businesses have some uncertainty, andthis experience exposes them to that.Students can learn by working with

business ownersbefore engagingin their ownventures.”

TheGraftons boughtGreen Tree Plas-tics, which usesrecycled materi-als to manufac-

ture products, and relocated it toEvansville in 2004. The company’smost popular “plastic lumber” products

Students learn entrepreneurship challenges, rewards as consultants to small businesses

A sophisticated new sales manage-ment development laboratory where agrowingnumber ofstudentsmajoring inmarketingcan perfecttheirpersonal-selling tech-niques andsales-presen-tation skillsis planned forthe Orr Center.

The new facility will be named tohonor Joe Coslett, whose generous giftwill equip a laboratory with state-of-

Brent Grafton said Col-lege of Business students lis-tened and came back withcritical information aboutmarketing that he and his wife Bonnie can use in theirEvansville-based business,Green Tree Plastics.

Green Tree was one of anumber of area companies thatgave students in a course onsmall-business consulting anopportunity to get an insidelook at small-business owner-ship during spring semester.

Dr. Greg Murphy, assis-tant professor of management,established student teams tocomplete projects as consul-tants to small business owners.The students’ mission was tomeet with the owners, identifya need, and help the ownersfind information or resourcesthat would meet the need.

Murphy said that looking into thechallenges of small business is a valu-able learning experience for students,some of whom may beinterested in becom-ing entrepreneurs.

“Sometimes in aclassroom environ-ment everything istoo clean,” Murphysaid. “In the class-room we talk aboutcases, but case studiesare selected and prepared. The fieldexperience is more typical of the real-world experience.

“Students learn they must have atolerance for ambiguity. Usually, small

Joe Coslett’s Giftto fund sales labHigh-tech facility will servegrowing number of studentspursuing marketing careers

See Coslett, page 9

VOL 24, SUMMER 2005

U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H E R N I N D I A N A

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS REPORTS

See Consulting, page 4

College of Business— new designation

The University of Southern

Indiana School of Business has a

new name. The term “college” has

replaced the word “school.” The

Board of Trustees approved the

change for the University’s five

academic schools at its January

meeting to reflect the complexity

of USI’s academic offerings.

The designation College of

Business became effective July 1.

From left, Wes Steele, Scott McDowell, and NateCarter meet with owner Brent Grafton of GreenTree Plastics.

“Students can learn by working with business owners

before engaging in their own ventures.”

—Greg Murphy

Coslett

2 University of Southern Indiana College of Business

The relationship of the USI College of Business with its alumni isspecial. Alumni recognize that theirdegree is an investment and that thevalue of their investment improves as the college continues to improve.We have a great number of graduateswho are engaged with the College ofBusiness and the University.

Looking at this issue of the Collegeof Business Reports, readers will seeseveral ways that alumni haveanswered the call to engagement. On page 5 you will read about AllenMounts ’74 MBA ’91, chair of theBoard of Advisors for 2005-06. As aleader and participant on the board, he is part of an ongoing discussion withfaculty and administrators about curricu-lum issues, development of internshipand co-op programs, faculty development,accreditation, and other matters thatmove the college forward. Allen is oneof 16 alumni who serve on the 43-member Board of Advisors.

You will see Allen and severalother alumni listed among businessprofessionals on pages 6-7 in the“Company we keep.” Allen adds valueto the student experience by conduct-ing mock employment interviews forbusiness majors nearing graduation.Others serve as speakers, provide

internships, orcareer-explo-ration experi-ences.

TravisHudak ’00 isanother alum-nus featured in this issue (page 8).Earning a degree just five years ago, healready has distinguished himself for hisemployer, GE Plastics. We were pleasedto have Travis speaking to our studentsin February during our Alumni-in-Residence program.

Connie Wellmeyer ’84, who willserve as chair elect for the AccountingCircle next year, is pictured on page 6as a speaker for the Accounting Club.She co-chairs for the Accounting Cir-cle an annual day of campus activitiesto familiarize high-school students withthe USI accounting program. Wellmey-er is one of 12 alumni who serve on the21-member Accounting Circle.

Our newly formed InformationTechnology (IT) Alliance has threealumni among its 15 members.

Recently the USI Alumni Associa-tion honored three College of Businessalumni at its annual Graduation Cele-bration Dinner. Robert W. Swan ’72,accounting, received the DistinguishedAlumni Award. He is a senior partner

Klippel

Dean’s letter

Alumni answer call to engagement with college

By R. Eugene Klippel

Graduates enhance reputation of degree, provide resources for students and faculty

with Kemper CPA Group LLP inEvansville and a founding member ofboth our college’s Board of Advisorsand our Accounting Circle.

David W. Herrenbruck ’76,marketing, received the Alumni Ser-vice Award. He is a past president ofthe USI Alumni Association, a mem-ber of the USI Foundation Board, anda past chair of the Varsity Club. He isvice president of the Private ClientGroup at Fifth Third Bank.

Mark Messmer ’93, businessadministration, was honored with aposthumous Alumni Service Award.He served from 1996-2004 as presidentof the Dubois County chapter of theUSI Alumni Association. Until hisdeath, he was systems manager forJOFCO International in Jasper. Heformerly worked in Campus Ministry at USI.

At 2005 Commencement, 373degrees from the associate through themaster’s level were presented to degreecandidates completing programs in theCollege of Business. We congratulatethese new alumni.

We have meaningful and relevantopportunities to engage alumni in thelife of the College of Business. Throughengagement, alumni contribute exper-tise and resources that enhance thevalue of their degree. The college bene-fits as alumni enrich the student expe-rience from recruitment through gradu-ation. As always, we look forward toworking with our alumni and friends.

College honors retireesSteve Cox, Bob Hartl

Two faculty members—Dr.Steven R. Cox and Dr. Robert J.Hartl—were honored at a recep-tion in April in recognition oftheir retirement.

Cox, professor of economics,joined USI in 1989. Hartl, associ-ate professor of finance, also hasbeen associated with USI since1989.

Dr. Gene Klippel, center, dean of the College ofBusiness, congratulates retiring faculty membersBob Hartl, left, and Steve Cox.

Peluchette named chairDr. Joy Peluchette, professor of

management, has been named chair ofthe Department of Management,ManagementInformation Sys-tems, and AppliedComputer Science.The appointmentwas effective July 1.She joined USI in 1991. Peluchette

effective instructorwho inspires gen-uine learning,” “adedicated, knowl-edgeable advisor,”and “a publishedresearcher.”

The award waspresented April 20.

Dr. Timothy J. Schibik, professorof economics, was chosen by colleaguesto receive the Integra Bank Distin-guished Professor Award for 2005.Presented May 8 during the USI Com-mencement at Roberts Stadium, theaward recognizes significant achieve-ment in teaching, scholarship, andservice.

Schibik has been at USI for 16years. His primary responsibility isteaching undergraduate business statis-tics and econometrics courses. He alsois a member of the graduate faculty. In addition to teaching duties, he isdirector of the Center for Teaching andLearning Excellence (CTLE), a posi-tion he assumed in 1999. Schibik wascoordinator for USI’s Lilly Retention

College of Business briefs

Faculty members awarded for excellence

Summer 2005 3

Khallaf honoredfor best paper

A research paper by Dr.Ashraf Khallaf, assistant profes-sor of accounting, has won theBest Paper Award for the 2005MidwestRegionalMeeting ofthe AmericanAccountingAssociation.The award forhis researchentitled“Does theLong-TermPerformanceof Firms Appointing New CIOsMatch Market Expectations?” was presented April 8 in St. Louis during the Midwest Regional Meeting.

Valentine promotedDr. Gregory P. Valentine

has been promoted to professor ofbusiness education. He is directorof the Center for Economic Edu-cation inSouthwestIndiana andserves aschair of theJoint Com-mittee onEconomicEducation forthe NationalBusinessEducationAssociation, vice president of theIndiana Business Education Asso-ciation (2005-06), and vice presi-dent of the National Associationof Teacher Educators in BusinessEducation (2005-06). He earneda doctorate from Southern IllinoisUniversity in 1986 and joinedUSI in 1987.

The promotion is effective in August.

Khallaf

Five College of Business faculty members were honored for excellence during 2004-05at a recognition ceremony in April. From left are Dr. Peter Cashel-Cordo, service; Dr.Jong Rhim, research; Jeanette Maier-Lytle, service; Dr. Mehmet Kocakulah, research; andDr. Brian McGuire, teaching.

Initiatives programfor five years begin-ning in fall 1997.

“He is com-mitted to all facetsof academic life,most notablyexcelling as amodel collaborator, mentor, and col-league,” said a faculty member in aletter of nomination.

The Distinguished Professor Award is made possible by a generousgift from Integra Bank. Schibik willreceive a grant from Integra, select astudent to receive a scholarship in hisname, and deliver the DistinguishedProfessor lecture during the next academic year.

Schibik earns 2005 Integra BankDistinguished Professor Award

Valentine

Schibik

Dr. Peter Cashel-Cordo, associateprofessor of economics, will lead theFaculty Senate as chair during 2005-06.He was elected at the organization’smeeting April 29.

Cashel-Cordo also was recentlyhonored by the Student GovernmentAssociation as 2005 Faculty Member ofthe Year. He was described as “a highly

Cashel-Cordo to lead Faculty Senate

Cashel-Cordo

are picnic tables and park benches. Its biggest account is the state of NewYork, which uses Green Tree tables andbenches in state parks.

New to the business, the Graftonsfaced the challenge of learning abouttheir competition and expanding theirclient base. Three students—WesleySteele, Nate Carter, and ScottMcDowell—met with the Graftons tofamiliarize themselveswith the company’sproducts and needs.Then, they gatheredinformation aboutother companies thatmake similar productsand explored howGreen Tree could geton the radar of poten-tial customers.

Brent Grafton saidthe critical finding for the companywas the fact that there is a niche mar-ket for regional manufacturers. “Welearned that there is enough of a mar-ket within 150 miles of us,” he said.

Selling to the region overcomessome of the disadvantages of trans-portation costs. Green Tree produceslarger and, therefore, heavier moldedproducts than some of its competitors,mostly large corporations marketingtheir products nationwide throughdistributors. Some of the large manu-facturers do not have distributors inthe Tri-State.

Since Green Trees’ products haveproven useful to the state of New York,the student team compiled informationabout selling to governmental entitiescloser to home.

Carter discovered that differentstates have various approaches toadding a company to their vendor lists.Through Internet and phone research,the team obtained applications forvendor lists in Indiana, Tennessee, and other nearby states.

The students also contacted areamunicipal and county governments. In some cases, the purchasing officialsadvised the company to send a businesscard. Then the contact information for

4 University of Southern Indiana College of Business

ConsultingContinued from page 1

Customers e-mail him the identifyingnumber of the image they select orbring it into the shop. He retrieves theoriginal image to prepare the customer’scustomized shirt, cap, purse, or othermerchandise.

The volume of images made devel-opment of the Web site a bigger projectthan Shrull anticipated. He learned touse Adobe Photoshop software inputting together the site.

Jill Muensterman found a wealthof information useful in her project inReferenceUSA.com, a subscriptiondatabase available at Evansville’sdowntown library. She was researchingpossible expansion markets for N-Tux,a company that offers formal-wearrental in Evansville and other loca-tions. For similar businesses in theproposed expansion markets, Muen-sterman learned the size of the build-ing, size of the yellow page ad, name ofowner, number of years in business, andother valuable competitor information.

Muensterman was glad to becomefamiliar with this resource. She hopessomeday to establish her own electricalcontracting business with her father, an electrician. Rosalie Blubaum andLaurie Wilke also worked on the N-Tux project.

In some cases, students sought outsmall business owners and developedideas for their projects. Murphy orother College of Business faculty mem-bers referred some of the students tobusinesses with suitable projects.

Other students and businessesparticipating in the project includedthe following:

• Mark Lutchka – Nick’s Pizzaand Wings

• Ryan Schenk andChris Turner – KennyKent Toyota

• Andy Sellers,Samantha Smock, andWayne Morris – Grib-bins Insulation

• Erica Lothamer –Trinity PC

• Bandon Burton, Jeffrey RossHamilton, and Nathan Esche – E & SConstruction

• Melanie Rozanski and ChrisRubeck – Sunshine on the Gulf

Green Trees Plastics would be availablethe next time a purchase was on thehorizon.

“We’ve been pretty successful atgetting information,” Carter said, “andit’s been fun calling around.”

Grafton said, “They have helpedus define our market area. Municipali-ties are encouraging us to direct marketto them.”

While the Graftons got usefulinformation from the students’ forayinto consulting, the students also felt

that theylearned fromthe experience.

“I’m inter-ested in work-ing in ser-vices,” Steelesaid. “Thisproject hasgiven me anopportunity tolearn assertive-ness. We had to

go in there and establish a relationshipand put together a proposal. We’ve hadto take this unstructured task and putsome structure to it,” he said.

Another student in Murphy’s classcame up with a project that is provinguseful in his own business, First CapSportswear on Jennings Street in Newburgh, Indiana.

Nick Shrull developed a Web site that allows customers of his screenprinting and embroidery business tolook through 25,000 stock art imagesonline.

“People won’t have to sit righthere and look through these imagesduring busi-ness hours,”said Shrull, asenior major-ing in busi-ness adminis-tration.“This shouldimproveservice forthe customer and improve my productivity.”

To project his sizable financialinvestment in the images, Shrull posted low-resolution copies online.

“This [Web site] shouldimprove service for the

customer and improve my productivity.”

—Nick Shrull

“This project has given me an opportunity to learn

assertiveness. We had to go in there and establish a

relationship and put together a proposal.”

—Wes Steele

Summer 2005 5

He earned a bachelor’s degreein business administration infive years, working full time atnights on the assembly line atWhirlpool.

One aspect of his USIstudent experience that stoodout to him was the interestwhich faculty members tookin the students. “They wereexcellent teachers but alsogood mentors,” he said. “They

challenged you to wantto do better.”

Mounts also appreci-ated the direct contact with leadership. “I had a chance to bearound Dr. [David] Rice and theopportunity to be in his home a

few times,” Mounts said. “He and hiswife Betty were great in terms of lead-ership and impact. They always treatedyou with respect and almost like a friend.”

For April Williams ’05, the pastfew months have been notable as aseries of successful interviews. Not only did the Presidential Scholar andaccounting major secure her first profes-sional job, she also earned the experi-ence of a lifetime as a princess for the2005 Indy 500 Festival.

Williams interviewed with repre-sentatives of Evansville’s BKD account-ing firm on campus in fall semester; andafter a subsequent interview at the BKDoffice, she received an offer to become astaff accountant. She starts the job onAugust 18.

Meanwhile, Williams was amongseveral hundred college women vyingin February for the opportunity tobecome an Indy 500 princess. “I hadbeen spending a lot of time focusing onmy academic career, and I wanted to dosomething to let my hair loose,” shesaid, adding that festival participationwould be a good way to network and

strengthen her resume.

The Februaryprocess includedtwo four-minuteinterviews, eachwith four judges.In the interview,Williams had anopportunity toexplain how she balanced playing sportswith success in academics. She was awomen’s basketball player 2001-03. A top scholar, she received the DavidS. Deering Presidential Scholarship.

A week after the interviewsWilliams learned she would be one of33 princesses and was invited back toIndianapolis for orientation and furtherinterviews that would determine thefestival queen. “That interview waskind of ‘Apprentice’-like,” she said,referring to the Donald Trump realityshow. “There were eight or 10 judges

in a big board room, and my chair wasout in the middle of the room.”

Williams was named second runner-up to the queen May 21 at a festivalevent at the speedway.

Princess duties involve communityservice. Williams read to children atChrist the King Elementary School inEvansville on Read Across Americaday, made blankets for children at RileyHospital in Indianapolis with the finan-cial support of BKD and Black BeautyCoal Company, and participated in avisit by the Indianapolis Motor Speed-way’s rolling museum to the elementaryschool in Lyons, Indiana, where hermother teaches fourth grade. Williamsis from Lyons and is a graduate ofWhite River Valley High School.

Each of the princesses is mentoredby one of the festival board members,all of whom are top executives of busi-nesses in the Indianapolis area.Williams’ mentor is a College of Busi-ness alumnus, Steven J. Schenck ’72,chief executive officer of the MidwestBanking Group for Regions Bank.

Road to Indy 500 court pavedwith ‘Apprentice’-like interview

Mounts said the University hasdone a good job of building relation-ships that have contributed to itsgrowth. “The school has a majorimpact on our region,” he said.

April Williams

Allen Mounts, Board of Advisors chair,recalls early days of University life

Allen Mounts ’74 M.B.A. ’91enrolled at the University of SouthernIndiana in 1969 when the main drivewas a dirt and gravel road leading toone building, the Science Center andAdministration Building, which openedthat year.

As the University celebrates its40th anniversary, Mounts said, “Theschool has definitely grown up.”

Mounts is executive vice presidentand chief human resources officer forOld National Bancorpin Evansville. He chaired the Collegeof Business Board ofAdvisors for 2004-05and has served on theboard since 1990. He isa past president of the USI Alumni Association.

In his student days, Mounts com-muted from Owensville, Indiana.

Allen Mounts volunteers his time to conduct mockemployment interviews with students in career plan-ning and professional development classes.He is pic-tured with Jennifer Houchin ’05, management major.

6 University of Southern Indiana College of Business

SpeakersThe following individuals wereamong speakers to business classes.

Howard AbramsDeJong’s (Retired)

Derek Adams ’03 BKD, LLP

Rebecca AlcornGaither Rutherford & Co., LLP

Alex AndersonAviza Technology

Tom AustermanBank of Evansville

Gary BolingerIndiana CPA Society

Don Breivogel ’83 American General

Financial Services

Bob BrezetteEvansville Courier & Press

Randy Brown ’98 CGM Computer Consulting, LLC

Tim Buecher University of Southern Indiana

Stephen Byelick, Jr.Bank of Evansville

Greg CharnesAmerican Express

Brandon ConnerManagement Recruiters of

Newburgh

Deidra Conner ’87 Evansville ARC

Pat CoslettPat Coslett’s Furniture Festival

Laura Davis ’04 BKD, LLP

Mike DeVoyOld National Bank

Holly DunnDunn Hospitality

Craig EhlenUniversity of Southern Indiana

Bradley Elpers ’94 CMC

Deavron Farmer ’91 Matrixx Group

Steve Farrell ’73 Gaither Rutherford & Co., LLP

Jennifer Fonner ’05 BKD, LLP

Dan GardnerEvansville Small Business Center

Debbie GarrisonBerry Plastics

Emily Gessner ’04 BKD, LLP

Matt Giles ’02 Old National Bank

Jennifer Gudorf ’03 Umbach & Associates, LLP

Jessica Hahn ’03 Luthen

Mike HaynesUmbach & Associates, LLP

Tania Herke ’95 American General Financial

Services

Travis Hudak ’00 GE Plastics

Sally Joest ’74 Harding, Shymanski & Company

Janet JohnsonUniversity of Southern Indiana

John Kamman ’80 Bookkeeping and More, Inc.

Jennifer Kellams University of Southern Indiana

Ryan KellySmith Barney Investment Co.

Jaci KerwinDeaconess Hospital, Inc.

Mike LameyAmerican General Financial

Services

Cecile MartinBody Works School of Massage

Earl McDaniel

Jon McDowellBKD, LLP

Wendy MeredithDeloitte & Touche

Matt MerkelOld National Bank

Jerry MooreThe DOMA Group

Steve MuddRiney Hancock & Co., PSC

Greg Newman ’88 Kemper CPA Group, LLC

Martha NiemeierUniversity of Southern Indiana

Connie NordReMax Services

Jerry NordReMax Services

Jeannie OakesVectren

Dave Papariella ’84 Harding, Shymanski & Company

Dane Partridge University of Southern Indiana

Stephanie Polen ’98 M.B.A. ’05

CMC

Erin Powell ’99Vectren

Jason PowellKeller Schroeder & Associates

Al RitzCMC

Ryan Robertson ’01 Fifth Third Bank

Mock interviewsThese individuals conducted mockemployment interviews for studentsin the career planning and profes-sional development classes.

Jamie BarnesShoe Carnival

Kelly BarnettEvansville ARC

Julie Bennett ’96 Old National Bancorp

Brenda BoseckerRed Spot Paint & Varnish Co.,

Inc.

Jason BraunRexam Closures

Angie Brawdy ’93, MBA ’99 University of Southern Indiana

Tara Chaffin ’04 Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co.,

Inc.

Mark Chandler ’01 Old National Bank

Michelle Choate ’91 Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Inc.

Cindy ColeDeaconess Hospital, Inc.

Lainie CollinsSt. Mary’s Medical Center

Annette Combs ’96 North High School

Deidra Conner ’87 Evansville ARC

Jean CroweCasino Aztar

Katie DahmerCMC

Andy Ellerbrook ’98 Shoe Carnival

Nancy EppersonIntegra Bank

Susan Everett ’81, MBA ’99 Keller Crescent Co.

Chris Feagans Keller Crescent Co.

Jeff Fischer ’01 Silgan Closures

Debbie Fleck ’91, MBA ’00 American General Financial

Services

Rosa FroilandShoe Carnival

Cheryl GiesmanKoch Air

Bob GossmanBootz Manufacturing

Linda GottfriedMead Johnson Nutritionals/Kelly

Services

Sarah GouletWelborn Clinic

Ken Graves ’71 Crescent/Wabash Plastics

Brock Haas ’02 Black Beauty Coal

Ron HagyOld National Bancorp

John Halverson Human Resource Support, Inc.

Jill Harper ’04 Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co.,

Inc.

Company we keep

Toyota official speaks to Accounting Club

Connie S. Wellmeyer ’84, manager of cost management for Toyota MotorManufacturing Indiana, spoke March 16 to the Accounting Club. Wellmeyer ischair elect for 2005-06 of the College of Business Accounting Circle.

Summer 2005 7

Danny HendersonCasino Aztar

Chris HerrFifth Third Bank

Rachel Howard ’03 HR Solutions, Inc.

Josh Jackson ’03 CMC

Frank KanowskyFerro Corporation

Mike Lewis ’96Old National Bank

Carol LukensWabash Plastics, Inc.

Dick LynchVectren

Stuart Martin ’97 Keller Crescent Co.

Amanda MasonSt. Mary’s Medical Center

Susie Mattingly ’84 Keller Schroeder & Associates

Elexia McAllisterMead Johnson Nutritionals/Kelly

Services

Molly McConnellFifth Third Bank

Carol McMichaelCMC

LaKeisha MinorIntegra Bank

Vikki MiskimenShoe Carnival

Cindy Moore ’93Deaconess Hospital

Jerry MooreThe DOMA Group

Allen Mounts ’74, MBA ’91 Old National Bancorp

Steve NiemeierHuman Resources Support, Inc.

Janice OliverKeller Crescent Co.

Vickie OshodiUniversity of Southern Indiana

Brad PlattsKeller Crescent Co.

Stephanie Polen ’98 M.B.A. ’05

CMC

Mary Beth Reese Berry Plastics Corporation

Tom RoseVictoria National Golf Club

Stephen Russell ’83Deaconess Hospital

Elizabeth Shappell ’02Kelly Services

Cheryl SimmonsSt. Mary’s Medical Center

Darryl SpurlochUmbach & Associates CPA

Cris StichlerSt. Mary’s Medical Center

Terry Stumpf ’77Toyota Motor Manufacturing

Indiana

Gregrie SweneyVictoria National Golf Club

Cathie Thomas ’96Cintas

Kim TranFifth Third Bank

Susie Traylor ’93CMC

Cynthia TremperHR Support

Tom UtleyKoch Air

Brian WallaceAmerican General Financial

Services

Cindy WildeyEvansville ARC

Susan WilsonOld National Bank

Scott Wunderlich ’98 Old National Bank

Career explorationThese individuals provided careerexploration or job shadowingexperiences for students in personalselling and marketing managementclasses.

Lori Brubaker ’99Merck and Company, Inc.

Jennifer CurryInterstate Imaging

Dave FarlonSYSCO

Robbie GodekeWFIE

Cindy HauschildBerry Plastics

Jack Jourdan ’78CRS 1 Source

Jim Justis

Kris KasselUniversity of Evansville

Heather Kinnett ’04Van Ausdall and Farrar

Jim ListArchitectural Sales

Lynn MautzWIKY

Brandon MeierAdvantium Real Estate Services

Mike Miller Promark

Lindsey PowersMenlo Worldwide

Patsy ReedDesigns For Living

Mark Schachte ’03 South Central Communications

Stacy ThepruUS Holland Motors

Tricia Tinius ’05University Directories

Todd WalrodMaverick Tube Corporation

Tony WitekService Contract Sales

Site visitationWhirlpool Corp.

Internships andcooperative programsThe following 62 employersprovided 121 internships and/orcooperative programs to College ofBusiness students during summer2004, fall 2004, and spring 2005.

Access Partners, LLCAmerican General Financial

ServicesBerry PlasticsBKD, LLPCasino AztarCentury 21 ScheetzCintas Corporation Clarion Creative MediaCLGA Properties LLC CMCComprehensive Accounting

ServicesDeaconess HospitalDewig PhotographyDeWitt Mortgage GroupEagle Crest Financial Evansville ARC Evansville BlueCatsEvansville Coalition for the

Homeless (ECHO)Evansville Convention &

Visitors’ Bureau Evansville Evansville Philharmonic

OrchestraEvansville Vanderburgh Public

LibraryFC Tucker Emge Realty Fair Stream Financial Families Thru International

Adoption Fifth Third Bank Gaither Rutherford & Co., LLPGE PlasticsGFI

Gray Loon Marketing Group Greek GreetingsHarding Shymanski & CoHouse Hunters America Hurst Manufacturing, Inc.Jasper Engines & TransmissionsKemper CPAKimball InternationalKoch Development Corp.LeMond's Yamaha-Honda-

KawasakiMark Harmon & CompanyMasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.Mead Johnson & CompanyMead Johnson NutritionalsMETSNorthwestern Mutual Financial

NetworkOffice of the Attorney GeneralOhio Valley HeartcareOur Greater Community, Inc.PricewaterhouseCoopersProgressive Health

RehabilitationPurity Party IceReitz Home and MuseumRevlonSouth Central Communications St. Mary's Medical CenterSurvey America, Inc.Three I EngineeringToyota Motor Manufacturing

IndianaTrisha Tominack

Attorney-at-lawUSI Career ServicesVanderburgh County Treasurer's

OfficeWalt Disney WorldWells Fargo FinancialWellsprings Counseling Center

Marketing research pros talk about careers

Lisa Ryan-Hutton and Kevin Harris, both of rsc (research systems corp) inEvansville, spoke to members of the Marketing Club and students in a market-ing management class about careers in marketing research. Ryan-Hutton is vicepresident of global product management for the company; Harris is global man-ager of global operations.

8 University of Southern Indiana College of Business

A College of Business graduatejust five years ago, Travis Hudak ’00passed along suggestions to help cur-rent students take off fast and succeedin their careers during his Alumni-in-Residence presentation.

Hudak majored in business admin-istration with an emphasis in manage-ment. He completed a co-op programat GE Plastics in Mount Vernon, Indi-ana, as a student and was selected upongraduation for the company’s presti-gious two-year financial managementprogram with four rotational assign-ments. In four-and-half years with thecompany he has held seven differentjobs, each with increasing responsibili-ty. He currently is finance manager forGE Plastics’ Production Center ofExcellence in Mount Vernon.

He offered students the followingrecommendations:

• Set high goals and objectives,not mediocre ones. “If you strive high,you will surpass mediocre.”

• Choose assignments “wheresomething is broken.” It is difficult toshine when you follow an individual

Future belongs to those whoshow they have what it takes

who was a starin a position.

• Setaside time tothink abouthow you cancreate changeand makeimprovementsrather thanjust executeyour responsi-bilities.

• Neveridentify a prob-lem withoutproposing a solution.

• Your actions in adversity willdetermine your destiny.

• Know your strengths and weaknesses.

• Believe in yourself and learnfrom your mistakes. “You may be wrongsometimes,” he said, “but never be indoubt.”

• Communicate well. “There is nosuch thing as over-communicating.”

• If you want to be a manager,

unleash the potential in others. • You live in a fish bowl. Imagine

that you are speaking into a micro-phone every time you speak.

• Be a part of a team.• Data has no value. Analyze it.• Make your family a part of your

career. Do not put your family in sec-ond place.

Hudak was on campus February 21for two large-group presentations, asmall-group discussion, and a luncheonwith students.

Travis Hudak detailed his career advancement and advised studentshow to manage their careers to benefit their employers and achievepersonal satisfaction in his Alumni-in-Residence presentation.

Travis Hudak offers adviceto accelerate budding careers

Marketing Club officers andmembers visited Louisville duringspring break for a tour of theLouisville Slugger Museum.

Students learned about availableproducts and their specialty produc-tion process; pricing and ordering,including service contracts with pro-fessional baseball teams; historicaladvertisements; service guarantees;endorsement deals; and delivery processes.

Lisa Wiltsie, Marketing Clubfaculty advisor, said the club alsovisited a unique nationally known,

independently owned restaurantcalled Lynn’s Paradise Café.

“This café demonstrates how asmall business can market nationallyand tie in with the Louisville ads

titled ‘Weird Louisville.’ Thefacility serves only food pro-duced, processed, and grownin Kentucky,” Wiltsie said.

From left are Marketing Clubmembers Matt Gore; MitchMehringer, president; EmilyRauscher, vice president; HeathBassnet; Bryce Holman,recorder; and Lisa Wiltsie,faculty advisor.

Trip to Louisville Slugger Museum is a hit for Marketing Club

Summer 2005 9

the-art technology and equipment forvideo recording and editing and thecreation of high-quality advertising andsales promotional materials. Plans callfor an existing classroom on the secondfloor of the Orr Center to be reconfig-ured to provide appropriate space forthe lab.

USI President H. Ray Hoops said,“The generosity of our good friend JoeCoslett will benefit many future USIstudents as they work toward degreesand careers in marketing.”

Coslett is a retired businessmanwhose innovative career in salesspanned more than 40 years. He cameto Evansville in 1964 as a sales manag-er for Bartel’s furniture and the follow-ing year became associated with L.B.Jones, a furniture manufacturing com-pany. Coslett headed the companyfrom 1967 until 1971, changing itduring that time from a manufacturingcompany to a retail operation. Hebought the business in 1972 and devel-oped it into a furniture gallery withbrand names such as Broyhill, Pennsyl-vania, Tell City, and Kinkade. In 1978,he was the first to introduce “freefinancing” in Evansville. Upon hisretirement, his son Patrick assumedleadership of the company.

Coslett earned a bachelor’s degreein business administration, majoring in merchandising at the University ofCincinnati. He is a former member ofthe Chamber of Commerce board andthe USI Foundation board. He was amember of the Evansville RegionalAirport board from 1980 until 1989,during which time the present terminalopened.

Dr. R. Eugene Klippel, dean ofthe College of Business, said the JoeCoslett Sales Management Develop-ment Laboratory will provide an out-standing facility where students candevelop expertise in sales in situationsthat simulate sales jobs in the work-place. The video capabilities will pro-vide students a heightened awarenessof their sales skills and developmentalneeds and will allow instant feedbackas they learn sales management.

Dr. Sang Choe, chair of theDepartment of Marketing and BusinessCommunication, said that Dr. CarlSaxby, associate professor of marketing,and Dr. Beth Mott-Stenerson, whowill join the faculty in August as assis-tant professor of marketing, put togeth-er the proposal for the lab. Mott-Sten-erson, an instructor at New MexicoState University, recently completedrequirements for a doctorate in market-ing and planned to move to the Evansvillearea in June. Both Saxby and Mott-Stenerson specialize in personal sellingand sales management. They will pro-vide consultation on the final design ofthe space and selection of equipmentin order to develop a laboratory thataligns with the goals of the sales curriculum.

The proposal for the Joe CoslettSales Management Development Labo-ratory includes the following:

• a group presentation studio withmultimedia equipment, including anLCD projector, speakers, video capabil-ity, and boom microphones

• two personal selling studios forrecording one-on-one personal sellingpresentations

• a control room for digital record-ing, video production, and editing

• graphics production station forproduction of high-quality color adver-

CoslettContinued from page 1

Business Conditions and Outlook Survey A quarterly survey of businesses in the Evansville area

Evansville FactbookDemographic, economic, and social information

Click on business.usi.edu for information you can use

Prepared by Dr. Mohammed Khayum, Associate Dean, USI College of Business

tising and sales and promotion materials• storage room• observation area featuring one-way

viewing of the studios from the control roomChoe said that other departments

of the University and the communitywill benefit from the sales managementdevelopment lab. For instance, studentsinterested in interpersonal communica-tion in the College of Liberal Artsoften choose careers in sales and mayreceive instruction and practice in thelab. The College of Business plans toshare the lab with area companies fortraining and development of their salesforces on an as-available basis. Also, thevideo production capability will allowthe college to videotape presentationsmade by visiting sales professionals.

Development of the new laborato-ry will allow the College of Business toprovide better resources to increasingnumbers of USI students who plancareers in marketing.

Choe said, “This lab is a valuableresource to help us educate our studentsto be ready to go into the workforceafter graduation. Because more of ourstudents are going into sales, this is animportant facility.”

From fall 2000 to fall 2004, thenumber of students majoring in mar-keting more than doubled. In fall 2000,103 students declared marketing as amajor. By fall 2004, the number ofmarketing majors had grown to 223students. In addition, 83 USI studentsmajoring in various disciplines throughoutthe University have chosen marketingas a minor. The marketing course inprofessional selling and sales manage-ment enrolled 53 students in 2000-01.In 2004-05, 88 students completed thecourse. Pre-registration for fall 2005 inupper-level marketing courses is up 37 percent over fall 2004.

10 University of Southern Indiana College of Business

p College of Business (where the need is greatest)p Larry W. Arp Business Scholarshipp Phil Fisher Business Scholarshipp Wanda B. Hibbitts Accounting Scholarshipp Walter Jermakowicz Memorial Scholarship for

International Studiesp Barbara J. and Edward D. Marting Scholarshipp Dan Wade Accounting Scholarshipp Other (Please specify)________________________________

Amount committed: $_______________________

Method of Payment: p Check enclosedp Please bill me in _______________. (Specify month.)p https://www.usi.edu/onlinegivingp Enclosed is my matching gift formp Charge to my credit card

p Visa p MasterCard p DiscoverCardholderName__________________________________________________Card Number_________________________ Exp.Date_________Signature_______________________________________________

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Make your tax-deductible check payable to USI Founda-tion, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712

Apply my gift in the following way.(You may choose more than one.)

Please help strengthen the College of BusinessYour gift to the College of Business helps strengthen its programs and provides support for students and faculty.

To learn more, visit www.usi.edu/giving

A contribution of $25 or more to any USI Foundation fundmakes graduates “active” members of the USI Alumni Asso-ciation.

Jane Johansen, associate professorof business communication, has estab-lished the Harry E. Thompson BusinessScholarship honoring her father.

Thompson came to Evansvilleduring the depression and started working to put himself through college.Returning after service in World WarII, he continued to put himself throughschool, attending college on a part-time basis. He became a banker, staterepresentative, state senator, and aleader in Evansville area development.His efforts in the Indiana GeneralAssembly were among those whichhelped pave the way for USI’s inde-pendence. A resident of Newburgh,Indiana, Thompson is co-owner ofSunburst Stained Glass.

The Thompson Business Scholar-ship goes to a male student who is

working to pay for his education atUSI, maintaining a grade-point averageof 3.0 or better, attending part-time,and majoring in a program offered bythe College of Business.

The first recipient is Kyle M. Fieldsof Evansville. He is a junior majoringin accounting.

Jane Johansen honors father with scholarship

Jane Johansen and Harry Thompson

Roy to study how newsaffects stock volatility

Dr. Anusuya Roy, assistantprofessor of economics, has beenawarded an Excellence throughEngagement Summer ResearchFellowship for USI faculty.

Her research is aimed at investigating the impact of macro-economic news on stock returns. She will study the effect of newsannouncements on mean stockreturns. She also will focus on differential impacts across eco-nomic indicators and on the relative response to adverse newsversus positive news.

The Summer Research Fellow-ships are funded by a grant from theLilly Endowment, Inc. Roy is one ofseven University faculty members toreceive an award for summer 2005.

Summer 2005 11

We welcome comments from our alumni and friends regarding accomplishments, career choices, and momentous personal events. Send toNancy F. Bizal, College of Business, University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712-3597 or nbizal@usi.edu.

Name________________________________________________ Your student record name___________________________________

Class of _____ Major________________ Telephone (home)_________________ (work)_________________ E-mail_____________________

HOME BUSINESS

Address______________________________________________ Your title/date effective_____________________________________

City, State, ZIP________________________________________ Company name___________________________________________

Check here if home address is new p Address__________________________________________________

Preferred mailing address p Home p Business City, State, ZIP____________________________________________

Check here if business address is new pNews Item___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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p Please submit this information to the Alumni Today section of USI Magazine.

p Please use this information only to maintain accurate alumni records.

Northwestern Mutualrecognizes USI interns

Neil Fortwendel ’05 of TellCity, Indiana, has been named one of the top 10 interns nationwide for Northwestern Mutual Financial Net-work. The company also has recog-nized the USI team of interns at itsEvansville office for ranking ninth of 206 teams nationwide for spring 2005.

In addition to Fortwendel, theteam included Lindsay Botsch, LukeChamberlain, and Salina Dayton.

Fortwendel has served as aNorthwestern Mutual intern sincesummer 2004. He joined the compa-ny’s Evansville office full-time as afinancial representative in May aftergraduating with a double major infinance and economics.

The Princeton Review rankedNorthwestern Mutual Financial Network among “America’s Top 10internships” from 1997–2003.

Bussing-Burks, Kovanicrecognized as ‘Phenomenal’

Two College of Business adjunctfaculty members were among eighthonorees in March at the fourthannual Phenomenal Women of USIand the Community recognitionceremony. Dr. Marie Bussing-Burkswas honored in the faculty category.She is an adjunct instructor in econo-mics, a philanthropist, author, andpublisher. Dr. Nancy Kovanic was

honored in the community-at-largecategory as a diversity managementeducator. She is an adjunct instructor in management, a management con-sultant, author, and co-owner ofGNO Jewelry and Gifts.

The Phenomenal Women pro-gram is sponsored by the USI Multi-cultural Center, the American Asso-ciation of University Women, andOld National Bank to recognizecontributions to diversity.

Let us hear from you!

Success Institute and a slice of pizza for Alpha Kappa PsiMembers of Alpha Kappa Psilunched at the famed Gior-dano’s pizzeria while in Chica-go to attend the organization’sSuccess Institute for Midwestchapters. From left are Aman-da Diehl, Sam Hanson, JulieStreeter, Jill Forcum, DuaneFrohbieter, Jennifer Heidler,Ashley Ruggier, Jeff Soellner,Nick Wallace, and SarahBudzinski.

College of BusinessUniversity of Southern Indiana8600 University BoulevardEvansville IN 47712

A publication of the College of BusinessUniversity of Southern Indiana

R. Eugene Klippel, DeanNancy F. Bizal, Editor812/464-1801Betty R. Vawter, News andInformation Services

Two students in the College ofBusiness earned top awards presentedat 2005 Commencement and at honorsconvocation.

Samuel J. Tucker of Evansvillereceived the President’s Medal for hiscommitment toacademic excel-lence and hisservice to theUniversity and thecommunity. Theaward, presentedat Commence-ment, is USI’smost prestigioushonor for a gradu-ating senior.

Tucker graduated magna cum laudewith two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts inmarketing and a Bachelor of Science inchemistry. The Student Affairs Com-mittee of the Faculty Senate selectedhim for the President’s Medal.

College of Business students earn President’s Medal, Trustees Merit Award

University of Southern Indiana is anaffirmative action/equal employmentopportunity institution.

Tucker has held theRobert F. and Florence R.Bernhardt PresidentialScholarship and the Bris-tol Myers Squibb NationalMerit Scholarship.

In spring 2002, hestudied at the WarsawSchool of Economics inPoland. He was appointedin 2003 by the governor ofIndiana to a two-year termon the USI Board ofTrustees.

Matthew S. Keenerof Newburgh, Indiana, received theTrustees Distinguished Merit Award,the most prestigious award given duringhonors convocations for each academicschool.

Keener graduated summa cumlaude with a Bachelor of Arts degree inmarketing with a German minor. He isa lifetime inductee of Beta Gamma

Sigma, an academichonor society for stu-dents in business pro-grams accredited byAACSB International—the Association toAdvance CollegiateSchools of Business.He completed a mar-keting internship withAccuride Corporation.

Keener receivedthe 2005 ParagonAward from the GreatLakes Valley Confer-

ence for academic excellence, athleticability and achievement, character, andleadership. He was named USI’s firstAcademic All-American for baseball in2004. He is the recipient of the SeamansMerit Scholarship and the College ofBusiness Departmental Scholarship.

David Huber, chair of the USIBoard of Trustees, presentsthe Trustees DistinguishedMerit Award to Matt Keener.

Tucker

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