MBA alumni board kicks off "Eye on the Economy" receptions

Bill Christiansen, left, and
Heather Roddy, MBA 2007,
visit at the Orlando reception.

Want to meet fellow MBA alumni in your area?

Know a few prospective MBA students you’d like to introduce to your alma mater?

Then, plan on attending one of the College of Business’ “Eye on the Economy” receptions for MBA alumni and prospective students during the next school year. Bill Christiansen, director of the Gene Taylor/Bank of America Center for Banking and Financial Studies, will present an analysis of the nation’s current business picture and delve into the back story of economic indicators that provide promise or peril ahead.

Christiansen, who received Florida State University’s 2008 Distinguished Teacher Award, a student-generated honor, is the popular teacher of the MBA Economic and Business Conditions course offered to master’s students. The chair of the Department of Finance, Christiansen concentrates his research efforts on the performance of financial institutions, bank regulatory policy and monetary policy issues.

Orlando reception attendees included Alecia Dupont, MBA 1988, Bank of America vice president, from left; Lyndon Dupont, her husband; and Ty McCuiston, MBA 2001, a human resources consultant/specialist with Progress Energy.

The reception road tour is sponsored by the MBA Early Career Board, an organization initiated in 2007 by recent full-time MBA graduates who wanted to strengthen alumni involvement. The board’s executive committee includes Nick Dannheim, MBA 2007; Adam Earp, MBA 2006; Travis Lynch, MBA 2008; Sheila Muniz, MBA 2008; Scott Newbern, MBA 2008; Heather Roddy, MBA 2007; and John Wallace, MBA 2007.

The board hosted three receptions last school year. The first took place in October at Tampa’s Embassy Suites Hotel.

Bill Christiansen, left, talks with Suzan Hunter, MBA 2008, in Tampa.

"There is strong support for the FSU College of Business and its MBA program," said Wallace, the event’s city host. "Investing in the alumni and activities that bring them together will improve the prestige of the program. The success of this first event demonstrates this point."

Last school year, the board held events in Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. This school year, board is returning to those cities and expanding its reach to Atlanta, Tallahassee and Miami. See a list of the reception dates below. MBA alumni in the reception area will be e-mailed an invitation. (Alumni, remember to update your contact information here.)

Prospective students will be able to meet MBA alumni and university representatives and learn more about the college’s online and on-campus MBA programs.

For more information on the MBA Early Career Board and to RSVP for its events, contact Melanie Yeager, MBA 2007 and board coordinator.

2009-2010 Reception Schedule

By Melanie Yeager