Wow! How time flies. It has been over a year since I became the Dean of the College of Business at Florida State University, and what a year it has been. After having met with all the faculty and staff, 433 alumni and friends, attended over 20 alumni sponsored events, and graduated 1,606 students, I can honestly say that moving to FSU was one of the best decisions I have made. We should all be very proud of the College of Business. We have an excellent faculty, superb staff, great students and accomplished alumni. I am also very pleased with the progress we have made over the past year. For example, we have hired 9 faculty, remodeled the Dean's Suite, finished a new vision, mission and strategic plan, reconstituted the alumni Board of Governors, redesigned the College web page, launched a new online alumni community, and that is just for starters. Professionally, I was part of a panel presentation at the AACSB Dean's Conference in Las Vegas, titled "Impact of the Spellings Report," and I was just appointed chair of the Maintenance of Accreditation Committee and a member of the Accreditation Coordination Committee for the AACSB. The upcoming year will bring even more exciting changes including the launch of a new branding campaign. Others in the College have also been busy. Just to give you an idea of what we have accomplished in the past 100 days, read on.

Faculty News

The marketing faculty have been ranked 5th in the nation for scholarly output according to a new annual index of graduate programs throughout the United States that is reported in the January 12th issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education. Also in the top five are Pennsylvania, Northwestern, Duke and Michigan State.

David Paradice, department chair in MIS, has accepted the position as the inaugural editor-in-chief of a new journal, International Journal of Information Technology and the Systems Approach.

Michael Brady, marketing, received the 2007 Academy of Marketing Science Outstanding Marketing Teaching Award.

Wayne Hochwarter's, management, study on abusive bosses has been covered by more than 400 news agencies around the world, from the New York Times to CNN. According to the Associated Press, this story has received the most "hits" ever of any story originating from the AP's Tallahassee bureau.

Tim Holcomb, an August 2007 hire for the management department, has co-authored the article, "Toward a model of Strategic Outsourcing," which has emerged as one of the 25 most downloaded articles (#7) in the Journal of Operations Management. The paper has not yet been published and has only been available in-press since June 2006.

PhD candidate Andre Holmes is quoted and pictured in BusinessWeek's online article entitled, "How the PhD Project is helping to boost the number of minority professors in B-schools." This article also appeared in the January 8, 2007 print edition of BusinessWeek.

The following faculty members received promotions:

• Michael Brady, marketing, awarded tenure
• Yingmei Cheng, finance, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
• Cassandra Cole, RMI, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
• Peter Darke, marketing, promoted to associate professor
• Frank Heflin, accounting, awarded tenure
• Wayne Hochwarter, management, promoted to full professor
• Kathleen McCullough, RMI, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
• Annette Ranft, management, promoted to associate professor
• Molly Wasko, MIS, awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor

Seven COB faculty members were granted First Year Assistant Professor Program Awards for 2007 by the Florida State University Council on Research and Creativity (CRC). The award provides summer salary support for newly hired, early-career faculty to allow them to spend their first summer at FSU focusing on their research agenda. Award recipients include:

• Don Autore, finance, "The Impact of Corporate Governance on the Cost of Capital"
• Peter Darke, marketing, "Sinister Consumer Attributions"
• Jessen Hobson, accounting, "Gaining a Deeper Understanding of How Individuals Use Accounting Information"
• Irena Hutton, finance, "Merger-Related Initial Public Offerings"
• Danling Jiang, finance, "Investor Psychology and Beta Pricing"
• Pui Wan "Ruby" Lee, marketing, "Exploring the Financial Consequences of Strategic Motives"
• Jeffery Smith, marketing, "Investigation of Impact of Culture on Service Recovery"

And finally, James Doran, finance, received a coveted University Teaching Award and Norma Jeanne Dexter, Panama City Campus, received a University Undergraduate Advising Award.

Congratulations to our excellent faculty!

Student News

As you might suspect, we were disappointed in the BusinessWeek Undergraduate rankings and the corresponding article. While we usually do not respond to the vagaries of the rankings methods used by the popular press (most of the criteria have little to do with the quality of the educational experience), I think that it is important that you understand this particular poll. The methodology of ranking business schools by the popular press has always been controversial and the BusinessWeek poll is no exception. What BusinessWeek chose not to share with its readers in the recent 2007 survey was that our students (who are usually the worst critics) gave us straight As in teaching quality, facilities and services and job placement. According to BusinessWeek's rankings, only 19 business schools received higher As than us - yet we were ranked 77th (42nd among public schools).

BusinessWeek's article stated that only 38% of our students had accepted job offers. However, they did not disclose that 61% of our students had, in fact, received offers and that 23% of those students had not yet accepted their offers. Also, our students were polled 3-weeks prior to graduation so many could have still been in the interviewing process when they completed the survey, and not all students chose to participate in the survey.

When looking at this ranking with an eagle eye, it comes down to the bottom line. We are one of the ten largest accredited business schools in the nation and are here to provide a quality education to the public. We are elated that the students we serve gave us all high marks.

Student recruiting continues to be strong. For example, Hospitality Career Days brought 60 companies to campus and Insurance Days brought another 60 recruiters from 31 prospective employers. All qualified students who wanted positions found plenty of opportunities for employment. Thanks to all of you who support our recruiting efforts and hire our students. Improving our placement statistics is one of our highest priorities, and we will continue to improve employment opportunities for our students.

The Financial Management Association hosts a meeting for students each year. The meeting teaches leadership and job market skills, and also focuses on current issues in finance. Seven students attended this year's meeting in Chicago. Thanks to all of you who help financially support the students' travel expenses.

McKay Price, a PhD student in finance, was awarded the Presidential Fellowship for this year, Kevin Krieger, PhD student in finance, was awarded the University Fellowship for next year, and Nathan Mauch, an incoming PhD student in finance, was awarded the University Presidential Fellowship.

Our students excelled at the DEX competition. Joevania Alexandre was selected DEX Student of the Year, Shawn Drourr took 1st Place in Financial Services and Tim Cason took 1st Place in Sales Manager Meeting.

Ali Mims, MBA student and FSU soccer player, was awarded a 2007 Doc Fauls Award at the Thirteenth Annual Golden Nole Awards Ceremony. The award recognizes a male and female senior athlete who has overcome adversity to participate in FSU's athletics.

Alumni News

The College of Business has selected three outstanding and accomplished alumni to be inducted into its Hall of Fame. Ted T. Cecala ('71 BS in finance and accounting), Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Wilmington Trust Corporation, Jeffrey P. Rohr ('72 BS in accounting), Chief Financial Officer of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, and Randell A. Smith ('77 BS in finance), Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Smith Travel Research (STR), are officially being inducted into a prestigious group of business leaders on Saturday, April 21 at the Fifth Annual Hall of Fame Dinner & Ceremony. Established in 2003, the Hall of Fame honors and celebrates individuals who embody the qualities that make the College of Business an extraordinary place to learn and grow. Hall of Fame inductees have excelled in their careers and have made significant contributions, which continue to solidify the national reputation of the highly ranked FSU College of Business.

Bill Smith, Chair, President and CEO of Capital City Group, Inc., gave the Charles A. Bruning Distinguished Speaker Lecture during the spring semester. His presentation was titled, "Get a Job," and was attended by an overflow group of students.

Bobby Byrd, President of the Byrd Corporation, and Bob Breslau, President of the Stiles Retail Group, participated as "Jennings Speakers" this semester as part of the Evan D. Jennings Executive Speaker Series in Real Estate. Mr. Byrd also served as an executive-in-residence in the Real Estate program.

During spring semester, the following individuals made presentations in conjunction with the SunTrust Visiting Professor Speaker Series: David Ramsay, Chairman of the Board, CEO, and President, SunTrust Bank, Northwest Florida; Dr. Zoran Ivkovich, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois; Dr. Gonul Colak, Assistant Professor, Wichita State; Chris Parsons, faculty candidate, University of Texas; David Cicero, faculty candidate, University of Georgia; Dr. Bill Megginson, Professor and Rainbolt Chair in Finance, University of Oklahoma; Dr. Mark Flannery, Bank of America Eminent Scholar of Finance, University of Florida; Dr. Mara Faccio, Associate Professor, Vanderbilt; Dr. James Linck, Associate Professor, University of Georgia; and Dr. Ken Lehn, Samuel A. McCullough Professor of Finance, University of Pittsburgh (April 20).

While I was in Atlanta attending the COB Board of Governors executive committee meeting in January, thanks to Mark Hillis, I was able to meet with representatives of Carter Real Estate firm and toured the business building at Georgia Tech. As you can see from our strategic plan, acquiring private support to build a new state of the art business building is one of our highest priorities. We are excited about this initiative and will be speaking more about it in the future.

I continue to visit alumni throughout the country and speak to alumni groups when possible. On February 10, I joined other FSU Deans in speaking at the Alumni Association Leadership Weekend and on March 8, I spoke to the Orlando Seminole Club. Alumnus David Ellrich of Moore, Ellrich & Neal, P.A. also generously hosted an alumni dinner for me in Palm Beach Gardens on February 5. This was an excellent opportunity for me to meet with several alumni in the area and to share the new vision and mission of the College.

The College of Business presented the inaugural Distinguished PhD Alumni Award to Dr. William "Bill" L. Megginson, Professor and Rainbolt Chair in Finance at the University of Oklahoma's Michael F. Price College of Business, on Friday, February 16. Megginson, the first recipient of this award, received his PhD in finance from FSU in 1986.

In celebration of the Dedman School of Hospitality's 60th anniversary, several prominent alumni are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to the hospitality industry. Congratulations to Jeff Bell, Executive Vice President, Hillstone Restaurants; Ted Mosley, President, Quorum Hotels & Resorts; Chris Borders, General Manager, Atlanta Athletic Club; Lisa Igneri, General Manager, Houston's Restaurants; Amy Johnson, President, PRA Destination Management - Atlanta; Elizabeth Carvalho, Front Office Manager, Ritz-Carlton New York City; Joe Douglas, President, 131 Main; Mike Vaughn, Vice President, 131 Main; Gina Garcia-Buell, Vice President, Davgar Restaurants; Greg Christovich, COO, Kitson Partners Club Management; Charlie Hoare, President, Club Management Executive Search; Ken Kasten, Senior VP, ClubCorp; Steve Overholt, Exec. VP, Outback Restaurants; and Jeff O'Hara, President, PRA Destination Management - New Orleans.

We continue to receive excellent support from our alumni and friends of the College. During the past academic year, many individuals have taken the time to share their experiences with our students including: Carder Berry, TAC Americas, Inc.; Bobby Byrd, Byrd Corporation; Wendy Clark, AT&T; Richard O. Carson, Benfield; Michael Cramer, Deputy General Counsel, Florida State University; Chris Dawes, Sarah Clamp, Steve Mangan and Laurie Shimp, Ernst & Young; Daniela deMiranda, Setnor Byer Insurance & Risk; Alan Durham, Benfield; O.C. Ferrell, University of New Mexico; Joel Freedland, Pulte Homes; Keith Frein, PPR International; Tony Gresham, Gresham & Associates; Brad Hamilton, City of Tallahassee; Matt Hammer, Harden and Associates, Inc.; Myrna Hoover, COB Career Center; Evan Hume, PCAOB; Kenneth James, CSX Corporation; Mark Kandra and Joe Paradise, KPMG; LeeAnn Korst, Division of Real Estate, Florida Dept. of Management Services; Sarah Kosturko, Prudential Real Estate Agency; Mary Katharine Lawler, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; John M. Lee, American Express Corporation; Ommet Mbiza, Department of Management Services-Purchasing, State of Florida; Patrick McKinley, Regency Centers; Lisa Metheny, Gallo Wines; Craig Meyers, Regency Centers; Greg Munson, Florida Dept. of Environmental Regulation; The Honorable Barbara Pariente, Florida Supreme Court; Haley Parrish, USAA; Michael Prost, Mike's CD, Inc.; Joan Raley, Realtor; Stuart Rubin and Nick Boros, Deloitte; Brandy Schaeffer, Target Corporation; Nicholas Spinks and Dan Collins, Protiviti; Chris Stewart, Regency Centers; Justin Terry, Harden and Associates, Inc.; T.K. Wetherell, FSU; Sandy Williams, Toys "R" US; and Reese Wilson, Regency Centers.

Thanks to all of you, and any we mistakenly left out, for giving your time and expertise to our students.

Development News

We are currently involved in our phonathon to support our annual fund. This fund brings critical dollars into the College that is used to support all of our activities. This past year, we have increased the total number of dollars given as well as the number of alumni participating. Rankings in U.S. News and World Report use the percentage of alumni who give to the College as one criterion for determining the quality of the program. Thanks to all who have donated this past year. If you would like to give to our annual fund, you can do so through this link.

On January 15, the Dedman School of Hospitality received a check for $6.37 million after its ClubCorp stock was cashed in for a lump sum payment. Robert Dedman donated his ClubCorp stock to FSU in 1999 to support the College's program in hospitality administration. This amount qualifies for a state match, thus potentially raising the total value of Robert Dedman's gift to around $12.6 million.

In our 200 Day Dean's Brief, we announced an endowment gift from Crossman and Company of Orlando for a scholarship for students majoring in real estate. John Crossman has generously increased his original gift of $25,000 to $50,000.

Ben Coulter of Palm Beach Gardens notified the College that he included in his estate plans a bequest that will ultimately benefit the accounting department.

Melanie Lee, Vice President and General Manager of Tallahassee's Kia Auto Sport, presented a check totaling $10,000 to the College of Business on Tuesday, March 27. She announced three winning students with the best 60-second radio ads created for Kia Auto Sport and presented them with scholarship awards of $3,000, $1,500 and $500. Kia Auto Sport also awarded $5,000 to the marketing department to support the professional selling program.

Center News

The Center for Real Estate Education and Research is organizing real estate roundtables in several cities this spring to discuss market conditions and to outline the Center's fundraising initiatives. A Tallahassee Real Estate Roundtable was hosted by Everitt Drew, John Lewis, Ed Murray and John Sebree in February at the Florida Association of Realtors office. In March, Evan Jennings, Mark Hillis and Cyrus Sharp hosted an Atlanta Real Estate Roundtable at the Buckhead Club in Atlanta. Similar events are being planned in other cities this May and June. The Center's annual Real Estate Trends & Networking Conference will be held October 4 & 5 this coming fall.

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship held its 12th annual Entrepreneurial Showcase on April 10 and honored Kay Stephenson, Datamaxx; Russell Turner, Turner's Fine Furniture; and Steve Roden, LearnSomething, with Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards. Over 450 people attended the festivities.

Finally, the College is one of the hosts for a new Tallahassee economic development project, known as the Knight Creative Communities Initiative, which is funded by the Knight Foundation. Jacqui Bybee, our new development staff member, is one of the coordinators for this project. This exciting initiative uses the methods found in Richard Florida's book, Rise of the Creative Class, to create more business opportunities.

Thanks again for a wonderful year. It has been very rewarding.