I'm pleased to share the latest edition of the Black School of Business Director's Briefing—a way for us to keep you up to date on exciting happenings within our school.
The School of Business promotes engagement, fosters collaboration, and makes a real impact on the lives of students, alumni, stakeholders, and industry partners.
I'd like to share with you a number of the exciting highlights from our school, a testament to our commitment to excellence in education.
Sincerely,
Dr. Greg Filbeck, CFA, FRM, CAIA, CIPM, PRM
Director, Black School of Business
Samuel P. Black III Professor of Finance and Risk Management
[email protected]
Kim Awarded Chet L. Wolford Early Career Professorship
Dr. Joongseo Kim, assistant professor of management in the Black School of Business.
Penn State Behrend alumnus Ed Auslander ’85, ’91, retired president and CEO of LORD Corporation, has endowed an early career professorship in the Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend. The gift will honor the former faculty member Chester L. Wolford, who died in 2009. Dr. Joongseo Kim, assistant professor of management, has been named to the professorship, which is awarded for a three-year term. Kim teaches courses primarily in the areas of project management and leadership. His research has appeared in top journals, and his current research interests include business culture and behavioral ethics.
Black School of Business Receives Financial Literacy Grant
The CFA Society Pittsburgh recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Black School of Business to fund two internships to assist in financial literacy outreach in eight states. Interns will produce analytics regarding effectiveness of financial literacy programs and will promote regional efforts in volunteer recruitment and training.
Black School of Business Appoints Five New Executives in Residence
Appointed by the director of the Black School of Business to renewable one-year terms, Executives in Residence bring enthusiasm and industry perspective to the classroom environment, research projects, and learning-by-doing opportunities. In addition to speaking engagements and guest lectures, they lead workshops, sponsor class projects, judge business competitions, and provide career advising and mentoring opportunities. This year, the Black School of Business is proud to welcome five new executives in residence: Steven D. Bugajski, chief information officer, U. S. Steel; Jeremy Chaffee, director of North American Business and Operations, Logistics Plus; Daniel Levstek, president, MDL International; Eugene (Gene) Natali, CEO and founder, Troutwood; and Ann Scott, community outreach manager, Erie Insurance Group.
Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund Approaches $800,000
A fund drive launched last fall targets a goal of $1 million for the Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund. Once this level is achieved, a scholarship program for students involved with the fund will be launched. The value of the fund as of August 12 stood at $789,244. Black School of Business students learn through experiences such as managing the Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund supported by stakeholders who take an active interest in the success of tomorrow's business leaders. Your gift to Penn State Behrend helps enhance important initiatives for our business students, including:
- growing the Fund to $1 million, which then will fund student scholarships (donate here).
- providing assistance for students pursuing their professional certifications and designations or supporting an academic program (donate here).
Ten Students Receive CFA Institute University Affiliation Partnership (UAP) Scholarships
The Black School of Business has awarded 10 of its 17 allotted scholarships for students to pursue the CFA Level 1 exam as a part of its status as a University Affiliated Partnership (UAP) program. The CFA designation is the largest in business and among the most challenging. Successful candidates spend an average of more than 1,000 hours in study across the three levels of the program.
Marketing Students Assist Hagen History Center
Geri Cicchetti, Erie County Historical Society advancement director, collaborated with Dr. Mary Beth Pinto, professor of marketing, to help forty-four students develop a marketing plan to help the museum attract visitors under the age of 30, including a recommendation to use the name Hagen History Center for all marketing efforts. Cicchetti played a key role as an adjunct faculty in spring 2020.
Demirag Appointed Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies and Faculty Affairs
Ozgun Demirag
Dr. Ozgun Demirag has been named the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies and Faculty Affairs for the Black School of Business effective July 1, 2020. Demirag is an associate professor of operations and supply chain management. As associate director, she oversees the undergraduate curriculum committee and annual review committee as well as student engagement and involvement. She replaces Dr. Chuck Brown, associate professor of accounting, after his four-year tenure in the role. The two have worked closely over the last year for a smooth transition as Brown takes on additional national leadership roles with the NCAA as part of his duties as the Faculty Athletic Representative for Penn State Behrend.
Other Recent Highlights
- Dr. Greg Filbeck Interviews with WJET-TV Concerning Coin Shortage
- Students Gain Valuable Insights Through Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund
- Financial Management Association (FMA) Behrend Chapter Named "Superior Chapter" Designation in 2020
- Accounting Student Kristie Ferrick '21 Awarded Academic Merit Scholarship from The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)