Bowles, Simpson to Discuss Deficits, Debt at Wake Forest

Photo: UNC-Chapel Hill

Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, who co-chaired the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, are set to speak next month at Wake Forest University.

The pair will participate in the "Voices of Our Time" series, according to The (Triad) Business Journal. The event, set for Wait Chapel, will start at 6 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Bowles and Simpson are expected to discuss the U.S. deficit and the debt crisis.

Bowles is a Democrat who serves as chief of staff under President Bill Clinton, while Simpson is a former Republican Senator from Wyoming. They supervised an ultimately unsuccessful effort to create a bipartisan plan to cut the U.S. deficit. Both have advocated for big tax increases and meaningful spending reductions.

Bowles made media waves recently when a 2011 video surfaced of him praising a deficit-reduction plan by Paul Ryan, the Republican Party's vice president candidate. In the video, posted below, he touts Ryan's "amazing" mathematics skills and praises his financial plan.

Wake Forest Welcomes Biggest MA Class

The Wake Forest University Schools of Business recently welcomed its largest Master of Arts in Management (MA) class since launching the program in 2006.

The incoming class features 115 students from 63 undergraduate institutions. Slightly more than half of the new students are women, while 48% are men, according to a Tuesday press release. More than a third of the students are from historically underrepresented groups.

The 10-month MA program is designed for recent liberal arts, sciences or engineering graduates. Wake Forest provided 13 students from underrepresented groups with Corporate Fellowships, which include full tuition, a stipend for living expenses and personal mentoring by an executive at a sponsoring company.

"Throughout the program, we encourage students to 'find their fire' and explore how to leverage their passions into meaningful careers," Steve Reinemund, the Dean of the Wake Forest University Schools of Business, said in the release. "We want every student to walk across stage at graduation having already accepted a job with an organization that shares their personal values."

Sponsors for the incoming MA class are American Express, Cigna, ExxonMobil, Flow Cos., Frito-Lay, Hanesbrands, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, PepsiCo, Reynolds American, Steelcase and Walmart.

Wake Forest to Host MBA Golf Tournament in Charlotte

Photo: www.charlotte.weddings.com

Think you have what it takes to tame a tough golf course and impress your fellow business school colleagues?

Wake Forest University will hold its annual Charlotte MBA golf tournament on Sept. 28 at River Run Country Club in Davidson, NC. The format is traditional scramble and teams will be chosen randomly by handicap. Participants wishing to play with a partner may submit that partner's name on the entry form.

The entry fee for current students is $75 per person; alumni, staff and guests can play for $85 per person. Mulligans are $10 (maximum of two per person.) Fees include lunch, green fees, cart fees and range balls.

Sponsorships are also available. A gold level sponsorship of $1,250 includes your company logo on the website and handouts, hold signs and registration for a foursome. Silver level sponsorships of $300 includes a hole sign and registration for two players. Bronze level sponsorships of $150 get you a hole sign.

Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte.

To register, visit here.

First Ever Homecoming Button Contest

Photo: Wake Forest University

Have you ever had a fantastic idea for a Homecoming Button slogan?

Wake Forest University's Alumni Office is looking for aspiring wordsmiths who are willing to display their school pride. Here is your chance to enter the university's inaugural Homecoming Button Contest!

Three Simple Rules for Entering the Contest:

There is a maximum of four homecoming-themed slogans per person.

Slogans should contain less than six words, express Wake Forest/Demon Deacon spirit, and be family-friendly. (No inappropriate language, please.)

Entry deadline is Friday, Aug. 24. The winning slogan will be selected by a committee.

The winning button will be distributed over Homecoming Weekend at the Welcome Desk, Alumni Tailgate, and other campus locations.

You can enter your slogan(s) by clicking here.

Alumni Events Planned for New York

Wake Forest Connects has unveiled several third-quarter events for alumni in the New York area.

On Thursday, Aug., 23, the group will host a summer happy 'hour' that will last from 6:30-8 pm at Brother Jimmy's. The venue is located at 116 E. 16th Street in New York. There will be discounted drink specials, including half-priced margaritas and $3 draft, can and well drinks. Food will also be available for purchase. They want people to register by Aug. 16 at this link.

Two weeks later, on Sept. 9, the New York group will participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Central Park. It is the group's fourth straight year of participation! Last year the New York group placed fifth overall for top fundraising universities. Contributions will fund national peer-reviewed breast cancer research programs and breast health services in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester and Rockland counties. 

The group will select a location for a post-race brunch for all interested participants. Friends, family and supporters are all welcome. To join our team, or contribute to the cause please visit their team page.

Elevator Competition Winner to Present at Tech Event

Orthovative Technologies, a company that was co-founded by a student in Wake Forest University's Evening Professionals MBA program and won this year's Elevator Competition, will participate in the 11th annual technology briefing of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.

The company was founded by David Smitherman and Tadhg O'Gara, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and and assistant professor at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. 

Orthovative Technologies is the firm behind the OrthoCorrect Patch, which monitors patient posture and provides auditory and vibratory corrective feedback to strengthen back muscles and eliminate back pain.

Orthovative won $10,000 at the 2012 Elevator Competition, participating in the Traditional track. The firm also received automatic entry into the Venture Labs Investment Competition.

The briefing is scheduled to take place at 8 am on Sept. 20 at the Benton Convention Center.

Click here to learn more about the Chamber of Commerce's tech briefing. Below is a video from Orthovative Technologies.

Hatch to Chair NCAA Board

Photo: Wake Forest University

The NCAA Division I board of directors has elected Nathan O. Hatch, the president of Wake Forest University, as its chairman.

The election took place today during the board’s first meeting of the 2012-2013 academic year. Effective immediately, the position is a two-year term that runs through August 2014.

“This is truly a transformative time in college athletics and Division I sports,” Hatch said in a press release. “The NCAA has taken up the challenge to raise academic standards, streamline its enforcement process, and ensure the well-being of student athletes. I am honored to be selected chair of this important body as we seek to address these important issues and work to uphold the ideals of collegiate athletics.”

The Division I board of directors is comprised of 18 presidents and chancellors representing different Division I conferences. Under the chair’s leadership, the board directs the affairs of the entire division and has final authority on all Division I matters.

Hatch became Wake Forest's president in July 2005. He has represented the ACC on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors since April 2010 and has served on the executive cmmittee since August 2010. He was also appointed to the Division I Bowl Licensing Task Force in May 2011.

Hatch is also the chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and recently served on the board of the American Council on Education. As a board member of the United Way of Forsyth County, he also served as chairman of the 2010 United Way Campaign.

"Joker One" Author Campbell Returning to Wake Forest

Donovan Campbell

Donovan Campbell, a Marine and the author of the New York Times bestseller "Joker One," will return to Wake Forest University to speak at orientation on Aug. 23.

Campbell also spoke at orientation in 2009, as chronicled by a blog you can access here.

He has quite the story. After leaving active service in 2005, Campbell attended Harvard Business School, where he graduated with high distinction and was named a Baker Scholar for performing in the top 5% of his class. During his second year of the masters program, he was recalled to active service, and in 2008 he deployed to Afghanistan as a Captain supporting Special Operations Command, Central.

Campbell was awarded a Defense Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional service overseas. In May  2009, Random House published "Joker One," a memoir about his combat infantry leadership experiences. Random House is set to publish his second book, which centers on character-based servant-leadership, in March 2013.

If you can't wait until next month, you can visit here to see his remarks from 2009's orientation.

Independent Study Leads to Journal Article

Not too long ago, Ryan Pahl decided on a topic for his independent study, choosing to postulate on what Europe might look like had the United Kingdom adopted the Euro currency in the late 1990s. Last month, the 2011 graduate's work, a collaboration with Sandeep Mazumder, an economics professor, was published in the Open Economics Review. A print version of the report is also expected.

Their research included an exhaustive review of GDP and unemployment data, spanning 1999 to 2010. The duo's final determination was the the U.K. made the right call by choosing not to adopt the currency.

(Given the woes experienced by Germany right now, this may not have been as difficult a determination to discover.)


“Ryan was intrigued by ideas we discussed in international finance," Mazumder told Wake Forest writer Kim McGrath. The student "wanted to explore the hypothetical question of what would have happened if the United Kingdom had decided to adopt the single European currency. The question is relevant because there was, and still is today, a lot of pressure on the U.K. to join.”

Pahl, meanwhile, is now an associate in the global risk management analyst program at Bank of America. It seems like a fitting career path, given his interests and research.

Click here to read the full report.

Alumni Update: Frisby to Lead Aircraft Firm

Frisby

Jeffry Frisby has become the CEO of Triumph Group, a Berwyn, Pa., company that designs, engineers, manufactures and repairs aircraft components.

Frisby, a 1977 graduate of the Wayne Calloway School of Business and Accountancy at Wake Forest University, succeeded Richard Ill, who remains Triumph's chairman.Frisby joined Triumph when the company bought Frisby Aerospace, where he was president. Frisby had been Triumph's president and chief operating officer since 2009.


"Jeff has played a key role in Triumph’s overall acquisition activity along with driving significant improvements in supply chain integration and overall asset management," Richard Gozen, the company's lead director, said in a press release. "Jeff is well respected by our employees and customers and will provide a seamless transition in that capacity.”

Mr. Frisby stated, “I am honored by the faith and trust that the Board is placing in me to lead this very special company. I believe that our Triumph team is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the challenges and opportunities of the aerospace industry and I look forward to working with our team to further refine and execute strategies that will sustain and grow our business.”


You can listen to a program featuring Frisby by clicking here.

Wake Forest Faculty Discuss Mayer's CEO Post at Yahoo

Mayer

The Huffington Post published an intuitive column this weekend by Sherry Moss, a professor at the Wake Forest University Schools of Business, and Gina Katzmark, who works in the marketing department. The duo examined Yahoo's decision to appoint former Google executive Marissa Mayer as CEO and her subsequent Twitter announcement that she is pregnant, pondering whether it is possible for woman to have it all in terms of a professional career and a family.

Their conclusion? That no one can ultimately "have it all" and that the best outcome is instead to have the most of both professional and personal pursuits. Here are some excerpts from the column, which can be read in its entirety here.

Moss

"Personally, I have concluded that no one can have it all," Moss wrote in her section of the column.

"It's just not possible to be in two places at the same time," Moss added. "Inevitably, one life will interfere with the other and a person literally cannot do it all! Optimistically though, I DO believe that we can have most of both! I have most of both: a challenging job and the flexibility to do most (but not all) of the things I would like to do with my kids. I am not always able to do everything and sometimes I sacrifice one for the other, but I do believe I have most of both."

The key, Moss wrote, is to have flexibility at work.

Katzmark concurred, though her decision-making to date has been focused more on her professional career. "[T]he further along I progressed in business school and the more I learned about the reality of gender diversity (or the lack thereof) in the c-suite and corporate boards, I became even less interested in attempting motherhood."

It seemed, however, that Mayer's choices could influence Katzmark and other career-oriented women going forward. "Then, Yahoo gave Marissa Mayer a chance," she concluded. "The board judged her on her track record and credentials, not her hairstyle, wardrobe or the status of her womb. It's time for the rest of us, both men and women, to follow suit. Maybe I don't have to choose between a life as an executive or a life as a parent."

Quotes of the Week: Migraines and CEO Swaps

Here is the latest installment of key quotes from Wake Forest faculty, on topics ranging from migraines and productivity to the fiasco at Duke Energy involving its CEO switch.

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"I think they’re worried about their own butts. What I really am concerned about is that the utilities commission bends over the other way and gets so involved in the operations of the company that it screws up the company also."

~ Dan Fogel, professor, discussing the North Carolina Utilities Commission's

 interest in the Duke CEO fiasco in the Charlotte Observer

Hyde

"One survey put migraine sufferers about twice as likely to be earning less than $22,500 as they are to be earning more than $90,000. This could be a result of them missing work, choosing — or being forced into — lower paying occupations, or likely some combination of all three."

~ Adam Hyde, visiting professor at Wake Forest,discussing migraines

and the workplace with the Winston-Salem Journal

"It'll help the company keep its cost of capital under control. It gives them more flexibility. It's also a clear signal by the banks that HanesBrands has earned a better credit rating. In general, that's a positive signal about the company's business overall."

~ Michael Lord, professor, on HanesBrands' decision to negotiate

a new line of credit, in the Winston-Salem Journal

Business Major Featured in Article on Internships

Wake Forest University recently posted an article with a series of snippets on undergraduates who are working internships this summer to find our their career passions. The article, "Married to Your Major?" was written by Samantha Radell and features Mary Grace Thomas, a business and enterprise management major at the university. We are including the section featuring Thomas below.

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Photo from Wake Forest

Junior Mary Grace Thomas already has a firm grasp on where she wants to take her career. Thomas is currently working as an event planning intern at Esprit Productions, a Milwaukee, Wis.,-based company that plans conferences, trade shows and business events around the nation.

“As a Business and Enterprise Management major, I thought it would be difficult to break into the event-planning industry,” said Thomas. “Instead, I found that what really mattered was my genuine interest in the event-planning business.”

Her current position includes planning the sounds and lighting at conferences and promoting the events on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. Last month, she flew to Florida to oversee a conference she had helped plan for Siemens USA.

“In addition to learning about what goes into planning events, I have also gained important business knowledge from my internship at Espirit Productions,” Thomas said.  “Like my boss always says, it’s best to under promise so you always overachieve. That’s advice that I will hold with me throughout my career.”

Wake Forest Makes Big Commitment to LinkedIn

Wake Forest had used the Alumni Jobs Listserv for several years to provide alumni with information on professional opportunities. The university realized that LinkedIn has"a superior platform for connecting with fellow Deacs and finding job opportunities," according to a recent post on the school's website.

On July 1, Wake Forest disabled the Listserv, directing alumni to LinkedIn instead. The school offered free webinars to explain how to use LinkedIn.

Each webinar included slides and recording, which can be found here. You can click here for an audio recording that will provide more assistance.