The Merrick Exchange

September 2007

Features

A Message From Dean Zacur

More Women in Business

Real Estate Program Booms

Events

Fall 2007 Events

Faculty

Professor Lauded

Honors Director Named

Students

Md. Firm, Students Collaborate

Summer Spent Making History

Alumni and Friends

Alumni Snapshot

Get Involved

Academic Programs

UB/Towson M.B.A. in Demand

Centers and Institutes

Building Ventures That Work

A Message From Dean Zacur Building a Better Baltimore Through Collaborative Business Education Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Merrick Exchange. We created this online newsletter to keep our alumni, students and friends informed of new and exciting Merrick School of Business activities and initiatives. We hope that you enjoy it and will share it with your colleagues and friends. This issue is an assembly of the outstanding people and programs involved in building a better Baltimore. The University’s founders established a business and law school for working men and women in 1925. > More

More Women in Business The Daily Record Partners with Merrick According to a recent press release by the Graduate Management Admissions Council, admissions applications to graduate business programs increased between 2006 and this year. Sixty-nine percent of the 252 M.B.A. and graduate business programs surveyed saw an increase in applications. The UB/Towson M.B.A., offered in partnership with Towson

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Dean continued from front page They created opportunities for students while contributing to the character of our city. Today, the Merrick School’s 25,000 graduates, current students, faculty and staff are fulfilling the legacy that started 82 years ago. Whether it is our efforts to educate real estate students in finance, land use, and environment policies, or entrepreneurial coaching, the city’s role in global trade, or leadership in an evolving business community, the Merrick School of Business is committed to leaving its mark on Baltimore. Last year, we launched a new undergraduate program, opened two new centers of excellence and created an innovative partnership with a sister institution. We continue to be engaged in programs that will enhance the needs of our students as well as those of the metropolitan area. The new B.S. in Real Estate and Economic Development program, launched in 2006, is the only program in the state that trains undergraduates in real estate finance and community engagement. Deborah Ford, professor of finance, has built the program from the ground up. She continues to add respected professionals to her advisory board and consistently makes valuable connections in the commercial development and lending industry as well as in industry organizations like the Urban Land Institute. Our Centers of Excellence now include the Jacob France Institute, the Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center and the Center for Global Business Studies. These centers reach out to the community in several ways; JFI continues to produce important research in state and local economic strategies; the EOC is dedicated to the growth and support of innovative ventures in Baltimore; and the CGBS is reaching beyond Baltimore’s borders to create international partnerships in countries like Peru and China.

Our most impressive initiative is the partnership with Towson University to deliver an accredited M.B.A. program. The UB/Towson M.B.A. was launched in 2006 and is rapidly gaining momentum in the Baltimore market. We are seeing impressive enrollments in the program and we recently added two specializations in business security and sport management. The commitment of UB and Towson to deliver a high quality program on two campuses and online is unprecedented. We are setting an example for other institutions nationwide that success can be achieved with cooperation and a pioneering spirit. We continue to hold true to our goal of making excellence accessible. We are taking the Merrick School of Business to the next level of prominence and distinction. We sincerely hope that you will be a part of this journey. One major priority of this journey is establishing meaningful connections between the Merrick School and its alumni. Merrick School of Business resources are available to each of you—whether you choose to expand your network, ask for help from or offer your expertise to one of our centers, or seek support in a career transition through our career center, we can help you on your personal journey to excellence and success. Likewise, we hope that you will consider helping our current students achieve excellence by sharing your experiences and knowledge as a speaker in a class or by mentoring an individual student who is embarking upon a career in your field of expertise. We’re here for you, and we want to hear from you, too. The Merrick School offers a world of opportunities—you should expect nothing less from us. We look forward to your interest and participation. Thank you.

Real Estate Program Booms Collaborative Event Planned with the Urban Land Institute - Baltimore Chapter The Merrick School of Business has a new undergraduate degree, the B.S. in Real Estate and Economic Development. No other school in Maryland offers an undergraduate program in real estate, let alone a major. While the official start of the program was fall 2006, the upcoming academic year will be the first time real estate classes will be offered. We are expecting a class of about 24 students this fall. That number is expected to increase as more freshmen enter UB over the next two to three years. (The campus began accepting first-year students for the fall 2007 semester.) On Thursday, Oct. 18, the Merrick School of Business will partner with the Baltimore Chapter of the Urban Land Institute in an inaugural celebration of the new program. The event will highlight currently enrolled students, the program’s Real Estate Advisory Board, and various government officials who have helped the School of Business achieve a successful launch for this valued, groundbreaking program. The Real Estate and Economic Development major is designed to give students a close understanding of real estate finance, community concerns for land use and the environment, and the way these factors work together to establish a valid market. The career field for students trained in real property issues is both varied and strong. Business students frequently obtain positions in the fields of development, investment, marketing, lending, and advising for institutional investors. At the same time, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has a field office in Baltimore, and both state government and local governments hire employees with expertise in housing, real estate valuation, planning and land use.

Deborah Ford, professor of finance in the Merrick school and chair of its department of economics, finance and management science, said the new program has received a great deal of interest in its first months of existence, both from experts in the field and students who recognize its inherent value. “Real estate should not be viewed as a short-term ‘hot’ industry that will fade in popularity,” Ford said. “Instead, the integral relationship of real property to life and financial markets should indicate that this industry will be a source of various career choices for years to come.” Indeed, the strength of Maryland’s housing market in recent years has encouraged many students to consider real estate, but even in non-growth markets and periods of economic restructure, property use is a viable career choice. Ford added, “The Merrick School of Business program is unique in that the real estate course work includes business classes in valuation and finance areas and an emphasis on land use and governmental processes for real property. Students are encouraged to take courses in community studies and public administration through the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts. As the program grows, we will graduate students who understand how real estate really works, and not just from the standpoint of economics. They will be influential in the future of Maryland.” The celebration will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 18 in UB’s Student Center. To reserve space for the celebration, please e-mail Danielle Giles at dgiles@ubalt.edu or call her at 410.837.4948. To learn more about the Real Estate and Economic Development program, please e-mail Deborah Ford at dford@ubalt.edu or call her at 410.837.4997.

Women continued from front page

is no exception, experiencing a 34 percent increase. The GMAC survey also found that more women are applying to graduate business programs.

Darlene Brannigan Smith, associate dean in the Merrick School of Business, said this ramping up of female enrollments confirms the growing sense that the American workplace is becoming considerably more equitable from a gender standpoint.

“U.S. Labor Department employment projections show that in 2008 women will make up 48 percent of the U.S. workforce,” Smith said. “With the increased prevalence of women in the workforce and the proliferation of career options for them, women are turning to advanced professional degrees to climb the corporate ladder. In the process, they have to make tough decisions about how to allocate their time between work, family and school.

“UB has always been a campus that suits the needs of students who are balancing their careers, families and outside interests,” Smith added. “Our focus has been to help our students excel in their careers, while they are juggling other areas of their lives. With flexible course schedules and online learning options, it is not surprising that women comprise 48 percent of graduate enrollments in the Merrick School of Business. In fact, our M.S. in Accounting program is seeing significant growth, with 51 percent of enrollments being female.”

According to Smith, the Merrick School is committed to making a quality AACSB education accessible from a financial standpoint. In the past year, the Merrick School has expanded the number of graduate scholarships by almost 200 percent over the previous academic year. In a recent letter to a donor, one scholarship recipient said that her scholarship will enable her to complete an M.S. in Taxation degree while balancing the needs of her college-aged children.

Her story is not unique at UB, but it is a great example of the Merrick School’s commitment to its students and their professional development.

This fall, Merrick will continue to meet the needs of the growing female student population by co-sponsoring an event with The Daily Record. The Nov. 30 event, titled “Leading Women: A Dialogue for Success,” is the kick-off of The Daily Record’s 13th annual “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” program”

Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, associate publisher of the newspaper, said, “Ironically this list was first started because there was a general consensus of those in the corporate community that there were not any qualified women around town. How times have changed!”

The Daily Record has honored more than 750 women leaders, including many UB graduates.

“We have educated some of the best women in town,” Smith said. “As the Merrick School continues to grow, our presence in the Top 100 has grown. Now, UB is thrilled to co-sponsor the “Dialogue for Success”; it’s a natural fit. We are bringing a significant networking program focused on leadership here to campus.”

UB is proud of its 34 alumnae who are among the members of The Daily Record’s “Maryland’s Top 100 Women.”

Anne T. Brennan, JD '84

Managing Partner Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP

Patricia M. Brown, JD '86 President

Johns Hopkins HealthCare, LLC

Jill P. Carter, JD '92 Delegate, 41st District

Maryland House of Delegates

Isabel M. Cumming, JD '93, MBA '89 Chief of Economic Crime Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office

Kendel S. Ehrlich, JD '87 Attorney

State of Maryland Executive Department

Amy B. Glaser Cohen, JD '95 Partner

Knight, Manzi, Nussbaum & LaPlaca, PA

Joan B. Gordon, JD '78 Associate Judge

District Court for Baltimore City

Jami R. Grant, M.S. '90 Visiting Professor

University of Baltimore

Felecia L. Greer, JD '93 Manager, Regulatory Projects

Pepco Holdings, Inc.

Nancy B. Grimm, JD '02 Law Office of Nancy B. Grimm, LLC

Marianne S. Hellauer, JD '80 Partner

DLA Piper US, LLP

Linda C. Janey, JD '96 Director

Maryland Office of Planning

Shohreh A. Kaynama, MBA '78 Dean

Towson University

Georgette D. Kiser, MBA '04 T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

Nicole P. Klein, JD '00 Administrative Law Judge

Office of Administrative Hearings

Ellen Lori S. Koplow, JD '83 Executive Vice President,

General Counsel & Secretary TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

Connie L. Kratovil Lavelle, JD '90 Law Office of Connie Kratovil Lavelle

Linda T. Layton, JD '84 Elder Law and Estate Attorney

Gwendolyn A. Lindsay, M.P.A. '77 Health Insurance Specialist

Health Care Financing Administration

E. S. Miller, JD '86 Partner

Miller & Truhe, LLC

Joyce T. Mitchell, JD '79 Principal

J.T. Mitchell, LLC

M. B. Murdock, JD '77 Judge

Baltimore City Circuit Court

Melanie C. Pereira, JD '87, B.S. '77 Director

Howard County Department of Corrections

Randi A. Pupkin, JD '87 Founder and Executive Director

Art With a Heart

Robyn C. Scates, JD '97 General Counsel College Summit

Anita M. Sheckells, B.S. '84 Partner

Katz, Abosch, Windesheim, Gershman & Freedman, PA

Robin Silver-Goldberg, JD '84 Principal

Miles & Stockbridge, PC

Jennifer J. Stearman, JD '99 Partner

McGuire, Woods, LLP

Barbara R. Trader, JD '84 Attorney

Barbara R. Trader, PA

Marie Van Deusen, JD '89 Senior Vice President, Wealth Management

Smith Barney Consulting

Kimberly L. Wagner, JD '88 Vice President Tritronics, Inc.

Gloria S. Wilson-Shelton, JD '89 Assistant Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General

Linda S. Woolf, JD '85, BA '82 Partner

Goodell, Devries, Leech & Dann, LLP

Joan M. Worthington, MBA '91, BS '84 Vice President, Technology Davis Inotek Instruments

Come Home to UB Fall 2007 Events The Merrick School of Business is engaged in the Baltimore community and we pride ourselves in presenting relevant topics to students and guests. The school and our centers frequently sponsor outreach events, forums and discussions throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you at a program soon. September 12 - "Merrick After Five" corporate strategy and networking event to be held at the Wine Source in Hamden sponsored by the Merrick Alumni Network. October 4 - Entrepreneurship Speaker Series - Access to Capital

October 4 - Graduate Business Open House at UB.

October 6 - GMAT Quantitative Review

October 13 - GMAT Quantitative Review

October 18 - A Celebration of the B.S. Real Estate and Economic Development program. Co-sponsored by the Urban Land Insitute and Merrick School of Business.

October 20 - GMAT Quantitative Review

October 24 - UB/Towson M.B.A. Open House on the Towson Campus

October 27 - GMAT Critical Reasoning Review November 3 - GMAT Sentence Correction Review

November 13 - Graduate Business Open House at UB

November 29 - Entrepreneurship Speaker Series - The Art of Branding

November 30 - Leading Women: A Dialogue for Success.Co-sponsored by the Daily Record and Merrick School of Business.

UB /Towson M.B.A. in Demand Pioneering Degree Meets Renewed Call As faculty and students embark on a new academic year, the UB/Towson M.B.A. celebrates its second year of partnership and success. Attendance at M.B.A. open houses doubled from last year and applications for the fall 2007 semester are up 34 percent. “We are all excited about our progress this year,” said Ron Desi, director of the M.B.A. program, “Given our substantial increase in applications, the local marketplace has responded well.” The 2007 academic year focused on the creation of new processes for administrative procedures, such as data integration between the two universities, a UB and Towson ID card, parking permit distribution to M.B.A. students, faculty collaboration, and the coordination of three new student orientations. The program also launched a marketing campaign featuring new radio and print advertisements, a new M.B.A. brochure, and the successful hosting of eight open houses (five at UB and three at Towson). According to Darlene Smith, associate dean of the Merrick School of Business, the 2008 academic year will center on “Operational Effectiveness.” This approach focuses on streamlining processes to ensure student satisfaction while simultaneously increasing the size of the program. In addition, the program is looking at the curriculum, specifically the 11 specializations, to ensure constant relevancy in the local market. Faculty collaboration will continue through a joint curriculum committee co-chaired by Steve Isberg (UB) and Judy Harris (TU). The UB/Towson M.B.A. will launch its new Web site in early September. In addition to general program information, the site will

Professor Lauded Nielsen Wins Multiple Awards

Christine Nielsen, professor of international business and strategy, has always received high marks from her students for her teaching skills. But she's outdone herself this year, earning both a University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Award and a Fulbright SyCip Distinguished Lecturer Award. Both of these awards pay tribute to her teaching. Nielsen received the USM award last April during the Board of Regents' annual awards ceremony. The teaching award is presented to USM educators for their professional accomplishments in the areas of research, scholarship, and creative activity; other awards recognize achievements in public service, mentoring, and collaboration. A total of 17 educators from across the USM received Regents Faculty Awards this year. At that time, UB President Robert L. Bogomolny praised Nielsen for her long-term efforts to broaden students' global perspectives on business, so that they are fully prepared to lead the way in building relationships and business activities across international borders. "Chris Nielsen's teaching and research focuses on how business works on a global scale," Bogomolny said. "She provides this crucial understanding at a time when companies of all kinds are competing internationally. Professor Nielsen provides her students with a global perspective that is key to the present and future of business." Nielsen's dedication to global business education is one reason why the Fulbright Scholars program recognized her and recently granted her its Distinguished Lecturer Award. This honor, reserved for senior scholars and professionals with

significant accomplishments, will allow Nielsen to lecture in the Philippines during September. During her three weeks abroad, Nielsen will address private and public sector leaders, academics and major organizations in Manila and in other regions of the country, on issues related to American business practices and economic policies. In addition, she will deliver a series of lectures around the theme, "U.S. Business Experience in the Global Context: National Policies and Business Practices for Potential Adaptation in the Philippines." Nielsen said she has two goals for her efforts in the Philippines: facilitate enhanced understanding of the global business environment; and share information about U.S. business policies and practices that may be adapted to the islands' environment in order to foster more effective business performance. When she is not lecturing about American businesses during her tour, Nielsen plans to speak on a model development program for women in the Philippines. The program, "Buhata Pinay" ("Do It Filipina!"), which she helped to design, has achieved Non-Governmental Organization status in the Philippines, meaning it is recognized by the United Nations and other developmental agencies. Nielsen, the University of Baltimore's Yale Gordon Professor of Distinguished Teaching, may be best known for her instrumental role in establishing UB's Wright Global Business Scholars Program. This series of experiential learning opportunities extends students' horizons beyond the United States through global business practica, international internships and foreign language training. Nielsen also serves as a consultant to both the public and private sectors, including membership on corporate advisory boards for two technology-based firms in the remote sensing industry. She has worked continued next page

Honors Director Named Oblak Brings

Prospective of Excellence to a Growing Program Marilyn Oblak, professor of management science in the Merrick School of Business, has been named director of the Helen P. Denit Honors Program. Oblak has been a provostal fellow at UB and an integral part of the development of the University's just-introduced curriculum for first-year students, as well as a former interim associate dean and department chair. She is a veteran educator at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Like many in academia, Oblak did not expect to have a career at a university. “I never thought as an undergraduate math student that I would end up teaching, and certainly not to become the director of an honors program," she said recently. "It goes to show that life’s twists and turns take many directions, and the right choices can put you on a very rewarding path. I hope those students who choose our program see it as a positive step that will lead them in exciting new directions.” Oblak has a ready answer when asked what makes an honors student stand out among his or her peers: “Honors students are motivated by intellectual curiosity and academic excellence," she said. "They enhance their college experience by taking honors classes, culminating in the honors project. This capstone experience allows them to do intense research on a topic of their choice with the guidance of faculty advisors. Our business students have done especially well in terms of their projects. Some students decide to write business plans, while others delve into intense scholarship. Regardless

Nielson continued from previous page with a number of federal agencies, including the Office of the U.S. Special Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. She is past president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Society on Social Implications of Technology. Among her numerous awards and honors is a Governor's Citation from the State of Maryland for "outstanding service as Director of International Programs … [and for] contributions to further the economic development agenda of Maryland’s businesses." Nielsen holds an undergraduate degree in education from the University of Rochester and an M.B.A. and doctorate in business administration from the George Washington University. Oblak continued from previous page of the type of project or subject, our honors students really showcase their academic achievements and personal growth during this experience.” The Denit Honors Program serves undergraduate students in both business and the liberal arts. Between the two schools, there are currently 82 enrollees in the program. Twenty-seven of them are Merrick students, and 15 are first-year students. Students admitted into the program must have a 3.5 GPA; they benefit from funding granted by the Helen P. Denit Foundation. In addition to their honors work, these students are encouraged to attend cultural and networking events and lectures, and participate in local, state and national academic conferences and competitions. Oblak cited Merrick graduate Peter Athanasiou, B.S.’03, as an example of the power of the honors program. In the wake of 9/11, Athanasiou submitted a project entitled “Securitization of Terrorism Insurance.” Guided by School of Business

faculty advisors George Andrea and Kenneth Stanton, Athanasiou considered the state of the insurance industry in terms of the availability and affordability of commercial property and casualty coverage. Along the way he received invaluable advice from Richard “Dick” Adams, B.S. ’73, a vice president at Bank of America and the Denit Foundation fund manager. After reading Athanasiou’s manuscript, Adams provided guidance to the student to help him leverage his honors project in his career search. Athanasiou’s intense work led him to win a Maryland Portz Award. This prestigious honors award, along with his honors project, were submitted for the national Portz competition. No specific category for business projects currently exists in the national competition, but it is the hope of those in the Denit program that an influx of submissions by Merrick students will convince the national Portz administrators to establish a business award. The honors project is the culmination of hours and hours of hard work for students in the program. According to current M.S. accounting student and 2006 business administration graduate Num Marayong, her single best college experience was her work in honors. "It allowed me the freedom to do research in the area of business in which I’m interested. It gave me the opportunity to explore something that I was curious about beyond my regular academic curriculum," Marayong said. "The research scope, coupled with the guidance of my project advisors, gave me tremendous knowledge that can be applied to both my professional and academic career.” Marayong said she came to view the Denit lounge in the School of Business as a welcome haven during her time in the program. "I was able to relax, study, chat with my friends and get guidance and support from [Denit Honors Program coordinator] Esther Materón-Arum," Marayong said. "You can

tell she enjoys working with students. She is like a mother to us all." Oblak said she is looking forward to the challenges and continued development and success of honors at UB. She pointed to the expansion of the program to accommodate UB's first freshmen and sophomores in 35 years as an indicator that it is thriving on our urban campus. "It's a genuinely exciting time to be at UB," she said. "I'm proud of us."

UB/Towson continued offer interactive features and new sections. The “Partners” section will feature video-cast interviews with business executives. The “Career Corner” will provide students with career advancement strategies. A “Testimonials” portion will feature video interviews with current students talking about their decision to take on the UB/Towson M.B.A., and specifically what they like about the program. The new site will also feature a “Director Blog,” an item not found on most M.B.A. Web sites. This fall also marks the kick-off to a new M.B.A. speaker series. The first event, “Power Tools for Leaders,” will be held on Towson’s campus on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. The second part of the series will take place next spring at the University of Baltimore. For more information about The UB/Towson M.B.A. please visit http://www.ubtowsonmba.com, or call Ron Desi, program director, at 410.837.4947.

Maryland Firm, Students Collaborate BioDerm Sciences' Chairman Extends Gratitude for Student Research The Global Business Practicum is offered every spring and is the highlight of many students’ academic careers. Studying abroad is a major draw to the class. Students who select the practicum gain real-world consulting experience with an international business focus. The practicum is structured to incorporate the needs of a Maryland based company. The company collaborates with our student consultants in order to achieve a vital international objective. During the spring 2007 semester, Alan Randolph’s Global Business Practicum class presented the results of their semester long corporate study for BioDerm Sciences, Inc. The Germantown, Md., company develops and commercializes wound and muscle injury management products. BioDerm targeted the United Kingdom as a future market. Practicum students traveled to London in order to learn more about what the firm will face entering the market. BioDerm’s board chairman, John Randall Hoggle, tasked the students with formulating and executing an entrance strategy into the UK’s advanced wound care product market. The students presented their findings to Hoggle and company clinical coordinator Lauren Bosco during class on May 7, 2007. Learn more about the program by visiting the Center for Global Business Studies.

June 22, 2007

W. Alan Randolph, Ph.D. Director, Center for Global Business Studies, Wilson H. Elkins Professor of International Business, and CSX Distinguished Professor of Leadership Merrick School of Business University of Baltimore

Dear Alan,

As Chairman of the Board of BioDerm Sciences, I want to thank you and your class for the work you did on the BioDerm Sciences, Inc. UK Launch Strategy Global Practicum project. As you know the BioDerm Sciences project had three goals:

(1) Search for future management talent from the University of Baltimore students involved in our project (2) Determine the appropriate BioDerm Sciences entry strategy to enter the United Kingdom market (3) Assess the opportunity to collaborate with University of Baltimore on this and future projects

The BioDerm Sciences UK Launch Strategy Global Practicum project met all three of our objectives:

(1) Search for future management talent from the University of Baltimore students involved in our project: Result: Hired a student from the class to work in global expansion of one of our other businesses and interviewing other students from the class and the University of Baltimore business school for other business management positions.

(2) Determine the appropriate BioDerm Sciences entry strategy to enter the United Kingdom market: Result: Refreshingly, we received very honest candid and research backed rationale to change our entry strategy into the United Kingdom that will ultimately yield a much better outcome and longer term success.

(3) Assess the opportunity to collaborate with University of Baltimore on this and future projects Result: BioDerm Sciences and other of our Healthcare Holding Companies will seek University of Baltimore collaborative project opportunities in the future as this experience was very rewarding for BioDerm Sciences management.

BioDerm SciencesTM, Inc. is pleased to provide this letter of endorsement and support for the University of Baltimore Global Practicum and the University of Baltimore collaborative spirit in working with private sector companies.

J. Randall Hoggle, Chairman of the Board

Summer Spent Making History M.B.A. Student Assists in Landmark Prosecution Most college students have at least one summer they’ll never forget. But not many have an unforgettable summer that also helps to change world history for the better.

Godfrey Ifeanyi-Nwanze, an M.B.A. student and the Merrick School Graduate Student Senate representative, spent two months in Tanzania as a legal intern with the Office of the Prosecutor for the United Nations Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. As a member of the trial team prosecuting extremists who terrorized the African country of Rwanda in 1994, Ifeanyi-Nwanze reviewed prosecutorial information, victim testimonials and evidence pertaining to the case. The group is accused of murdering at least 500,000 Tutsis and Hutus sympathizers in a four-month period.

Part of his experience was a weeklong trip to Rwanda, including sites where genocide took place.

“I did not sleep for two days after visiting the killing sites," Ifeanyi-Nwanze said. "My preconceived image of the atrocities changed when I saw the coffins and skeletal remains of thousands of human beings. It's impossible to believe that there is such a propensity for evil in the world; but at the same time, I saw the human spirit prevail over the horror.”

A Nigerian citizen, Ifeanyi-Nwanze came to UB after receiving his B.S. in business administration from Texas Southern University. He hopes to attend law school next year to maximize his Merrick M.B.A., and make a difference as an international corporate lawyer.

In addition to attending classes, Ifeanyi-Nwanze is working to bring a U.N. representative to campus in December for an open discussion on the Rwanda tribunals.

Ifeanyi-Nwanze

Asiedu Alumni Snapshot Kenneth Asiedu, International Internet Innovator Kenneth Asiedu, M.S. ’92, a native of Ghana, is the University of Baltimore’s 2007 Distinguished Entrepreneur Award winner in the Business Innovator category. He is co-founder of Intercom Data Networks. IDN markets low cost Internet telephone (broadband) services to clients in international markets, including Europe, Australia and Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana. He also owns Asiedu & Associates, an accounting firm in the Philadelphia area with five offices and plans to double in size next year. Why did Ken choose to attend the University of Baltimore? Asiedu said he had a number of reasons, but first and foremost was because of the "great professors" who bring real world experiences into the classroom. He also believes that UB is very affordable, and

given the level of faculty it's a great return on investment. Lastly, since Ken was working full time, he could attend classes at night and accommodate his hectic schedule. How has the Merrick School of Business education helped Ken with his career? As an international student new to the United States, Asiedu’s MSB education helped introduce him to the American business community and culture, from the faculty’s experiences and knowledge and the school's networking opportunities with alumni and local business professionals. Asiedu noted that he also took advantage of UB's Career Center, which helped him locate job opportunities and assisted with writing and reviewing his résumé. Asiedu has recently become more involved with the Merrick School; in particular, he has been elected to the advisory board for the entrepreneruship program. Why is it important for him to give back to the University? Ken said he believes that giving back—whether it's with your time, talent or treasure—is what America is all about, and a foundation from which "great things" can happen. Essentially, he enjoys helping others succeed. Asiedu also asserts that by helping the Merrick School and UB achieve greatness, all UB alumni and the greater Baltimore community receive a benefit. As an innovative business leader, what advice would you give recent and soon to be graduates? "Get out and network as soon as possible!" Asiedu said. "You cannot put a price on the value of networking and meeting people." He noted that President Bush made his way to the White House by way of his associates and friends, and in turn they have achieved levels of success they might not have had.

Building Ventures That Work The Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center Continues to Strengthen Local Businesses and Nonprofits Right now, in Baltimore and around the country, small and start-up businesses are playing a greater role than ever before in determining the future of the city. When people talk about growth, rebirth, rejuvenation, a city bouncing back from diminished expectations and a gloomy economy, they are thinking about—and witnessing—the rise of small business as a major player. Historically the largest sector of the economy in terms of number of employees, small business is now being recognized for the vital role it has played for many years. Simply put, it’s no longer just about corporations and mega employers.

This phenomenon is not happening of its own accord—it takes a lot of support and guidance, both external and internal. And it’s no accident that in the middle of the vital intersection of small business and economic forecasting stands the Merrick School of Business. The school’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center—founded just two years ago and already responsible for more than $1.8 million in newly generated revenues—is an example of the school’s leadership in spotting a business trend and capitalizing on it, for the good of its students, alumni, and the greater community. It was purposeful that Merrick devoted significant resources and talent to make the Center a launching pad for small and solo businesses to succeed. And it’s intentional that the Center has become a key indicator for how this kind of venture is surviving and thriving in the new Baltimore.

“I like to tell people that the Center is much more than just a barometer for the small business climate,” said Jim Kucher, executive director of the Entreprenueurial Opportunity Center and the school’s Entrepreneurship Program. “We are keeping a close eye on what’s going on in this sector, but we’re also providing

this sector, but we’re also providing expertise and creativity to help these new companies meet and exceed their expectations. When they grow, the city wins. We all win.”

It’s true: Name a “hot” neighborhood in Baltimore, and one of the top reasons for all that heat is the new restaurant or shop that opened up just down the street. People take notice of a new sign in the window, a new venture that wasn’t there last year.

The Center exists to help get that sign hung, and to make sure it stays there into the foreseeable future. Essentially, it pairs up students, faculty, alumni and other cultivated experts in a consultative relationship with those who are interested in growing their own firms. And it puts bright, energetic entrepreneurial students in a working/learning environment for the same purpose. If you’re taking classes at Merrick and interested in how a small business works, you now have the world in front of you.

Susan Zacur, dean of the School of Business, likens the Center approach to an immersion program for learning a foreign language.

“It’s fine to study that language in the classroom—if you have a good teacher you’re going to learn a lot,” she said. “But to be immersed in that language because everyone else is speaking it, to be enriched by that culture, this is the experience that you can’t replicate any other way.”

Zacur said that Merrick’s entrepreneurial students and faculty are steeped in the unique culture of small business, where ideas push the limits of creativity and the fast pace just gets faster every day.

“What our students learn, and what the center conveys so well, is the added reality that there are benchmarks to success, and that passion alone is not the secret to making your business model viable,” she said. “If we’re going to see Baltimore grow as a community transformed by small

business, we’ll need a sensible approach that has lasting value in the marketplace.”

Talk about value: The Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center delivers quality

consultations for rates well below what it would cost an owner in that highly competitive environment. According to Kucher, this message has worked its way into the local entrepreneurial culture—the center’s billable hours and full-time schedule bear that out.

“We’ve taken off in the same way that we like to see these small businesses take off,” he said. “It’s been an amazing time, and none of us in the school can predict how far it can go. What we do know, at this point, is that Baltimore has a pent-up demand for this kind of venture. And that’s why we’re here.”

The Center’s outreach efforts have brought together more than 1,500 area professionals and established partnerships with many local organizations, including the Greater Baltimore Technology Council, the U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Baltimore Development Corporation, the Emerging Technology Centers, the Small Business Resource Center, the Small Business Development Center, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, NASA, the Association for Corporate Growth, the Maryland Wineries Association, the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship and the Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore. It recently received a Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development award that will allow it to do even more to support locally-owned firms and start-ups.

If you’d like to learn more about the Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center, visit the Web site. If you would like to get involved, please call the Center at 410.837.4973, or e-mail at opportunity@ubalt.edu.

Get Involved ssion and

the success

• Joining the Merrick Alumni

Bring Your PaExpertise Back to UB Alumni are valuable partners inof the Merrick School of Business. Staying connected with the Merrick School is an excellent way to assist today’s students while providing you with valuable networking opportunities. You can stay involved with the Merrick School by:

Network. Meet other alumni tcareer networking and social events like

hrough

Merrick After Five and the GEICO Spring Speaker Series. Becoming a • Merrick Mentor to assist UB/Towson M.B.A. students.

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•

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Merrick Mentors are alumni and friends who provide students with professional advice, support and insight about career opportunities astudents move through their course of studies. Supporting the Merrick School of Business. Your gift, when combinedwith contributions from other alumni, assists today’s students and gives the Merrick School the flexibility to address the opportunities and challenges arise during the course of an academic year. Click here for morinformation about supporting the Merrick School.

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ving back to the Merrick School of

GiBusiness has never been easier. For more information about becoming more involved,please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 410.837.6131 or alumni@ubalt.edu.

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