COBI's outstanding faculty recognized via various University, College awards

The talent and dedication of College of Business and Innovation's faculty, both as educators and as researchers, were readily apparent and recognized through a number of recent awards presented to several faculty members.

Dean Gary Insch said, "COBI faculty continue to be recognized for their teaching, research and service excellence. I am truly impressed by all the efforts of our faculty to maintain the extremely high quality of our students' COBI experience."

Recent recognitions include:

University of Toledo awards

UT's Outstanding Teachers are selected by a committee of UT instructors and a student representative, who review nominations.  2015 winners include:

Dr. Doina Chichernea, Outstanding Teacher Award

Dr. Doina Chichernea, assistant professor in the Department of Finance in the College of Business and Innovation. She has been teaching at the University since 2009.

“Dr. Chichernea is helpful and positive in class, and makes sure we understand the subject she is teaching before moving on to a new subject,” one nominator wrote. “She records her lectures and makes them available to all of her students, which is helpful to a distance-learning student such as myself. In addition, she has invited distance-learning students to attend class when possible, and I have found this to be most helpful.” Another wrote, “I was dreading taking Corporate Finance. It is not an easy subject. But Dr. Chichernea has made the subject genuinely interesting and almost fun. I am learning the subject and can begin to apply it in my real-world endeavors.”

Diane Marker, Outstanding Teacher Award

Diana Marker, professor in the Department of Applied Organizational Technology in the College of Business and Innovation. She joined the faculty in 1980.

“Her passion for the success of students overflows into her teaching style and causes great motivation in the classroom,” one nominator wrote. “She is a phenomenal teacher that uses real-world examples in teaching, genuinely cares about her students, is approachable, and teaches real-world lessons that I’ll remember forever.” Another noted, “She makes us think far further than what is on the surface of all aspects of life. She shares her wisdom with all of us in hopes of us doing well. She encourages us to do our best, and she ensures us that we are capable of much more than we ever thought we could be. She is by far one of the best teachers I’ve had in my entire life.”

Dr. Paul Hong, Outstanding Researcher Award

Dr. Paul Hong, professor in the Department of Information Operations and Technology Management in the College of Business and Innovation. He joined the faculty in 1987 and received his PhD from the University in 2000.

His research interests focus on global supply chain management, including new product development and innovation; supplier relationships; operational transformation; and strategic integration of front-end and back-end business processes.

“Dr. Hong has published more than 200 journal and conference papers, numerous research awards and three books, including Building Network Capabilities in Turbulent Competitive Environments: Practices of Global Firms From Korea and Japan (2012) and Business Success Stories in the BRICs (2014, and in the area of global supply chain management that have achieved international recognition for providing real-world examples evaluating the impact of supply chain networks in global markets,” one nominator wrote. “He is noted for the impact on the international business community. His excellent research is but a part of a well-balanced approach to his work as a faculty member. He also has an outstanding record of service and mentorship for students and other faculty.”

College of Business and Innovation awards

Dr. Yue Zhang, Information Operations and Technology Management Department -  Simonetti Graduate Teaching Award

Dr. Mark Gleim, Marketing and International Business Department - DeJute Undergraduate Teaching Award

Teresa Keefe, Information Operations and Technology Management Department -  Outstanding Adjunct/Lecturer Award

Dr. Sachin Modi, Information Operations and Technology Management Department - Vonderembse Research Award

Dr. Mai Dao, Accounting Department - Junior Researcher Award. Dr. Dao also received the award for the Best Gender Issues and Work Life Balance research paper at the 2015 Ohio Regional meeting of the American Accounting Association.

Dr. Doina Chichernea, Finance Department; Dr. Anthony Holder, Accounting Department; and Dr. Alex Petkevich, Finance Department - Outstanding Research Paper Award

Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby, Chair, Accounting Department - Brunner Service Award

Dr. Amal Said, Accounting Department - Diversity Award

Jennifer McDowell Tharpe, advisor in the COBI Student Retention and Academic Success office, received the COBI Outstanding Staff Award

UT Shining Star awards presented to COBI faculty and staff members

University of Toledo Interim Provost John A. Barrett presented UT's Shining Star award to two College of Business and Innovation personnel this year: Amy O'Donnell, lecturer in department of management, business career sequence, career exploration and career preparation, in February; and Barb Robertson, director, Office of Student Retention and Academic Success, in March.

The Shining Star Award was created to recognize and honor those who continuously demonstrate their commitment to excellence in teaching, challenging and inspiring our students.

In announcing the award to O'Donnell, Barrett said, "Amy goes far beyond just assisting our students in the classroom, helping the students to conduct their searches and to find an internship or a job after graduation, despite the fact that she teaches over 300 students a year."

Concerning the award, O'Donnell said, "I'm flattered, I'm honored, I'm humbled by it because it's really cool to be recognized for something that you're passionate about. Being a faculty member is like the best job ever because of the flexibility that you have in order to have a work/life balance because I can be Amy/mom at home, then when I'm here, I'm here. I'm able to go to a soccer game, even if that means I have to get up at three in the morning to grade papers. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do, once I figured out that I can help others do that,  that was really exciting to me. Doing it here in the College of Business and Innovation, I never had so much support and so many resources. I really believe the College of Business and Innovation goes the extra mile for all of its students and for the employers who recruit our students. Knowing that I have that kind of support makes me want to continue to give my best to the students, to identify the resources that they need to stay current in my field so that they can take advantage of all of those resources and be the most marketable candidates for the employers who are out there who need our students."

In announcing the award to Robertson, Barrett said:  "Robertson's central focus can be summarized in two words: student centeredness. She's passionate about meeting with students, always willing to meet with them, she makes sure they have academic plans of study, she provides emotional support where appropriate, academic support, advice…she's just there for the students in whatever sense they need. It doesn't matter if it's in her job description or not, deep down she's just committed to provide the best experience possible for the students, and that's why I selected her. Thank you for all you're doing. You're making a huge difference in our students' lives and success, and are a credit to the College of Business and innovation."

Concerning the award, Robertson said, "The absolutely only thing you can say is, 'Wow, this is so cool.'  No matter how many years you're here, no matter how long you do this, to know someone absolutely appreciates what you do is why we do what we do.  In the College of Business, I think our entire college goes the extra mile.  I came here feeling that way, but it's all around us.  I think everyone truly cares, and it makes a difference. You have to take the time, because none of us would be here if it weren't for students."

Regional accounting professionals celebrate UT's accounting department's distinctive accreditation

Accounting professionals from throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan attended a celebratory dinner recognizing the recent departmental accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) of the accounting department in The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation (COBI). The event was held on May 19 at The Inverness Club in Toledo.

The accounting department received notification of the accreditation in March, following an onsite review of the program by the AACSB accreditation team earlier this year.  It was the first attempt by the COBI accounting department to obtain the distinctive accreditation.

"This is a voluntary accreditation obtained by only 1.3% (183 institutions) of accounting programs in business schools around the world," noted Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby, Department Chair, "and it would not have happened without the extensive and generous support the accounting department has received from accounting professionals in the regional business community.  Their continuing involvement with our students and graduates through mentoring, internships, jobs and financial support significantly contributes to our program's success, so we wanted to thank the individuals and companies in the accounting profession for their mutually beneficial relationships with the college"

"The expertise of these accounting professionals creates a high standard of performance that both informs and inspires our students," Dr. HassabElnaby added, "which further ensures employers in this region and across the country that our accounting department graduates are ready to perform on day one of their jobs."

The AASCB is an association of educational institutions, businesses and other organizations devoted to the advancement of higher education, and is the premier accrediting agency of collegiate business schools and accounting programs worldwide.

Annual Business vs. Engineering Golf Outing set for August 22

The 16th Annual University of Toledo Business vs. Engineering Scholarship Golf Outing, presented by Hylant, will take place on Saturday August 22, 2015 at the Stone Oak Country Club. All proceeds from this fun, philanthropic event go toward student scholarships.

There is room for only 120 golfers, so register now at toledoalumni.org  or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 419.530.2586

As in past years, community to support for this outing through sponsorships and participation is critical to the event's continued success, and this event is important to future University of Toledo students who will benefit from your contribution.

Highlights for this year’s event include:
- 18-Hole Shotgun Start
- Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle
- Meals provided before and after the outing, with complimentary refreshments on the course
- Swag bag of gifts for each attendee, as well as door and raffle prizes after the outing
- Team prizes

Please visit toledoalumni.org or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 419.530.2586 to register for the outing.

Proposal for app to reduce hospital readmissions wins COBI's 2015 Business Plan Competition

The winners of The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation's fifth annual Business Innovation Competition were announced on April 16, with $17,500 in prize money being distributed to those who placed in the top four.

The proposal for the HeyDoc app most impressed the judges, winning the students behind the idea the first place prize of $10,000 to help make their idea a reality.

Robert Ariss and Mahbod Pourriahi, both sophomores in the UT College of Engineering, said they hope to have their HeyDoc app on the market in about one year, and are already talking to health care systems.

"The HeyDoc app is designed for health care professionals to help reduce hospital readmission rates, which cost approximately $41.3 billion a year," Ariss said.

Pourriahi explained, "While other patient portals focus on merely opening a line of communication between the provider and patient, HeyDoc is unique as it allows physicians to increase patient compliance and reduce readmission rates through proprietary features we have created.  It is a pre-emptive investment for hospitals to reduce readmissions and thus reduce fines."

Ariss and Pourriahi admitted to being excited about winning the first place competition prize, saying they learned about the annual competition from posters displayed throughout the UT campus. They also encouraged others to explore entrepreneurship and enter the competition.

"Just as we learned in Design Club in the College of Engineering, you have to identify a problem and then find a solution," Ariss said.

“The fifth year of the business competition was a remarkable success as COBI received 19 entries from across UT campuses,” said Dr. Sonny Ariss, Chair of the COBI management department.  “I cannot be happier than to see the students of the four winning entries this year going for their goal. Through this competition, as well as through classes and other activities in the College of Business and Innovation, we are trying to turn around the thinking on campus, to encourage people to start their own businesses, to create jobs and to stir economic development.  In my book, they are all winners."

“The spirit of entrepreneurship is critically important to the ongoing success of every university and every community,” noted COBI Dean Gary Insch. “This business competition truly reflects our emphasis on supporting innovation, fostering creative thinking and nurturing the entrepreneurial environment which is so essential for the economic growth of this region.”

The winning proposals and the entrants are:

First Place Winner ($10,000) is HeyDoc app, Robert Ariss and Mahbod Pourriahi - for private communication integrated in the medical electronic record with the medical doctor.

Second Place winner ($5,000) is Vitalys app (Mahbod Pourriahi and Robert Ariss) - for infection detection and progression.

Third Place winner ($2,000) is COcampus (Scott McIntyre) - an online platform for budding entrepreneurs on college campuses.

Fourth place winner is Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Linda Parra) - The first Spanish radio station in Northwest Ohio.

“The College of Business and Innovation again clearly demonstrates our support for advancing entrepreneurship by being the sole sponsor of this University-wide competition this year, and we stand ready to offer guidance to help these teams emerge beyond the University into the community," Dr. Ariss said. "We want to see these ideas and business plans effectively implemented, creating jobs and enhancing the economic growth of the region.”

Entries for the fifth COBI business plan competition were due in February. Finalists made an oral presentation about their businesses to a panel of judges in April.

Judges for this year's competition were: Chris Anderson, Anderson Strategy; Dan Slifko, Rocket Ventures; Craig Burns, Marshall & Melhorn;  Anthony Calamunci, Roetzel; and Joel Epstein, Waverly Partners.

Prize money is awarded to the newly formed business entity, not to the individuals.

"The big issue with entrepreneurship is that at first glance an idea may not seem obtainable," Pourriahi said, "but you have to believe in yourself, and you can find a viable solution."

Longenecker receives two unique awards

Dr. Clinton O. Longenecker, Stranahan Professor of Leadership and Organizational Excellence in the College of Business and Innovation, has been named to receive the rank of Distinguished University Professor, one of only two UT faculty members to receive the award this year from among the 11 nominations submitted to the Academic Honors Committee.

Longenecker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in marketing and a master of business administration in management from UT. He has established a stellar reputation in teaching, research and service, and has been with UT as a faculty member for 30 years.

Dr. Clinton Longenecker

He is a globally recognized expert in the areas of performance improvement and management development. His research addresses real business and management problems that affect organizational productivity and survival. In recognition of his outstanding scholarly achievements, Longenecker was awarded the UT Outstanding Research Award in 2008.

In 2013, Longenecker was recognized by The Economist as one of the top 15 Business Professors in the world — one of only two Americans. He has an extensive management consultant portfolio with clients that include a number of Fortune 500 firms and entrepreneurial organizations, including Owens-Illinois Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Marathon Oil Corp., Dana Corp., Parker Hannafin Corp. and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. His research is regularly featured in national media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, CSPAN, NPR, NBC Radio, and many local and regional outlets.

Recently, his work on leadership has become a template for ethics training across the branches of the United States military. More than 4,000 senior officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Pentagon have benefited from Longenecker’s training, and his work is required reading at service academies.

The other honor bestowed on Longenecker is his being selected to receive the Lawrence V. Conway Distinguished Lifetime Service Award for his humanitarian work, which he will receive at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Science’s Medical Mission Hall of Fame ceremony on April 18.

Longenecker is an active community servant, a committed member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and an active Bible study leader and Christian speaker. The UT alumnus has spent extensive time working in Haiti managing missionary schools and hospital construction projects as well as disaster relief programs. He and his wife, Cindy, have three children, including Steven, who was adopted as the result of their missionary work.

Dr. Lawrence V. Conway, UT professor emeritus of finance, founded the Medical Mission Hall of Fame in 2004 to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing the medical well-being of people around the world. In 2006, the Medical Mission Hall of Fame became affiliated with the UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences. The hall of fame can be seen in the lobby of the Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center.

Two COBI accounting students among first inducted into new international honor society

This year the Institute of Management Accountants, the association of accountants and financial professionals in business, established the new IMA Accounting Honor Society (IAHS), designed to support and acknowledge high-performing accounting students attending accredited colleges or universities around the globe.

Among the first two students inducted into the honor society were Rachel Fitzpatrick and Zachary Zavela of The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation.

Zachary Zavela and Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby

Rachel Fitzpatrick and Dr. HassabElnaby

"I was quite surprised when I first learned that I was nominated for membership in the honor society," Fitzpatrick said. "I felt honored that Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby (Chair of the COBI Accounting Department) chose to nominate me out of many accounting students in COBI. I have made many sacrifices and put in a lot of hard work to excel in my accounting courses and I am very grateful to be honored for my achievements."

"I was surprised to have been nominated by Dr. HassabElnaby to join the honor society," Zavela said, "especially since I did not apply to join. This recognition shows my academic achievements in my undergraduate studies.  Because my professional goal is to become either a CFO of a company or make partner at a firm, I believe that this honor will help in achieving that goal."

"I choose to study accounting because my grandmother is an accountant," he said.  "When I heard her talk about her work, it seemed very interesting to me."

Fitzpatrick also sees the benefit of the IMA honor. "My short term goals include earning my CPA certification and gaining some public accounting experience. Afterwards, I would like to pursue a career in healthcare financial management. As I transition out of public accounting, the IMA Honor Society will help me to network and discover career opportunities in the area of management accounting. I can also benefit from the IMA Honor Society through earning the CMA certification, which will set me up for success in management accounting."

"I chose to study accounting because it is the 'language of business,'" she said. "Accounting knowledge allows you to understand all aspects of business performance and provide valuable information to corporate decision makers. The field of accounting has a variety of different career paths and the job demand is always high."

Fitzpatrick added. "It is an honor to be recognized and I am thankful for the quality education I have received from the College of Business & Innovation and the Accounting Department here at the University of Toledo."

IAHS is open to junior and senior students majoring or minoring in accounting, finance or IT with a 3.0 or higher Grade Point Average overall and in accounting. In addition, students must be nominated by a professor or provide proof of meeting eligibility requirements in order to be accepted into IAHS.

IMA is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.  It has a global network of more than 70,000 members in 140 countries and 300 professional and student chapters.