Smeal Update: January 23, 2022

Fred Hurvitz retires after 45-year career

Hurvitz, Kohl’s Professor of Practice for Retail Studies, started teaching in the 1970s and saw more than 50,000 students in his classrooms over the ensuing decades. Read the story.

Two Smeal faculty part of teams that receive AI funding

Jue “Kate” Wang, assistant professor of strategy and entrepreneurship, and Andrew Petersen, associate professor of marketing, were each part of interdisciplinary teams that received seed funding from the Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence. Read the story.

Smeal ranked 6th in the world for SDG significance

A recent Financial Times article, titled “What difference does it make? The art of quantifying research impact,” included two lists of machine learning analysis of UN Sustainable Development Goals articles by business school professors in the FT50. Smeal was ranked No. 6 globally on a list that measured SDG significance. The lists were generated from analysis by Wilfred Mijnhardt at the Rotterdam School of Management. Read the story.

Diversity Talent Toolkit available to hiring managers

Smeal faculty and staff are reminded that the Smeal Diversity Talent Toolkit is available to hiring managers and search committee members as they work through searches. Developed by the Diversity Task Force in consultation with Human Resources, this resource supports in fostering more equitable recruiting, selection, and retention of staff and faculty. Link to toolkit.

Inform students about START Essay Contest

Faculty are encouraged to tell students about the START Essay Contest. This year’s question is: How can you leverage your knowledge of diversity and inclusion to create a platform or program that promotes a long-lasting impact within your community? The deadline to submit entries is Jan. 27. Submission form.

CBoS accepting proposals for sustainability research grants

The Smeal Center for the Business of Sustainability is requesting proposals for its 2023 Sustainability Research Grants Program. The grants are intended to address sustainability topics within and across our college disciplines, including management and organization, entrepreneurship, accounting, supply chain, information systems, marketing, finance, risk management, international business, business law, and real estate. Proposals are due by Feb. 4. More information.

Consider nominating a great Smeal teacher

The college is seeking nominations for the following teaching awards:

  • Teaching excellence (separate awards for undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. levels)
  • Excellence in online teaching
  • Excellence in teaching by an early career faculty member
  • Excellence in teaching by a Ph.D. student
  • Innovation in teaching tools and methods

Nominations for the 2022-23 academic year (Summer 2022-Spring 2023) will be accepted until May 5, and recipients will be selected by the Smeal Teaching Awards Committee over the summer. The recipients will be announced and celebrated in September. Nominate someone.

Smeal in the News

Ghadar quoted in CBS21/WHP story

Fariborz Ghadar, William A. Schreyer Chair in Global Management, Policies and Planning, was quoted in a CBS21 story titled “Economists say the current market isn’t a recipe for a recession.” Read the story.

Gustafson research paper cited by Financial Times

A research paper co-authored by Matt Gustafson, associate professor of finance and Stuart and Michele Rothstein Early Career Professor, was cited in a Financial Times article titled, “What difference does it make? The art of quantifying research impact.” Read the story.

This week at Smeal

  • Tuesday: Spring 2023 Supply Chain and Information Systems Career Fair, 11 a.m., Business Building Atrium
  • Wednesday: Spring 2023 Supply Chain and Information Systems Career Fair, noon, Business Building Atrium

Know someone who rocks?

Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online. Nominate them.

The Smeal Community Weekly Poll

Participate in this week’s survey. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 6. Take the poll.