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November 2016

Awang Selected as Distinguished Scholar for International Educational Forum

Dr. Awang

Dr. Faridah Awang, Professor of Corporate Communication and Technology in EKU's School of Business, has been invited as Distinguished Scholar and Guest Speaker for an international educational forum to be held in Malaysia. "Organizational Success: Breaking Walls and Building Bridges" is being organized by Scope Research Training and Consultancy in association with Politeknik Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The January 5th event will be officially launched by Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato’ Seri Idris bin Jusoh.

Awang is an award-winning professor and scholar. She earned her PhD in management, workforce education and development, from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and is an international author with over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and books. Awang has presented at more than 24 international research conferences and meetings and has served as the President of the International Association for Business Communication, Southwest USA Region.

The Politeknik was established in 2007 under Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education to meet national needs in the field of trade, technology and human capital value.

Robles Elected National ARBE President

Dr. Marcel Robles

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.

EKU AMA Marketing Club Sponsors E-Ship Guest Speaker

Jon Bostock, COO of Big Ass Solutions

EKU's AMA Marketing Club celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week 2016 by sponsoring a special speaker. Jon Bostock, Chief Operating Officer of Big Ass Solutions, spoke with School of Business students and faculty at the EKU Business and Technology Center on Thursday, November 17th.

Bostock spoke to a near capacity crowd in the Business and Technology Rogow Auditorium and was joined by Samantha Couch, Head of Human Resources.

Prior to joining the fan and lighting company in 2016, Bostock was general manager of consumer ventures at GE, one of the largest and most diverse companies in the world. The switch to Big Ass Solutions was the result of his desire to get hands-on at a young company on an unparalleled growth track. While Bostock’s title is COO, he prefers the term “Sustainability and Growth Executive.” He oversees growth planning of all Big Ass Solutions brands – Big Ass Fans, Big Ass Light and Haiku Home – and is helping the company achieve its goal of becoming the world’s leading comfort and light provider.

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2016, which runs from Nov. 14-20, involves a partnership of activities between the College of Business and Technology and the Kentucky Innovation Network at Richmond, Ky. Faculty and students engage in projects, workshops, and outreach that dovetail with the national GEW program. For more on GEW2016, contact bizaccelerator@eku.edu.

Bostock's talk from Big Ass Solutions was presented by the Department of Management, Marketing & International Business, EKU's AMA Marketing Club, and the University Diversity Office.

To find out more about the AMA Marketing Club, contact Dr. Weiling Zhuang at weiling.zhuang@eku.edu.

Tipton Receives National Business Education Association Award of Merit

Tina Tipton (left) with advisor Dr. Faridah Awang

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.”

EKU's Jones Cup Team Places Fourth in National Championship

L-R: Erskine, Wolfers, Bratcher, Collet (Overall Medalist), and Webb

Congratulations to EKU’s Professional Golf Management Program on their 4th Place finish at the Jones Cup Tournament in Port Saint Lucie, Fla., November 1-2, 2016. EKU shot a two-day team total of 603 (303-300), marking the highest finish to date for the Colonels.

The 19 accredited PGA Golf Management universities nationwide participated in this annual event. The competition is a two-day, 36 hole stroke play event at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course.

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EKU Students Give Forward to Help Classmates in Need

Seated L-R: Colton Scurry & Bryson Williams with classmates

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!

MMIB Students Participate in 3rd Annual Professional Development Workshop

Dr. Polin's Professional Development Workshop participants

Sixty-nine students, freshmen to seniors, from the Department of Management, Marketing and International Business participated in the 3rd Annual Professional Development Workshop on Friday, November 4th.

Developed by Dr. Beth Polin, Assistant Professor of Management, the day-long, case-competition style workshop challenged students to apply classroom learning in solving real business problems.

Polin opened the session by delivering the case study along with logistics for the day, stressing the importance of professionalism. Before the 16 teams moved to their respective rooms for case preparation, MMIB faculty addressed topics such as Communication, Strategic Intent/Competitive Advantage, First Approaches to Tackling Complex Business Problems, Teamwork, and Design Thinking/Creativity in Problem Solving. Faculty were available throughout the day to mentor teams that were acting as consulting firms. Competing teams were vying for a consulting 'contract' to help resolve the subject firm's issues.

According to MMIB Department Chair, Dr. Lana Carnes, "Corporate partner Speedway provided funds for the case competition, and Speedway executives served as judges and participated in a networking dinner with students. Dr. Polin’s vision was to provide student teams with the opportunity to solve real-world problems, communicate their solutions, and interact with business executives. Based on student and executive feedback, the event was a success meeting all the objectives. MMIB very much appreciates Dr. Polin’s time and talents in creating this event."

In addition to the Speedway judges, Chris Caldwell ('92, Public Relations), EVP of Sales and Marketing for Innovative Publishing in Louisville, and Jeff Klein ('07, ‘11, Music Education), Director of International Business Development at Big Ass Solutions, helped judge the event. Dr. Tom Martin, Director for the Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology (CEDET), commented that the judges generously shared their time and expertise with EKU students. “Students were excited that executives would share their advice and feedback with them. It means a lot to hear from faculty and executives.”

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