Constant Hall News

April, 2004


Message From the Dean

Dr. Nancy Bagranoff

Spring semester is well underway and we are having a very busy April as we head towards graduation. This is arguably the busiest time of year at a university as everyone tries to fulfill the academic year's goals. Much has also happened in recent weeks. First of all, on the development front, we have established an endowment for a real estate chair. The $4.5 million endowment includes a $1.5 million planned gift from Robert M. Stanton that will be matched by $1.5 million from Frank Batten's donation to the university. We also plan to raise another $1.5 million from the real estate community. The endowment will, in part, fund the Robert M Stanton Chair of Real Estate and Economic Development.


Robert M. Stanton

We will also use the funding to support our Center for Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) and our real estate program. In other development news, Dennis McLaughlin, President of the Atlantic Group, and an ODU alum, recently presented a check for $25,000 as part of a $100,000 pledge toward a scholarship. Finally, we are working on our Constant Hall Partners Program. This is a corporate program. (The Constant Hall Partners Program is described in more detail later in the newsletter.)


Dennis McLaughlin and Dean Nancy Bagranoff

Our Strategic Planning committee has also been busy. We met many times and held Town Hall meetings with faculty and students. Based on input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of our Executive Advisory Committee, we finalized our mission statement. On February 26, the faculty voted unanimously in support of the following.

The mission of Old Dominion University's College of Business and Public Administration is:

>To develop students, within a global and ethical context, for successful careers in business and government; to perform basic, applied and pedagogical research; and to offer services to the community; all of which support the economic development of Hampton Roads and beyond.

We are now using this mission statement to drive the development of a list of shared values, goals, evaluation metrics, and learning goals. Thanks to all of you who are involved in this important planning process.

I would like to take this opportunity to also tell you about our Executive in Residence series, which has been quite successful this year. Through that speaker series, we have been able to bring to our campus many of our most successful graduates and other business leaders who share with students their stories and give them advice. This year we have heard from Rick Conrad, Vice President Northeast Region, Verizon Wireless, Lance Anderson, President and CEO, NovaStar Financial, Tony Nicely, President, Chairman, and CEO of GEICO, and Conrad Hall, President and CEO of Trader Publishing. The Executive in Residence speakers meet with the students at lunchtime. We have had turnouts of more than 100 students at each event this year. Of course, we have had many other speaker events this year, including our Economics Club series and guest speakers in many of our classes.

As we have been doing in the newsletter, you will find in this issue profiles of faculty, students, staff, and an alumni or advisor, plus a schedule of upcoming events.

We hope you enjoy this edition of the Constant Hall News. As always, please feel free to send us anything you think might be of interest in future issues (constantnews@odu.edu).

Faculty and Staff News

Faculty and Staff Transitions

Faculty Transitions

Dr. Russell Haines will be joining the faculty as Assistant Professor of Information Technology, beginning in August. He received his doctorate from the University of Houston.

Dr. Soo-Hoon Lee will be joining the faculty as Assistant Professor of Management next fall. She received her doctorate from the University of Washington, and has been teaching at Morgan State university.

Staff Transitions

Rhyanne Douberley has joined the staff in the MBA program office. She is the new MBA Program Manager and comes to us from North Carolina State.

Pamela Cornell has accepted a position as Public Programs Manager in the Executive Development Center.

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Professional News

Professor Berhanu Mengistu Wins 2004 Provost's Award for Leadership in International Education

Berhanu Mengistu, a professor in the Department of Urban Studies and Public Administration, has won a 2004 Provost's Award for Leadership in International Education. He is one of two nominees to win the award this year. Berhanu Mengistu's international experience includes service as a Fulbright Scholar in the Republic of South Africa, provision of consulting services to the Global Awareness Society International, development (in conjunction with John Heyl) of an exchange program with Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, and editorship of the Journal of Global Awareness. He has written a book about budget reform in South Africa, and many of his research papers address global issues related to public administration.

Professor Mengistu has exhibited leadership at Old Dominion University in international education in a variety of ways. We have an International Business department that consists of faculty who are actually “housed” in various departments across the college. This means that faculty in international business actually serve two roles. Professor Mengistu is the international business faculty member from Urban Studies/Public Administration, where he directs the Ph.D. program and infuses into it a global perspective. He is currently serving on the CBPA Strategic Planning committee, where he has been instrumental in ensuring that the college includes a global perspective in its mission. He has worked with the Office of International Programs in a variety of ways and maintains an unmatched enthusiasm for educating students to be globally aware.

As further evidence of Professor Mengistu's leadership and interest in international business, this week he also received a Fulbright Senior Specialists grant in public administration to Zaporozhye State Engineering Academy in the Ukraine tentatively scheduled for May 11-June 24. He will lecture on public budgeting, finance and government reform and will help graduate students with professional development in their various fields.

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Faculty Profile
Dr. Anusorn Singhapakdi
Marketing Professor and Coordinator

Anusorn Singhapakdi is Professor and Coordinator of Marketing in the College of Business and Public Administration at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Prior to joining Old Dominion University, he has served on the marketing faculty at Lamar University (Texas) and at Thammasat University (Bangkok, Thailand). Dr. Singhapakdi received his B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (1976), B.S. in City Planning (1977) and M.B.A. with emphasis in Marketing (1979) from the University of Wisconsin. He received his Ph.D. in Marketing with minor fields in Consumer Behavior and Econometrics (1988) from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Singhapakdi is an active researcher. Since he joined Old Dominion University in 1989, he has authored or co-authored over 40 articles published in some of the most respected journals in his discipline. Dr. Singhapakdi has also been active in academic conferences. He has many research papers published in conference proceedings and has presented his research findings at various national and international conferences. As a professor, he has received the Faculty Research Award from his college and has twice received Best Paper Awards at the educators' conferences of the American Marketing Association. Dr. Singhapakdi's primary research program has been in business and marketing ethics. He is particularly interested in investigating the factors that determine a decision-maker's behavior in marketing situations involving ethical issues. Currently, he has been conducting research focusing on the relative impacts of organizational culture and personal moral philosophies on the ethical perceptions and intentions of marketing practitioners across different industries in the United States and other countries.

At Old Dominion University, Dr. Singhapakdi has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels. At the undergraduate level, he has taught courses in marketing policy and strategy, consumer behavior, among others. He has taught marketing management and seminar in buyer behavior at the graduate level. Consistent with his research program in ethics, Dr. Singhapakdi regularly teaches courses in business/marketing ethics, within which he presents students with the ethical ramifications of potential marketing decisions. As a teacher-scholar, he has also conducted pedagogical research to provide additional knowledge about ethical decision-making process of marketing students. The results from his research have important implications on how to effectively incorporate ethics into marketing education.

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Staff Profile
Mary Beth Dale
Executive in Residence

Upon graduation from Old Dominion University, Mary Beth Dale was hired by Virginia National Bank, a predecessor of Bank of America, as its first female management trainee. She spent the majority of her 27 years with the bank as an officer in the Marketing Division, and the last nine years as Senior Vice President with corporate wide responsibility for Public Relations. While employed by the bank, she successfully completed the School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia and the Stonier School of Bank Management taught at Rutgers University. She joined the College of Business and Public Administration in a part time capacity in 1995, where she has coordinated a variety of out-reach programs with the regional business community, and currently works for the Dean with the College's Executive Advisory Council.

Long active in civic and community affairs, Mary Beth is currently Chairman of the Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities. She regards the vibrant local arts community as, “a vital resource we have built that attracts key businesses and their executives to our region, while greatly enhancing our local quality of life.” A docent for the Chrysler Museum of Art, Mary Beth regards her volunteer work there as “a joy to share an exceptional collection of art and artifacts with visitors and help them perceive it in diverse ways.” She is also on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Zoological Society and the marketing and development group for Norfolk's Virginia Zoo.

Mary Beth's husband, Donald, is retired from Goodman and Company, CPAs, after a 34 year career, the last decade of which was as Managing Partner and Chairman of the Executive Committee. The Dale's enjoy boating (he is the commander of his volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla),viewing nature's changing panorama from their waterfront home and beach combing at their Outer Banks cottage. They also love spoiling their 120 pound dog, Manchester, whom they adopted after finding him as an abandoned puppy.

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Staff Personal News

Congratulations and Best Wishes to:

Toni Sledge, the Administrative Program Specialist for the Accounting and Finance departments, and Shanna Wood, the Corporate Program Manager for the Executive Development Center, for giving birth to baby girls!

They all are doing great!

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Upcoming Events

Guest Speaker List

April 20, 2004 (Economics Club of Hampton Roads)

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld – Associate Dean of Executive Programs, Yale University. Founder/president, The Chief Executive Leadership Institute, a non-profit educational and research institute focused on CEO leadership and corporate governance. Author of five books: The Hero's Farewell , an award winning study of CEO succession. Often cited in Fortune , Business Week , The Wall Street Journal , The New York Times , and guest on CNN and CNBC. Recently wrote: What Makes Great Boards Great in the Harvard Business Review.

May 5, 2004 (Economics Club of Hampton Roads)

Ned Davis —Founder, Ned Davis Research.

Ned Davis Research, Inc., a leading independent institutional investment research and advisory firm established in 1980. In March, 2003 Ned Davis Research Asset Allocation Fund joined the Gabelli family of funds. NDR has research clients in over 32 countries, and one of the largest institutional followings in the securities industry. Author of Being Right or Making Money.

For information about how to attend either of these luncheons, contact Katrina Davenport at 757-683-4058.

April 23, 2004

Dr. James Hunton Trustee Professor of Accounting, Bentley College, and Research Professor, Universiteit Maastricht, will be conducting a research workshop entitled, "Desgin and Analysis of New Experiments," on Friday, April 23 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in Constant Room 1002.

May 7, 2004

The Department of Accounting will be holding its annual awards reception on Friday, May 7, from 11:30 until 12:30 in Constant Room 1002.

May 10, 2004

The Department of Accounting will be holding its 11th annual Scholarship Golf Outing on Monday, May 10 at Herron Ridge Golf Course off of Seaboard Road in Virginia Beach. Among the prizes is a SAAB from Bay Automotive for a hole-in-one. For more information, contact Randy Spurrier at 757-683-6312, E-mail rspurrie@odu.edu

Fall 2004

The Department of Accounting will be conducting its highly successful CPA Review Course starting in May and continuing into the Fall. Please contact Timothy Mckee at tmckee@odu.edu or phone 757-683-3577 for more information. One student who took the review course during the Fall 2003 semester scored in the 90s on all four parts of the November exam! Need help with the computerized exam? Sign up for this course now.

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College of Business and Public Administration 2004 Awards Ceremony

We will be honoring our outstanding students, faculty, and staff on Monday, April 26, 2004 from 2-4 p.m. in Webb's Center Hampton Newport News Room.

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College of Business and Public Administration 2004 Beta Gamma Sigma Ceremony

We will be inducting our new members on Monday, April 26, 2004 from 5-7 p.m. in Webb's Center Hampton Newport News Room.

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Student News

Undergraduate Student Profile
Kevin Norfleet

Kevin Norfleet started at Old Dominion University in the fall of 1999, after graduating from Hickory High School in Chesapeake VA. He was offered an academic scholarship to attend ODU and admittance to the Honors College, which provided many benefits that interested me. During his freshman year, his major was still undecided even though he had narrowed it down to Information Technology or International Business. He eventually decided to major in both.

The second semester of Kevin's freshman year he started attending the AITP meetings and became interested in the organization. After attending a few meetings and participating in a fundraiser, he was given the opportunity to attend the National Collegiate Conference in Chicago. The conference was completely paid for by AITP and it was a great networking opportunity for Kevin. After he returned from the conference, it was time for officer elections for next year most of the current officers were graduating so he decided to run for treasurer. However, before he knew it he was nominated for President and elected into a new position.

Kevin held the office of President for the next four years. During this time, he started volunteering at the Chesapeake Care Clinic to fulfill a community service requirement for the Honors College. I learned about the clinic during high school when my honor society held a fundraiser for the clinic. While working at the clinic, he noticed how bad their IT infrastructure was and decided that maybe he could help out. In October of 2002, Kevin accepted a position as Student Ambassador to Microsoft. One of the requirements as Student Ambassador was to start a user group and work on some project in the community. He immediately thought of the clinic for a project. Since he started work on the project with the clinic, Kevin has had ten computers donated from the City of Chesapeake, and new software from Microsoft.

This is Kevin's last year at ODU and he is planning to pursue a career with a multinational corporation that will give him the opportunity to work abroad. Kevin hopes that the student chapter of AITP will continue to work with the Chesapeake Care Clinic.

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Graduate Student Profile
Vincent Magnini

Vincent Magnini is a winner of the Graduate Assistant Excellence Award. Vince enrolled in the Marketing Ph.D. program in August 2001. While in the program, he has taught several undergraduate-level marketing courses including Multi-National Marketing, Marketing of Services, Consumer Behavior, and Principles of Marketing. In addition to teaching, Vince is an active researcher and has had four peer-reviewed journal articles as well as four conference proceedings accepted for publication during the past two years.

Vince attributes his accomplishments to the outstanding Doctoral Faculty. Dr. John Ford is the Chair of his dissertation committee. Dr. Edward Markowski and Dr. Earl Honeycutt (fauclty member at NCW) also serve on the committee. With their guidance, Vince hopes to complete his dissertation by early this summer.

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Alumni, Advisors, and Friends

Executive Advisory Council News

Profile of an
Executive Advisory Council Member

Jeff Littman

Jeff Littman graduated from Old Dominion University with a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. in Finance. He is currently President of Cavalier Marine Supply and Sterling Wholesale, both companies located in Norfolk. He is also an owner of two companies Headquartered in Cape town, South Africa. Over the years, Mr. Littman has been active in the local community serving as President of the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and their Board of Governors. He is currently Treasurer of the National Association of Marine Services as well as a member of the Old Dominion University Business School Executive Council.

Through Mr. Littman's companies he is currently providing food and a variety of other products to U.S. Forces in The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq. Through his South African companies, he distributes a variety of products in Europe. As an Entrepreneur, Mr. Littman seeks business opportunities throughout the world. His business travels take him, not only to Europe and Asia, but to various Countries within the African Continent such as Ghana, Namibia, Cameroon, and Angola.

He is married to his college sweetheart Elayne and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

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Other News

The Constant Hall Partners Program

The College of Business and Public Administration has launched The Constant Hall Partners Program, a corporate program designed to create links with local business organizations and to raise operating funds for the college. To sign up, partners agree to provide the college with $2500 per year. In return, each business will have a plaque on the Partners' Wall on the lower level of Constant Hall. These plaques provide visibility to students that the college has links with Hampton Roads business entities. Partners also will have a point of access in the Dean's office for help with university resources, faculty, and students. Constant Hall Partners will be invited to attend several college events. In August we will hold the first “State of the College” address and at that event we will formally unveil the Partners' Wall. We will also hold an annual reception for Partners where they can meet with students. To date, the following companies have signed up as Constant Hall Partners:

· Griffin Investments

· Southern Trust

· William E. Wood

· The Atlantic Group

· Wachovia

· Sysco Food Services of Hampton Roads

· Tidewater Hotels and Resorts

Please contact Lisa Davenport at 757-683-3319 or ldavenpo@odu.edu for information about the program including how to join.

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New Clients for Executive Development Center

The Executive Development Center is pleased to announce their two new contract clients who are Pitney Bowes (two contracts for project management) and Chartway Federal Credit Union (business writing).

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Special Class

Theory and Policy of Modern Finance

Joel Stern, founding partner of Stern Stewart Inc., author of Against the Grain, and a recognized authority on financial economics, corporate performance measurement, incentive compensation, and corporate valuation, will be teaching a special class as an adjunct professor of Old Dominion University. Stern Stewart is responsible for the terms Economic Value Added (EVA) and Market Value Added (MVA). The class will be held over five days: Monday – Wednesday, May 17 – 19 and also Tuesday – Wednesday, June 15-16. The class will cover: structure and functioning of capital markets, valuation/risk, capital structure, recapitalization, restructuring and incentive signaling, and performance measurement. For more information on the course or to register, please contact the College of Business and Public Administration's Executive Development Center at www.cgbee.com/webnew/cgbee.html or call 757 683-4603.

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Society of Financial Service Professionals Scholarship Donation

The Norfolk-Tidewater Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals contributed $3000 to Old Dominion University's Insurance and Financial Services Center. The contribution will be used for scholarships to deserving junior or senior majors in Risk and Insurance through the College of Business and Public Administration and in good academic standing with the University.

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