Smeal Zine - March 2001

How Are We Doing?

We started SMEAL Zine seven months ago and we welcome your thoughts on shaping its format and content for the future. Take a few moments to fill out the online readership survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?WFN14K7MDK668ASTKB3P56V4

Undergraduates Take Top Spot In Marshall Case Competition

A team of undergraduates took first place in the Marshall International Case Competition, finishing ahead of 18 other teams including teams representing the University of Texas at Austin, the Copenhagen Business School, Wharton, Carnegie Mellon, University of Southern California, the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, and the University of Michigan. http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/releases/feb01/competition.html

Grand Opening Of The Trading Room

Students will learn what it really feels like to make or lose a few million in a few seconds when the Trading Room opens officially on April 20. Learn how Smeal College is bringing Wall Street to Happy Valley online at http://www.smeal.psu.edu/traderoom/index.html

Mitte Scholarships Awarded

Fifty-two current MBA and undergraduate students were notified in March that each of them has been selected to receive a $5,000 annual scholarship--that may be renewed-from the Texas-based Mitte Foundation. The total gift to Smeal students from the Mitte Foundation will be over $8 million. More scholarships will be awarded to incoming undergraduate and MBA students over the next few weeks. For more information on the scholarships and the Mitte Foundation, go online to http://www.smeal.psu.edu/mitte/index.html

In the News

Smeal College's successful personalized career-placement program and its new curriculum were featured in a CNN story about the effects of the changing economy on job offers. If you missed the story when it first appeared, you can read it online at http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/innews/feb01/recession.html.

Emerging Professionals Honored

The Smeal College Alumni Society named seven outstanding alumni as its 2000-2001 Emerging Professionals award recipients. The Emerging Professional awards recognize young graduates of the Smeal College for career and community service achievements. These individuals serve as role models in business for students and younger alumni. Meet the winners online at http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/releases/mar01/emerging.html

Executive Programs

Penn State Executive Programs in the Smeal College of Business--ranked among the top 20 providers of executive education worldwide--is primed to launch its 2001 open-enrollment schedule with a host of professional development opportunities in general management, finance, manufacturing and supply chain management. For more information about open enrollment or custom program solutions, call (800) 311-6364 or go online to http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/releases/mar01/execed.html

Venture Capitalists

Smeal College recently established the Garber Venture Capital Center, which was funded by a $5-million pledge from John & Betty Garber. It is believed to be the largest student-run venture capital fund in the country. MBA students manage the fund and they'll make their first investment this fall.

Meet the Dean

Come and meet Dean Judy Olian and fellow Smeal College alumni, faculty and staff from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., April 30, 2001, at the Ritz-Carlton, located on 1700 Tysons Boulevard in McLean, VA. To RSVP or for more information, please contact the Smeal Alumni Office via e-mail at alumni@smeal.psu.edu or 814-865-7831.

Excellence In Teaching

Barbara Gray, professor of organizational behavior and director of the Center for Research in Conflict and Negotiation, recently received the Graduate Faculty Teaching Award from Penn State. The Graduate Faculty Teaching Award honors tenured faculty members who have excelled both in teaching at the graduate level and in supervising thesis work of graduate students. Learn more about the award online at http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/releases/mar01/teach.html

Ranking Season Is Upon Us

During the next few months, many magazines will release special issues devoted to ranking all aspects of higher education. While rankings typically are just a simple measure and do not capture all that Smeal College offers, you can check out how we do in the rankings by visiting us online at http://www.smeal.psu.edu