To read article and see list of Beta Gamma Sigma new members click here.

The College of Business and Economics (COBE) would like to congratulate the newest COBE  inductees to the highly prestigious International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS). BGS represents the top 7% of juniors, the top 10% of seniors, and the top 20% of Master students in COBE. To be considered for BGS students must have an overall 3.5 GPA. (Juniors must have completed 12 hours of upper division credit with a GPA of 3.65, seniors must have completed 30 hours of upper division credit with a GPA of 3.5, master’s students must have completed 12 hours of 500 or greater business credits with a 3.65.) 

Governor Butch Otter will be the keynote speaker the induction ceremony to be held Wednesday, April 29 fro 6:00 – 7:00 p.m in the Grand B ballroom at the Student Union Building.

2009 Beta Gamma Sigma Program and list of inductees

Beta Gamma Sigma Background

Beta Gamma Sigma was established in 1913 and is the business equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa. Membership is the highest honor bestowed upon graduate and undergraduate business students.

Beta Gamma Sigma has inducted more than 605,000 outstanding students into membership since its founding in 1913. These 605,000 members have served in corporate, government, non-profit, educational, and other management positions at every level of responsibility. Members currently reside in all 50 U.S. states and more than 160 countries around the world.

The Society maintains an active database with more than 480,000 members’ mailing addresses and other information. In 2007-08, the Society inducted about 22,000 new members.

Beta Gamma Sigma has established 481 collegiate chapters in all 50 U.S. states and 18 countries and territories at schools accredited by AACSB International. Additionally, 20 alumni chapters serve the needs of alumni members in major metropolitan areas, including Hong Kong.

“Programming Completed”

      In September, COBE retained the services of the AC Martin, an architectural company from Los Angeles that specializes in building “programming” to begin the first phase of our New Building Project.  Programming involves translating ideas, opinions, plus actual data into a clear definition the size and general layout for the building.  AC Martin consultants worked with faculty, staff, administrators, and representatives from the business community to capture the essence of what the new building should be.  The process was finished in January.

      The result is that the new COBE building will be one of approximately 98,000 square feet (about twice the size of the current building) and will be organized into five floors.  Although the detailed design is yet to come, in general the five floors will include the following components:

      Ground Floor:  150 seat Lecture Hall, food court, an information commons, student work space, a financial case style technology classroom and financial trading room, the Student Services Center, the COBE Business Research and Economic Development Center which includes the Small Business Development Center, the TechHelp center, the Centre for Creativity and Innovation, and the Center for Entrepreneurship.

      2^nd Floor:  technology classrooms and computer labs, IT support facilities, two department complexes with faculty and staff offices and collaboration space and team collaboration rooms.

      3^rd Floor;  Two department complexes with faculty and staff offices and collaboration space, case style high-tech classrooms, student collaboration space and technology supported work spaces for students.

      4^th Floor:  One department complex with faculty and staff offices and collaboration space, the Administrative Suite (dean’s office etc.), case style high-tech classrooms, student collaboration space, and graduate assistant office space.

      5^th Floor:  MBA quality case style classrooms, Executive MBA/Executive education classrooms, Board Room and graduate student collaboration space.  The footprint of the 5^th floor will be smaller than the 4^th floor to allow for an outdoor patio to serve as a gathering place for COBE events and for students during periods of nice weather.

Exterior:  The exterior appearance of the new COBE building will be consistent with it’s prominent location at the west entrance to the campus on the corner of Capitol Blvd. and University Drive.  The exterior is expected to have lots of glass and be constructed on materials that are attractive with a design that is lasting in its appeal.

Sustainability: We plan to do everything that is feasible in following the latest practices in constructing a sustainable building.  For example, the current plan is to use natural hot water to heat the building.  All other systems will consider “green” options as the first choice.  To encourage our faculty to bike to work, the building will have secure bicycle storage and showers and changing facilities. 

Next Steps:  By the end of May, we will select the architect firm to do the detail design of the building.  The design process is expected to take 7-10 months.  Thus, construction bids are expected to go out in the spring of 2010.  The construction time for this size and type of building is expected to be about two years.  Thus, the planned move in time will be summer of 2012.  We are getting closer by the day!

Naming Opportunities are still available. To find out more about the building project and how to get involved click here.

Boise State competed at the District 11 National Student Advertising Competition in Spokane, WA last Friday, April 17. The team placed second overall, and received awards for “Best Presentation”, “Best PR Program” and “Best Graphics”. Boise State competed with nine other universities from Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana.

The eight student team consisted of: David Andrews, Sara Byrne, Jamie Chaffin, Lisa Frazier, Sarah Gridley, Kamile Ishiyama, Evan Nolevanko, and Jennifer Stemple.

The National Student Advertising Competition is the premier college advertising competition. It provides more than 3,000 college students with real-world experience by requiring a strategic advertising/marketing/media campaign for a corporate sponsor. Schools receiving first place from each district competition are selected to present their campaigns to a panel of industry executives at the American Advertising Federation National Conference.

This year’s corporate sponsor was, The Century Counsel, a group of distillers fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. This year’s mission was to create a campaign targeted towards college students to help combat the binge drinking problem that is so prevalent on college campuses today. Boise State accomplished this with the “Retool Your Reality” Campaign, which communicates a disconnect between student perceptions and reality.

Judges, who were advertising executives from around the west, were thoroughly impressed with the “Retool Your Reality” Campaign, and the difference between 1st and 2nd place (Portland State and Boise State) was within a point. Congratulations to the team and their astounding performance!

Contact Information: For more information, please contact the College of Business and Economics Marketing Department at 426-5384.

(From left to right) David Andrews, Sarah Gridley, Jamie Chaffin, Jay Longwell, Kamile Ishiyama, Evan Nolevanko, Sara Byrne, Lisa Frazier, and Jen Stemple

Boise State University’s Executive MBA program has earned high marks in an independent exit survey of its graduates by the international Executive MBA Council. About 96 percent of the graduates gave the overall program the highest possible rating. The average for participating schools worldwide was 83 percent. 

Moreover, Boise State’s program achieved these high standards during its first session. The Executive MBA Council, an organization comprised of Executive MBA programs worldwide, hired an outside firm to conduct the exit survey with Boise State’s 2008 Executive MBA graduates, the first to graduate from the 3-year-old program.

Graduates noted in the survey that after completing the program they are more creative, more strategic in their problem solving and decision-making, higher contributors to their company’s success and overall more effective leaders.

“We worked on solving real business issues,” said Greg Hanmer, an IT director with Hewlett-Packard, adding that he and fellow EMBA participants examined HP’s forecasting and supply chain processes and outlined opportunities for material savings. “The program gave us the academic tools we needed in today’s business environment and access to business professionals throughout the valley.”

More than 65 percent of Boise State’s Executive MBA graduates thus far have received promotions or otherwise advanced their careers as a result of their participation in the program.

“Our EMBA participants and their organizations have seen very rapid returns on their investment,” said Kirk Smith, associate dean of Boise State’s College of Business and Economics and director for the Executive MBA program. “Most have recovered their investment, and more, before they’ve even completed the 21-month program.”

Boise State’s Executive MBA program began in September 2006 and is Idaho’s first program. It is unique in that it was created in partnership with a consortium of local businesses in an effort to meet the current and future needs of the business community. The program is designed specifically for middle- to senior-level professionals who wish to obtain a master’s in business administration on a schedule that minimizes disruption of work and personal pursuits.

The program is now enrolling for fall 2009. Classes will begin in September and students will earn an MBA degree in 21 months of part-time class attendance. An informational open house is scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 29 in The Loft on the fifth floor of the Stueckle Sky Center on the west side of Bronco Stadium. Those planning to attend should e-mail emba@boisestate.edu or call (208) 426-4034 to reserve a space. Additional details about the program can be found online at http://emba.boisestate.edu.

The Executive MBA Council is a non-profit association of universities and colleges that offer Executive MBA programs. It currently includes more than 200 colleges and universities that administer 300-plus programs in more than 25 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.emba.org.

Big Ideas. Big Money.

Boise State Center for Entrepreneurship held the first annual Elevator Pitch Competition and the results were impressive. The ideas generated by Boise State graduate and undergraduate students impressed the panel of judges with both their innovation and viability. Over $3,500 was awarded for graduate and undergraduate categories in best technology, most green, most viable and best presentation.  Before the event, entrepreneur and Boise State alumnus Clay Young, co-founder of Inovus Solar and ProClarity, discussed challenges for entrepreneurs.

For the complete Elevator Pitch Competition results click on: Boise State Elevator Pitch Competition 2009 Results

To view the Idaho Statesman article on the Elevator Pitch Competition click here.

Photo Gallery

Boise State University’s College of Business and Economics will honor its outstanding graduates at a dinner on Friday, May 8. Outstanding graduates are selected by faculty members in each area of study within the college.

This year’s honorees are:

Boise – Denise Buske, Human Resource Management; Amanda Clausen, Accountancy Taxation; Jon Daley, Master of Business Administration; Maria Shimel, Management; Daniel Simenc, Management; Erin Taylor, Information Technology; Steve Wargo, Accountancy; Mark Woychick, Masters of Business Administration

Bonners Ferry – Johanna Farrell, International Business

Meridian – Melissa Warwick, Finance

Idaho Falls – Jake Davis, Entrepreneurship; and Jason Davis, Supply Chain Management

Payette – Jennifer Stemple, Marketing

Twin Falls – Jeff Woods, Master of Science in Accountancy

For more information about Boise State’s College of Business and Economics and its programs, call (208) 426-4950 or visit http://cobe.boisestate.edu.

Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

Two big events are taking place this week: A successful Boise State graduate talks about starting businesses and the Boise State Elevator Pitch, both Friday April 17.

“The Entrepreneur’s Challenge”: Clay Young, Boise State BA and MBA graduate

On Friday April 17th from 12 noon to 1:00 PM, Clay Young, co-founder and CEO of Inovus Solar, will talk about the challenges of starting and managing a high-tech company. Mr. Young has worked with Hewlett-Packard, Extended Systems, and co-founded ProClarity, which was acquired by Mircosoft.

All students and community members are welcome to attend and there is no charge for admission.

For more information contact Kent Neupert, kneupert@boisestate.edu, 426-2397 or visit BoiseStateEntrepreneurs.org

The Boise State Human Resource Association (HRA) hosted the Pacific West Human Resource Collegiate Competition and Conference that occurred April 3-4 on campus. This regional competition associated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) featured games that test knowledge of human resource management.

A Boise State team of Jacob Donahoo, Rachel Alverson, and Heleena Burton finished third and another team of Andrea Buss, Alexandra Alvarez, and Jennifer Wolf finished fifth of nine teams. Megan Stradley was an alternate. Decateur Reed, adjunct faculty in the Boise State Management Department, was the coach. James Pendergrass, President of the HRA headed the conference organization effort.

California State Stanislaus won the competition by defeating last year’s champs Fresno State in the finals. University of Nevada Reno won the Collegiality Award. Universities attending include California State Stanislaus, Nevada-Reno, Fresno State, Hawaii, San Jose State, Western Washington, Idaho State, and Boise State.

Team Members and Coaches Pictured (left to right):

Front Row : Rachel Alverson (in orange), Angela Knassis (in black), Megan Stradley, Jennifer Wolf

Back Row: Decateur Reed (coach), Ryan Wilkins, Jake Donahoo, Alexandra Alvarez, Andrea Buss, Heleena Burton, James Wanek (advisor), Gundars Kaupins (advisor), James Pendergrass (HRA President)

Slideshow from HR Games

Denise English, chair and professor of accountancy, is a member of the American Accounting Association’s (AAA) national committee to select the 2009 recipient of the AAA’s “Innovation in Accounting Education” award. The committee is reviewing 30 nominations this spring and will select the recipient and present the award at the AAA’s national meeting in August in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Rick Vycital, regional director for the Idaho Small Business Development Center, and Kent Neupert, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business and Economics, were featured prominently in a front-page and page 6A story in the April 1 Idaho Statesman about starting a business.