This edition of the Walker College of Business Dean's Update is one in a series of monthly publications for Walker College faculty, staff, stakeholders and Appalachian State University community members. Please share your news items for inclusion in this and other publications of the Walker College of Business. For up-to-date information, please check the news section at business.appstate.edu.
While attending a recent conference hosted by our accrediting body, AACSB, I had the pleasure of listening to former Xerox Chief Scientist John Seely Brown. At the heart of Mr. Brown’s plenary presentation to over 600 business deans from across the world was a core truth, “You cannot use a hierarchy to compete with a network."
Our network is central to the Walker College's work of delivering transformational educational experiences, and although our activities are supported from the top down, the work across the network sets us apart. Our seven active advisory boards inform our curriculum with industry expertise; faculty members collaborate with research peers across state and national borders, and our students reap the benefits. The Walker College is growing because of our willingness to embrace innovation across the board. Although it’s my great privilege to raise and allocate resources appropriately and guide where guidance is desired or required, the work happens in the network. Pictured are Fudan University delegates with Appalachian students on campus as part of the Holland Fellows Program for Business Study in China.
Our network includes:
- Finance Professor Delbert Goff, along with co-BIG Advisor David Thompson and CFA Mentor Chris Pavese (Broyhill Asset Management), and the winning BIG students.
- CIS & SCM professor Ken Corley, who was recently featured in Appalachian Magazine for the impact his work is having on students and their understanding of sustainable business through his collaboration with local coffee entrepreneur Don Cox (Bald Guy Brew).
- Sustainable business director Jim Westerman, who has been jump-starting efforts to improve sustainability knowledge and efforts within the Walker College of Business and beyond.
- The Chinese delegation arriving from Fudan University in Shanghai on March 12, as well as the 250+ Holland Fellow Program for Business Study in Asia alumni who have been touched over the course of the past 20 years.
- We hope that the 23 best-and-brightest rising freshmen that our scholarship committee interviewed during the Feb. 20 Scholars Day will also become part of our network.
- Although we will bid Distinguished Professor Dave Wood farewell in August as he embarks upon a new role at Middle Tennessee State University, Dr. Wood will remain a key member of our network.
I encourage each of you to engage with our growing Walker College network, and to do so often. Approaching opportunities include the March 24 Boyles Lecture featuring Wells Fargo Senior Executive Vice President of Wealth Management and Investment David Carroll and our own David Thompson delivering luncheon comments, and the April 8 Global Opportunities Conference featuring Interface’s VP of Sustainability Erin Meezan. Yes, they're in our network, too. Pictured left-right are Dave Wood, Erin Meezan, David Carroll and David Thompson.
While our students are enjoying spring break this week - whether participating in college faculty-led travel abroad adventures in Costa Rica and England or spending well-earned rest and relaxation time with friends and family, they are a part of growing our network, too, through their myriad connections - parents, brothers and sisters, coworkers, and friends. These connections with others are paramount. Take time to celebrate your friends. Happy birthday to Walker College team members celebrating this month:
- March 8 - Loring Wright Tilley, Management
- March 9 - Wendy Deng, MBA Program
- March 12 - Leigh Dunston, Finance, Banking & Insurance
- March 12 - Ivan Roten, Finance, Banking & Insurance
- March 15 - Larry Miners, Economics
- March 16 - Heather Dixon-Fowler, Management
- March 21 - Jerry Fox, Management
- March 22 - Unal Boya, Marketing
- March 22 - Barbara Rule, Marketing
- March 27 - Lynn Compagnone, CIS & SCM
- March 28 - Kathy Graham, Academic Advising
- March 30 - Michael Dotson, Marketing
