November 2016

Dr. Marcel Robles has been elected as President of the Association for Research in Business Education (ARBE) for the biennium 2016-2018. Founded in 1936 as a professional national honorary society dedicated to research in business education, ARBE is committed to excellence in research and promotes scholarship, leadership, and cooperation toward the advancement of education for and about business. ARBE is now the research division of the National Business Education Association (NBEA).

Dr. Robles is a Professor in Corporate Communication and Technology in the School of Business. She teaches managerial report writing, professional communication, introduction to business, and MBA research and strategic business communication. Marcel received her Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota in 1996.

She has served on several committees throughout her tenure at EKU, including Faculty Senate, Rights and Responsibilities, Financial and Strategic Planning, Critical Thinking QEP Coach, Graduate School, General Education, MMIB Department Promotion and Tenure, and search committees. She also served as editor of the Journal for Research in Business Information Systems for six years and has been President and Program Chair of various regional professional conferences.

Tina L. Tipton from Pineville, Ky., was selected to receive the National Business Education Association (NBEA) Award of Merit for outstanding achievement in business education.

The NBEA Professional Awards Program is conducted by the national organization to recognize young educators for their high academic standards.  The Award of Merit provides a one-year professional membership to NBEA, an Award of Merit certificate, a year's subscription to the publications, and recognition in the fall issue of the national magazine. Tipton was nominated by her faculty advisor, Dr. Faridah Awang. 

According to Dr. Awang, "As a student, Ms. Tipton is extremely well-organized, detail-oriented, dependable, and responsible. At the same time, she is patient with her peers, quick to praise and encourage them as she works with them. On a number of occasions, when deadlines loomed and others had neglected their responsibilities, Ms. Tipton stepped in and helped, without criticism or complaint. I believe her personality truly makes her the ideal recipient of this prestigious Award."

Tipton, originally from Lee County, Va., has lived and worked in Bell County for more than 20 years. She is a single mother of two daughters and has five grandchildren. A non-traditional student, Tipton began her college education in 1998. After completing her associates degree in 2000, she went to work to provide for her family.

“The desire to finish my education stayed with me. I am proud to say, today, that desire has become a reality. So many people, especially my children and grandchildren, deserve credit for the sacrifices they made to help me complete my journey. The staff and faculty at EKU have played an integral part of my success. Without them, this would not be possible.”

Tipton is being honored by Eastern Kentucky University's School of Business for her accomplishments. She has been selected as banner bearer for her graduation ceremony in December when she will receive her Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing Education. “I consider it a great honor to be asked to serve as the banner bearer for the Eastern Kentucky University's School of Business.”

She continues, “It is never too late to accomplish great things.  The sacrifices you make and the obstacles you overcome make it that much sweeter. Never give up on your dreams, work to make them reality.”

Thirty-six marketing principles students in Dr. Lee Allison’s class, created a Giveforward marketing campaign to aid two of their classmates. A devastating fire left Colton Scurry and Bryson Williams without home or possessions just prior to Homecoming.  While the two students were not physically harmed, they lost everything.

Fortunately, their compassionate EKU classmates eagerly jumped into action. And the marketing course that connected them, provided a foundation that assisted putting together a promotional campaign via social media and personal selling at the EKU homecoming tailgate. In short order, the campaign raised $565 dollars.

Most of the students are Public Relations majors, but fourteen different programs of study are represented by the students in the class.

Both Colton and Bryson were overwhelmed, and grateful to their classmates. 

Efforts like this exemplify the bonds of unity across the campus, and highlight how great it is to be an EKU Colonel!