immersive, hands-on training experience.
“When I received the acceptance letter, I was extremely honored. I was thrilled to be one of the ten students chosen to represent the University of Memphis in North Carolina at Lowe’s headquarters. This was a life-changing opportunity,” said Kierra Calhoun, Lowe’s Leadership attendee.
MILE Program Hosts Best-Selling Author, Geoff Woods
In February 2025, the Memphis Institute for Leadership Education (MILE) Program hosted Geoff Woods, “AI-Driven Leadership” best-selling author. Geoff shared impactful insights on how to use AI as a strategic thought partner as well as on AI literacy for college graduates. The MILE program matches high achieving undergraduates in all majors with workplace for professionals for 1:1 mentorship and leadership development.
Drs. Kate Sorensen and Kathy Tuberville published in “Issues in Accounting Education”
Dr. Kate Sorensen, associate professor in the Crews School of Accountancy, and Dr. Kathy Tuberville, associate professor of Teaching in the Department of Management, coauthored a paper published in “Issues in Accounting Education,” a publication of the American Accounting Association. Their article titled “Accounting Careers of Tomorrow: A Comprehensive and Accessible Professional Development Program” discusses the value of Accounting Careers of Tomorrow (ACT), a joint effort between FCBE and local accounting firm, Reynolds Bone & Griesbeck, PLC.
Dr. Yuan Zhang Published in “Journal of the Association for Information Systems”
Dr. Yuan Zhang, assistant professor in the Department of Management Information Systems, received confirmation of two papers accepted for publication. “Be Together, Run More: Enhancing Group Participation in Fitness Technology” was published in the “Journal of the Association for Information Systems.” “More than Watching: An Empirical and Experimental Examination on the Impacts of Five Streaming UserGenerated Video Consumption,” was published in “Information &
Dean’s “What it Takes” Speaker Series Hosted
C-Suite Hilton Panelists
This year, we hosted our third annual spring "What It Takes" event, where seasoned business professionals came to the classroom to interact with our students. This spring we were honored to host guest panelists from Hilton — Fortune's No. 1 Best Company to Work For (2024). They offered valuable insights to FCBE students about the importance of approaching new opportunities with confidence, how to position oneself for success, and the power of asking "why" instead of just "how."
Panelists:
Bridget Sullivan | Director, Hotel Accounting
Marsha Roach | Sr. Director, Distribution Services
Hector Dominguez | SVP, Chief Technology Office
Leaving a Legacy Behind the Mic: Carley Brown ’25
As a two-time Fogelman College graduate and a born and bred Memphian, Carley Brown bleeds Tiger Blue. Serving as an epitome of a Business Tiger, she has taken every opportunity afforded through her academic experience and turned it into real-world realities.
“Memphis is home, but beyond that, UofM provided the opportunities, support and experiences that shaped my future. From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt a sense of community,” Carley said.
While completing her undergraduate degree, Carley was hired as the FCBE social media associate, where she handled all social media channels, created engaging content and assisted with the college’s marketing initiatives. As she continued her education by pursuing her MBA, she became the FCBE Marketing and Communications graduate assistant and “Business in Blue” podcast host.
“Carley has played an integral part in FCBE’s marketing upswing in the past five years. We are incredibly honored to have worked with such a driven and professionally equipped businesswoman,” said Madison Chappelear, her former supervisor.
Upon graduation, Carley accepted a full-time role as a marketing content specialist for Kele, Inc.
Go Big or Go Home: Suzie Perry ’27
Double majoring in Business Management and Chemistry with double minors in Entrepreneurship and Biochemistry, Suzie Perry is a powerhouse on the UofM campus. She is an Emerging Leader, member of the Honors College, TRiO and Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society. Suzie currently serves as an Emerging Leaders Mentor, Tiger Elite Outreach and Marketing Coordinator and Success Coach for Peer Power — where she was named “Most Spirited.”
Additionally, Suzie has been a Tiger Leadership Institute Facilitator, UofM Orientation Guide, Weeks
Dual George Johnson Staff Excellence and Professionalism Awardees
FCBE Marketing and Communications manager Madison Chappelear and CPCD assistant director April Mitchell were named this year’s recipients of the prestigious George Johnson Staff Excellence and Professionalism Award at the 2025 Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting. This award exemplifies excellence in service and professionalism, and is bestowed upon people who go above and beyond for the betterment of FCBE.
Konstantin Sokolov Awarded Three Honors Including George Johnson Preeminent Award
Dr. Konstantin Sokolov, associate professor and Wunderlich Chair of Excellence in Finance, was awarded the George Johnson Preeminent Award at the yearend Faculty and Staff meeting for his paper “Strategic Liquidity Provision and Extreme Volatility Spikes,” which was published in
of Welcome Leader and Student Admissions Worker.
Suzie has been featured on Amazon Prime’s “The College Tour,” WREG’s Live at 9 with Kontji Anthony and was interviewed on “The President’s Perspective.”
Suzie shared with President Hardgrave, “The University of Memphis has always been my No. 1 choice. I was drawn to the R1 research facilities here on campus at such an affordable cost. I told myself this is what home is; this is what a welcoming environment is; this is where I want to go.”
“Management Science.” Konstantin was also awarded the Research Mentoring Excellence Award and Outstanding Paper Award Preeminent Publication. These awards are given to outstanding faculty members who make significant contributions in the areas of research and who are identified as rising stars in their disciplines.
Dr. Pankaj Jain Attended NYSE Microstructure Meets Artificial Intelligence Conference
Dr. Pankaj Jain, chair of the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate; represented the University of Memphis along with
his coauthors at the prestigious NYSE Microstructure Meets Artificial Intelligence Conference, where only five papers nationwide were accepted for presentation — underscoring the highly selective nature of the event. This achievement highlights our faculty's expertise at the forefront of artificial intelligence research, a significant asset to the UofM "AI for All" initiative.
Management Professors Published in “Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal”
Dr. Stephen Lanivich, associate professor, and Dr. James Vardaman, professor and Free Enterprise Chair of Excellence, published an article titled “Founder Regulatory Focus: Effects on Entrepreneurial Orientation and Venture Performance” in the prestigious “Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal.” Their research used two samples to show that a founder mindset on advancement and growth has a positive effect both on entrepreneurial success and firm performance.
Dr. Grace Phillips Published in “Health Economics”
Dr. Grace Phillips, assistant professor of Economics, recently published “Understanding the Demand-Side of an Illegal Market: Prohibition of Menthol Cigarettes,” in “Health Economics.” Grace specializes in the economics of crime, public policy, labor economics and health economics.
Dr. Subhash Jha Named PI Millionaire
The Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management is proud to announce that Dr. Subhash Jha, associate professor of Marketing, has surpassed $1M in external research funding as a principal investigator (PI). Most recently, the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development (TNECD) approved $500K in funding to support Dr. Jha’s efforts to drive economic development in West Tennessee through research and innovation. Since 2023, THSO has provided a total of $611K toward his projects.
A Tiger to the Core: Eric Daniels ’25
Louisiana native and Marine Corps veteran Eric Daniels is the true embodiment of a Business Tiger. After playing the role of underdog for most of his life, he was committed to making the most of his experience at UofM. He was actively involved with the Center for Professional Career Development, Student Veterans in Business Association and the FCBE Student Delegate Board.
“Many nontraditional students are reluctant to utilize the resources their college offers. Eric, however,
Dr. Joanna Golden Published in “Journal
of Corporate Finance”
Dr. Joanna Golden, Crews School of Accountancy associate professor, published an article in the “Journal of Corporate Finance” by Chartered Association of Business Schools titled "Capitalization of Operating Leases and the Cost of Bank Loans.” Contributing to both academic discourse and policy relevance in financial decisionmaking, her research examines corporate financial reporting, audit labor markets and regulatory oversight.
embraced every opportunity wholeheartedly, becoming a passionate advocate for student engagement,” said April Mitchell, assistant director of the Center for Professional Career Development.
“Not only did he actively participate, but he also motivated others to get involved and make the most of their college experience. I am very proud to know and work with him.”
In May 2025, Eric graduated with a 3.9 GPA. He is currently pursuing his MBA.
MIS Professors’ Grant
Renewed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Drs. Mark Gillenson, Ankur Arora and Pavankumar Mulgund recently received renewal of their $100K grant titled, “The Use of Large Language Models for Test Case Generation,” from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. While most of today’s discussion of AI and software testing centers on how to test AI-oriented applications, they are looking at how generative AI can aid in the testing of any application. In 2024, they benchmarked software test cases produced by ChatGPT-4o against test cases produced by the more traditional methods of Test First Development (TFD) and pairwise analysis using the MS PICT tool, for their comparative effectiveness in finding software defects. In 2025, they intend to expand this work to more complex applications and to experiment with more complex ChatGPT-4o prompts and attachments.
Dr. Huigang Liang Received the Distinguished Research Award in Social Sciences, Business and Law
Dr. Huigang Liang, FedEx Chair of Excellence and MIS professor, was honored at the 2025 Distinguished Research and Teaching ceremony, hosted by the UofM Alumni Association. He was named the recipient of the Distinguished Research Award in Social Sciences, Business and Law. This prestigious honor is only awarded to five individuals University-wide and was presented by President Hardgrave.
Dr. Mehdi Amini Participated and Presented at the KickOff Meeting of the Center for Electrified and Automated Trucking (CEAT)
Dr. Mehdi Amini, George Johnson professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, one of the Co-PIs of a multi-year and multi-disciplinary NSF research grant with the objective of establishing the Center for Electrified and Automated Trucking (CEAT) — an Industry-University Cooperation
Research Center (IUCRC) — participated in the center’s inaugural meeting with participants from NSF, center’s industry board and research team members from University of Indiana, Purdue University and the University of Memphis. The CEAT’s research team members presented research proposals on the topics of electrification, automation and human elements in the areas of logistics and transportation. Mehdi’s research proposal presentation focused on the study of the present and future attributes, roles, responsibilities and challenges of human elements in the logistics and transportation industry.
Fogelman Finance Club Builds Professional Relations
In October 2024, the Fogelman Finance Club met with three board members from the CFA Society of Memphis: Brittany Clark, vice president of ALM Advisors at FHN Financial; Sreeni Meka, financial advisor at Lakeland Wealth; and Professor Napoleon Overton. The club learned about the benefits and challenges of acquiring the CFA certification, as well as the scholarships available to college students who sit for the CFA1 exam. Our Finance program is a CFA University Affiliation Program. The Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate is committed to deepening the relationship between our students and various professional organizations in the Memphis area to better help students connect with mentors and start building their professional networks.
CASTING INTO NEW WATERS
BY GREGORY BOLLER
Happy Retirement to Dr. Brian Janz – A Reflection on his 30 Year Career
at the Fogelman College of Business and
Economics
Dr. Brian Janz, beloved and respected professor of Management Information Systems, retired in May of 2025 after an amazing 30-year career at the Fogelman College of Business and Economics. Janz sat down with his friend and colleague Dr. Gregory Boller, associate professor of Marketing, to chat about his career and time in Memphis. This interview has been edited for brevity since Janz and Boller can talk for hours without ever taking a breath.
Boller: You’ve had an amazing, thirty-year career with Fogelman! Huzzah and congrats on your retirement!
Janz: Thanks, man!
Boller: So, how does it feel? I mean, have you even felt it yet? Does it feel like you've retired? And is it weird not having to prep for fall semester?
Janz: Well, it's kind of weird. I would say of the network of probably 40 or 50 people that I interact with frequently, they are all retired and I am one of the last. They all said, "You're going to love this, every day is Saturday!" And they've been pushing me for the last few years. But it’s different for them; they're retiring from something that they didn’t necessarily love. But for you and me, we have the best job in the world. We have a ton of autonomy; we have a very noble mission educating generations of kids. It's so nice. I was never running toward retirement and was, in some ways, getting dragged to it by other people. So, I’d say it really hasn't sunk in yet. And I think it's because it doesn't sink in fast for anybody. And do you ever really stop doing what you do when you're an educator?
Boller: I’ve known you for 30 years and both of us have always been 100 percent in teaching mode. We're probably still in teaching mode when we're asleep or unconscious.
Janz: Yeah, yeah!
Boller: Can you shut it off or have you just moved it into a different mode? So now instead of teaching MIS or leadership or creativity, you're teaching maybe, fishing?
Janz: Hah! Our kids probably could tell stories about us never
turning off the teaching mode. That could be challenging if you're the offspring of a professor; you try not to lecture but you know you've got the "best way." You have to learn to moderate that.
Boller: I haven't learned that yet. Laurie [Greg's wife] and the girls give me side eyes and say, "You're doing it again."
Janz: Good for them! I guess I haven't turned it off. I've kind of channeled it. I'm pretty active playing pickleball and among other things, and so now I'm teaching it. And people often say things like, "Wow, you're really great at teaching this!" But, you know, it's just breaking down the learning objectives. It's kind of old hat for us — like being in autopilot. So, I'll be doing that…working with nonprofits and finding opportunities for where education can really help.
Boller: If you jump back in time, when was it that you got bitten by the teaching bug?
Janz: That's an interesting question because I became a professor not to teach; I was really focused a lot on research and the reason I got a PhD in the first place was to try to uncover answers to questions that I had in my previous career as an IT professional. But very quickly, when you become a doctoral student, you start teaching. I've always loved learning, and I've always loved my teachers (I can tell you the names of nearly all my teachers from kindergarten through graduate school). I've always really, really enjoyed especially good teachers. And so, I studied them as a kid and as a college student too. I've probably always had the teaching bug, but it was the research part that really got me there and then, of course, Lisa [Brian's late wife]. We met when I was a freshman in college, we dated and got married and had children; she followed me through my entire college career. And as I was finishing up my MBA and working for IBM, Lisa said, "You’re never happier than
when you're in college. When you were an undergrad, you just had a different energy about you. And then you graduated and got to work for IBM. And that was OK, but then you got into this MBA program and all of a sudden you were back — there was something different about you. Why don't you go back to school and never leave?"
Boller: Lisa was right.
Janz: I told her, "That's such a huge investment in time and energy and that impacts you and the kids more than it would impact me." And she goes, "You need to do it, it's worth it." So, thanks to her.
Boller: And she knew, once you're in, you're hooked. There's no turning back. That's it
Janz: As time goes on, teaching is that constant thing that you love. Unlike research, teaching is not a lonely effort. You're always with students, deriving energy from these young people; it's one of the best kept secrets of our career — we're constantly deriving energy from our students and they are our Fountain of Youth.
Boller: Indeed, our classrooms are very much our Waldon Ponds of enlightenment!
Janz: Haha, yeah...absolutely!
Boller: So, after you got your PhD from Minnesota, what brought you to Memphis? I mean, you and I are both Northerners. We were comfortable with the fast-paced, northern vibe. What brought you South?
Janz: You know this story. My doctoral advisor, Dr. Jim Wetherbe, had a dual appointment at the University of Minnesota and the University of Memphis. As a doctoral student at Minnesota, I helped Jim run one of the largest MIS research centers in the world at the time; the center was dedicated to bringing the business community and the university together to solve really important problems. At Memphis, Jim took what he learned about creating a center at Minnesota and started up a new research center here, the FedEx Center for Cycle Time Research. Jim asked me to come to Memphis to help him with the new center. I basically had that position waiting for me before I even had to enter the traditional job market.
I knew nothing about Memphis before that, other than I knew where the airport was because I had flown through it a few times. Lisa and I thought, yeah, let's just
go. We'll go do it for a few years. We'll help Jim and Ernie Nichols, our other colleague, get it up and running and then probably go someplace else after that.
Boller: That was similar to my story. I was brought in to create a new PhD program for the college. Laurie and I thought we would go for maybe two years and find something else. And so that was 37 years ago!
Now, I know why I stayed. Why did you stay? Because Jim left not too long after you got here.
Janz: Yeah, it was like a bait and switch. Jim went to Texas Tech and wanted to start another research cwwenter up. And he asked me, "Do you want to do this again?" And I thought, well, we could. I'll take a serious look at it and so I went out to Texas Tech and got a look at Lubbock, TX. But, they did not have the business community that Memphis had. They were very kind, very generous and I considered it; but in the end, I decided to stay at Memphis.
First and foremost, Memphis is a nice city. It's a very livable city. And if you're raising kids, you know that there are many great educational opportunities. Quality of life is
pretty high. Cost of living is very reasonable. Weather generally pretty mild. The second part is the business community. And that's a huge thing. That was my sort of parochial self-interest in that the campus is situated in the city with lots of great businesses. Tons of research opportunities, and tons of outreach opportunities for helping them in consulting or seminars or whatever.
Boller: During your 30-year career here, you created and delivered a stunning array of innovative training and development programs to organizations and companies. You didn't just do the academic research, which is what most faculty do. You had the vision and insight to recognize that our city needs this kind of education, as well as the creativity and skills to develop these programs. Why were these training and development outreach programs important to you, knowing again that this is a very rare thing for business professors?
Janz: I think the main motivation was that I really wanted to solve problems that I knew were out in the world. I wanted the research and outreach to blend together. For example, I might have been delivering an educational seminar to a company, but at the same time I was collecting data or testing out hypotheses that I’d already been working on. Heck, the institute you and I created — the Institute for Managing Emerging Technology that went on for years — that whole enterprise was built around doing something. Let's make sure we have one foot in the academic community, but at the same time our other foot is firmly planted in the business community. Let's make sure that it matters, let's make sure it's relevant to somebody and that we can help create change for the better. To the extent that you're
spending time out in the business community, doing whatever it is we do, we're bringing that back to our students. And so, our teaching becomes more relevant because we're telling our students, "Oh, by the way, this is a problem that company XYZ is dealing with right now, and here's how they're solving it." You know, we show them why we teach what we teach. So yeah, it's a great symbiotic exchange back and forth.
Boller: Exactly!
Janz: It's really just what keeps us going.
Boller: Of all the programs that you and I and others have developed, which one of those is your favorite? If you have a favorite.
Janz: I have favorites for different reasons. There was a supply chain program that was led by Dr. Ernie Nichols, but what required a number of people to pull off. That was done at FedEx, and hundreds and hundreds of FedEx people went through this program. That was very neat because we had faculty from all over the country involved.
Next, I loved the new product development program, again in partnership with FedEx. What was so nice about this program was that it was taught exclusively by Fogelman College of Business and Economics faculty. It was wonderful to help FedEx solve real-world problems with colleagues that I knew, respected and genuinely like working with.
But probably my favorite was the Memphis Innovation Boot Camp. What we were trying to do is drive home a creative, empathetic way of thinking. We really tried to solve civic problems...city problems. We would go out and come up with
real world challenges and then bring businesspeople from the community to do design thinking with empathy. It was amazing to see positive changes happening in the community that started out in these programs. So, if I walk down Beale Street today, I will see things on Beale Street that I know were hatched in that program. That's got a special place in my heart.
Boller: How vital is the relationship between the Fogelman College of Business and Economics and the city of Memphis? And how should we work to strengthen that relationship in the years to come? The Memphis Innovation Boot Camp is a prime example of how we did it right. If you could jump into the future a little bit, how do we do that again? But maybe differently, because the city has changed, and the country and world situation has changed. Now what? What do we need to do to strengthen the relationship going forward, do you think?
Janz: Well, here's the thing. The businesspeople that you and I have worked with over the last 30 years, a lot of them retired way before I did, and some of them, like me, are retiring now. These are people that have learned how to work with the University; they know what we can do for them and what they can do for us. But these people aren't around forever, and we have newer generations of professionals coming into the business community, and I think a lot of them don't always realize that, hey, you've got a university in your backyard. In their minds, a university is where they went for their undergraduate degree. Maybe they got their MBA there. They may not understand the outreach component that we offer. And so, I think we have to educate the business community about what the Fogelman College of Business
and Economics and the University of Memphis can do for them. We have to continue to re-energize and re-educate people about the value of having not only a vibrant business community, but a vibrant business college. Proximity is the key point. Because you can have a good business school, but if it's not proximal to the real-life business laboratories sitting right outside, it's not really "great." We've got that secret sauce of proximity sitting in Memphis.
Boller: Let's finish with the other side of the relationship. What advice do you have for upcoming generations of students and business professionals? What do you think they need to focus on to be successful in this rapidly changing business world?
Janz: Here's what we're faced with, and if there's anything that makes me kind of happy that I'm retiring, it's artificial intelligence and where AI is going. I'm not against AI at all. In fact, I use it. But here's the thing with AI. A lot of the stuff that we teach is stuff that AI can do. We have to be thinking for and with our students about the kinds of things that AI can't do well. And what are those things? Well, one of them at the top of the list is creativity. AI is not creative today. AI is an amazing regurgitator of existing intelligence. In terms of generative creative stuff, AI is not great at it today, and it'll be a while before AI gets good at it. I think that's a huge opportunity area for students. How strong are your creative muscles? Because to the extent that you can get fit creatively you will stay ahead of AI. If I were still teaching today, I would focus on soft skills — predominantly creativity, empathy and communication. Learn how to be a creative, empathetic communicator. And then, if you're a systems developer or somebody in marketing that has those skills,
AI becomes your friend. Because you're the alpha in that relationship. AI is the beta.
Boller: Given the stunning rise of AI, for those of us that teach creativity, it's a little easier now to stress its importance and value. Remember? Colleagues and students used to laugh at us about teaching creativity and other soft skills; they saw these as too squishy and fluffy. But now people are getting more serious about the squishy because they recognize the threat.
Janz: Yeah, because you can break learning down into two big buckets: hard skills and soft skills. AI is great at hard skills; it is not good at soft skills. And it's not going away. The hard-skill machine's going to be there. So, you have to figure out how to coexist. Let me end with this: Every day, even in retirement, I am out talking to people I don't know. But I ask, "What's your name? How's your day going? You're working at this fast-food place. What are the positives in mind? How do you like the job?" Now you and I do this in our sleep, but students, especially our younger students, need to practice this because they are of a generation where communicating face-to-face with others is not natural. But it can become more natural if it’s practiced. And guess what? It's fun when you start doing it. It's fun and you learn a lot of things about people. It brings us together in new and exciting ways. And that makes a huge difference.
Boller: Thanks for the chat, Brian! Especially, thank you for 30 years of friendship and being able to work together at Fogelman! Looking forward to joining you for some fishing soon.
It was amazing to see positive changes happening in the community that started out in these programs. So, if I walk down Beale Street today, I will see things on Beale Street that I know were hatched in that program (Innovation Bootcamp). That’s got a special place in my heart.”
- Dr. Brian Janz
Fpacking up their offices. Business students are mapping out the other areas of campus for next semester’s courses. The usual sounds of academic life coming from the Northwest corner of Central Avenue and Patterson Street — professors teaching, classmates gathering — are about to be replaced by clamorous construction.
That’s because the highly anticipated modernization of the Fogelman College of Business and Economics is officially set to commence this fall, beginning with the complete remodel of the existing classroom and administration buildings.
For anyone who’s lived through a major renovation
anxious anticipation about the growing pains associated with the construction process, and, most prominently, the swelling excitement for the sleek, modern spaces soon to come.
Some of the most noticeable developments in this phase of the project will include adding cutting-edge technology labs, modernizing classrooms, creating new student study spaces, expanding conference rooms and renovating offices. The updated facilities will finally match the quality educational and research activities that have long been attributed to the college itself.
These improvements are only the start. Upon completion,
connections and collaboration between faculty and students. The total project is estimated to be an $85M investment.
If you would like more information about this stateof-the-art project or if you’re interested in the naming opportunities available, please contact Senior Director of Philanthropy, Laura Sparks, at laura.sparks@memphis.edu.
