Posted on February 8, 2012
By robertsonrw in Walker College News


Walker College professor Unal Boya and Anna Gaugert '10 area featured in one of the many videos promoting the Campaign for Appalachian

There is no greater way to influence Appalachian State University in its entirety than by making a gift to the Appalachian Fund. Every aspect of what makes Appalachian special has been touched by this unrestricted fund: scholarship supplements, faculty development, study abroad, student interest groups, athletics initiatives, arts programs, and each of our nine colleges. In fact, it currently supports more than 70 different areas on campus, putting dollars directly to areas of need.

Over the past five years, the Appalachian Fund has supplied more than $1.9 million in funding to Academic Affairs alone. These funds have impacted students through international studies, study abroad scholarships, and scholarship subsidy funding when investments underperform. The Appalachian Fund has aided Appalachian’s faculty and staff by helping to fund Council of Chairs, faculty relocation funds, Faculty Senate, faculty teaching awards, faculty travel grants, and Information Technology Services. This fund has directly supported our colleges through technological improvements in classrooms and offices, including specialized programs and unplanned equipment replacement; furniture for common areas, recognition and training events for faculty and staff, and funding for student group activities. Not only is it critical that the Appalachian Fund supports each of the areas, as well as dozens of others on campus, but it’s also important to note that with increased funding it could be doing so much more.

Less than 7 percent of Appalachian alumni and less than 4 percent of faculty and staff currently provide annual financial support to this critical fund. This is likely because we haven’t asked and explained that your support is significant and will make the difference in the lives of our students. We need every Mountaineer to answer this call, as every gift is important – no matter the size. Gifts to the Appalachian Fund have the power to make an immediate and transformational difference in the lives of our students, faculty and staff. With greater support to the Appalachian Fund, imagine what we could accomplish together. Please click here to make your gift today.

 

Posted on February 7, 2012
By robertsonrw in Walker College News

BB&T check presentation
BB&T Leadership Development Program Director Will Sutton (right) presents a check to Walker College Dean Dr. Randy Edwards

The first installment of a $1 million grant from BB&T was presented Jan. 31 to Walker College of Business Dean Randy Edwards on the campus of Appalachian State University.

The $200,000 check was presented during a job interviewing workshop, coordinated by Center Director Meg Spivey and led by BB&T Leadership Development Program Director Will Sutton.

The pledge was made in 2011 and is payable over a five-year period.

The funds have made possible the BB&T Student Leadership Center, housed in Thelma C. Raley Hall.

There was standing room only for the job interviewing workshop at which Will Sutton demonstrated the DOs and DON’Ts of professional interviewing.

“The workshop was very productive for our students,” said Spivey. “We are hopeful Mr. Sutton will present this material each semester for our business students.”

The Center fosters leadership development in business students through assessment tools, co-curricular leadership training, one-on-one executive mentoring, and an annual leadership conference at Appalachian featuring nationally recognized leaders.

The BB&T Student Leadership Center at Appalachian is modeled after the BB&T Leadership Development Program in Winston-Salem, NC, which has operated successfully since 1964.

BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $159 billion in assets and market capitalization of $18.7 billion, as of June 30, 2011. Based in Winston-Salem, the company operates approximately 1,800 financial centers in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is consistently recognized for outstanding client satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Greenwich Associates and others.

 

 

Posted on February 7, 2012
By robertsonrw in

Restaurants are an eternal industry. Every town has at least one, whether mom and pop or corporate chain. As popular as the investment is, there aren't too many "how to" books for getting into the industry. Robin Gagnon '95 MBA saw that void, and recently wrote to fill it. She and her husband, Greg, are the authors of Appetite for Acquisition, which is described as the "definitive guide for anyone looking to enter the restaurant industry." 

Appetite for AcquisitionThe book has received great reviews, and was recently nominated for a 2012 Small Business Book Award in the category of startups. The contest includes online voting, and the Gagnons ask for your support.

Six out of every ten startup restaurants fail. Your restaurant should not be one of them. So say the authors of "Appetite for Acquisition."

Veteran restaurant brokers Eric and Robin Gagnon present their guide to buying an existing restaurant so you can beat the odds. The book aims to help readers know how to acquire a restaurant in a way that is less painful, more profitable, and delivers a better return on their investment.

It contains hands-on practical advice and real-life examples, and shows you how to avoid common pitfalls and navigate your way to buying a restaurant.

Votes can be submitted daily until February 15. Vote here.

Robin Gagnon is a member of the advisory board for the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, and a member emerti of the Walker College Business Advisory Council. She is owner of We Sell Restaurants, which is an "industry leader in selling restaurants and food related businesses, franchise re-sales, and site location for the food service industry."

As part of a recent promotion event for the book, Robin Gagnon appeared on "The Donna Show," a radio program in Atlanta. 

 

Posted on January 30, 2012
By robertsonrw in

Club Expo The Walker College of Business is home to about two dozen students clubs. Many focus on majors, others specific careers. All provide benefits to students, both in networking and exploring potential careers. Almost all of the clubs will be seeking new members during the 2012 Business Club Expo this Thursday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of Raley Hall. It is open to all students, both COB majors and non-COB majors. It is organized by the Walker Fellows

There are student clubs centered on academic majors (American Marketing Association, Appalachian Supply Chain Club), interests (Association of Student Entrepreneurs, AIESEC) and honorary organizations (Epsilon Chi Omicron, Beta Gamma Sigma). A full listing of clubs is available on the Walker College website.

One of the clubs expected to be present is AITP, the Association of Information Technology Professionals. It is actively seeking members, including using a youtube video to introduce the club. It has a meeting scheduled prior to the Expo, on Wednesday at 5 p.m., in which there will be a Google presentation.

 

Posted on January 27, 2012
By robertsonrw in Martha Guy

Martha Guy

Applications are being accepted for the Martha Guy Summer Institute for Future Business Leaders, to be held July 8-28 at Appalachian State. The program is open to current high school juniors who are interested in a career in business. Approximately 24 students will be selected to spend two weeks on the Appalachian State campus, followed by a week in New York City and Washington, DC.

The program is based within the Walker College of Business. It was established with a gift from Martha Guy, an Avery County resident and former president of Avery County Bank in Newland.

The institute helps high school students explore the basic principles of business and entrepreneurship. Participants spend two weeks on campus participating in business coursework, personal and leadership development workshops, and attending cultural events and recreation activities in the High Country. They also have opportunities to interact with North Carolina business leaders.

Tuition is $1,000, which along with funding from the institute, covers housing, meals, transportation and admission fees to sites and events. Scholarship funding is available.

Applications are available at all North Carolina high schools and online at the Martha Guy website.  For more information, call (877) APP-MGSI (277-6474) or e-mail mgsi@appstate.edu.

 

Posted on January 24, 2012
By robertsonrw in

Dean Sanders '86 MGT is home.The lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves - and a financial planner as a civilian - was among the last troops to leave Iraq as combat operations there ended late last year. He had two tours. During the first, in 2006, he helped train Iraqi secuirty forces. The second a couple years later was spent working as a civil affairs officer.

Sanders recently spoke to the Sanford Herald about his time serving overseas, and how he said it changed him.

 

SandersSanders was stationed in Iraq during "the surge" of 2007, when President George W. Bush deployed 30,000 additional troops. By the end of his first deployment, Sanders received a Bronze Star, and the Military Transition Team members were all awarded Combat Action Badges.

When he returned home for the first time, Sanders said he felt like a different person in many ways than when he left 15 months earlier.

"I recall very distinctly talking to my wife on the phone and telling her, 'This deployment has affected me,'" Sanders said. ...

After dedicating two deployments to the war effort in Iraq, Sanders said he remains invested in the country's future, but he is happy to be home.

"I'm grateful when people see me in uniform, they don't hesitate to say, 'Thank you for your service,'" Sanders said. "My response to that is always that it's an honor and a privilege to serve."

 

 

Posted on January 23, 2012
By robertsonrw in Students

Karen Thomas, who accepted an invitation to serve as Appalachian State winter commencement speaker thanks in part to a Walker College student group, told graduates not to be quick to wave a white flag in today's economic environment. Thomas, who graduated from Appalachian in 1990, talked about her experience as a new graduate, and some lesssons she learned. 

Karen ThomasThe American dream (today) is alive and well, but not because you want it. You're going to have to work for your piece of the dream.

I will tell you, when I started out, it wasn't smooth sailing. I didn't have a destination in my sight. I still don't. I am on a journey. And each day I venture out on my path and, while I know the basic direction I'm heading towards, I hope that the road will lead me to my next landmark. 

All of you will now need to make decisions, and they will contribute to your journey. Your journey that you've already begun here at Appalachian State University. And whatever you decide, I'm here to tell you, if you persevere, stay true to your desires and dreams, take risks, and most importantly, you pick yourself up each and every time you fall down, everything will work out. And when you least expect it, you will begin to see landmarks clearly, and your dream coming true.

Thomas' speech, along with the awarding of degrees to all graduates at the ceremony, is now available to be viewed online. Thomas is introdcued at 43:28, and her speech begins at 45:35. Her appearance as speaker was a direct result of a Bowden Investment Group visit to Bloomberg in September. Thomas is regional business manager of sales for North and South America at Bloomberg L.P.

Walker College Dean Dr. Randy Edwards speaks at 71:25. 

 

 

Posted on January 4, 2012
By robertsonrw in

The annual Economic Forecast Forum was held in Raleigh Tuesday. Among the featured speakers was Walker College banking professor Dr. Harry Davis, who is also an economist with the N.C. Bankers Association. Davis spoke on "The National and State Economy." His powerpoint is posted online [PDF].

Harry DavisThe overall tone of the Forum was one of pessimissm, as reported by the Raleigh News and Observer.

Economists are predicting a sluggish economic recovery for North Carolina and nation in 2012, toning down their forecasts after several years of overly optimistic predictions that widely missed their mark. ...

On the jobs picture: Harry Davis, an economist at Appalachian State University, said the state will add 40,000 jobs this year. "High unemployment will persist for a long time," Davis said. "Most economists think we'll live with it for quite some time."

On the state's economic growth: The state will not see the same level of growth as the nation because it still relies heavily on manufacturing, a weak sector. "Everything is moving in the right direction," Davis said. "It's just moving slower than we're used to."

About long-term unemployment: "After you've been unemployed for a year, you're just about unemployable," Davis said. Many unemployed people have the wrong skills for the jobs that are being created in technology and other fields, he said. The only way to change that is by re-training workers.

WUNC, a North Carolina Public Radio station, described the Forum as bringing "optimism," and has additional remarks by Davis.

News 14 Carolina conducted several interviews at the Forum, including one with Davis. Among the questions, what's the difference in sentiment this year compared to last year?

 

Posted on December 28, 2011
By robertsonrw in

John Divine '11 FIN recently accepted a position as a loan documentation analyst with the Charlotte office of Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, a full-service commercial and multifamily mortgage banking company. He also recently made his debut on the The Motley Fool Blog Network with a post entitled, "Disproving the Efficient Market Hypothesis: Starting with Tickers that Begin with "A"."

Motley Fool logoThe article was Divine's attempt to "identify some of the opportunities that current market inefficiencies have created."

All investors who believe they can beat the market or spot an undervalued stock believe in market inefficiency. Sites like the Motley Fool would not exist if at some level this implicit assumption was not made. So without further ado, allow me to identify some of the opportunities that current market inefficiencies have created. Companies that begin with the letter “A” seem like a good place to start:

He focused on three companies - Amazon.com, Abbott Laboratories and Apple.

 

Posted on December 28, 2011
By robertsonrw in

The Associated Press recently reported on efforts by the General Assembly to re-evaluate regulations involving car insurance permiums in the state. Among the sources cited in the article is Dr. David Marlett, Walker College professor and chair Finance, Banking and Insurance department.

The article describes the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility, which is a "pool for drivers that insurers aren't willing to insure at the rates worked out through the Rate Bureau." Legislators are looking at ways to decrease the number of drivers in that pool, while also keeping overall rates low. It's a delicate balancing act.

MarlettMarlett suggested lawmakers could consider granting flexible rates to encourage insurers to take on more bad risks currently in the pool. The change would lower the facility size, and the surcharge for everyone could fall.

That, however, doesn't resolve the huge number of clean risks in the pool. Some argue allowing insurers to charge higher rates for clean risk could raise the percentage of drivers who avoid insurance altogether.

There are good things about North Carolina's market, Marlett said. It's competitive, average premiums are low and auto insurers make profits. But the size of the facility should raise flags, Marlett said.

"We have the largest one in the nation by far, and that's the sign of an unhealthy market," he said.

 

ABOUT THE COBBLOG

The Walker COBblog is updated regularly with news on events and accomplishments of the students, faculty and staff within the Walker College of Business. It is maintained by Rob Robertson '96 CIS, webmaster with Walker College. You can email him press releases or news leads.

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