Morken Center is now Open!
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The School of Business successfully moved into the new Morken Center
for Learning and Technology during the month of January! This building
is now the home of the School of Business, departments of computer
science and engineering, mathematics, and MESA (Math Engineering and
Science Academy). Spring classes are underway, and the School of
Business has settled in to our new location on the first floor.
The new Morken Center dedication site is now online.
News
Farewell to Jim Clapper
On March 28 the School of Business and PLU
community members wished Dean Jim Clapper farewell as he left PLU to
become president of the North American subsidiary of Europe’s leading
manufacturer of food service equipment Ali Group SpA. "I have enjoyed
my time here – the chance to serve deserving students and the pleasure
of working with a faculty of good spirit, competence and concern for
their students. Despite the attractiveness of being part of PLU, I
could not ignore the opportunity presented by Ali Group SpA. It is an
opportunity for broader responsibility and a challenge of much
different dimensions than higher education," Clapper said.his
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Jim Clapper served PLU for nearly two years as dean
and is credited as being instrumental during the AACSB accreditation
process, helping to pass a redesigned BBA curriculum and proposing a
new MBA curriculum. All the faculty and staff wish him well as he takes
this next step in his career.
The faculty of the School of Business is working
with administrators to identify an interim dean. Watch for an
announcement soon!
Welcome Chris Lee
We would like to extend a warm welcome to
the newest member of the School of Business faculty, Professor Chris
Lee, Ph.D.! Dr. Lee comes from Central Washington University in
Ellensburg, Wash., where he taught a variety of classes in information
technology as an associate professor. Within the last five years, he
has published ten scholarly works on information management. Before
beginning his academic teaching career, Lee spent ten years in industry
consulting for several global firms. Dr. Lee earned his bachelor degree
in political science from Korea University, and both his master's
degree and Ph.D. in business administration from Saint Louis University.
Ptak Spends Spring Break Working at Hurricane Recovery Site
Over spring break 16 PLU students and four
staff members (one being School of Business professor Carol Ptak) spent
their spring break in New Orleans, volunteering with three non-profit
organizations helping with the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. Upon
her return, Ptak commented on the courage and dedication of the PLU
students on the trip and recounted the remarkable devastation that they
encountered. In the coming weeks the team will be presenting their
efforts and experiences at chapel and other campus meetings. To read
about their difficult and life-changing week of service check out the online blog.
PLUS Business Scholarship
Congratulations to Christian Wong,
recipient of the prestigious 2006-2007 PLUS Business Scholarship! The
scholarship is sponsored by PLUS Business, the School of Business
alumni organization dedicated to connecting alumni, current students,
and the community.
Wong is an accomplished entrepreneur and current MBA
student. He is the founder of Chocolati Chocolate Company, Inc., based
in Seattle, Wash. His company currently manages five retail operations
employing 30+ employees, as well as a wholesale manufacturing
production factory. Wong is an active member of his community, serving
on the boards for the University District Food Bank and the Wing Luke
Asian Museum. He is also president and co-founder of the Toastmasters
Seattle University Chapter.
Wong earned his bachelor’s degree in business from
Seattle University with a double concentration in accounting and
personal finance. He will graduate in 2007 with his MBA from PLU.
Pratt Honors
Professor Catherine Pratt was the recipient
of the Best Workshop Award in Entrepreneurship Education at the
USASBE/SBI 2006 Conference, held in Tucson, Ariz., on January 12-15,
2006. The United States Association for Small Business and
Entrepreneurship aims to further small business knowledge and research.
Dr. Pratt leads the Family Business Institute and is an associate
professor of management for the School of Business. She teaches both
graduate and undergraduate courses on organizational behavior, design,
and leadership.
Brad Lubken in Congress
Brad Lubken, a senior business student concentrating in
marketing management, has earned the chance to speak in front of
Congress on behalf of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. On May 14-17,
Brad will travel to Washington, D.C. to talk with senators and
encourage legislation for more money to be given to cancer research.
Two people from each state are selected for this honor. Brad interned
at the Lance Armstrong Foundation last summer in Austin, TX and is
still very involved with the organization. He is currently a
co-director with Relay for Life, and a cancer survivor.
Pham and Simpson Co-Author Paper
The Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambrdige has
accepted the paper "The Impact of Frequency of Use on Service Quality
Expectations:
An Empirical Study of Trans-Atlantic Airline Passengers," co-authored by Dr. Quoc Van Pham and Dr. Merl Simpson.
The paper will appear in the Vol. 9, Num. 2, September 2006
issue. The Journal of American Academy of Business is a refereed
academic journal that publishes scientific research findings.
David Batstone
David Batstone, a nationally renowned
speaker and author on business ethics, spoke to a PLU audience of over
120 students and alumni at a luncheon hosted by the School of Business
on February 7th. Batstone, an entrepreneur and executive editor of
Sojourners magazine, shared his experience in corporate ethics and his
insights about purpose over profits that he has outlined in his book,
Saving the Corporate Soul--and (Who Knows?) Maybe Your Own.
PLUS Business Event
You are invited to the end-of-the-year PLUS
Business Bash! Finance professor Stu Bancroft will be honored as a
special guest. After serving as a devoted mentor and teacher at PLU
over the last 36 years, Bancroft is retiring to reconnect with fellow
business alumni. Please join us to wish him well! The event will be
held on April 20th at 7 p.m. at the Tacoma Club’s Cascade Room:
Wells Fargo Plaza, 1201 Pacific Avenue, 16th floor $15.00/$10.00 for
PLUS Business members and current students. Please call 253-535-7244
for more information and to RSVP.
Speaker Series
Please join the School of Business for the final
presentation of the Spring 2006 MBA Executive Leadership Series. On
April 19th at 6pm, PLU graduate Brenda Morris ’91, Chief Financial
Officer of Zumiez Inc., will share her career path to becoming a CFO
and her insights on leadership and management. Morris graduated has a
bachelor of science degree in business administration with an
accounting concentration. She later earned her MBA from Seattle
University with a focus in organizational behavior and operations.
Tony Maki Luncheon
Tony Maki, Managing Partner of Moss Adams, LLP, will
be the featured speaker at a luncheon on April 27, 2006 hosted by Beta
Alpha Psi, PLU’s student accounting, finance, and information
technology club. Maki will speak on Enterprise Risk Management. The
event begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Scandinavian Cultural Center. For
more information call 253-535-7445.
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Congratulations!
Congratulations to Jeni Wilson ’99! Jeni passed all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination on the first try!
Congratulations to Shelley Johnson, 2006-07 ASPLU Vice
President! Shelley is a business student, concentrating in Human
Resources. Her goals during her term include spreading campus awareness
of ASPLU events, enhancing opportunities for student involvement and
leadership in ASPLU, and working with the administration to increase
student awareness of University changes and issues.
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