The College of Business at West Texas A&M University has earned accreditation of its business degree programs by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).  Less than five percent of schools of business worldwide have earned this coveted mark of excellence.

AACSB is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.  Accreditation by AACSB is considered the highest-level of business accreditation and is a multi-step process covering several years.  WTAMU is now one of 655 business schools in 44 countries and territories that maintain AACSB Accreditation.

“AACSB congratulates West Texas A&M University and Dean Neil Terry on earning accreditation, and we welcome them into the family of AACSB-accredited business schools,” said John J. Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International.  “AACSB Accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees.  Dean Terry and the faculty, directors and staff of West Texas A&M University are to be commended for their role in earning accreditation.”

The University’s College of Business began its accreditation process in 2007.  The process involves rigorous internal review, evaluation and adjustment, and requires schools to develop and implement a plan to meet the AACSB Accreditation Standards.  Those standards include a high quality teaching environment, a commitment to continuous improvement and curricula responsive to the needs of businesses.  AACSB standards also require all accredited schools go through a peer review process every five years in order to maintain accreditation.

“Achievement of AACSB accreditation represents a major milestone for our College of Business and raises the bar for academic excellence at West Texas A&M University,” Dr. J. Patrick O’Brien, University president, said.  “This achievement is the result of many years of hard work on the part of the faculty, staff and administration of the College, superb leadership within the College, and the tremendous support of alumni and friends of the College who make a difference in what is available for our business students.  I commend those who worked so hard to make this happen and excited to see where this new chapter takes us in terms of preparing future generations of business graduates.”

Highlights of the AACSB Peer Review Team Report regarding WTAMU include the following commendation of strengths:
• Faculty members are highly dedicated and committed to student learning. Faculty members exhibit a high degree of collegiality, and the senior faculty provides strong and productive leadership;
• The College should be commended for its unusually successful Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter, which draws membership from across the student body;
• In alignment with its mission focus on the Texas Panhandle, WTAMU College of Business is very engaged with the regional business and economic community. Evidence includes the strong business leadership found on the Advisory Board, Enterprise Center, and the participation of college faculty, staff and students in development of the region.; and
• The College of Business enjoys strong support from the central administration in its efforts toward quality and continuous improvement.

“Achieving accreditation from AACSB International signifies to all stakeholders of the College of Business that the school offers high-quality business programs, and that processes are in place to ensure continuous improvement in the future,” said Dr. Neil Terry, dean of the College of Business.  “We still have several goals we hope to achieve as a business program in the next few years but earning AACSB accreditation is an important milestone that is critical to our advancement.  Students and alumni can be proud of earning a degree from an institution that has taken its place among other worldwide leaders in business education.  Earning AACSB is also a testimony to the extraordinary generosity of the Texas Panhandle community and program’s benefactors, which have established professorships, scholarships, internships and named classrooms in support of our continuous improvement efforts.”

Dr. Rex Pjesky receives congratulations from Dean Terry

The following are winners of the 2012 College of Business faculty and staff awards:
Teaching Excellence Award to Dr. Anne Macy, Edwards Professor of Finance; Research Excellence Award to Dr. Andrew Li, assistant professor and Williams Professor of Management; Service Excellence Award to Dr. Karyn Friske, professor of accounting and Schaeffer Professor of Business Ethics; and Staff Service Excellence Award to Betsey Tonne, administrative assistant in the Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance.  Dr. Li also received the West Texas A&M Univeristy Intellectual Contributions Award for 2012.

Ms. Jean Walker, faculty adviser for the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team, received the Jack Kahl Entrepreneurial Leadership Award for the Sam M. Walton Free Enterprise Fellow of the Year.  Walker, the Miller Professor of Entrepreneurship in WTAMU’s College of Business, has been the faculty adviser and team coach for the University SIFE team since 1994.

Congratulations to Drs. Rex Pjesky, Turkan Kilic, and Amjad Abdullat for successful promotion and tenure efforts.  Dr. Pjesky has been promoted to associate professor of economics, Dr. Kilic has been promoted to associate professor of marketing, and Dr. Abdullat has been promoted to professor of computer information systems.

The College of Business is pleased to welcome new faculty member Dr. Zixia Cao, assistant professor of marketing, Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.  Her primary research and teaching areas are in advertising, product management, and marketing research.  “Wedded Bliss or Tainted Love?  Stock Market Reactions to the Introduction of Co-branded Products” is one of her current working papers.

London Study Abroad

The College of Business is preparing to return to London next year for its annual Study Abroad expedition.  The trip runs from June 24th through July 5th, and includes site visits to, and/or guest speakers from, Wimbledon, McDonald’s, BBC, and Coca Cola.  Cultural tours include Stonehenge, Bath, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Thames River cruise, double decker bus tour and more.  The academic emphasis will be retailing and communication in the United Kingdom, with a focus on global brands.  Dr. Nick Gerlich, Professor of Marketing, is coordinating this trip with Dr. Kris Drumheller, Associate Professor of Communication.  Students will stay in the Nido international student dormitory in the Kings Cross area of London.  Estimated costs for the trip are $2,330 Program Fee (if 21 or more students participate), plus airfare, meals and tuition (although study abroad scholarships are available for tuition assistance).

More information is available on the trip’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LondonBuffs2013

Scholarship support for business students will increase in the future thanks to several recent donations.  The College of Business has received over $500,000 of new additions for various business scholarship endowment and expendable accounts in 2012.  “We are very grateful for the influx of donations received to support student success,” said Dr. Neil Terry, Dean of the College of Business.  “Private scholarship donations help develop future business leaders and raise the College’s level of academic excellence to the next tier of distinction.”

Newly created scholarships endowments include the following (donations from $10,000 to $250,000):

Rosemartha Cates

• Rosemartha and James Cates Scholarship, established by the owner-operator of the Donut Stop to support business students from the Texas Panhandle.
• The Larry and Sandra Oldham Scholarship, established to support accounting majors.
• The W.F. McWhirter Scholarships, established to support multiple accounting students.
• The Friends of the College of Business Scholarships, established by Mabel and Kenneth Jones to support multiple students majoring in accounting and/or related business fields.

Existing scholarships with significant additions to the endowment and/or expendable account in 2012 include the following (donations from $1,000 to $15,000):

• J. W. And Nell Foust Alumni Association Scholarships in Business
  

  Larry and Sandra Oldham

• Hudgins Crosier Sumpter, P.C. Educational Intern Scholarships in Accounting
• Neil and Anne Macy Terry Scholarship in Business
• David and Myrt Wilder Scholarships in Accounting and Finance
• Barry L. Duman Family Scholarship in Economics
• LaVelle and Larry Mills Family Scholarship in Business
• Amjad Abdullat and Taghreed Maaytah Scholarship in CIS
• Don Williams contribution to Students in Free Enterprise Endowment
• Amarillo Executive Association Scholarship
  

  David, Kolten, and Mryt Wilder

• Bill and Betty Semmelbeck Scholarship
• First United Bank Scholarship
• Happy State Bank Scholarship
• Steve and Martha Hayward Scholarship
• Parman Reynolds Scholarship
• Jorge Caballero Student Leadership Scholarship Award
• Cary Lyles Memorial Scholarship
• Robert S. Glazer Memorial Scholarship
• Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Society of CPA’s
• COB Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Annual Fund Scholarship
• Vincent M. Eggers Scholarship in Economics and Finance
• CSI, Meridian Intern Scholarship in Computer Information Systems

Manuel Garcia conducting surveys for MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada

The West Texas A&M University SIFE/Enactus team recently partnered with MGM Grand Resort and Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas to conduct a marketing research project.  Seven students made the MGM their home from October 14-19.  The research was two-pronged, with one element being MOS (man-on-the-street) interviews gauging awareness of Cirque’s show KA (whose theatre is at the MGM), and theatre exit interviews of patrons who had just seen KA.  In both surveys, students used iPads and mobile wifi hotspots to access surveys created in Qualtrics. The surveys were the results of collaboration between WTAMU, MGM and Cirque. Students successfully interviewed over 500 pedestrians along Las Vegas Boulevard, as well as another 500 in the theatre lobby.  Upon returning to WTAMU, students analyzed the data using SPSS, created infographics summarizing the findings, and wrote detailed reports breaking down various nuances of the data.  MGM has indicated they would like to utilize WT’s services once per quarter to help monitor views of the public toward KA.

“This was a unique opportunity for students to work for major players in the hospitality and entertainment industries,” faculty facilitator Dr. Nick Gerlich said.  ”WTAMU and the College of Business should feel honored to be chosen over many other universities for this opportunity, as it showcases our skills in technology and research.”

Carley DuMenil, Trent Trahen, and Paul Vigil at COB Tailgate

Recently your College of Business (COB) showed our spirit by hosting the first ever COB Homecoming Tailgate on October 13, 2012.  The event was planned in conjunction with the West Texas A&M University COB faculty & staff, SIFE/Enactus, Tech Club, Economics Club, COB Student Advisory Board, Accounting & Finance Association, and the Development Office.  The effort provided a great opportunity for COB alumni, friends, faculty, staff, students, donors, and administration to interact, support our BUFFS, and celebrate the business school achievement of earning AACSB accreditation.  A special thanks to the Trahern family for assisting with the delicious meal of fajitas, smoked corn, and the tailgate favorite deep fried twinkies.  In all, over 500 people were served food at the event and the Buffs ended the night with a 36-0 victory over Abilene Christian University on the gridiron.

Angelica Pallares, Accounting graduate student from Amarillo, Texas

Dr. Pulliam and Angelica Pallares

“Angelica Pallares is a Master of Professional Accounting graduate student and has been chosen to receive the Jorge Caballero Student Leadership Award at a conference in Washington, DC where Jorge Caballero will personally present her the award.  She is a very personable, pleasant and hardworking student.”~Dr. Darlene Pulliam

“After three full years of being a student at WTAMU, I’ve realized that it is the best university I could have chosen to attend.  I have gained valuable communication and leadership skills and knowledge by being a part of many organizations here at WT.  The professors and advisors in the College of Business have been supportive and truly care for the success of their students.  The great relationships that are established between students and professors definitely make our College of Business one of a kind.”~Angelica Pallares

James Schmidt, Computer Information Systems from Stinnett, Texas

James Schmidt and Dr. Babb

“James is the president of the Tech Club, he works in the CIDM Lab, and he is a 4.0/honor student.  He serves as a tutor to other students in Computer Information Systems (CIS) and obtained a Kilgore Summer Grant this past summer to do LEGO Mindstorm Robotics research on machine learning.  James is a student worth of recognition.”~Dr. Jeffry Babb

“I love the culture at WT.  The last three years here at the university have not been easy, but my professors have always been there when I needed support.  When I struggle there is always a helping hand from everyone in the CIS department as well as the College of Business.  The outstanding faculty at WT have all helped coach my education, but their lessons have gone beyond the classroom.  I have grown both personally and professionally thanks to the committed faculty; I owe my success to them.”~James Schmidt

SIFE Winning First Round of Competition at Nationals

West Texas A&M University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team advanced from the first round of national competition into the Top Twenty at the SIFE USA National Exposition in Kansas City, Mo., May 23-24, eventually placing in the Top Twelve of more than 550 active SIFE teams in the United States.  Speakers on the national competition presentation team were Manuel Garcia, Alex Long, Navdeep Uppal, Erin Stodghill, Jordan Cox, Juan Carlos Ramirez, Cedric Nguimatsa, and Emilee Cavaness. The media presentation was created by Yu-Hsian (Jimmy) Tseng.

WTAMU’s SIFE received the special honor of being named one of eight finalists in the Step Up for Small Business Competition sponsored by Sam’s Club. With a $1,500 grant from Sam’s Club, SIFE worked to improve the business and environmental sustainability of the new commercial kitchen at the WTAMU Enterprise Center.  Bobby Martin, representing Amarillo Sam’s Club, and Melissa Kalka, kitchen manager at the WTAMU Enterprise Center, accompanied the team to a special awards presentation and dinner hosted by Sam’s Club during the National Exposition.

Ana Ramirez and Bethany Wilcox were invited to the Women in Business Forum and Luncheon, where they had the opportunity to network with women representing many Fortune 500 corporations.  Marco Jimenez, Daniel Dixon, and Cody Brooks represented the WTAMU team at the Top to Future-Top Forum with corporate officials present to judge the final competition.

A major focus of the competition was a two-day Career Fair conducted by more than 50 national companies who specifically recruit SIFE students including AT&T, Microsoft, Pepsico, KPMG, Coca Cola, Edward Jones, Unilever, Hershey’s, ConAgra Foods, Home Depot, Kraft Foods and E&J Gallo Winery.  Ivan Cardenas, a senior from the 2011 WTAMU SIFE team who was recruited by Digital Solutions International at last year’s national competition, was there recruiting for DSI this year.

2012 Student Portfolio Managers

The Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) portfolio managers at West Texas A&M University presented their 2012 purchase decisions at the College of Business Investment Series presentation July 12.  The 16 selected stocks are:
• Activision Blizzard (ATVI)
• AES Corp. (AES)
• Agrium (AGU)
• Annaly Capital (NLY)
• Apple (AAPL)
• Caterpillar (CAT)
• Dollar General (DG)
• Goldcorp (GC)
• Kansas City Southern (KSU)
• Kennametal (KMT)
• Microsoft (MSFT)
• Nike (NKE)
• Rio Tinto (RIO)
• Siemens (SI)
• Visa (V)
• Wellpoint (WLP)

Through the Student-Managed Investment Fund, finance majors at WTAMU explore applied investing. Students manage a portfolio of funds and decide on stocks to purchase and sell with a goal of long-term growth. They learn investment fundamentals, valuation techniques and technical analysis.

All finance majors explore one or more investment opportunities, which are forwarded to the student portfolio managers for consideration. Portfolio managers attempt to meet the dual objectives of increasing the long-run value of the portfolio combined with the short-run objective of providing student scholarships. Since 2001, the program has awarded $99,500 in scholarship funds to business students.

Established by local community leaders under the direction of Dr. Jerry Miller at an initial value of $100,000, the student portfolio’s current value is more than $650,000. The stock holdings returned 4.3 percent over the last year versus a 3.1 percent return for the S&P 500 index.

Student Portfolio Managers for 2012 are:
Emilee Cavaness, senior finance and accounting major from Amarillo, TX
Jake Samarron, senior finance and accounting major from Amarillo, TX
Kyle Williams, graduate finance and economics major from Chicago, IL
Laura Beth Hallman, graduate finance and economics major from Cleburne, TX
Adrian Walker, graduate finance and economics major from Frisco, TX
Kami Rundell, senior finance and accounting major from Nazareth, TX
Kolten Wilder, senior finance major from Plainview, TX

SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise)  was organized at WTAMU in 1994 and has developed a strong legacy of excellence by winning 18 consecutive Regional Championships and placing in the Top 12 at National Competition in 2012.  The name on a worldwide basis is being changed from SIFE to Enactus (en · act · us).  SIFE/Enactus is a community of student, academic, and business leaders committed to using the power of free enterprise and entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.  Even with a name change, we are the same organization, operating with the same business model, with the same mission: To bring together the top leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business.

The West Texas A&M University SIFE/Enactus student organization is pleased to announce the following new members for fall 2012:

SIFE/Enactus Officers at World Cup 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Chance Autry-Business Education major from Plainview, TX
John Baker-Economics major from Amarillo, TX
Blake Boone-Communication Studies major from Vernon, TX
Anh Duy Bai-General Business major form Vietnam
Shelbi Cooper-Finance major from Amarillo, TX
Tam Doa-Accounting major from Vietnam
Mary Dittfurth-Management major from Amarillo, TX
Cecilia Dominguez-Management major from Childress, TX
Adrianne Gallegos-Accounting major from Amarillo, TX
Lisa Garza-Biology major from Lubbock, TX
Mercedez Hernandez-Economics major from Lubbock, TX
Amy (Anh) Hoang-MBA major from Vietnam
Michelle Jones-Agribusiness major from Springlake, TX
Matt Kagey-Management major from Childress, TX
Sarah Koenig-Marketing major from Colorado Springs, CO
Ramya Kotapolli-MBA CIS major from India

SIFE/Enactus Officers at World Cup 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Kristen (Lien) Le-Mass Communication major from Vietnam
Steve (Nghia) Le-Management major from Vietnam
Brecka Livingston-Accounting major from Cheyenne Wells, CO
Tam Ly-Management major from Saigon, Vietnam
Lisa Mitchell-Accounting/Finance major from San Jon, NM
Ore Osikoya-Psychology/Management major from Canyon, TX
Viry Pereda-Finance major from Scottsdale, AZ
Hailee (Hanh) Pham-Accounting major from Amarillo, TX
Ryan Pinkert-Economics major from Amarillo, TX
Jesse Potestas-Economics/Biology major from Philippines
Cynthia Prieto-Management major from Dimmitt, TX
Luis Rodriguez-Management major from Amarillo, TX
Trigger Roy-Finance major from Canada
Sarah Sabins-Management major from Clovis, NM
Yuiko Sadayama-CIS major from Japan
Noemi Salazar-Finance major from Pampa, TX
Yaracet Sanchez-Accounting major from Hereford, TX
James Schmidt-CIS major from Stinnett, TX
Brittani Simmons-Accounting major from Amarillo, TX
Brittany Smith-General Business major from Lubbock, TX
JW Stoney-Management major from McClave, CO
Phaelen Stuart- Berg-CIS major from Chicago, IL
Dayren Tolliver-Finance major from Montgomery, AL
Kevin (Tien) Tram-MSFE major from Vietnam
Nancy (Nhan) Tran-Marketing major from Vietnam
Linh Trieu-International Business major from Vietnam
Belinda Urrutia-Accounting major from Amarillo, TX
Gonzalo Vega-International Business major from Gruver, TX
Edwin Velo-Mechanical Engineering major from Bovina, TX
Dana Versmessen-International Busi. major from Philadelphia, PA
Ana Villagomez-International Business major from Ecuador
Lan Anh Vu-General Business major from Vietnam
Ryan Watson-CIS Decision Management major from Pampa, TX
Katherine Webb-Biology major from Amarillo, TX
Mason Wright-Finance major from Amarillo, TX