Vincent J. Intrieri ’84 talks with business students in Behrend’s Financial Markets Lab.
Intrieri Fund Founder Speaks at Behrend
Vincent J. Intrieri ’84, the founder and CEO of VDA Capital Management, returned to the Black School of Business in November 2024 as a featured guest in the college’s Speaker Series. He discussed his experience as an adult student, working full-time while earning a degree in accounting, and his long and lucrative career in investing, including his work with Icahn Capital LP and his new role as chairman of the board of SandRidge Energy.
Intrieri also met with the students who oversee the Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund, a real-world portfolio that has grown from an initial gift of $100,000 to a market value of more than $1.4 million.
“These are hard-charging, hard-working students, and they’ve done a great job,” he said. “They do the work and come up with sound, logical investment decisions.”
During his visit, Intrieri talked with Chancellor Ralph Ford for the college’s podcast, Behrend Talks. To listen, visit behrendtalks.buzzsprout.com.
Business Alumni Return
Black School of Business alumni attend a reception during Parents, Families, and Alumni Weekend in October 2024.
The Black School of Business welcomed dozens of alumni back “home” during Parents, Families, and Alumni Weekend in October 2024.
An all-school alumni reception was held at Knowledge Center in Knowledge Park, where attendees had the opportunity to catch up, relax, and network.
The 2025 Parents, Families, and Alumni Weekend is scheduled for October 17-19.
Putman Wins University Award for Advising
Carol Putman
Carol Putman, associate teaching professor of management, has been teaching and guiding business students for more than twenty years. She has advised hundreds, if not thousands, of students, including five who recently nominated her for Penn State’s 2024 Excellence in Advising Award.
Putman received the award last spring, at a program that featured University President Neeli Bendapudi.
Putman said it takes a lot of time and empathy to guide students, but the work offers a high return on investment.
“I enjoy witnessing each student’s growth, especially the strength they develop by overcoming obstacles, the maturity they display after an internship experience, and the confidence they gain by the time they graduate,” she said.
Johnson Completes Fulbright Scholar Experience
Dr. William H.A. Johnson’s Fulbright Scholar experience brought him to Bangkok, Thailand, during the 2023-24 academic year.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is the country’s flagship international educational exchange program. Each year, the program, which is highly competitive, sends 800 American scholars to about 130 different countries.
Dr. William H.A. Johnson, professor of management, was one of twelve Penn State faculty members to receive a Fulbright Scholar Award for the 2023-24 academic year. He planned to study lean innovators at the School of Integrated Innovation at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
“I learned that while Thailand has a lot of entrepreneurial activity, it’s still in the development stage at most innovation-based businesses,” he said. “While innovative thinking is pervasive there, having customers and a full-blown business plan is yet to follow. So, the original plan was disrupted, and I focused mostly on gauging the stage of development of the Thailand innovation system.”
Plan B for Johnson turned out to be an action-packed semester serving as an ambassador of the Fulbright program in Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia, and visiting Canadian and U.S. Embassy offices.
“I met some amazing people and did a lot to disseminate our previous research findings on lean innovation,” he said. “The world is definitely open to dialogue with the U.S. and U.S. scholars.”
Faculty and Staff News
Demirag Named Director of Black School of Business
Dr. Ozgun C. Demirag, a faculty member with more than fifteen years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership, was named director of the Black School of Business in December 2024. She had served as interim director since 2023.
Demirag also serves as the Samuel A. and Elizabeth B. Breene Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Before joining the Black School of Business, where she has taught courses in integrated business analysis, global operations, and supply chain management, Demirag taught at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She also conducted research for Norfolk Southern Corp.
“Ozgun is the perfect fit to lead the Black School of Business, where a learning-by-doing approach prepares our graduates to be leaders in a constantly evolving business landscape,” said Dr. Greg Filbeck, vice chancellor and associate dean for academic affairs.
Honors
- Dr. Chuck Brown, associate professor of accounting, has been named Division III Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year by the Faculty Athletics Representative Association.
- Kyle Chalupczynski, lecturer of management information systems, received the 2024 Faculty Engagement Award for his work in “Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Teaching” by Penn State Teaching and Learning with Technology. He was also awarded the Jack P. Royer Active and Collaborative Learning Award, which recognizes innovative teaching practices across Commonwealth Campuses that enhance student learning.
- Linda Hajec, associate teaching professor of accounting, received the Bob and Betty Merwin Outstanding Citizen Award from ACES (Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System) for her dedication to her profession, free enterprise, and community contributions.
- Dr. Ken Louie, associate professor of economics, was honored with the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows Excellence in Outreach Award.
- Dr. Jeff Pinto, professor of management, delivered a keynote address at the 12th Annual Research Conference of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) in College Park, Maryland.
- Carol Putman, associate teaching professor of management, earned the 2024 Penn State Excellence in Advising Award.
- Zach Williams, assistant teaching professor of accounting, received Behrend’s Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising.
New Faculty and Staff
- Dr. Huiyan (Sandra) Chen, assistant professor of management information systems
- Dr. Xuechen (Bill) Gao, assistant professor of finance
- Dr. Zoe Schumm, assistant professor of project and supply chain management
- Jacob Jones, director, Center for Family Business
Retirements
- Dr. Jim Fairbank, associate professor of management
- Dr. Diane Parente, professor of management
- Dr. Al Warner, associate professor of management
- Sherry Johnson, financial associate
Leadership Team Updates
- Carol Putman, associate teaching professor of management: Department Chair, Management and Interdisciplinary Programs
- Dr. Chuck Brown, associate professor of accounting: Academic Program Chair, MBA
- Dr. Babajide Osatuyi, associate professor of management information systems: Program Chair, Functional Data Analytics
- Scott Stroupe, assistant teaching professsor of management: Chair, Learning Innovations