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  1. Home
  2. Black School of Business
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  4. Director's Briefings

Director's News Brief - Fall 2021

A portrait of Greg Filbeck, director of the Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend

As we move through the fall term, I'm pleased to share the latest edition of the Black School of Business Director's Briefing—to keep you up to date on exciting happenings in our school.
 
The School of Business promotes engagement, fosters collaboration, and makes a real impact on the lives of students, alumni, stakeholders, and business and industry partners.
 
I'd like to share with you exciting highlights from our school, a testament to our commitment to excellence in education.

Sincerely,

Dr. Greg Filbeck, CFA, FRM, CAIA, CIPM, FDP, PRM
Director, Black School of Business
Samuel P. Black III Professor of Finance and Risk Management
[email protected]


New Center for Family Business Featured in Regional News

We recently announced our new Center for Family Business, created to address the unique needs of family businesses in our region. Dr. Greg Filbeck, director of the Black School of Business, and Doug Neckers, advisory board chair of the Center for Family Business, were recently featured on The Insider, a segment on Erie News Now. Erie News Now also featured an article about the new center on its website. Dr. Chris Harben, assistant teaching professor of management, has been named Toudy Chair in Entrepreneurship and Family Business and associate director of the Center for Family Business. You can hear a podcast of Filbeck, Harben, and Neckers discussing the new center on the Joel Natalie Show, Talk Erie.

Black School Reaches High Schools With Redesigned Website, New Strategic Partnership

The Black School of Business recently launched Version 2.0 of its high school outreach website and announced a co-branded partnership with Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania. The site serves as a resource for middle and high school teachers with vodcasts, presentations, and experiential activities. Students learn about “choosing a college major” and “essential skills for career success.” In addition, they can explore careers in business fields such as accounting, economics, finance, and marketing. All programming by Penn State faculty members, students, and alumni is offered at no expense.

Six Executives in Residence to Serve During 2021-2022

Six business leaders experienced in management, finance, and product innovation are serving as executives in residence in the Black School of Business during the 2021-22 academic year. Each brings industry perspective and expertise to the classroom, student research, and networking efforts.

  • Steven D. Bugajski, chief information officer, U.S. Steel (MIS Program, third year).

  • Matthew MacBeth, chief innovation officer, the Brookfield Group (IBE Program, first year).
  • Eugene Natali, CEO and founder, Troutwood (Finance Program, second year).
  • Jeremy O’Mard, managing consultant, IBM Global Business Services (MIS Program, first year).
  • Ann Scott, community outreach manager, Erie Insurance Group (Interdisciplinary, fourth year).
  • Jeff Stempka, senior associate marketing manager, Campbell Soup Company (Marketing, second year).

Find out more about the EIR program.

Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund Reaches $1 Million Goal

The Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund has reached $1 million, with a group of former student leaders pushing the fund over the mark. As of September 22, the value stands at $1,103,385. A scholarship program for students involved in the fund will launch this academic year. The Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund enables students to learn through experience, and is supported by stakeholders who take an active interest in the success of tomorrow’s business leaders. If you’d like to support important initiatives like this, please consider a gift to the Black School of Business. Your gift can help:

  • grow the Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund, which then will support student scholarships (donate here).
  • provide assistance for students pursuing their professional certifications and designations or support an academic program (donate here).

Accounting Day Gives Students Insights

The Department of Accounting held its fourth annual Accounting Day September 21. Third- and fourth-year accounting majors—as well as some ambitious first- and second-year students—met with working professionals, including partners, audit managers, and controllers from CPA firms and law enforcement. Four panel discussions were held with topics of interest to our accounting majors: “Why Public Accounting,” “Careers in Industry, Government, and Not-For-Profit Organizations,” “Public Accounting to Private Industry: Why the Switch?,” and “Tips that ALL Students Should Know.” Students received career information and practical advice about the next steps they can take in their path. The event, organized by Dr. Chuck Brown, associate professor of accounting, and Linda Hajec, assistant teaching professor of accounting, was made possible by the support of alumni and friends of the program.

Executives in Residence Programming Expands Reach

The Black School of Business empowers students to learn by doing, adapting, and reinventing business with high-quality, hands-on learning. The Executive in Residence program furthers this mission by inviting executives at the cutting edge of business to share their experience and expertise with students and faculty. Currently, six Executives in Residence serve our MIS, IBE, Finance, Marketing, and C3W Leadership programs.

So far this semester, EIRs have held the following events:

  • Marketing-Palooza and Marketing Panel with Jeff Stempka, senior associate marketing manager, Campbell Soup Company

During this week-long event, Jeff was guest speaker in several marketing classes, held one-on-one appointments with students, and organized a panel that allowed students to hear from and network with marketing professionals.

  • A Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Professional at IBM with Jeremy O'Mard, managing consultant for IBM, and David Chapin, North American privacy lead at IBM

This discussion gave students a glimpse into the day-to-day life of professionals working in the cybersecurity field, gave tips on applying for internships and open positions, and discussed the importance of continuing education beyond college through certification programs.

  • Analytics and Data Visualization session with U. S. Steel, with additional sessions on Oracle EBS and Cybersecurity planned for the rest of the semester.

Steve Bugajski is the Executive in Residence for the MIS program. He will be accompanied by colleagues from U. S. Steel as part of this series.

Back 2 Business Event Welcomes Business Students

More than 175 students, faculty, and staff came out to our Back 2 Business Event on August 25. Activities included food, games, and raffle baskets, with 12 clubs and organizations participating.

Alice Puzarowski recognized for Outstanding Work

Penn State's “We Are!” series recognizes Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what's asked of them in their work at the University. Great job to all the Behrend staff members who received a We Are!, including our own Alice Puzarowski, administrative support assistant! Find out more about the winning staff members.

Beta Gamma Sigma inducts 34 Students

The Black School of Business recently inducted 34 students into the Penn State Behrend chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma. These students represent “the best of the best,” as only schools with AASCB accreditation are eligible for hosting a chapter, and students must be in the top 10 percent of undergraduate students or top 20 percent of graduate students to be invited. Learn more and find a list of inductees.

Faculty Receive Promotions

Dr. Peerasit Patanakul and Dr. Ozgun Demirag have been promoted to professor of management and professor of operations and supply chain management, respectively. In addition, Carol Putman has been promoted to associate teaching professor of management. Congratulations to our faculty!

Demirag Recognized for Outstanding Research and Advising

Dr. Ozgun Demirag, professor of operations and supply chain management, was awarded the University-wide Excellence in Academic Advising Award and the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows Faculty Research Award.

Alumni Spotlights

  • Meghan Piedimonte ’12, who graduated with a degree in Marketing and certificates in Social Media and Consumer Psychology, works as a store manager at Macy’s in Virginia Beach.

  • Alyssa Clayton ’17, who graduated with a degree in Project and Supply Chain Management and Management Information Systems (MIS), works as a production supervisor at Rockwell Automation.
  • Arti Anna Ribarevski ’19, who graduated in with a degree in International Business and Marketing, works at Mindshare as a social assistant.

Director's Briefings

  • Director's News Brief - Fall 2022
  • Director's News Brief - Fall 2021
  • Director's News Brief - Spring 2021
  • Director's News Brief - Fall 2020
  • Director's News Brief - Spring 2020
  • Director's News Brief - Fall 2019
  • Director's News Brief - Spring 2019
  • Director's News Brief - Fall 2018
  • Director's News Brief - Summer 2018
  • Director's News Brief - Spring 2018
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