Widener

Quick Takes

News from the School of Business Administration

 

Boeing Awards a Scholarship to Widener Accounting Major

The Boeing Company, in partnership with Widener University School of Business Administration, is honored to announce the 2007-2008 Boeing Student Scholarship recipient. Accounting major Kristy Carpenter has been selected to receive this year’s Boeing Student Scholarship. The scholarship was established to honor deserving students who have demonstrated academic excellence. Boeing honors Widener students in the School of Business Administration for their future potential to enhance the workforce and industry success. To qualify, students are recommended by faculty members.

 

William G. McGowan Scholarship Awarded

Domenic Corsey of King of Prussia, Pa., a junior with a double major in management and sociology at Widener University, has been selected as a William G. McGowan Scholar and is eligible to receive up to $18,000 toward tuition.Corsey serves as president of the Honors Program in General Education at Widener, and is a member of several honors societies including the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society for First-Year Students, Phi Gamma Mu International Honor Society for Social Sciences, and the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. “I am very thankful for the generosity of the McGowan Charitable Fund, and I am motivated to demonstrate that I was the right choice for this scholarship by performing at a high academic level,” Corsey said. The William G. McGowan Scholars Program recognizes and rewards students who have superior character, a track record of excellent academic performance, leadership potential, and involvement in academic, campus and community activities. For more information on the McGowan Scholarship visit www.mcgowanfund.org/education.html.

 

School of Business Administration Earns Reaffirmation of its Accreditation

Widener University’s School of Business Administration has achieved reaffirmation of its business accreditation by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB International Board of Directors granted the accreditation on April 2 and officially announced the news today.

“With only seven percent of business schools in the world accredited by this prestigious organization, we are extremely proud of this achievement,” said School of Business Administration Dean Savas Ozatalay.

Widener’s School of Business Administration received its initial accreditation by the AACSB International in 1997. Following a three-day review in February 2008 by the AACSB Maintenance of Accreditation Committee, Widener was granted accreditation for another full term of six years.

“As in the past, we will continue to provide the best business education to our students and maintain relationships with our community and business partners,” Dean Ozatalay said.

To achieve accreditation, business programs must satisfy the expectations of a wide range of quality standards relating to strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students in the educational process and achievement of learning goals in degree programs. These standards are mission-linked.

For information on the global distribution of accredited programs, visit: www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/accreditedmembers.asp

SBA 2008 Annual Student Awards Banquet

On April 2, 2008, the School of Business Administration recognized its students and faculty for their achievement during the academic year. Over 200 people attended our banquet at the Hotel DuPont. President James T. Harris address the group as did our guest of honor Brian Tierney from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Joyce Lacy was awarded the Sevier Award for her dedication and hard work.  Other faculty recognized were:  Dr. McCloskey, Dr. Mansur and Professor Lordi.

More pictures of the Banquet

Panelists Inspire Mini Camp Attendees

On Thursday, February 28, 2008, the School of Business Administration welcomed 60 girls to the Quick Center for a Mini Camp. In addition to the students, we had 25 parents and 6 teachers attend this interactive day. Dean Ozatalay welcomed the group and introduced the panel, faculty and administrators. He invited five of our most successful alumni to speak to the girls about their career experience and how Widener helped them grow.  Our panelists included Brenda Hudson–Nelson, Rose Juliano, Wendi Jacobs, Sam Ramsey and Marcia Zaruba O’Connor.  Each of these women shared their path to success, including work study, CO-OP, student loans and internships.  These women were able to succeed because Widener provided an environment that nurtured them and also gave them resources to achieve their dreams. 

Dr.  Dennis Laker, Dr. Mary Shoemaker, Dr. Donna McCloskey and Dr. Greg Cermignano all participated in the Widener University Toy Company Simulation.  This interactive game divided the girls into seven groups where they had to work in teams to solve the puzzle.  The purpose of the game was to make the girls think, engage them in business activities and introduce them to new concepts.  They had to participate in a play and suggest ways to solve their “marketing and financial problems”.   

Dr. Laker coached the girls to show them how different learning styles can come into play. While the girls were engaged with the game, their parents were getting information on financial aid, admissions, Career Planning and other information on how Widener University can make it happen for their children.  We hosted everyone for lunch in the cafeteria and offered tours to parents and students. This will become an annual event for the SBA.

SBA Celebrates International Week

For International Week 2007, the Schools of Business Administration and Hospitality Management will host ARAMARK’s Mark Bruno, regional vice president-east, at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14 in the Alumni Auditorium. Mark is the ARAMARK executive in charge of leading its Olympic projects.  Since ARAMARK is currently planning for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Mark will discuss Chinese business culture.

Monday, November 12 through Friday, November 16, 2007 is International Week, a celebration of diversity on the Widener campus. Because Widener is home to students, faculty and staff from more than 40 countries around the world, members of our community participate in a variety of activities focusing on a selected culture. The 2007 International Week will be a celebration of Chinese culture and heritage.

FBLA from 11 Area High Schools Get Down to Business

Approximately 200 young entrepreneurs from eleven Delaware County high schools got a taste of what it takes to succeed in business on Friday, October 19, at an all day workshop at Widener University.
The young entrepreneurs were members of the Future Business Leaders of America.  They  were able to choose from eight different workshops, taught by Widener professors and professionals from several industries ranging from finance to home furnishings to law.  The future business leaders participated in workshops on a number of topics including:  women in business; how to turn an interest into a job; so you want to be an entrepreneur; dress for success;  personal finance for high school students; what it takes to succeed as a business student in college; and identity theft.

The workshop offered several general sessions, lunch in the Widener cafeteria, and then concurrent workshops in the afternoon from 1:30 to 3:15.  All workshops took place in the Quick Center, the home of the Widener University School of Business Administration. Participants came from Chichester High School, Penncrest High School, Garnet Valley High School, Haverford High School, Interboro High School, Penn Wood High School, Radnor High School, Ridley High School, Springfield High School.

Junior Achievement

Professor Greg Cermignano led a contingent from Widener University to Junior Achievements on Thursday, October 11, 2007.  Dr. Cermignano brought other members of the tax department with him as well MBA students to help lead group discussions on Ethics. Junior Achievement of Delaware invited over one hundred students from area high schools to participate in round table discussions on how to handle different ethical situations.  The day began with a presentation by Greg and then local industry leaders explained how ethics had entered into their work dilemmas. Alan Levin from Happy Harry’s explained how Happy Harry’s once ran an advertisement for a product and then ran out of the item.  Instead of losing customers, Alan chose to lose money and give rain checks to his customers.  This was just one example of how business handles ethical dilemmas.  The students presented their conclusions and explained how they would have handled situations such as the Ford Pinto.  Members of Widener University’s MBA class worked closely with the students to facilitate discussions.  It was a worthwhile day for everyone involved. 

Homecoming Brunch

On October 6, the School of Business welcomed over 75 alumni, faculty and students to Metropolitan Hall for a Dixieland Brunch. Dean Ozatalay was excited about the turnout, where alumni and representatives from the School of Business were able to network and share ideas about future growth of our alumni association.

The day began with made-to-order omelets, fruit parfaits, and of course the wonderful Dixieland Music. The day continued with face painting for the children, alumni filled out surveys about future activities on laptop computers, and after the brunch everyone headed to the Dean's Tent for tailgating and kickoff.