College of Business News

The Fall Orser Speakers Forum will host Ian B. Davidson, chairman of Davidson Companies and Davidson & Co. This free event will take place on Wednesday, October 6 from 4:10-5:00 p.m., in the Procrastinator Theater on the MSU Campus (Strand Union Building).

A forward-thinking vision and strong commitment to western values has allowed the Montana-based company to survive and thrive for 75 years in a fiercely competitive industry, through good times and bad. Davidson, who has been with the company for 52 years, joined the firm as its third employee in 1958, working alongside his father. He served, from June 1986 to January 2000, as president and chief executive officer of Davidson Companies. He was president of D.A. Davidson & Co. from 1969 to 1983 and served as CEO from 1970 to January 1998.

The Davidson Companies and D.A. Davidson & Co. are significant supporters of education. In October 2010, Davidson and Montana State University’s College of Business will celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Student Investment Program, created by Ian Davidson. D.A. Davidson & Co. is proud that MSU was the first college to initiate this successful program, providing the groundwork for other universities to join in the hands-on learning experience for students. The program now reaches students attending 19 colleges in the West and, as of this year, also in the Midwest. Davidson will share his belief in this partnership and how this program will assist today’s students by offering them real-world financial investment experience, helping them understand the ups and downs of the market.

About the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum

The David Orser Executive Speakers Forum brings accomplished and inspiring professionals to MSU’s College of Business to deliver large, open-forum lectures and to share their expertise and experience with students in the classroom. David B. Orser, a 1966 MSU graduate, began funding the program in 1988 to inspire MSU business students to pursue careers as innovative, responsible and ethical business leaders.

For further information about the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum, please contact Audrey Lee at 406-994-7026 or e-mail: audrey.lee@montana.edu.

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The 9^th annual College of Business (CoB) Classic Open Benefit Golf Tournament took place on Friday, September 17 at Bozeman’s Riverside Country Club. Even with a bit of rain and misty conditions, participants were able to play 18 holes of golf, network and have a chance to outbid each other during the silent auction.

As with past tournaments, the event began with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Players had opportunities to win prizes at the longest drive holes and closest to the pin holes throughout the day. The weather was wet and cool but there were many smiles among the players, high fives and even a chest bump after one of the players made a very long putt.

The betting hole was staffed by the Finance Club and Beta Alpha Psi/Accounting Club. Monies raised at the betting hole went directly back to the clubs for club events, competitions and special projects. Adam Wrightson was this year’s betting hole winner.

After each team finished and each score was posted, players anxiously waited for the last teams to finish so they could find out who had won the prestigious traveling crystal trophy. This year, the team sponsored by Dotty’s, comprised of Scott Eide, Dusty Fasbender, Eric Murphy and Adam Wrightson, were the 1^st place winners with the lowest gross score. Team members’ names were etched into the base of the trophy and they have the distinct honor of showcasing the trophy at their place of business.

Overall, the tournament was a fun event where CoB alumni and friends spent the day golfing while supporting CoB students. The funds raised through the tournament go toward student programs and scholarships. Last year, CoB students, Tyson Johnson, Tonia McCarmish and Kate Oswald, were awarded the 2009 “Friends of the Classic Open Benefit Golf Tournament” scholarships, which were presented at the April 2010 awards banquet.

It is with the support of our event sponsors, players and silent auction donors that the CoB is able to continue providing excellent business education. We would like to give a special thanks to First Interstate Bank as the Mulligans sponsor, and Mountain West Bank and Old Chicago as the Cart Fleet Sponsors. We would also like to acknowledge our tee box sponsors: MSU Alumni Association, RightNow Technologies, East Main Liquor, the Montana Rib & Chop House, KPMG, LLC and American Federal Savings Bank.

Next year’s event is tentatively slated for Friday, September 16. Contact Audrey Lee at audrey.lee@montana.edu for more information or see the CoB website.

Tournament Winners:

Gross 1^st Place: Scott Eide, Dusty Fasbender, Eric Murphy and Adam Wrightson (Dotty’s)

Gross 2^nd Place: Brady Meltzer, Gary Bloomer, Devin Gray and Tory Atkins (RightNow Technologies)

Gross 3^rd Place: Rob Rouse, Travis Cottom, Graver Johnson and Mathew Blades (Mountain West Bank)

Net 1^st Place: Jeff Weedin, Brandon VanCleeve, Rhett Nemelka and Ryan Mikkola

Net 2^nd Place: Steve Wheeler, Les Mahon, Norm Millikin and Doug Lanphear (First Interstate Bank)

Net 3^rd Place: Tom Sather, Ed Brandt, Sean Gallinger and Tyler Wiltgen

Longest Drive (Men 0-20): Scott Eide

Longest Drive (Men 21+): Barry Jeide

Longest Drive (Women 25+): Julie Kostelecky

Closest to the Pin (Men): Rich Semenik

Closest to the Pin (Women): Jackie Sather

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Businesses from Billings, Bozeman, Fairfield, Great Falls and Havre are the winners of the 2010 Montana Family Business awards. The businesses, which ranged in size from fewer than 10 employees to more than 50, will receive their awards at the 2010 Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Day, set for Friday, Sept. 24, at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman.

The 2010 top family businesses in Montana are: TwoMedicine Health & Financial Fitness of Bozeman in the very small business category (fewer than 10 employees); Red Rock Power, Inc. of Havre in the small business category (10 to 30 employees); Montana Merchandising, Inc. of Great Falls, in the medium business category (30-50 employees); BioScience Laboratories, Inc. of Bozeman, in the large business category (more than 50 employees); Teton Banks of Fairfield in the old business category (at least 50 years); and Agri-Best Feeds, Inc. of Billings in the new business category (operating 10 years or less).

In order to support and honor Montana family businesses, the Montana State University College of Business in Bozeman, supported by generous contributions, is hosting a keynote luncheon prior to the 2010 Family Business Awards ceremony on Friday, September 24, 2010.

This year’s keynote speaker is Kathy Stark, co-founder of Starky’s Authentic Americana. Her presentation “Back from the Blast: Comeback Strategies for Success” will tell how their small family restaurant has seen tragedy and success. She will touch on the challenges they faced, and the comeback strategies they put into place, as well as the importance of their unique mission statement, which has helped Starky’s re-emerge as a leading restaurant in downtown Bozeman. Attendees can look forward to an interesting and educational session.

The cost for the keynote luncheon is $20, and registration is required. For more information or to make a reservation, call Karen Beach at 994-6796 or e-mail familybusiness@montana.edu.

The MSU College of Business would like to thank State Farm Insurance for its continued support in honor of Robert Jaedicke, Stockman Bank, for underwriting the awards, and additional program support from the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

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