Business Exchange: Fall 2009

Volume 3, Issue 2 Fall 2009

BusinessA Magazine for the James F. Dicke College of Business administration

Exchange

Entrepreneurial. Ethical. Engaged.

Creating Tomorrow’s

Leaders.

A Message from the Dean

BE Feature 5-9Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders

BE Feature 10-13Taking the Lead

International Study 14-15Learning Business in South Korea

Alumni Profile 16-17Michael Kaufmann

Faculty Profile 18Kay Zekany

College News & Events 20-21

Advisory Board 22

contentsFall 2009

ON THE COVER

The student leaders photographed for the cover and throughout this issue of BE are Jared Welch, a senior pharmaceutical business major from Wooster, Ohio, Alicia Ochei, a senior accounting major from Houston, Texas, and Alyssa Ahlers, a senior marketing major from St. Marys, Ohio.

BUSINESS EXCHANGE 3

Business ExchangeVolume Three - Issue TwoFall 2009

EDITORS/WRITERSJosh AlkireLaurie Wurth Pressel

DESIGNER Jeni Bible

PHOTOGRAPHY Kenneth ColwellMike Olliver

Produced under the auspices of the Ohio Northern University Office of Communications and Marketing.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORSAnn E. Donnelly, BA ’99

Business Exchange is published by The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration at Ohio Northern University 525 S. Main St. Ada, Ohio 45810 419-772-2000www.onu.edu

The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration prepares students to become successful business and community leaders in a changing world. The college offers nationally accredited academic programs in six majors and five related areas of study. The integration of theory and practice and ongoing mentoring opportunities are hallmarks of this outstanding academic program.

Our faculty, staff, students and alumni know why The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration is special. They appreciate the exceptional, one-of-a-kind

education we offer. But it is not always easy to put an experience into words. How do we effectively relay the college’s distinctive attributes to others?

With input from faculty, students and alumni, and with assistance provided by the ONU Office of Communications and Marketing, we developed language to express our brand: “Creating

Tomorrow’s Leaders: Entrepreneurial, Ethical, Engaged.” These words capture the essence of what we provide in a business education. Our students receive individual attention, experiences and opportunities that are hard to duplicate. By focusing on these three “E’s” of leadership – entrepreneurial, ethical and engaged – we give students a solid foundation on which to build successful careers.

Our new tagline is a first step toward building our reputation among a larger audience. Please help us in our efforts to promote the College of Business Administration. Tell someone today – whether it’s a colleague, your spouse or a prospective student – why you value your education from the College of Business Administration.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Business Exchange, which includes a discussion on leadership with four of our distinguished alumni and a spotlight on student leaders. Please stay in touch. You can e-mail me at [email protected]

Sincerely,

James W. Fenton Jr., Ph.D.Dean and Professor of Management

Message from the Dean

BE FeatureBE Feature


Creating Tomorrow’s

Leaders.

In a volatile global climate, it’s no longer business as usual. There’s a new paradigm essential for successful leadership. Leaders must be entrepreneurial in their thinking, ethical in their conduct and engaged in their communities and the world. That’s the kind of student we graduate from The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration. And it’s this distinctive education that sets us apart – rigorous, experiential, hands on, personal. In the pages that follow, four distinguished College of Business Administration alumni share their insights on leadership.

BUSINESS EXCHANGE 5

Mark HenschenPresident and CEOMinster BankMinster, Ohio

Mark Henschen, BA ’77, has nearly 30 years experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Minster Bank, a locally owned community bank with assets exceeding $285 million, for the last 23 years. As president and CEO, Henschen is responsibile for his bank’s performance and all areas of its operation. Henschen is active in his local community, serving on advisory boards and committees related to the public schools, the county extension agency, his church and the local hospital. He received his MBA from Eastern New Mexico University.

“Banking o!ers the opportunity to work closely with other business people. Small business owners are some of the most dynamic and certainly some of the most entrepreneurial people out there.”

Shawn EndsleyController and Chief Accounting O"cerUSA Mobility Inc.Alexandria, Va.

Shawn Endsley, BA ’77, has worked in accounting for more than 30 years. He began his career in 1977 at Arthur Andersen & Co., working his way up to senior manager. He then entered the telecommunications field, holding top-level positions at LCI International Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc. and Global TeleSystems Group Inc. (GTS), a European telecommunications firm. He joined GTS as a vice president and made numerous trips to Europe as part of his corporate responsibilities. Endsley also served as a consultant with Resources Global Professionals, where he had the opportunity to assist in the financial restatement activities at MCI/WorldCom after one of the largest corporate frauds in U.S. history. He joined USA Mobility Inc., a publicly traded wireless service provider, in 2004. Endsley received his MBA from The Ohio State University.

“I enjoy working with my sta! to maximize their strengths and to provide an e"cient and e!ective set of processes and procedures to meet our ongoing financial and operational requirements.”

Carol KlineChief Information O"cerTeleTechBoulder, Colo.

Carol (Applegate) Kline, BSBA ’86, is chief information officer at Teletech, a leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) company. Teletech has about 50,000 employees in 17 countries, on virtually every continent, in 80 delivery centers around the globe. On an average day, the company handles about 3.5 million customer calls on behalf of its clients. Kline is responsible for driving TeleTech’s IT strategy and operations, including the launch of the company’s next generation of technology innovation. She has more than 20 years of experience in managing dynamic technology environments and global operations teams. Before joining TeleTech, Kline served as executive vice president of operations at EchoStar, providing oversight of DISH Network’s customer management centers and installation service networks. Prior to joining EchoStar, Kline was the chief information officer and executive vice president for America Online and senior vice president of worldwide operations for Qwest Communications. Kline received an MBA in marketing and business policy from Case Western Reserve University.

“I get to wear a million hats in my role – sometimes technologist, sometimes strategist, sometimes operator, sometimes salesperson and always a leader of thousands of employees. #is makes it incredibly diverse, challenging and fun.”

Deann NewmanTax PartnerDeloitte Tax LLPDetroit, Mich.

Deann (Fishpaw) Newman, BSBA ’83, is an attorney and partner-in-charge of tax management services for her firm’s North Central region. She serves some of Deloitte’s largest clients and specializes in companies facing significant transformations. Newman has extensive automotive industry experience, and her tax experience crosses all areas of taxation impacting complex, multinational organizations in varied industries. Newman also leads an initiative for the advancement and retention of women for Deloitte’s southeast Michigan practice. Before joining Deloitte, she worked at a local public accounting firm, a boutique public accounting firm, and at Coopers and Lybrand as a staff associate, progressing to the director level. She received her juris doctorate degree from Wayne State University Law School.

“I not only embrace change, I thrive on it. My clients are generally undergoing some type of significant transformation and are looking for solutions to unique and challenging issues. I am fortunate enough to be able to lend my expertise to assist in crafting those solutions.”

Leadership

Henschen: It is my desire to be a servant leader. A servant leader is willing to put others first, is willing to give and is always willing to help others. I also try to continue to learn. Good leaders are also good learners.

Newman: My team can expect that I will be genuine and straightforward in all my interactions, delivering as promised. I surround myself with a team of professionals who are bright and talented but most of all positive. To draw from the authors of How Full is Your Bucket?, others can count on me to fill their buckets. I like to process all of the multiple characteristics and challenges of any given situation and turn them into something positive. I also see myself as a visionary.

Kline: People who work for me would say I’m a little more revolutionary and a little less evolutionary. I’m a change agent. I am very engaged, action-oriented, results-driven and demanding. I love building teams and helping folks to deliver what no one thought could be.

How have you evolved through the years as a leader?Endsley: Initially I focused on my own performance and results, thinking that would be the best measure of leadership. As my responsibilities evolved, I became increasingly aware of the need to marshal the talents and skills of those around me. Now I focus on motivating, educating and mentoring others to reach our shared goals. I

have changed from being more inner focused to being outer focused on others.

Henschen: The longer I’m in business, the more I realize that leadership is all about the relationships we have with people. You have to have a plan, but working with and through people is how that plan is implemented. Sometimes we tend to think the plan is the key, but really it is about the people.

Newman: I’ve evolved as a leader by observing and learning from others. Leadership is a journey, and effective leaders are constantly developing and improving their leadership styles. I have developed my technical skills, I have worked with many great leaders, and I try to borrow a bit of their most successful attributes and apply them in my own way. Likewise, I have taken note of those things that are not effective and learned from both my own mistakes and those of others.

Kline: I’m a little more patient. I have a longer-term view for myself and the organization. I tend to trust the folks that I work with more. I’m a little more realistic in what can be achieved.

How has the business climate changed over the past few years?Endsley: It has exhibited a pendulum-like swing from a focus on excessive risk to achieve outsized returns to a focus on the minimization of risk and equalizing outcomes. Companies and individuals have ignored fundamentals like savings, realistic performance-based borrowings and income matched to expenses. The business climate that spawned excessive risk-taking also supported the attitude of “I have to get mine anyway I can.” That attitude created the environment for the scandals we have witnessed. The pendulum has now potentially swung to the other extreme. I don’t find that unusual. There has been a similar reaction when other bubbles have burst in our history. The new business climate will see an increased reluctance for excessive risk and perhaps a return to business fundamentals.

What are the most important qualities for a leader to possess?Endsley: A leader has to produce measurable results that benefit the organization. He or she also needs to establish an ethical environment in which to achieve performance. Finally, a leader needs to maximize the strengths of the individuals on the team.

Henschen: When it comes to lasting influence, nothing is more important than ethics and character. Charisma may draw people to you, but without character it can lead to problems. We have seen many instances over the past several years of charismatic people who have committed massive fraud and stolen large amounts of other people’s money. Some character qualities that are important include integrity, being truthful and discipline.

Newman: The most important quality of an effective leader is integrity. Without integrity, there are no followers. Closely following integrity is honesty. Every team member needs to be able to count on their leader to be honest and genuine. Another important quality of a leader is a positive outlook. Positive leaders are highly motivating as they inspire others to achieve their fullest potential. Finally, I find that leaders who have a clear vision and are able to share that vision effectively are the best leaders.

Kline: It’s hard to lead if no one will follow you. The ability to create a compelling vision and get people engaged and aligned around the vision and all working in the same direction are critical skills of a leader. In order to do that, people need to trust and respect you. I also think the ability to drive change – to see the opportunities and get the team to rally and make those changes to capitalize on those opportunities – are important skills as well.

What type of leader are you?Endsley: I enjoy helping others use their strengths to meet our organizational goals and objectives. I prefer to establish broad measurable goals and an environment in which individuals can use their strengths to achieve those goals without undue specific direction.

insights on

BUSINESS EXCHANGE 7

Henschen: Directly before the current economic downturn, people were willing to accept risk beyond what they understood. When the climate got rough, many of those people became fearful and sold assets at the bottom of the market – whereas those who understood the risks going in often stayed the course. People seem to be much more aware of the potential risks today, and some are avoiding risk altogether. It also appears that the willingness to look to government for solutions has increased. It will be interesting to see how the downturn will impact the business climate going forward and how long the memory of the downturn lasts.

Newman: The business climate has become much more focused on integrity in light of recent scandals. If you explore the impetus behind many of the legislative changes impacting the public-accounting profession, for example, you find situations where basic ethics were compromised. As a result, there has been a spotlight on the importance of unwavering integrity.

Kline: The last 12 months have been the most challenging economic environment of my career. Virtually every sector that we serve has been negatively impacted. As companies slashed spending, we’ve seen the interdependencies within sectors and between suppliers of those sectors. As top-line revenue growth became much more challenging, many businesses focused on margin protection and shed costs and deferred purchases. I don’t see a reversal of this conservative view in the near term, even as some economic indicators are looking more positive.

What type of leadership qualities will be important in the future?

Endsley: Future leaders will need to understand the economic, regulatory and political environments in which their entity operates. Performance may not occur at historical levels, and leaders will need to exhibit the honesty and ethical responsibility to

explain why results are what they are. This may mean slower growth, less risk-taking and reduced opportunities. Leaders will need to avoid the “herd mentality.” But not doing what everyone else is doing will take courage. A future of reduced expectations will mean leaders will need to figure out how to do more with less and how to motivate their organizations to achieve.

Henschen: The same leadership qualities that were important in the past are still important today. Qualities like character, the ability to deal with uncertainty and the ability to focus on what’s important will continue to be vital in the future. There are always plenty of smart leaders, and smart leaders adjust as climates change.

Newman: The qualities of effective leaders will continue to evolve, but the base qualities of integrity and honesty will always be important. In the near term, leaders will be challenged to reinvent themselves and their organizations as they continue to manage through significant changes. In the long term, the core qualities of effective leaders will carry the day.

Kline: The table stakes for leadership qualities today – the ability to create a compelling vision, get people engaged and rallied around that to deliver results, build strong teams, strong communication skills, etc. – continue to be important in the future. In addition, the ability to manage in a global environment will become more and more relevant. Lastly, innovation is what will make or break our economy in the long run. The ability to create a culture of innovation and take those innovations and ideas to execution will be critical.

What does the leadership trait “entrepreneurial” mean to you?Endsley: To many, an entrepreneur is someone who starts their own enterprise. I think that definition is too narrow. Entrepreneurs can exist inside established organizations. They are individuals who recognize a need and take responsibility and action to meet that need. They are individuals who can think broadly and creatively and operate within constraints to meet the need.

Henschen: It means being able to create value by recognizing or identifying opportunities that either did not previously exist or were not previously recognized. The U.S. has seen tremendous growth over the past 100 years from people who have found new products, processes, industries or technologies.

Newman: Entrepreneurs are able to craft a vision where there currently is none. They can take a situation where there is ambiguity and fluidity and see new ideas emerge from where others may just see chaos. Entrepreneurs are also risk-takers, sometimes taking a great deal of risk to push forth their ideas.

Kline: I’ve been so fortunate to have worked in some of the most entrepreneurial companies and for several amazing founders and entrepreneurs who created their own billion-dollar-plus businesses. Entrepreneur – you’ll know one when you see one. Some are at times borderline crazy! They have a level of passion, almost an obsession, for the mission, the business or the project. They never say never. They are willing and fearless about taking on calculated risks and bet the farm if needed. They are always on, always thinking, always planning and always working.

What does the leadership trait “ethical” mean to you?Endsley: Ethical leadership is the ongoing application of honesty, responsibility, integrity and character in a person’s day-to-day activities. It goes beyond the standards that might be imposed by professional certification.

Henschen: Doing the right thing. Most of the time it is not difficult to know what is the right thing to do in a given circumstance. However, people’s ideas of right and wrong don’t always match up, so as a leader, it may become more difficult to have everyone agree, especially as we do more business internationally.

Newman: “Ethical” is embodied in integrity for me. Sound business ethics are the foundation for success.

Kline: In very simple terms, “ethical” is doing the right thing. We all know the difference between right and wrong in our lives. I don’t think it is that different in business.

What does the leadership trait “engaged” mean to you?Endsley: It means having an understanding of not just the task or tasks at hand, but the larger context. In other words, a leader should understand how actions impact the organization (people and company) as well as the larger environment, such as the industry, economy, etc.

Henchsen: “Engaged” means to be “dialed-in” – very interested and involved. When you are engaged, you not only do the work, but it is always on your mind. You are always thinking about how to improve and how to grow your business.

from ONU give you the means to start your professional career and to support you wherever that career may lead.

Henchsen: Business is all about relationships. Most universities teach the fundamentals of business in their business school. But, after you graduate, that is when the true value of your education and university experiences is revealed. Like all universities, ONU’s graduates have gone on to successful careers in business. But ONU alumni also are an invaluable resource to one another. ONU alumni provide an extension of the university relationship to each new graduate as they prepare to enter the workplace.

Newman: ONU offers a solid foundation in business with an emphasis on skills that are practical and relevant. Looking back, I realize the importance of the many problem-solving discussions much more clearly now as I see new graduates of ONU join my team. There’s a willingness to dig in and develop a solution to a problem using relevant tools and technology that ONU graduates consistently demonstrate over others. As a student at ONU, I always felt a positivity that inspired me to want to achieve my potential. ONU has created a learning environment that encourages problem solving and inspires creativity.

Kline: There is a great mix of a challenging curriculum with a very supportive environment. If you want to do something to further your academic pursuit, the faculty will find a way to say yes to your request. You’re a person, not a number. And when you show up on the campus 23 years later, your professor will remember who you were and will be proud of whom you have become.


Newman: To me, “engaged” captures the feeling of being in the trenches in the moment. It embodies an element of genuineness that’s critical for all leaders. Teams identify with leaders who are engaged and straightforward in their communications and interactions. There is a clarity that comes from a synergy in their communications and actions.

Kline: It means being a leader who is actively involved every day in delivering the mission and who is able to create an environment that gets everybody in the business participating in the process of improving the business.

What are the distinctive features of an ONU College of Business Administration education?Endsley: First, the personal interaction with the faculty and other students supports a sound educational foundation and establishes leadership fundamentals. You begin the process of leadership and career by dealing one-on-one with people at ONU. Second, an ONU business education stimulates and encourages intellectual curiosity. Modern business is an engine of creative destruction and renewal. Intellectual curiosity gives you the desire to understand the process of change and gives you context in order to handle change. You learn the fundamentals at ONU. The lessons, experiences and sound education foundation

BUSINESS EXCHANGE 9

BE FeatureBE Feature

Northern business students shine in leadership roles every day in class and through a plethora of outside-the-classroom experiences and activities.

BUSINESS EXCHANGE 11

Anca IstocHometown: Arad, RomaniaClass: JuniorMajor: Accounting

As a leader, she’s motivated and hardworking

Member of the Institute for • Management Accountants.Vice president of reporting for Beta • Alpha Psi, an accounting honorary, with responsibility for preparing and

Alyssa JonesHometown: Monroe, OhioClass: JuniorMajor: MarketingMinor: Sociology

As a leader, she’s insightful and open-minded

Serves on the membership • development committee for Kappa Alpha Theta, a social sorority.Member of Alpha Phi Omega, a • service fraternity that requires annual service to school, community, country and fraternity.Mentors a 6-year-old girl through • Ada Friends, meeting with her weekly for activities such as baking cookies, watching movies and making crafts.Member of the Leader’s Council, a • group that promotes leadership on campus.Summer intern at Elements Event • and Conference Centre, an event-planning company in Cincinnati.

Kim ChaseHometown: Dover, OhioClass: SophomoreMajor: Accounting As a leader, she’s focused and caring

Member of the Institute for • Management Accountants.Assistant financial vice president • and housing manager for Alpha Xi Delta, a social sorority.Treasurer of the freshman women’s • honorary Alpha Lambda Delta, responsible for the group’s finances and for organizing events.Fundraising volunteer for Habitat • for Humanity. Student worker in the Office of • Residence Life.Assistant director of community • service for the 2009 Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference, helping to organize activities in Ada for the 200 ambassadors who attended the conference.

“Even in my first year, I jumped at opportunities for leadership in the groups I joined. I’ve discovered that people expect me to be honest, trustworthy and dependable. I try to exemplify these traits in all of my leadership roles. A person is only a good leader when they have earned the respect of those around them. At ONU, I am developing the traits that people are looking for in a leader.”

Volunteer for Kappa Alpha Theta, • participating in fundraising events and activities such as an Easter egg hunt for Ada children and raking leaves for elderly residents.

“I was raised to believe that you are what you make of yourself – and what matters most is what is on the inside. I’ve always wanted to be the kind of person who goes above and beyond what is asked and what is expected. Volunteering has given me an appreciation for others and filled me with a positive energy. It’s important for leaders to get involved with their community as a volunteer. It helps them to understand the wants and needs of the environment in which they live and work. As a volunteer, you gain the gifts of being humble, empathetic, confident and outgoing – all traits that make you a better leader.”

submitting reports to the national group and keeping attendance. Participated in the honorary’s national convention in New York City in summer 2009, attending leadership seminars and volunteering with cleanup efforts at Red Hook Park in Brooklyn.Academic affairs secretary for the • Student Senate, a position that requires service on University-wide committees comprised of administrators, faculty and students.Resident assistant in Stambaugh • Hall, with responsibility for enforcing the University’s policies and planning programs for the residents.Summer accounting clerk at • Deifendeifer Accounting.Sales associate at Macy’s • Department Store.Sales representative at Cappie • Sportswear.

“My outside-the-classroom activities have been very rewarding and have taught me about responsibility, organization and time management. I have to stay on top of meetings, projects and deadlines in order to be successful in my positions. Good leaders must be motivating, perseverant, creative and ethical. In the future, I hope to be the kind of leader whom people look up to and whom they turn to for guidance.”

Alyssa AhlersHometown: St. Marys, OhioClass: SeniorMajors: Marketing and communications

As a leader, she’s energetic and persistentPresident of the ONU student chapter of the • American Marketing Association.Core group member of the President’s Club, • responsible for organizing students for alumni events.Past public relations chair and Rho Gamma • recruitment councilor for Delta Zeta, a social sorority.Member of the Dean’s Mentorship Committee, • assisting with the College of Business Administration’s mentorship program between upperclassmen and freshmen.Bear Ambassador for the Office of Admissions, • serving as a tour guide for prospective students and their parents.Vice president of the Dean’s Advisory Council, • responsible for gathering student input to share with the College of Business Administration.Intramural volleyball player.• Volunteer for Red Cross blood drives.• Volunteer for the Up ’til Dawn fundraiser for St. • Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.Participant in the Jack Morton Marketing Agency • workshop in New York City and Chicago.2008 summer intern with the Cincinnati Reds.•

“I’m convinced it takes a well-rounded and well-versed individual to be a leader and to be successful in life. Diversifying my interests has enabled me to connect with people from all walks of life and to become a better team member. I hope to be a leader who is never complacent, always accepting of new challenges and unwilling to settle into a routine.”

Chris CorradoHometown: Cincinnati, OhioClass: SeniorMajors: Marketing and finance

As a leader, he’s entrepreneurial and outgoingServed as president and fundraising director • for Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), creating a unique product – chocolate polar bears on a stick – to sell as a fundraiser and developing strategies to increase student and community growth in areas such as business ethics, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.Founder of the Orange Noses clown ministry • team, a group whose goal is to “Change the world, one smile at a time.”Student representative of the Dean’s Advisory • Council, responsible for gathering student input to share with the College of Business Administration.Past member of ONU’s varsity men’s soccer • team.Young entrepreneur who started a small art • business in high school, designing and selling seasonal folk-art statues. Currently seeking opportunities to mass produce these projects and sell designs on the wholesale market.Intern at American Trim, in Lima, Ohio, working • on product development.Self-contractor with the Amazing Portable • Circus, juggling, stilt-walking and twisting balloon animals for private parties, festivals and street corners and organizing and leading teamwork events for corporate organizations.

“Being an entrepreneur means having the ability to observe what people desire, the creativity to bring it to them and the passion to see it through. I’ve been told that success breeds success, that ‘winning is contagious.’ I have a passion to succeed and whenever our SIFE team completes a successful project, the soccer team makes it to the Elite

8 or the Orange Noses gets a standing ovation, that success has only inspired me to have bigger goals and dreams.”


international study

South KoreaLearning Business in

This July, Ohio Northern University sent eight students and one professor to Seoul, South Korea, to participate in the Hanyang University Summer Program Fellowship. Now in its third year, this fellowship includes four weeks

of summer study at Hanyang University, tuition, housing and excursion costs as well as a one-week trip to China, including stays in Xi’an and Beijing.

This year, two students from each of the University’s four undergraduate colleges received fellowships. While gaining overseas experience is important to all areas of study, it is particularly important to those in business fields as

the global economy constantly changes. The experience also prepares business students for a future in leadership. Travis Edington, a sophomore in accounting from Thompson’s Station, Tenn., and Chelsea Mack, a sophomore in

international business and economics from South Euclid, Ohio, represented The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration this year.

Both Edington and Mack learned a great deal during the fellowship, especially about the world outside the United States. “I was able to obtain an outside perspective on the U.S. economy and a more encompassing outlook on the

Chelsea Mack and Travis Edington

world economy,” says Edington. Mack adds, “I’m beginning to understand that certain issues are not solely about economics and politics, but rather family, culture, tradition and pride.”

As they encountered new perspectives about the outside world, Edington and Mack also faced a few difficulties.

“The most difficult thing by far was the language barrier,” Edington says. “I don’t speak Korean, so I sometimes had a difficult time making people understand what I was saying.” Mack agrees that the language barrier was difficult, but her biggest challenge was adjusting to the food. “I discovered more dishes that I liked as time went on,” she says.

Once Edington and Mack assimilated themselves into the South Korean culture, they began to realize the implications that the trip could have for their future in leadership. They gained bartering experience in China’s markets, a tool that is important in a world business market. “Where do you get to bargain for items at the local market in America? Immediately the vendors could tell we were foreigners, and they would mark up the price by at least 500 percent,” explains Edington. “We had to really work to get it down to its normal price.”

Aside from this valuable tool, they were able to take an introspective look at the world market. Each took notice of the ways that such an examination would help them grow as leaders of the future. “I can definitely say that this has prepared me to be a leader,” Mack asserts. “As an international business major, I am learning the importance of adapting to the surrounding culture and environment. Doing this later in my career will allow me to gain more respect from my co-workers, partners and

bosses.” She is considering practicing business overseas in the future; “Travel teaches you what things you value and what things can be significant. Also, travel would give me the opportunity to see the world while doing something that I love. It would be the best of both worlds.”

Though his accounting major does not specify domestic or international work, Edington says that he would “absolutely think about” practicing business overseas. “One of the main things that was pointed out to me was that the U.S. economy only accounts for a fraction of the world market. Why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of that possible success?”

Dr. David Smith, associate professor of geography, also traveled to Hanyang as the faculty advisor. “Our students are amazing,” he says. “They are polite and courteous, and, at the same time, very curious about Korean culture and

willing to submerge themselves in the Korean experience, which allows them to learn more about world culture to bring about a mutual understanding.”

Though only four weeks long, the Hanyang fellowship has impacted the lives of Edington and Mack. They have new ways to look at the world as well as their education. They come back to Ohio Northern with a newfound respect for foreign culture, and, most importantly, they are able to see cultural differences and accept them, an attribute that will benefit them greatly when they become leaders of the future.

And though the program has obvious benefits for Ohio Northern students, Smith believes that the trip also helps fashion the world’s opinion of the United States. “Each year, our students have shown themselves to be the very best ambassadors of Ohio Northern as well as their country.”


Alumni Profile

Today, Michael Kaufmann, BSBA ’85, is chief executive officer of Cardinal Health’s $88 billion pharmaceutical segment – a business that distributes approximately one-third of all medications prescribed by hospitals, retail pharmacies and other care providers in the United States. He’s worked for Cardinal Health – the largest company in Ohio and ranked by Fortune magazine as the 18th largest in the United States – for nearly 20 years. Even so, Kaufmann didn’t always know he’d have a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

“When I was attending Ohio Northern University, I didn’t know that I was going to get into the pharmaceutical business. I was studying to be a CPA,” says Kaufmann.

And so, after graduating from Ohio Northern, Kaufmann spent the beginning of his career as he originally intended – six years in the auditing practice at Arthur Andersen. He was happy there, but a position at Cardinal Health – at the time a rapidly growing, $1 billion, regional drug distribution company – caught his eye. He took a controller position at one of Cardinal Health’s distribution centers

in Zanesville, Ohio. After three years, Kaufmann realized he needed to make a change, a change that could lead to a general manager position somewhere.

“I knew I really wanted to be a general manager of a business, so to broaden my skill set and be better prepared to be a GM, I searched internally and found a sales position,” he says.

While it didn’t offer a pay increase or new title, this new position provided Kaufmann invaluable career experience. It taught him not only how to sell and negotiate, but also something that he believes every sales person has to learn in order to be successful in the long term.

“You can’t win them all no matter how hard you try,” Kaufmann says. “You need to learn to deal with the disappointments gracefully and use them as motivation to improve your game.”

An array of senior operational, sales and finance roles of increasing responsibility followed, and Kaufmann steadily moved up the ranks to his current role as CEO of Cardinal Health’s largest segment.

“I have overall P&L (profit and loss) responsibility for our pharmaceutical businesses. This means I have responsibility for sales, operations, marketing, procurement and overall performance,” he says.

“My day-to-day activities vary quite a bit, but usually center around some customer opportunity, reviewing performance metrics and working with the team to maintain positive momentum and correct things that are off-track,” he continues. “I set strategy for the future, prepare for presentations, and drive the culture by setting a positive tone, encouraging feedback and treating others respectfully.”

Among all these roles and titles, Kaufmann looks back at his time as general manager of Cardinal Health’s pharmaceutical repackaging business as the most influential to his career. “That was my first role as a general manager and my first chance to own something ‘soup to nuts,’” he says. “While the other positions were building blocks, that was the first job where I had the chance to put it all together. I really enjoyed it – and that’s why I’ve pursued leadership roles ever since.”

Michael Kaufmann

Returning to ONUKaufmann has found a number of ways to give back and contribute to his alma matter. He began serving on the College of Business Adminstration’s advisory board in 1999 and, in 2008, was asked to join ONU’s board of trustees. “I come back a couple of times a year to attend board meetings, and I am always amazed at the growth and improvement of the University.”

Kaufmann also organizes and hosts Student-Employer Networking Events, informal gatherings in which Northern business students make connections and learn about employment and internship opportunities with a number of different companies and organizations.

Kaufmann says he believes ONU prepares students well for roles in a variety of industries. “Two recent ONU grads came to us and started in our financial development programs,” Kaufmann says. “One has taken a full-time role after completing his two-year development program, and the other joined a company called CareFusion, which was recently spun off by Cardinal Health. So both have been successful.”

Kaufmann also helped develop the emerging pharmaceutical business program at Northern. This program is unique in that it blends business, science and pharmacy, a combination highly valued by pharmaceutical manufacturers, health care employers and government employers. Kaufmann was part of a group of business leaders and industry experts who provided input and opinions during the program’s development.

Finally, Kaufmann is scheduled to speak at ONU in April 2010 as part of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series. “It’s an honor to be asked to come back and speak. Any time I have a chance to speak to young people and provide insight that helps them be more successful and think about how they’re going to handle themselves out in the business world, I’m excited to do it.”

We asked Michael Kaufmann, BSBA ’85, chief executive officer of Cardinal Health’s Pharmaceutical segment, about Ohio Northern University’s pharmaceutical business program and the future of the pharmaceutical business industry.

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Prepare for a career in the growing pharmaceutical and health care sectors.

ONU’s pharmaceutical business program provides unique

skills and training to students interested in a career in the

pharmaceutical industry. Demand for pharmaceutical products and

services will continue to grow as our nation’s health care system strives

to provide quality care to an ever-increasing number of patients. The

companies that manufacture branded and generic drugs are some of

the largest and most influential corporations in the world. And, when

you look at health care outcomes and costs, pharmaceuticals are

still one the most effective treatments for the vast majority of disease

states. The knowledge that students develop from this program will be

valuable not only to drug companies but also to insurance companies,

retail pharmacies and companies, like Cardinal Health, that focus on

improving the cost-effectiveness and quality of health care.

During this lecture, Kaufmann plans to deliver some advice to current Northern students, things he’s learned along the way. “There will always be a place for people who work hard, treat people like they want to be treated, and constantly desire to learn and improve. Focus on doing these, and the rest will eventually take care of itself.”


Faculty Profile

Kay Zekany

“She is truly an amazing teacher and friend.”

- Casey Davis, junior accounting major

If Dr. Kay Zekany had a motto, it would be “Make it real.” A caring and conscientious professor of accounting, she thoroughly prepares her students for life after college. “You might say I try to provide real experiences for a real future,” she says.

Having worked in the accounting and marketing fields before entering academia, Zekany knows firsthand which skills are vital for success in business. Communication skills top her list.

In her classes, Zekany encourages group discussion and casual presentations. She has a propensity for technical writing assignments and is a stickler for proper grammar, much to her students’ chagrin. Yet grading writing assignments is a task she dreads. “I have to do it because it’s part of their development,” she explains. “If I don’t leave the red marks when they are in college, then they will see them when they get out.”

Zekany also stresses problem-solving skills. One tried-and-true strategy she employs is to give assignments with minimal direction so students can discover for themselves what the numbers reveal. “Their ability to deal with unstructured problems will serve them well,” she says.

Although Zekany wants her students to think for themselves, she provides plenty of encouragement and support along the way. “She makes herself available to everyone because she wants everyone to have the best shot at achieving their dreams,” says Casey Davis, a junior accounting major from Malvern, Ohio.

“Her classes are so fun and interesting, it is impossible not to look forward to them. I don't think there's one time that I didn't laugh or smile in her class. She is truly an amazing teacher and friend.”

Zekany describes herself as someone who “likes order, likes numbers and likes things to be systematic.” So accounting is a natural fit, she explains. Her students benefit from her extensive and up-to-date knowledge in the field. Zekany especially likes to keep up with the changes in International Financial Reporting Standards and the Codification of U.S. GAAP.

Eleven years into her career at Northern, Zekany says her time on campus has been “an absolute joy.” Having studied and taught at larger institutions, she appreciates ONU’s friendly and personable environment. She has high praise for the caliber of students at Northern. “They are friendly, outgoing, bright, motivated, and eager to learn and help each other,” she says. “They have excellent potential in the workforce.”

Zekany enjoys watching her students grow in knowledge from their freshman year to their senior year. “It is so neat to see their confidence go up,” she says. “In between, I get to witness so many wonderful learning moments.”

Service is a hallmark of Zekany’s professional career. She’s served as secretary of the University Council for two years, playing a part in University-wide changes such as a new core curriculum and

the switch to semesters. She’s working on a report to the Higher Learning Commission seeking approval for a graduate program in accounting. And, she serves on several other University committees and the Ohio Council of the Institute of Management Accountants.

Zekany received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Miami University of Ohio and her doctorate from the University of South Carolina. She taught at Georgia Southern University, University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina College and the University of Memphis before coming to ONU. A native of Ohio, she enjoys gardening and flower arranging.

Scholarshipsandfinancialaidtranslateintoopportunity–opportunityforourfuturebusinessleaders,pharmacists,lawyers,teachers,engineers,artistsandhealthcareproviders.Withyourhelp,wecanincreasethenumberofmerit‐based,need‐basedandendowedscholarshipswehaveavailableforprospectivenewstudents.

YourgifttoTheCampaignforOhioNorthern

University’sTomorrowneverstopssupportingfutureNorthernstudents,andweneedyounowmorethanever!

“Wise men have said you can pay back only seldom, but you can always pay forward. Supporting ONU is my way of gratefully acknowledging the financial, cultural and spiritual gifts I received as a student there.” – Candi Moore

Candada“Candi”Moore,BA’78,hasalonghistoryofsupportforTheJamesF.DickeCollegeofBusinessAdministrationthroughTheNorthernFund.WhenshewasabusinessstudentatONU,Moorestrengthenedhernaturalleadershipskillsinthegym,dormandclassroom.Shelaterwentontoearnalawdegree.Today,she’saseniorvicepresidentatHuntingtonNationalBank,leadingoneofthelargestcorporatetrustagentsintheUnitedStates.Herleadership,volunteerismand20‐yearhistoryoffinancialsupporthasmadeitpossiblefortoday’sONUbusinessstudentstoexperiencethesametraditionofsuccesssheexperiencedasstudent–atraditiongroundedinmentoring,activelearningandpersonalattentionwithina“can‐do”environment.

C!"#!#! “C!"#$” M%%&'

ContactKenBlockExecutive Director of Development419‐772‐2008

k‐[email protected]

College News & Events

Around 50 golfers gathered at the Worthington Hills Country Club on July 13, 2009, for a golf outing that raised $3,000 in scholarship funds for students in The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration.

A first-time event, the golf outing was a success thanks to Paul

Carbetta II, BSBA ’90, Karla Geise, BSBA ’07, assistant director of alumni affairs and a team of alumni who were instrumental in the event’s organization. “You would have thought that we had been doing this for quite a number of years,” said James W. Fenton Jr., Ph.D., dean of the College of Business Administration. “The organization and execution of the event were superb.”

The goals of the event were to raise scholarship money and provide an opportunity for alumni and friends to reconnect with each other and the college. “The tough economic times did not help in our ability to obtain major sponsors,” said Fenton. “However, economic times do change, and things will progressively improve. We hope to obtain additional sponsors in the future. I very much appreciate those individuals and companies that helped to sponsor the outing this year.”

Golf outing raises scholarship funds

Student group receives national recognition

The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration Mu Delta chapter of Beta Alpha Psi was recognized as a Distinguished Chapter for the 2008-09 year. Under the leadership of Dexter Woods, BSBA ’79, JD ’82, Ohio Northern professor of business administration, the Beta Alpha Psi Board of Directors honored the ONU chapter for far exceeding the requirements of Beta Alpha Psi and excelling in the areas

of academics, professionalism and leadership. Woods said he was especially pleased because ONU was only installed as a new chapter in October 2008 and has already received national recognition. “The recognition is based on the average number of hours each chapter member engages in professional activities, service activities and national or regional

activities,” Woods said. “With an average of 20 members, the club would not have earned status as a new chapter or as a distinguished chapter without the excellent participation of each and every member. Such participation will serve them well as they transition from students to professionals.” Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals. The primary

objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service and association among members and practicing professionals; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility.

Dr. Paul Govekar, associate professor of management, has authored a new book, Differentiating Among Volunteers, Donors, and Donor/Volunteers. The book explores why some people contribute only money to nonprofit organizations, while others contribute only time, and yet a third group, identified as “helpers” in this study, contributes both money and time. The study creates a model that

posits that volunteer and donor behavior are a function of personality (self-esteem and empathy), values and facilitation (an organizational component). The study found that the values and facilitation components of the model were significant but the personality component was not. The major implications of the study are that nonprofit managers and researchers must deal with three classes of contributors (volunteers, donors and “helpers”) and that there are significant differences among these three classes.

Dr. Susan Madsen, associate professor of management at the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University, shared her years of research on women leaders with a large audience gathered in the Dicke Forum on March 19, 2009. Her presentation was part of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Madsen explained how her interest in the development of women leaders led her to engage in an extensive study with university presidents and governors. Her research resulted in two books: On Becoming a Woman Leader: Learning from the Experiences of University Presidents and Developing Leaders: Learning from the Experiences of Women Governors.

Through in-depth interviews, Madsen uncovered key attributes that were vital to each woman’s rise to leadership. Not surprisingly, many

of the women identified common attributes, including being avid readers, having fathers who treated them as equals, having teachers who mentored them, being active and engaged in extracurricular activities at school, and learning from unpaid experiences (motherhood, volunteer work). “None of these women planned their future as leaders,” she said. “It happened because of their passions.”

Madsen also noted that the women leaders experienced transformational learning. “They reported learning more from their challenges and difficulties than they did from any success,” said Madsen. “But it wasn’t the experiences that taught them, it was their reflection on their experiences.”

She concluded her presentation by offering advice to the young women attending. If you want to develop leadership traits, she said, you need to prepare early, become a lifelong learner, embrace challenge, develop your strengths, and trust in yourself. “Learn from your experiences, and push yourself out of your comfort zone,” she added.

Women Leadership&

Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series 2009-10Dec. 3, 2009Patrick Hampson, BSBA ’77Chairman, MED30007 p.m., Dicke Forum

Jan. 14, 2010Amy HansonExecutive vice president of property development, credit and customer service, Macy’s Inc.7 p.m., Dicke Forum

April 8, 2010Mike Kaufmann, BSBA ’85CEO, pharmaceutical segment, Cardinal Health7 p.m., Dicke Forum

Professor hasbook published


Mr. George Atkinson

BSBA ’72PresidentHartzell Fan Inc.P.O. Box 919Piqua, OH 45356

Mr. Lawrence C. Barrett

BSBA ’71, AA ’04, H of F ’04Regional Vice PresidentSagemark Consulting28601 Chagrin Blvd.Suite 300Cleveland, OH 44122

Ms. Deeann Beatty

BSBA ’91Bank ExaminerFederal Reserve Bank of ClevelandCleveland Federal Reserve BankEast 6th St. & Superior Ave.Cleveland, OH 44144

Mr. John Bishop

BSBA ’72 Chairman, President, CEOThe Motorists Insurance Group471 East Broad StreetColumbus, OH 43215-3861

Mr. Shawn Bogenrief

BSBA ’82Partner/DirectorGardener & White5925 Wilcox Place, Suite DDublin, OH 43016

Mr. Larry Boord

BSBA ’71, JD ’75PrincipalJacob, Haxton & Boord, LLC100 W. Old Wilson Bridge Rd.Worthington, OH 43085

Mr. Paul Carbetta II

BSBA ’90 Financial AdvisorAmeriprise Financial Services Inc.150 E. Wilson Bridge RoadSuite 100Worthington, OH 43085

Mr. Phillip Caris

BSBA ’82 Vice President, Sales & MarketingCooper Tire & Rubber Co.P. O. Box 550Findlay, OH 45840

Mr. Jason S. Duff

BSBA ’05President/CEOCommunity Storage & Properties Ltd.COMSTOR Outdoor Ltd.9016 State Rt. 117 Box 151Huntsville, OH 43324

Mr. Thad R. Eikenbary

BSBA ’91Vice-President & TreasurerCentral Insurance Companies800 S. Washington St.Van Wert, OH 45891

Mr. Jeff Gillson, CLU, CFP

BSBA ’92 PartnerNew York Life1336 Woodman DriveSuite 100Dayton, OH 45432

Mr. Mark Henschen

BA ’77PresidentMinster Bank95 W. 4th St.Minster, OH 45865

Ms. Molly Shoup Hofmann

BSBA ’90Customer Solutions ManagerKraft Foods Global Inc.Grocery Sector – Growth ChannelsGV 8051 Kraft CourtGlenview, IL 60025

Mrs. Betty Kemper

PresidentThe Kemper Company10307 Detroit Ave.Cleveland, OH 44102

Ms. Carol Kline

BSBA ’86Executive Vice President and Chief Information OfficerTele Tech Holdings Inc.751 International Isle DriveCastle Rock, CO 80108

Mr. Paul Kramer

BSBA ’76 PresidentKramer Enterprises116 E. Main Cross St.Findlay, OH 45840

Mr. Lee Lemke

BSBA ’84 Consumer Product DirectorThe Huntington National Bank41 S. High St.HC0445Columbus, OH 43215

Mr. Rob Lydic

BS ’97 PrincipalStructured Innovations228 S. Latson Rd. #228Howell, MI 48843

Mr. Jay Molter

Vice President, Marketing and SalesGlasstech Inc.995 Fourth St.Perrysburg, OH 43551

Ms. Candada Moore

BA ’78, JD ’81Senior Vice President, Product Group Manager for Corporate TrustHuntington National BankCorporate Trust Department7 Easton Oval - EA4E63Columbus, OH 43219

Ms. Deann Newman

BSBA ’83PartnerDeloitte & Touche600 Renaissance CenterDetroit, MI 48243

Mr. Michael D. Swick

BSBA ’80 President and CEOLima Memorial Hospital1001 Bellefontaine Ave.Lima, OH 45804

Ms. Karen Swinehart

BA ’94Associate Director of Product MarketingATT&T Business Marketing350 N. Orleans St., Floor 3Chicago, IL 60654

Mr. Mark White

BSBA ’85PresidentVancrest120 W. Main St., Suite 200Van Wert, OH 45891

Business CollegeAdvisory Board

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011-110-2301www.onu.edu/inn


In a volatile global climate, it’s no longer business as usual. #ere’s a new paradigm essential for successful leadership. Leaders must be entrepreneurial in their thinking, ethical in their conduct and engaged in their communities and the world. #at’s the kind of student we graduate from #e James F. Dicke College of Business Administration. And it’s this distinctive education that sets us apart – rigorous, experiential, hands-on, personal.

www.onu.edu

Creating tomorrow’s

Leaders.

#ey’ve worked hard to succeed. Take advantage of their achievements. Hire an intern or graduate from #e James. F. Dicke College of Business.

For more information, contact Matt Lambdin, director of experiential learning at the College of Business Administration, at 419-772-2609 or [email protected]

THE JAMES F. DICKE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONOHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY525 S MAIN STADA OH 45810-9989

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Business Exchange: Fall 2009

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Transcript of Business Exchange: Fall 2009