Monday, November 7, 2016

High school students come to UT COBI for Accounting Career Day; COBI students learn from sponsor of the Alan Barry Accounting Lab


The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation hosted The Ohio Society of CPAs Accounting Career Day on October 28.

Students from throughout Northwest Ohio learned about opportunities in accounting; what they can do with an accounting degree; what it really means to be a CPA; heard college accounting majors about a day in the life of a college accounting student; and heard several professional accountants discuss their work experiences and more.






The day before the high school program, COBI students had the opportunity to learn from Alan Barry, who spoke with accounting students in their classroom.  Barry is a UT COBI alum and donor who made the Alan Barry Accounting Lab possible. Barry was the former president and chief operating officer of Masco Corporation, retiring in 2008 after more than 35 years with the company.




"As an accounting grad, it's always nice to look for ways to help students who are like I was," Mr. Barry said. "This Lab is something that will be used by many students, and because I was already involved with the College of Business, it just made sense to support it."

"The Alan Barry Accounting Lab is one of the things that we can do for business students that is not done elsewhere," COBI Dean Gary Insch said. "We are a business school, and we have business professionals who can help us. Furthermore, the establishment of the Lab again demonstrates the College's continuing vibrant relationship with the regional business community."

"The purpose of the Alan Barry Accounting Lab is to enhance the accounting students' learning experience and also to provide a wide array of services to both accounting students and area residents," noted Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby, chair, COBI department of accounting.

"For students, the Lab provides one-on-one tutoring services, assistance with writing projects, and the most advanced accounting simulation software to help students improve their understanding of important accounting concepts," HassabElnaby explained. "It holds the review material for the very important and demanding certified public accountant (CPA) exam, and is a resource for COBI accounting professional organizations, such as Beta Alpha Psi."

Friday, September 23, 2016

COBI’s Student Managed Portfolio to celebrate 10th anniversary


The UT College of Business and Innovation will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Student Managed Portfolio class during the 2016 Homecoming.

The Student Managed Portfolio (SMP) course provides students with active portfolio management training utilizing an endowed portfolio. In this hands-on learning experience consistent with the university’s goals of experiential learning, students use state-of-the-art Bloomberg terminals in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff Trading Room. The UT Foundation Investment Committee exercises its fiduciary obligation to oversee and question the SMP student managers and analysts on their performance and investment process. 

SMP was proposed by COBI Dean Thomas Gutteridge to the UT Foundation in 2005 and was established in August 2006 with $1 million of UT Foundation funds, with the first quarterly presentation to the University of Toledo Foundation Investment Committee in November, 2006.  

The investment fund is currently worth approximately $1.7 million.

Student Portfolio Managers apply equity selection analysis and portfolio risk analytics, with fiduciary responsibilities. The Student Managed Portfolio invests in large-cap domestic securities within the Russell 1000 Value Index investors using “bottom-up” fundamental analysis in the style of John Neff. Mr. Neff is an alumnus of the UT College of Business and a generous benefactor of the college, which has named the Neff Department of Finance and the Neff Trading Room in honor of John B. and Lillian Neff.

Neff Trading Room
“We look primarily at stocks with relatively low Price/Earnings and Price/Book ratios, strong dividend yield, superior relationship of total return to Price/Earnings paid, solid financial statements, and strong long term growth prospects, among other factors,” noted Dr. Ozcan Sezer, Chair of the COBI Finance Department. “The fund's Investment Policy Statement (IPS) outlines the parameters that we must adhere to.”

The 10 Year Reunion of the Student Managed Portfolio (SMP) program will take place on Saturday, October 15 in Libbey Hall immediately following the Homecoming football game, at approximately 6:30 p.m. with heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

The cost is $65 per person, of which $25 is tax deductible as a contribution to the SMP Fund.

Guests at the celebration will include:
Gene Collins, ('68, '71), Executive in Residence in Finance (retired); Dr. Gary Insch, Dean of the College of Business and Innovation; Dr. Ozcan Sezer, Chair of the John B. and Lillian E. Neff Department of Finance; Dr. Marc Simpson, John B. and Lillian E. Neff Endowed Chair in Finance; Dr. Gary Moore, and Dr. Linda E. Boyer (retired).

“We are excited to have the opportunity to gather to share UT memories and reconnect with fellow SMP alums,” Dr. Sezer said.   “Many students know their classmates. However, we want to use the 10-year celebration so each SMP alum will get to know their fellow SMP alumni from different years for stronger relationships and an enhanced sense of pride.”

“The Student Managed Portfolio class has helped tremendously in my career,” noted Steven R. Plummer, Principal,  The Trust Company.  “The incredible knowledge and experience gained from the class gave me a head start in regards to a career as an investment analyst and portfolio manager. Employers always commented that they wish such a class existed when they went to college.”

As for the future, Dr. Sezer explained that “We’re considering a major renovation of the trading room. Also, we are going to accept students who will begin in both the spring and fall semesters who are willing to manage the portfolio for two consecutive semesters, as opposed to students who only begin in the fall semester, as it has been structured.”

Individuals who are interested in attending the 10 Year SMP Reunion can register online here: https://www.utfoundation.org/foundation/home/Events_Alumni.aspx 

Two COBI alumni to be honored during UT’s Homecoming gala


During The University of Toledo’s 2016 Homecoming Gala, William Carroll (Class of 1969) will receive the College of Business and Innovation Outstanding Alumnus Award.
Additionally, Robert A. Bleile (COBI Classes of 2004 and 2010) will receive the Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Award.

William Carroll

Rob and Ala Bleile

Carroll is CEO at Limo-Reid Technologies, a Toledo-based automotive company, since 2009. Prior to that he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Dana Corporation, and served on the Board of Directors of Graco, Inc. Carroll also serves as Chair of the Business Engagement and Leadership Council of the UT College of Business and Innovation, and was the 2012 recipient of the college’s prestigious Business Pacemaker Award.

“As a UT College of Business alumnus and Chair of the UT COBI Business Engagement and Leadership Council (BELC), Mr. Carroll continues to display his deep personal commitment to the College of Business and Innovation and its important activities within the business community,” noted COBI Dean Gary Insch. “Mr. Carroll’s highly successful career, community involvement and outstanding integrity and leadership in the regional business arena make him the ideal business professional to receive this year’s Outstanding Alumnus Award.”

Mr. Carroll, a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve for six years, obtained his bachelor’s degree in accounting at UT and completed an advanced management program at Harvard Business School. Beginning in 1987, he held several key positions at Dana Corporation, including President of the Automotive Systems Group from 1997 to 2004, and President and Chief Operating Officer from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Carroll also has been Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Toledo, Chairman of the Lucas County Port Authority, and a member of the Toledo-Lucas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bleile is a two-time grad of the UT College of Business and Innovation, having obtained both his bachelor's and Executive MBA there, and is a past president of the COBI Alumni Affiliate. He is co-founder of Shopmetrics and president of American Timber and Steel. A recent profile of Bleile published in Rocket Business News can be found here.http://rocketbusinessnews.blogspot.com/2015/09/two-time-cobi-grad-focused-on-giving.html

“Rob has already been of tremendous service to the College of Business through his commitment to the Alumni Association,” Dean Insch said, “and we are proud of the fact that he obtained both his bachelors and Executive MBA here.  We congratulate him for receiving the Outstanding Young Alum award and look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship.”

The 2016 Homecoming theme is Rocky's 50th Birthday, Celebrating 50 Years of Rocky. Ticket information for the event can be found here. 



Love of travel leads COBI student to learn language and business in Spain


Krista Wellman, an international business and marketing major in the UT College of Business and Innovation, likes to travel.


“100%, it is my favorite hobby,” she said.


So when she had the opportunity to combine her favorite hobby with completing work for multiple courses, she did just that….and spent nearly six months in Spain earlier this year.

Krista Wellman





“Going to Spain was a no-brainer for me,” Wellman said. “It was beneficial to me in multiple ways, such as finishing course work there for business and Spanish courses, learning more about different cultures, and traveling to six different countries, all for a respectable price.”


“In the process,” she added, “as an international business student I finished my foreign language requirement and took two junior level business courses. Going to Spain to finish my foreign language was helpful to me because, instead of going to classes and then never using it out side of the classroom, I was living and breathing the Spanish lifestyle and language.”


Wellman said “I chose international business and marketing at The University of Toledo College of Business because I enjoy learning about other cultures and the way they handle business. I chose to do a double major because it makes me more marketable and versatile while looking for jobs, especially since there are so many paths you can take with marketing.”


“My most memorable moments in Spain were sitting in these little coffee shops with my friends,” Wellman recalled.  “We would people watch and we quickly learned that the Spanish lifestyle was very different from America. They really did have siestas where everything would close from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., except the restaurants. The lifestyle was very slow-paced.”  


For someone who loves travel, it was not surprising that Wellman took advantage of the opportunity while in Europe to visit some other countries. “When I was studying abroad I went to Italy, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, London, and Ireland.”


She also fondly remembers other international travel she had taken. “I have been to Honduras on a mission trip in December, 2013, which was a life changing experience for me, because I had never been out of the country before.”


“Studying abroad was super beneficial to me because I can now say I have lived in another culture and I can talk to future employers about how I have adapted in certain situations,” Wellman observed. “After graduation I would love to move and live in California for a couple years. I want to work for an international clothing store and travel and represent them, either in marketing or sales.”


So it is not surprising that Wellman would recommend international travel to other students who have the interest to do so.


“Studying abroad is an experience you can’t explain in enough words,” she said. “It is honestly indescribable. There were times where it wasn’t easy and fun, but it is by far the most amazing and unforgettable experience. It really opened my eyes to the different ways of life, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”  



FUBU founder and Shark Tank star Daymond John to speak at UT on Oct. 18


Daymond John, CEO and founder of FUBU and star of the popular television show Shark Tank, will be speaking at The University of Toledo on Tuesday, October 18 at 7 p.m. in Nitschke Auditorium. The presentation is free, but tickets are required.

Daymond John
The presentation is part of the Jesup Scott Honors College Distinguished Lecture Series, which promotes intellectual discourse and academic inquiry at The University of Toledo, sharing the innovative ideas of movers and shakers who are anything but traditional. 

An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his operation into the basement. John is CEO and Founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, and has received over 35 awards including the Brandweek Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, and Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

His marketing strategies and ability to build successful brands has made him a highly influential consultant and motivational speaker. His marketing firm Shark Branding offers advice on how to effectively communicate to consumers through innovative means and connects brands with the world’s top celebrities for everything from endorsements to product extensions. 

John is also an author of two best-selling books Display of Power and The Brand Within. In 2009, he joined the cast of ABC entrepreneurial business show the Shark Tank by acclaimed producer Mark Burnett. Millions of weekly viewers tune into the show as John demonstrates his marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights.

For additional information call 419.530.2738. To obtain tickets to John’s presentation, click here.

COBI Faculty publications and recognitions


Marcelo Alvarado-Vargas, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Management, had a paper accepted for publication in the Journal of International Business Studies, which COBI Dean Gary Insch called “the top journal in the international field.”
Hermans, M., Newburry, W., Alvarado-Vargas, M.J., Olivas-Lujan, M., Borda, A., Baldo-Ortiz, C., Duran-Zurita, E., Geleilate, J.M., Guerra, M., Lasio-Morello, M.V., Madero, S. & Zwerg-Villegas, A.M. Attitudes towards women’s career advancement in Latin America: The moderating impact of company international proactiveness. Journal of International Business Studies. (forthcoming).
  
_________________________________________________________

Dean Insch announced the recipient of the inaugural COBI David B. Snow and Mark W. Stout Teaching Fellowship, as well as the recipient of the Brooks Insurance Research Fellowship for 2015-2017.
David B. Snow and Mark W. Stout Teaching Fellowship ---- Dr. Michael Mallin
Brooks Insurance Research Fellowship ---- Dr. Yue Zhang
Dr. Mallin and Dr. Zhang join the John Neff Research Fellows  Dr. Kainan Wang, Dr. Doina Chichernea, and Dr. Alex Petkevich of the Finance department as awardees in this cycle.

UT President Gaber to speak at COBI, BGSU Women in Leadership conference


The Bowling Green State University College of Business and The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation are presenting a Women in Leadership conference entitled CREATING AND PURSUING PATHWAYS FOR PROMOTION on Friday, October 21, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Levis Commons, Perrysburg.

The first session will feature BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey, Ph.D., and University of Toledo President Sharon Gaber, Ph.D., share opportunities and obstacles faced throughout their career journeys. Christine Brennan, USA Today, will serve as moderator.

UT President Dr. Sharon Gaber
Dr. Sharon L. Gaber began her tenure as the 17th president of The University of Toledo in July 2015. A city and regional planning expert, Gaber came to the UT presidency following six years as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas.

At UT, President Gaber is focused on elevating the national stature of one of the country’s most comprehensive institutions of higher education through increases in externally funded research, student enrollment and graduation rates, philanthropic support, and the recruitment of leading academic and clinical faculty.

Dr. Mazey became the 11th president of Bowling Green State University in 2011. Prior to assuming the presidency, she served as Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Auburn University, as Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University, and as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Wright State University. She had an Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment and served as Director of the Office of University Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The keynote presentation, “The Politics of Promotion:  How High Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead,” by Bonnie Marcus, certified executive coach, speaker, writer, self-promotion expert and author of "The Politics of Promotion:  How High Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead"

Additional presenters include:

Christine Brennan, USA Today writer and author of several books, including The Best Seat in the House.

Andrew Faas, speaker and author of The Bully’s Trap.

Sam Horn, The Intrigue Expert and author of numerous books including "Got Your Attention?  How to Create Intrigue and Connect with Anyone"

Panel of female business leaders from the region will share how they forged paths within their organizations and how their organizations created and supported pathways for women. Moderated by Christine Seiler, BGSU College of Business faculty member.

Dana Ullom-Vucelich, chief human resources and ethics officer, Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services

Sheri Caldwell, human resource director, The Grain Group, The Andersons

Meg Ressner, principal, Meg Ressner and Associates, LLC

Paula Russell, vice president of human resources, Composite Solutions Business, Owens Corning

More information about the conference can be found at women's leadership conference 

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

2016 freshman COBI students use Jump Start program to better prepare for college


Perhaps the best way to understand the value of UT COBI’s innovative Jump Start program is to see what some of the 2016 participants had to say about it:

“The Jump Start program is a fun time where you are given the chance to not only meet people in your major and eat some great free food,” said Jack Longenecker, “but also learn about some of the great future internship opportunities.”

Participant Kody Kuhlman said, “Jump Start was a very exciting, enjoyable and educational experience.”

“This program is a fantastic mix of fun, social activities to make people more comfortable around one another and professional opportunities to widen perspective on the world of business,” noted Trevor Cutway.

Rachel Boulton said, “It is a great experience to meet new people in your major before school starts. The program was totally free but we got to do cool stuff like go to SkyZone and visit Fortune 500 companies.”

“Jump Start has been awesome,” William Velez said.






During the week before fall, 2016 classes started at The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation, dozens of incoming freshmen jump started their college life through an innovative, free program designed to provide incoming business majors with a variety of activities focused on enhancing their chances for success.

Targeting academic and social skills, the primary goal is to help new students through the transition from high school to college. Jump Start began in 1997 and was made possible because of a gift from John & Lillian Neff.

"Participants are able to meet other first year students while experiencing a wide range of programming presented by UT faculty, staff, alumni and students, in addition to members of the greater Toledo community," explained program coordinator Darlene Stevens.

Some of the program activities included: touring Dana, Welltower, Owens Corning, Wilson Sporting Goods, attending a Mud Hens baseball game, visiting the Toledo Zoo, SkyZone, Sportway, participating in a campus scavenger hunt, meeting alumni and networking.

"Students with high school grade point averages ranging from 2.4 to 3.0 and ACT composite scores from 18 to 23 are ideally suited for the program however all applicants are considered," Stevens said.

“The Jump Start program literally puts one a jump ahead of people moving in a few days later,” Brandon Sauppe.

“You get to meet people that will be doing what you do. It’s great to get involved so quickly.”
Matthew Schroeder said it was “A great learning experience and a great way to meet new people.”

“Jump Start is a great program that allows me to have an insight on possible jobs for my future,” noted Alyssa Deiley.

Monday, August 22, 2016

COBI student remembered at candlelight vigil

A ceremony honoring was held on the UT campus on July 30 honoring COBI student Sierah Joughin, who died in July.  Joughin, 20, was entering her third year as a student in the College of Business and Innovation. She was a member of the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, which held an outdoor candlelight vigil following a ceremony honoring Joughin inside the Student Union Auditorium.  About 100 people gathered for the service.





New MBA students learn insights to success at orientation


UT COBI offers the largest and most preferred MBA program in the region. There is proven success in numbers, and The University of Toledo MBA program has them. There are approximately 300 MBA students enrolled, and they chose the University of Toledo MBA program for valid reasons.

Nearly 100 students are beginning their MBA studies at UT COBI this fall, and they attended a special orientation reception/program the week before the fall semester began, learning from faculty, advisors and staff resources available to them to enhance their success.











Why obtain your MBA at UT COBI?

Nationally Recognized - The Princeton Review calls UT COBI one of the best 300 MBA programs in the country (and there are thousands out there). We have also achieved membership in the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), an international association of business schools distinguished by their commitment to excellence in graduate management education, Our program is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) which represents one of the highest standards of achievement for business schools worldwide.

Flexibility - You can begin the program in Fall, Spring or Summer semester, and you can move through the program at your own pace. Many people work in a professional capacity while pursuing the degree on a part-time basis, while others pursue the degree as full-time graduate students.

The Most Sophisticated Environment - Most MBA classes are held in the new Savage & Associates Complex for Business Learning and Engagement. The new facility includes state-of-the-art fully networked classrooms, breakout rooms for study groups, a graduate student lounge, and conference rooms designed for students and local business professionals to interact. There are also innovative Learning Labs, such as the John & Lillian Neff Trading Room, which offers a cutting edge learning environment, where students manage a $1 million portfolio through live and delayed feeds to the New York Stock Exchange.

Connected with Business - The UT College of Business and Innovation consistently builds its relationships with area businesses, forming valuable partnerships to help this region serve today’s global economy, and consulting with businesses on issues critical to their success.

How can I join the UT MBA program? The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation is proud to offer two distinct formats for students pursuing their MBA. Please see the MBA and EMBA Format Comparison to see which format is the right fit for you. If you know the Executive MBA program is for you, click here: EMBA Program. Dual degree programs are also offered to provide the opportunity for graduate students to earn two graduate degrees.

Friday, August 19, 2016

2016 freshman COBI students use Jump Start program to better prepare for college


Perhaps the best way to understand the value of UT COBI’s innovative Jump Start program is to see what some of the 2016 participants had to say about it:

“The Jump Start program is a fun time where you are given the chance to not only meet people in your major and eat some great free food,” said Jack Longenecker, “but also learn about some of the great future internship opportunities.”

Participant Kody Kuhlman said, “Jump Start was a very exciting, enjoyable and educational experience.” 

“This program is a fantastic mix of fun, social activities to make people more comfortable around one another and professional opportunities to widen perspective on the world of business,” noted Trevor Cutway.

Rachel Boulton said, “It is a great experience to meet new people in your major before school starts. The program was totally free but we got to do cool stuff like go to SkyZone and visit Fortune 500 companies.”

“Jump Start has been awesome,” William Velez said.

During the week before fall, 2016 classes started at The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation, dozens of incoming freshmen jump started their college life through an innovative, free program designed to provide incoming business majors with a variety of activities focused on enhancing their chances for success.

Targeting academic and social skills, the primary goal is to help new students through the transition from high school to college. Jump Start began in 1997 and was made possible because of a gift from John & Lillian Neff.

"Participants are able to meet other first year students while experiencing a wide range of programming presented by UT faculty, staff, alumni and students, in addition to members of the greater Toledo community," explained program coordinator Darlene Stevens.

Some of the program activities included: touring Dana, Welltower, Owens Corning, Wilson Sporting Goods, attending a Mud Hens baseball game, visiting the Toledo Zoo, SkyZone, Sportway, participating in a campus scavenger hunt, meeting alumni and networking.

"Students with high school grade point averages ranging from 2.4 to 3.0 and ACT composite scores from 18 to 23 are ideally suited for the program however all applicants are considered," Stevens said.

“The Jump Start program literally puts one a jump ahead of people moving in a few days later,” Brandon Sauppe. “You get to meet people that will be doing what you do. It’s great to get involved so quickly.”

Matthew Schroeder said it was “A great learning experience and a great way to meet new people.”

“Jump Start is a great program that allows me to have an insight on possible jobs for my future,” noted Alyssa Deiley.

Monday, June 27, 2016

CPA Exam pass rates for UT COBI graduates exceed state and national averages


According to a recently released report (2015) from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), UT COBI graduates passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam at rates exceeding both state and national averages as indicated below. 
   
University
Percent Pass
University of Toledo
51.50%
Ohio Average
47.2%
National Average
49.80%

“CPA candidates from UT-COBI had a higher passing percentage than candidates from several Ohio schools, including Bowling Green State University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio University and the University of Cincinnati,” noted Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby, Chair, COBI Department of Accounting. 

In 2015, COBI bachelor’s degree first-time candidates CPA passing rate (54.4%) is higher than Ohio (49.9%).  Furthermore, COBI Masters of Science in Accounting (MSA) students have higher passing rates than several schools in Ohio, including Baldwin Wallace College, Bowling Green State University, Cleveland State University, Xavier University and Youngstown State University.

“The 2015 results are a clear and powerful indication of the high caliber of our programs, our dedicated faculty and the application of our students to achieve this important goal,” Dr. HassabElnaby said.  “In fact, our average passing rate for the period 2008 - 2015 (50.41%) exceeds both state (49.15%) and national averages (48.30%), which is a reflection of our consistent performance over years and the quality of our programs.”    

Activities, appreciations surround Dr. Longenecker






Dr. Longenecker Keynote Speaker, Recognized: Dr. Clint Longenecker, Director of the COBI Center for Leadership and Organizational Excellence, was the keynote speaker at the Final Four Women's Basketball Coaching Association Convention in Indianapolis; at the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Gen. Mark Milley, Army Ethics Conference in Washington DC for members of the Army senior leadership; and at the Better Business Bureau's Torch Awards for outstanding ethical business practices. He was the recipient of the Gus Yeager Outstanding Community Service Award at the 2016 Northwest Ohio Community Prayer Breakfast for "a distinguished career of difference making community service in our region."

Activities, honors surround Dr. Longenecker






Dr. Longenecker Keynote Speaker, Recognized: Dr. Clint Longenecker, Director of the COBI Center for Leadership and Organizational Excellence, was the keynote speaker at the Final Four Women's Basketball Coaching Association Convention in Indianapolis; at the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Gen. Mark Milley, Army Ethics Conference in Washington DC for members of the Army senior leadership; and at the Better Business Bureau's Torch Awards for outstanding ethical business practices. He was the recipient of the Gus Yeager Outstanding Community Service Award at the 2016 Northwest Ohio Community Prayer Breakfast for "a distinguished career of difference making community service in our region."

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

COBI Professional Sales School proud of its growing reputation and students’ success at national competition


It has been a remarkable year for the College of Business and Innovation’s Edward H Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) and many of its students: the school has hosted its first national invitational sales competition, its students have won/finished well in major sales competitions across the country, received other honors, and one student has even been featured on the cover of a national annual sales publication.

And the year is just half over!

ESSPS’ landmark achievement was the hosting and presentation of the first University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC), with 31 teams from universities across the country participating.








“UTISC is the nation’s first and only national sales competition dedicated exclusively to the non-senior. We know younger students are anxious to shine outside the shadow of seniors, we are confident that they have the talent to compete on a national stage, and this gives companies the opportunity to find their talent first,” noted Deirdre Jones, ESSPS Director. “Juniors now have an internship for summer 2016, and they also have more opportunities about where they want to go post graduation. The UTISC gives the participants time to build relationships.”

“UT has been successfully running freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in our Internal Sales Competition for four years, and the students and businesses just love it. We are confident that our colleagues at other university professional sales programs have talented rising stars chomping at the bit that would excel in this competition and bring added attention to their universities. Furthermore, ESSPS is thrilled to bring tomorrow’s top talent to our corporate sponsors so that they can find the sales talent they need for internships and regular placements.”

Corporate sponsors of the UTISC included 3M, Quicken Loans, Goodyear, Penske, Sonic Foundry, Crown, Hilti, Reynolds and Reynolds, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Therma Tru.

UT’s team took fifth place in its own UTISC event. Additionally, Andrew Brownlee, a freshman, finished in 6th place in the freshman/sophomore division, and Gabriella LeMaster took sixth place in the junior division.
“Our sales students are so strong,” Jones noted, “as further evidenced by the success of ESSPS students at the National Collegiate Sales Competition.”

At the NCSC, the largest and oldest sales role-play competition in existence, UT’s team with Alejandro Vera and Lexi Jarrett claimed first place in the graduate division.  

Furthermore, at the national convention of Pi Sigma Epsilon Professional Business Fraternity (PSE) in Milwaukee, COBI sales student Stephanie Elkins claimed first place in their National Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon as well as Top Salesperson of the Day.

Of course, the ESSPS staff has important activities beyond their successes at competitions.

“During UT’s homecoming weekend this year, we will have a Fall Fête on Friday at Hensville,” Jones said. “It will be a networking social for our existing students, as well as for our alumni to come back and mingle, as well as our ESSPS corporate sponsors and others in the business community. It’s the day of our Internal Sales Competition, and the winners of our competition will be announced at Fall Fête; UT’s ROTC Pershing Rifles team will perform, and we hope to have the UT Marching Band perform as well as having artwork from UT students on display. It will be the night before UT’s homecoming game, which will be against BGSU, so a lot will be going on.”

Jones said tickets can be purchased now by contacting the ESSPS office at 419.530.6133 or email EdwardSchmidtSchool@utoledo.edu  

“Everyone is in sales in some way, shape or form,” Jones said. “Everyone sells, at least internally. Even if someone does not go into the sales profession, it’s guaranteed they will use these skills; you can’t market yourself if you don’t have the skills to get a job, a promotion, or support for your ideas.”

ESSPS is self-funded for its activities and sophisticated technology, such as the broadcast and recording equipment in its sales role play and training rooms, and welcomes contributions for equipment, events, training, technology, programming, competitions and faculty development.

“There is always so much going on here,” Jones said. “We’re already working on next year’s UTISC, which will be held February 23-25, 2017, and have several key sponsors committed to the event.”

“Our Edward Schmidt School of Professional Sales is widely considered to be one of the top university sales programs in the country,” Jones said, “and I believe we are number one. Even the Sales Education Foundation, which includes UT in its 2016 list of Top Universities for Professional Sales Education, featured one of our students, Mark Parker, on the cover of its 2016 Sales Education Annual.”  

“It all benefits our students, elevates the profession and, quite frankly, is invigorating and fun.”

Meet the 2016 COBI Student Pacemakers




Gretchen Buskirk
Gretchen Buskirk is a student in the College’s MBA Program, majoring in Leadership.  She holds a 3.96 grade point average.  Gretchen received her Bachelor of Science from Elon University where she majored in Sports Major with an Athletic Training Concentration and also received a Master of Education from North Carolina State University.  While working towards her MBA, Gretchen has worked full-time as UT’s Associate Head Athletic Trainer.  She has participated in Wreaths Across America, the COBI Advanced Leadership Academy, she has managed the Gatorade Summer S ports Camp Program, has been a case study presenter tat Athletic Trainers Annual Symposiums, is the advisor to the UT Athletic Training Student Club and has numerous publications in scholarly journals.  She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Great Lakes Athletic Trainer’s Association, the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association and the Mid-American Conference Athletic Trainer’s Association.  Gretchen plans to graduate this May.

Rachel Headley
Rachel Headley is an MSA student with a 3.945 grade point average.  She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from UT where she majored in accounting and marketing.  Rachel has spent this last year as a Graduate Assistant in the College of Business and Innovation’s Student Services.  She has been involved in many organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Meet the Firms, OSU Business Summit, COBI Orientation Peer Mentor, and a DECA Volunteer to name a few.  She is the Recruitment Chair and a member of Beta Alpha Psi and has served two stints as a tax intern with Gilmore Jasion Mahler, where she will be employed upon her graduation this May.

Gianfranco Rolando
Gianfranco Rolando is a student with junior standing with a grade point average of 4.0.  He is double majoring in Accounting and Finance and is involved with Beta Alpha Psi, the Institute of Management Accountants, the Student Held Assets Return Portfolio and serves as one of the College’s Searles Ambassadors.  Off campus, Gianfranco has participated in the Ernst &Young Emerging Leaders Program, the PWC Elevate Leadership Program, the Plante Moran Expo Program and the Berg Cup Case Study.  He is a recipient of the Sucher Family Scholarship and has consistently appeared on both the President’s List and the Dean’s List.  He has al received a Regents Award and is a Leadership Conference Grant winner.

Rodrick Perkins
Rodrick Perkins is a senior majoring in Accounting where he holds a 3.898 grade point average.  Rodrick came to UT from Owens Community College where he graduated cum laude with an Associates of Science degree in Business Administration.  At UT, he is involved with Beta Alpha Psi, the Institute of Management Accountants, the Financial Management Association and the International Business Association.   Rodrick is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, the IMA Accounting Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Kappa Beta Delta Honor Society.

Martha Krause
Martha Krause is a junior with a 3.846 grade point average while majoring in Finance, International Business and minoring in Spanish.  She is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi and has volunteer with the UT Big Event and Bridge Club.  She has been inducted as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.  While studying abroad in Spain, she was an English and Intercambrio tutor.  She has also served as a volunteer with the Children’s Ministry at her local church.  She is a Tower Scholar Award and has consistently appeared on both the President’s List and the Dean’s List.  Martha maintained a part-time job at the UT Campus Call Center while serving an internship with a local financial planner.  She is currently study in Costa Rica and sends her greetings by way of video.

Patrick Northcraft
Patrick Northcraft is a senior double majoring in Finance and Information Systems.  He holds a 3.961 grade point average.  He has held leadership roles in Alpha Kappa Psi and has been involving in Searles Ambassadors, the Association of Systems Management, has been a Peer Career Assistant and has been inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi.  He is a recipient of a Tower Scholar Award, received an Outstanding Professional Achievement from Alpha Kappa Psi and won first place in a College of Communication and the Arts Composition Competition.  Patrick has appeared consistently on the Dean’s List and the President’s List and has recently completed an internship with Marathon Petroleum and has been invited back for a second term. Off-campus Patrick has been involved with Food for Thought, Global Youth Service Day and the Ronald McDonald House and has logged over 300 hours of community service through various organization.


David Headley
David Headley is a senior majoring in both Supply Chain and Information Systems.  He holds a 3.863 grade point average and has held leadership roles in Pi Sigma Epsilon, the Association of Systems Management, is a member of APICS and a Searles Ambassador.  David is a recipient of the UT Blue and Gold Scholarship, the UT Legacy Award Scholarship, the UT Sibling Award Scholarship, the Charles Sullivan Scholarship, the APICS Scholarship, the GBEX, LLC Supply Chain Scholarship, the John and Marilyn Toner Scholarship, the Edon Farmers Co-op and FFA Scholarships.  In the community, David has participated in Relay for Life been a Huntington Center Volunteer and a volunteer at the Sunshine Home.  David appears frequently on the Dean’s List and the President’s List.  He is currently serving his second internship at Owens-Illinois.

Madeline Jarrett
Madeline Jarrett is a senior with a 3.877 grade point average, majoring in Supply Chain Management.  She is a member of the UT Women’s track and field team, the fellowship of Christian athletes and APICS.  She is a recipient of the Sullivan Scholarships, an Honors Award and the Women’s Track and Field Scholarship.  She was a member of the Klar Leadership Academy where she participated in the Feed my Starving project.  She was a sales/marketing intern at Jarrett Logistics Systems. She has appeared on both the President’s List and the Dean’s List.  She is not here tonight due to the fact that she is competing in a Track/Field event and sends her remarks via video. (VIDEO)

Kayla Cepo
Kayla Cepo is a junior, majoring in Human Resource Management.  She holds a 3.826 grade point average.  She has been a U-8 soccer head coach and was a player in co-ed Rec Soccer.  Kayla is currently serving as an administrative intern at Tenneco.  She is a recipient of the Hatch Scholarship, the UT Achievement Award, the Thrift Shop Scholarship and has appeared frequently on the Dean’s List.

Karee Kunkel
Karee Kunkel is a senior majoring in Human Resource Management with a 3.898 grade point average.  She is involved with Alpha Xi Delta, the Society for Human Resource Management, Liftoff UT, Student Wellness Awareness Team, the Bridge, UT and the Relay for Life.  She has received a Rocket Scholar Award, the Sullivan Scholarship, a Gutteridge Scholarship and a Rudduck Management Scholarship.  She has represented the College of Business at the 2016 SHRM Case study competition and has served internships at Owens Corning, The Andersons and National Galvanizing.  Karee is in involved in the community with the JA Bowl-a-Thon, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, EPIC Toledo Summer in the City, Red Cross Blood Drives and is a member of the National Society for Human Resource Management.

Stephanie Elkins
Stephanie Elkins is a junior majoring in both professional sales and organizational leadership.  She has held leaderships in Pi Beta Phi, Pi Sigma Epsilon, Lambda Sigma Honor Society, the UT Panhellenic Council and is a Presidential Ambassador, a scholarship recipient and member of the Levis Leadership Program, Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, and the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society.  She is also a recipient of the Charles Sullivan Scholarship, the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales Scholarship, the COBI Departmental Scholarship, and a Rocket Scholarship.  She has appeared frequently on both the President’s List and the Dean’s List.  Stephanie has competed in various sales competition and received three 1st place awards.  She is currently a marketing intern for the UT Center for Family and Privately-Held Business, has served an internship at Quicken Loans and Family of Companies and in summer will be a Sales Intern with Owens Corning and then serve an internship in the fall with Marathon Petroleum Corporation.  She is, off-campus, involved with Ohio DECA, the Toledo Area Alumnae Panhellenic Association, Genoa Baptist Church, Life Remodeled Detroit.


Megan Gaysunas
Megan Gaysunas is a senior with a 3.85 grade point average and double majoring in Marketing and Finance.  She is a member of the Varsity Track and Cross-Country team, participated in the inaugural Klar Leadership Academy, is a member of the USAC Alumni Association, the Student Management Portfolio and a COBI Honors student.  She has studied abroad in Torino, Italy and has been a volunteer at Wildwood and the Glass City Marathon.  She has been on the MAC Honor Ro ll, an Academic All-Mac and a Scholar Baller.  She has received a Commissioner’s Award for excelling academically while participating in college athletics.  She is currently a Treasurer/CFO intern with the Otsego Local School District and has previously served an internship with Betco Corporation.  She will graduate this May magna cum laude.

Jacob Pawelczyk
Jacob Pawelczyk holds a 3.859 grade point average and is double majoring in Professional Sales and Information Systems.  On campus, he is involved with Pi Sigma Epsilon, Blue Key Honor Society, Mortar Board National Honor Society, is a President Ambassador, a member of the Order of Omega Greek Honorary, the Lambda Sigma National Honor Society, the National Residence Hall Honorary and the Parks Tower Hall Council.  He is also a member and house manager of the social fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.  He has appeared numerous times on both the President’s List and the Dean’s List, finished first place in both the Quicken Loans Sales Competition and the Top Management Team.  He is a recipient of the Rocket Scholarship, Thomson  Reuters Sales Scholarship, Robert Falter Fund Scholarship, Level 3 Sales Scholarship, Heidtman Steel Products Sales Professional scholarship, Around Campus Group Scholarship for B2B Sales, Balanced Man Scholarship, the Delta Airlines Award for Excellence and the Tim Allison Memorial Scholarship.  In2014 he was named the Greek New Member of the Year.


Donna Provolish
Donna Provolish was chosen by the Department of Applied Organizational Technology as their Student Pacemaker.  She carries a grade point average of 4.0 and is specializing in the field of business management technology.  She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key Honor Society.  She is involved with the Food Pantry and APICS.  While going to school, Donna works full time as a commodities manager for Therma-Tru Corporation.