Widener

Quick Takes

News from the School of Business Administration

 

 

Financial Literacy Workshop on November 13th

The School of Business Administration with generous support from TD Charitable Foundation has launched a series of workshops designed to educate, inspire and inform area high school students on the benefits of a business education. At our Financial Literacy Workshop area high school students will hear from our faculty, who were the first in the area to take the initiative to develop a financial literacy course. These highly regarded professors will take students through the dangers of credit cards, will explain the benefits of compound interest and will make it all interactive and fun. 

Print the agenda 

For more information or to register

Widener Welcomes Bill McDermott to SBA Banquet

Students, faculty, staff, parents and business and community partners of the School of Business Administration gathered at Harrah’s in Chester on Wednesday, April 1, for the 31st Annual Awards Banquet. Mr. Bill McDermott, President and CEO of SAP Global Field Operations, was the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Performance in Management Award. He spoke about his career path and leadership, and encouraged all in the room to be the best they can be.
During his acceptance speech of the John C.Sevier Award, Tim Speiss announced that he was pledging a $500,000 gift to the SBA for promoting global business, sustainability, and citizenship. $250,000 will come from his personal assests and he will help to raise the other $250,000 from his corporate and personal connections.
View a picture show of this event

SBA Hosted An Academic Workshop For Local High School Girls

On Thursday, February 26 over 100 girls joined the School of Business Administration for an Academic Workshop. Dean Ozataaly welcomed the young women to the SBA and outlined the day’s activities.  The girls, parents and teachers were led to Lathem where Professor Cermignanao introduced a panel of successful female alumni that talked about their Widener experience.  Wendi Jacobs was able to articulate her experiences in the Co-Op program, while Rose Patton discussed her experience studying abroad.  Brenda Hudson –Nelson talked about why the small class size was instrumental in helping her exceed.  Marcia O’Connor said participating in all the clubs and taking on leadership roles enabled her to gain confidence. Dr. McCloskey worked with the girls on a networking activity which taught them the value of connecting with other people.  Dr. Crown had puzzles on the table and blindfolded one person who had to piece the puzzle together using her teammates.  They used various methods to complete it, but they all worked as a team. Dr. Laker orchestrated the “Widener Toy Company” simulation game which puts a one act play together as they solve the mystery of how to run a company.  Leadership, teamwork, networking and business acumen were some of the tools the SBA tried to impart at our 2nd Annual Girls Academic Workshop.
View a picture show of this event

Beta Alpha Psi 25th Annual Awards Ceremony

Beta Alpha Psi and the Department of Accounting, Taxation & Business Law hosted their 25th Annual Awards Ceremony on November 2, 2008.  There were about 70 guests in attendance including Widener students, faculty, and administrators as well as University alumni and members of the Department’s Advisory Board.

At this event, student officers inducted 14 new members into Beta Alpha Psi, the International Honorary Organization for accounting, finance and management information systems students and professionals.   Donna Urian, CPA `85, `92 was honored as the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Accounting Alumnus Award for her success in the field of accounting and her other professional achievements.  Professor Frank Lordi presented Donna with a plaque to commemorate the event. 

Professional Achievement Awards were given to alumni who recently passed the CPA and bar examinations.   Professor Cermignano presented the Raymond J. Locke Professional Achievement Award for successful completion of the bar exam to Leigh-Anne Raport `04, `06; and presented Raymond J. Locke Professional Achievement Awards for successful completion of the CPA exam to Joe Golden `06, Jackie Himes `06, and Mike Kraemer `06.

Also in attendance were Professor Emeritus G. Robert Bowlby and Mrs Barbara Bowlby.  Professor and Mrs. Bowlby were acknowledged in the ceremony for their generous donation establishing a scholarship to benefit outstanding accounting students.  Professor Hargadon recognized four scholarship recipients and presented the Bowlby Scholarship perpetual plaque which will be displayed in the Quick Center in honor of the scholarship and its recipients.

Thanks to all who helped make this event a great success!  Special thanks to the event sponsors:

· Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A.                                     · Fischer, Cunnane & Associates, Ltd.

· Global Tax Management                                              · Horty & Horty, P.A.

· KPMG LLP                                                                       · PNC Global Investment Servicing

· SMART LLP                                                                     · Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Barbra Bowlby

· Ms. Diane Chiponis                                                       · Mr. Robert McElwee

· Mr. Duane Myers                                                            · Mr. Stephen Wynne
 View a picture show of this event

Sport Speaker Series Panel Discussion

On Monday, November 10 the Speaker Series hosted a professional sports panel that took part in a discussion titled “Selling Sports Like Soap”. The panel was made up of:

• Mr. John Weber, VP Ticket Sales and Operations for the Philadelphia Phillies
• Mr. Chris Kemple, General Manager for the Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Mr. Eric Blankenship, VP of Marketing for the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers
• Ms. Lisa Cermignano, Assistant Coach of Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball

Approximately one hundred students showed up to the event to hear the panel discuss how each of panel members market to their specific customers, how the got to where they are in the sports industry, and how Widener student should go about obtaining a job in the sports industry. The event was a major success for everyone who attended the event and students were given great information about job possibilities in the sports industry. 
View a picture show of this event.

 

SBA Holds the Chester Economic Development Summit

On Thursday, November 13, 2008, Dean Ozatalay and the School of Business Administration teamed with the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Chester Economic Development Authority to bring the latest information on how to do business in Chester to the community. Over 150 people attended this half day session to learn what is working in Chester and how various agencies can help you do business in Chester.  The agenda include introductions from Jeff Vermeulen, President of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and also a Socio-economic outlook from Dean Ozatalay.  Dave Sciocchetti, Executive Director from CEDA spoke about how Chester has made progress and also the wonderful initiatives that are coming Chester’s way.  A surprise quest was Nick Sakiewicz, CEO from the MLS, who announced the Ground Breaking ceremony for the new Chester Stadium on December 11, 2008.  The audience was thrilled to learn the newest addition to the Chester Landscape will be happening soon.
View a picture show of this event.

 

MBA Graduation

On July 24, 2008 the SBA celebrated the graduation of our MBA students.  Dean Ozatalay and Tim Spiess congratulated our students on achieving their degree. The celebration was well attended with manyly members participating and food and drinks enjoyed by all.  We wish all of our students continued success and hope they return often to Widener.

 

 

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.