College of Business News

At the 2011 Scholarship Banquet, the College of Business (CoB) gave more than 120 scholarships and awards for students majoring in business options for the 2011-2012 academic year—one of the highest numbers ever. The scholarships, announced Monday, April 18 at the banquet, were provided through endowments and funds set up to specifically grant financial aid to students enrolled in the CoB. Around 267 people, including family and friends, attended the event.

Linda Reynolds, a 1971 Montana State University (MSU) graduate, was the keynote speaker for the event. She talked about seven life lessons learned that she wished to pass on to the scholarship and award recipients. These lessons were:

1. No matter what you are doing, do your best. Make it a challenge to excel.
2. Look for the opportunity to make a positive impact.
3. Skills and knowledge are transferable.
4. If you don’t know what you really want to do, then “What” is not the issue. Just pick an industry with lots of room for advancement.
5. There is no such thing as failure: You either get what you want or you get more information.
6. Find the type of work that challenges you. In other words, “Choose work that forces you to grow—to use more of yourself.”
7. You can leverage the use of your time and talents by a third T: Treasure. Save some money along the way.

Reynolds delved more into the importance of “Time, Talent and Treasure” and how various people have donated their “treasure” to allow the student recipients to leverage their time and their talent while at MSU. As a scholarship recipient herself, she encouraged everyone to think about how they can apply their time, talents and treasure to make an impact on others. “Invest your treasure to give someone else the opportunity to succeed, like you were given. You can have an impact, change a life and maybe change the world. And you may find that one of the biggest impacts is the joy you feel by helping someone else!”

If you would like more information about CoB scholarships, please contact Halina Rickman at hrickman@montana.edu or 406-994-4423.

Scholarship recipients and the type of scholarship/awards received were:

In-State Recipients
Nicholas Axeline, Billings - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Gabrialle Berthelson, Browning - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship, Grace Rosness Memorial Scholarship
Cory Brester, Laurel - John T. Cadby & George Bennett Scholarship
Dezarae Brewington, Judith Gap - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Jennifer Brien, Somers - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Emily Bumgarner, Belt - Elizabeth Seitz-Moyer Memorial Scholarship
Jennifer Cooley, Jordan - Frank Preston Scholarship
Brooks Demaree, Gardiner - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Jocelyn Drange, Big Timber - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Patrick Franqui, Billings - Junkermier, Clark, Campanella, Stevens Scholarship
Morena Garcia, Bozeman - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Skylar Hager, Bozeman - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship, Jake Jabs Scholarship
Dane Hancock, Medicine Lake - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Andrew Helder, Kalispell - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Loretta Hemingway, Kalispell - Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. Scholarship, David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Michael Hines, Plains - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Alyssa Hjelvik, Melstone - J & H Office Supply Scholarship
Aimee Hokanson, Bozeman - Howard Kelsey Memorial Scholarship
Samantha Holzwarth, Colstrip - American Bank/Carolyn Erickson Finance Scholarship
Angelica Hould, Malta - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Lauren Jackson, Bozeman - KPMG LLP Scholarship
Hannah Jerome, Helena - Donald W. Bullock Memorial Scholarship, David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
David Johannessen, Bozeman - Farmer Anderson Memorial Scholarship, David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship, Armistead International Study Fellowship, Gary K. Bracken International Study Fellowship
Afton Johnsen, Bozeman - D. A. Davidson & Co. Scholarship, Jake Jabs Scholarship
Amanda Johnson, Sidney - U.S. Bank Scholarship
Kayla Jorgensen, Manhattan - Galusha, Higgins & Galusha Scholarship
Arnold Kleinsasser, Manhattan - Gary K. Bracken Professionalism Award
Shawn Knutzen, Basin - John W. Blankenhorn Scholarship
Marci Kolar, Belt - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Collette Krantz, Kalispell - Big Sky Association of CFE Scholarship
Desirae Lindquist, Corvallis - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Tonia McCamish, Baker - Joseph Eve CPAs Scholarship
Matthew McKee, Bozeman - Harlan F. Patterson Scholarship
Katie Michunovich, Lauel - Deloitte Scholarship
Whitney Milos, Great Falls - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Steven Moodie, Lewistown - Parent Family Association Scholarship
Nate Mooney, Dillon - Russell B. Hart Memorial Scholarship, Jake Jabs Scholarship
Daniel Mouw, Manhattan - Harlan F. Patterson Scholarship
Sophie Mumford, Bozeman - Gil Crain Memorial Scholarship, David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Lynnea Nelson, Helena - Jake Jabs Scholarship, Harlan F. Patterson Scholarship
Derek Nickelson, Bozeman - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Michael Nylund, Bozeman - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Austin Patritti, Whitehall - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Jamie Pearce, Bozeman - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Erin Pezoldt, Columbus -KPMG LLP Scholarship
Hannah Pimley, Joplin - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Avram Pitter, Helena - Gary K. Bracken International Study Fellowship
Randi Regli, Lewistown - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Celina Reno, Billings - Deloitte Scholarship
Kaci Shea, Ennis - Donald W. Bullock Memorial Scholarship
Alyssa Sipes, Park City - Scott Miller Accounting Scholarship
Katherine Snapp, Billings - Jake Jabs Scholarship, David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship, Gary K. Bracken International Study Fellowship, Harrington Bottling Co. Student Mentorship Scholarship
Josh Stevens, Bozeman - David & Tanya Cameron Scholarship
Caitlin Sundborg, Kalispell - Mary Elizabeth McClure Memorial Scholarship
Jay Trotter, Richey - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Dmitry Trubachenkov, Butte - Elizabeth Seitz-Moyer Memorial Scholarship
Kali Vergeront, Polson - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Gavin Voeller, Cut Bank - Elizabeth Seitz-Moyer Memorial Scholarship
Amanda Wadsworth, Helena - Robert Simkins Memorial Scholarship
Mitchell Wallace, Billings - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Courtney Wendland, Rudyard - Montana Society of CPAs Scholarship
Tanner Willis, Joliet - Jeanne & Harold Roby Scholarship, Neil Klusman Memorial Scholarship
Breana Wolery, Inverness - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Molly Zander, Great Falls - Frank Preston Scholarship, Jake Jabs Scholarship
Justin Zarecor, Stanford - Jake Jabs Scholarship, David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship

Out-of-State Recipients
Anna Adolphson, Corvallis, OR - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
John Benton, Grand Junction, CO - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Ryan Bovy, Maple Grove, MN - Amy H. Pound Memorial Scholarship
Elise Canevascini, Clayton, CA - Gary K. Bracken Student Scholarship
Brian Delaurenti, Idaho Falls, ID - Gary K. Bracken Student Scholarship
Leigh Enselman, Woodinville, WA - Gary K. Bracken International Study Fellowship
Zori Fossum, Yakima, WA - Jim Alderson Entrepreneur Scholarship
Alex Garbo, Jackson, MS - Jim Alderson Entrepreneur Scholarship
Daniel Keslin, Meredith, NH - Eide Bailly LLP Scholarship
Jack Kost, Excelsior, MN - American Bank/Carolyn Erickson Finance Scholarship
Jodie Kunesh, Chetek, WI - Junkermier, Clark, Campanella, Stevens Scholarship
Lana Lynass, Rapid City, SD - CoB National Advisory Board of Advisors Scholarship
Samantha Mahlen, Williston, ND - David & Dorothy Patterson Scholarship
Katie Padula, Colorado Springs, CO - Women’s Circle of Excellence Scholarship
Samuel Pehl, Belle Fourche, SD - American Bank/Carolyn Erickson Finance Scholarship
Bradley Penoyer, Fort Collins, CO - Montana Bankers Association – 25 year Club Scholarship
Kevin Peterson, Valentine, NE - Mike Bowen Memorial Scholarship
Jeremiah Prummer, Sandpoint, ID - Jake Jabs Scholarship
Haley Reutimann, Edmonds, WA - American Bank/Carolyn Erickson Finance Scholarship
Heather Ridley, Burnsville, MN - Harvey A. Larson Scholarship, Jake Jabs Scholarship
Ben Scott, Lingle, WY - Gary K. Bracken Student Scholarship, Jake Jabs Scholarship
Brooke Seagars, Anchorage, AL - Friends of the Open Classic Golf Tournament Scholarship
Kaitlin Spokas, Ontario, OR - Boeing Business Scholarship
Danielle Taurman, Dolores, CO - Mary Frances Bennett Memorial Scholarship
Hannah Taylor, Bellingham, WA - Gary K. Bracken International Study Fellowship
Justin Tribitt, Minot, ND - American Bank/Carolyn Erickson Finance Scholarship
Renee Waterland, Vale, SD - Jake Jabs Scholarship

International Recipients
Tracie Colter, Palmerston North, New Zealand - Jerry D. Trainer Scholarship
Gargi Jagtap, Pune, India - Friends of the Open Classic Golf Tournament Scholarship
Rajeev Modi, Kolkata, India - American Bank/Carolyn Erickson Finance Scholarship
Mariko Shimada, Kumamoto, Japan - Elizabeth Seitz-Moyer Memorial Scholarship

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The Montana State University (MSU) Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Club has had a record year of projects and recently competed in the Atlanta Regional Competition, earning first runner up in their league.

Each year the MSU SIFE Club works hard to put on events that focus on each of SIFE’s categories (market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, environmental sustainability and business ethics) in order to qualify for the regional competition. The team is then judged on their presentation of these events and how successfully the teams developed and executed a strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of their team and educational programs.

This year, the SIFE Club focused in on sustainability within the community. The students put on three large scale outreach projects to help increase economic growth in Bozeman and worked with Big Sky Skydiving, the local Economic Development Council, and Family Promise.

Each of the groups that SIFE worked with had varying needs. Students worked with Big Sky Skydiving, a start-up skydiving company, on a marketing strategy. In just three months, there was an estimated an increase in revenue of 250%.

SIFE then took part in organizing Bozeman’s very first economic summit, with renowned author Dan Ripke as their guest speaker. He brought the concept of economic gardening, an entrepreneurial alternative to the traditional economic development practice of recruiting industries, into Bozeman. A round table discussion with Bozeman business owners followed Ripke’s talk. The SIFE team helped draft and analyze the discussion questions for this event.

Participating in Lowe’s Community Improvement Challenge, the SIFE Club received a grant that allowed them to purchase new carpet and energy efficient appliances for Family Promise. Family Promise of Gallatin Valley is a nonprofit organization that helps local homeless families with children. This local organization is based on the national Family Promise structure and is over 80% successful in getting families into stable housing and effective employment. The SIFE students spent time volunteering for Family Promise as meal hosts and helped plan life skills workshops. These workshops give families the skills needed to get back into the workforce.

After completing these major projects and keeping up on seven on-going club projects, the SIFE team entered the Atlanta Regional Competition in April. The team consisted of eight members from the club: Elliot Rueb, Jamie Pearce, Skyler Hager, Zach Curtis, Justin Zarcor, Allison Hunthausen, Katherine Snapp and Kaley Bjornsen. Gary Bishop, adjunct instructor of management and the SIFE Club advisor, also attended the competition and was a valuable asset to the team.

The club reported their accomplishments for this year in a 24 minute presentation to a panel of 15 judges and a conference room full of spectators. The MSU SIFE team was the first runner-up in their league, competing against larger schools including Kentucky State University (Frankfort, KY), D’Youville College (Buffalo, NY) and the University of Georgia (Athens, GA). This is the highest ranking MSU has earned at a regional competition since the club was started. Overall, 62 teams from across the United States participated at this regional competition. The team was very excited to bring home a trophy and increase awareness for the MSU SIFE Club.

Elliot Rueb, president of the MSU SIFE Club was thrilled with the competition results. “This year’s SIFE club has been exceptional. Without all the effort put forth by all of its members, we would not have been this successful. We grew from five members in the club to 25 throughout the course of a semester. With this growth, we were able to compete with large schools like the University of Georgia and Auburn. It was a very rewarding experience and I couldn’t be more proud to finally bring home a trophy to show off after being with MSU SIFE for three years. We can only grow from here and hopefully improve again next year and make it to the world cup.”

Gary Bishop was also very pleased with the outcome. “This was a hard working student team, whose focus was doing the very best they could. These eight students were all totally dedicated to making as good a showing as possible in faraway Atlanta, Georgia, for Montana State University. I was very proud of their achievement, bringing back to the school a trophy for ‘First Runner-up’ in their league. They truly deserved it!”

About SIFE
SIFE, an international non-profit organization, works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Participating students form teams on their university campuses and apply business concepts to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a forum for teams to present the results of their projects, and to be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges. National champion teams advance to the prestigious SIFE World Cup. In addition to the community aspect of the program, SIFE’s leadership and career initiatives create meaningful opportunities for learning and exchange among the participants as well as the placement of students and alumni with companies in search of emerging talent.

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The Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) team, comprised of four Montana State University (MSU) College of Business (CoB) students: Daniel Jensen, Garret Shaw, Jodie Kunesh and Anna Adolphson, traveled to Salt Lake City on March 26 for the annual BAP Regional Conference.

They participated in the “Best Practices Competition” and chose the topic of “Innovate: The Accountant’s Role in a Changing Business Environment.” The following is the challenge as presented to the students for the competition topic:

To encourage chapters to identify and explore innovative ideas. One of the many “lessons learned” from the recent downturn in the economy is that going back to the way things used to be done is not going to be the “norm” anymore. For example, the transportation industry is being charged with creating new engineering methods to make travel more efficient (high speed rail, more eco-friendly cars, etc.). Businesses are relying more on social media and other technological advances such as teleconferencing to conduct business to reduce travel costs or increase time utilization. The landscape is also changing in professional service firms as they face the challenge of how to successfully integrate the new generation of professionals. What role can accounting and BAP play in the changes?

Shaw, one of the accounting students on the team, believes the accounting program prepared them well for the problem presented. “Since our presentation topic was on the implementation of an educational resource for the implementation of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to International Financial Reporting Standards, the accounting program prepared us for our presentation because it is emphasized to us that reporting standards will change in the near future and is one of the most important issues in the accounting industry today.”

Jensen agreed. “This is an important topic for today’s business professionals in order to keep up with a globalized economy and in order to comply with legal and regulatory standards in future years.”

Shaw felt that this experience was very valuable and the students were able to take away a lot from the trip. “I enjoyed the opportunity to meet students from other universities and seeing the different styles of leadership each chapter had and believe the regional conference is a great opportunity for incoming officers to gain enthusiasm and understanding of their roles for the upcoming year. The competition added value to our professionalism because we prepared to present to professionals in the accounting industry and it was another opportunity get more comfortable with public speaking.”

With the contributions of the Alderson family going towards students participating in these competitions, the CoB students have been able to compete against other universities which provide experience and a confidence about their business education and knowledge here at MSU.

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The Project Management Institute (PMI) presents “Careers in Project Management” a short presentation on how to pursue careers in this area. Also, learn more about the certification process to become a project manager. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, April 13 at 5:10 pm in Reid Hall 401.

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Recently, three College of Business (CoB) students: Tyson Johnson, Andrew Kaiser and Kristian Miller, traveled to Spokane to compete in the CFA Society of Spokane Investment Research Challenge. This is the first year that MSU has been represented at this competition. The team of students placed 2^nd out of 5 university teams. WSU edged out the MSU team in the final standings but the other teams were made up mainly, if not all of MBA students. Other participating schools were Washington State University (WSU), Gonzaga, Eastern Washington University and Whitworth. The team, coached by Peter Rubicam, adjunct instructor of finance, and Eric Flynn, alumnus with Bitterroot Capital Advisors, LLC, spent four weeks preparing an analysis of one company for the competition. They were judged on a written paper and presentation.

Eric Flynn said that the students represented MSU with poise and a high level of knowledge. “I know they will be right back at the top in next year’s challenge!” Rubicam agreed, “Our team did a fantastic job on their presentation, and deftly handled a challenging Q&A session with the judges.

A group of Beta Alpha Psi students also recently placed 2^nd in the 2011 Regional Best Practices Competition in Salt Lake City. The event was sponsored by Deloitte LLP and the topic was “Innovate: The accountant’s role in a changing business environment.”

The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) will be soon leaving for Atlanta to compete in their regional competition and the College of Business wishes them the best of luck.

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