Faculty and Student Accomplishments

Faculty Accomplishments

• Leon Schjoedt (MQM) presented a paper co-authored by John Lust (MQM), “Influence of Work and Family Conflict on Job Satisfaction of Small Business Executives,” at the 20th Annual Conference of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Tucson. The paper was based on the thesis of Michelle Schmitt, who received her MBA from the College of Business in May.            
• Kathy Lund Dean and Jeri Mullins Beggs (MKT), “University Professors and Teaching Ethics:  Conceptualizations and Expectations,” Journal of Management Education, 30(1):15-44 (2006). Beggs also served as a guest editor for the journal.         
• Jack Howard (MQM).  “Small Business Growth:  Development of Indicators,” Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal.
• Chickery J. Kasouf, Kevin G. Celuch, and John H. Bantham (MQM) “An Examination of Communication Behaviors as Mediators in Individual-Level Interorganizational Exchanges,” Psychology and Marketing, Vol. 23(1): 35-56 (January 2006).              
• Masoud Hemmasi (MQM) and Mark Hoelscher (MQM) received the Distinguished Paper Award at the 2005 Allied Academies International Conference in Las Vegas. “Entrepreneurship Research: Using Students as proxies for Actual Entrepreneurs,” will be appearing in the Journal of Entrepreneurship Education.        
• Steven Taylor (MKT) and Timothy Longfellow (MKT) “Understanding How Attitudes Affect Physician Compliance with Legal Behavioral Constraints,” Journal of Hospital Marketing and Public Relations, Vol.15, No. 2, 91-107 (2005).
• Gary Hunter (MKT) and Steven Taylor (MKT) “Predicting the Initial Adoption or Upgrading of Electronic Communication Systems,” International Journal of E-Business Marketing, Volume 1, Number 4 (October – December 2005), 1-23. (2005).
• Jack Howard (MQM).  “The Role of Culture in Shaping Perceptions of Discrimination Among Active Duty and Reserve Forces in the U.S. Military,” Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal.
• Steven Taylor (MKT) Stephen Goodwin (MKT), and Kevin Celuch "An Exploratory Investigation Into the Question of Direct Selling Via the Internet in Industrial Equipment Markets," Journal of Business-To-Business Marketing, Volume 5, Number 2, 39-72. (2005).

 

Student Accomplishments

Sales Scholars Named

     The Sales Student Scholar Program is a combined recognition and learning program for students enrolled in the Professional Sales Sequence.  Candidates apply for this program in their junior year and work on a variety of applied projects during their senior year to enrich their classroom experiences.   Sales Student Scholars receive $1,000 in scholarships and 4 credit hours toward graduation requirements.  They also receive the national recognition and award of Certified Sales Student from the international University Sales Center Alliance. The Sales Scholars for the 2005-2006 year are Zach Frazier, Kyle Baner and Anna Trefil.

     According to Frazier, being a sales scholar affords him the opportunity to work closely with the sales faculty and to serve as a mentor for current marketing students. “I have been able to interact with some of the Professional Sales Institute's corporate partners on a personal level. This has helped me to become more confident in my abilities and has let me seek out the companies that would be the best fit for me after graduation.”

     Anna Trefil values the connections and skills she’s acquired as a sales scholar. “The sales faculty wants to see the three of us succeed, to become better students, and better adults. Getting to know the faculty personally has provided a solid foundation and has allowed us to learn far more than we could ever do in a traditional class.” 

     Potential employers take note. Sales scholars recognize the added value they will bring to a company. “As a sales scholar I try to go above and beyond the requirements.  A sales environment is very competitive. If an employee is only willing to meet the requirements, chances are a competitor is willing to go beyond them. This results in a lost sale. I hope potential employers appreciate my drive to succeed,” shared Baner.

     Trefil agrees. “Being a sales scholar requires a lot of time and dedication. I want employers to know I would bring that same level of commitment to their company. The experiences I’ve gained as a sales scholar are unique. Participation has made not only made me a better salesperson, but a better person in general. While it is hard work, I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for the world!”

     “Before the program I was just another student roaming the halls, wondering where I would find a job after college.  Now, with the help of the sales faculty, I have references, skills, and experiences to land the job of my choice!” said Baner.

 

Student Entrepreneurs Invited to Ball State Competition

     Skewers Grille & Bar, the winning team in the recent business plan competition at the College of Business, has been chosen as one of the nine finalists for the 2006 Enterprise Creation Competition co-hosted by Ball State University, Indiana University-Bloomington, and Syracuse University. The event will be held on Ball State Campus on March 24 & 25, 2006. 

     "This is a very exciting opportunity for the students," said faculty sponsor, Leon Schjoedt (MQM). ISU students invited to compete at the event are Josh Steele, Tim Aldrich, Zach Frazier, and Cortez McCoy.

    " I have gained alot of experience throughout the business plan competition and am very excited to transfer these innovate thoughts into a future career path.  I have grown from a student to a professional with the guidance of Dr. Leon and the Entrepreneurship program here at Illinois State University," said team member Tim Aldrich. " Personally, I can't wait for the competition to begin.  We are a strong team and are extremely confident that we will represent Illinois State University well at this event and leave a trail for others to follow."

    Judges for the 2006 Enterprise Creation Competition include venture capitalists, private investors, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurial support professionals. They will rate each team based on the following:

        • Thoroughness of business plan

        • Creativity of the new venture idea

        • Presentation of the written and oral plan

        • Financial viability

     "I am personnally excited to have the opportunity to network with business developers and investors that are interested in our project.  Our business plan for Skewers' Grille and Bar is an extensive project full of innovative ideas.  I'm really excited to see what others think of it on a national level," added Aldrich.

    Student teams participating in the event are competing for cash awards of up to $7500 for a first place finish.

 

Plank Named ESPN Academic All-American

      Illinois State senior guard Neil Plank has been named to the ESPN Academic All-American University All-District V Team for the third consecutive year. A first-year M.B.A. student, Plank earned his degree in finance with a 3.93 GPA. ISU coach Porter Moser remains impressed with Plank's drive and academic accomplishments. "Some company is going to be very fortunate to have Neil," said Moser.