Current Events
SOM offers study abroad course to Japan/Taiwan!
more information...
posted: Sept 29, 2008
School of Management
Business Appreciation Dinner
September 25, 2008
Northbank Center
Business Appreciation Dinner
September 25, 2008
Northbank Center
Tickets are still available for $75 per person or $590 for a Corporate Tables of 8. Please call 810-424-5583 for more information.
Honorees
CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Guardian Industries
Earnest Thompson,Director of Corporate Marketing andBrand Management
William Davidson has spent more than 50 years as the president of Guardian, a company founded in 1932 in Detroit as a small windshield manufacturer. Over the past five decades, Mr. Davidson’s vision has grown the Auburn Hills-based Guardian into a diversified manufacturing company with 21,000 employees worldwide and distribution facilities in 21 countries. His extraordinary leadership also extends to his community. A noted hilanthropist, Mr. Davidson has supported a variety of organizations, including the University of Michigan, his alma mater, at which The William Davidson Institute was established at the Ross Business School. Visit www.guardian.com.
Palace Sports and Entertainment
Tom Wilson, President
Palace Sports & Entertainment originated in 1988, when the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association moved into their new home, The Palace of Auburn Hills. This privately financed, state-of-the-art facility immediately made other arenas obsolete due to its revolutionary design incorporating 180 private suites on three levels. The team's first two seasons in The Palace resulted in back-to-back NBA World Championships. The Pistons’ success is indicative of the organization's philosophy of doing things the right way – and first-class – as it grew beyond basketball to become one of the nation’s leading arena management and marketing companies, and is listed among the top concert promoters in the world. Tom Wilson, President and CEO for Palace Sports & Entertainment, will accept the Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of Guardian Industries Corp. and Palace Sports & Entertainment. He will also give the keynote address.
REGIONAL AWARD
Plante & Moran, PLLC
Mr. Chris McCoy, CPA
Managing Partner, Southfield
Mr. David Gibbons, CPA,
Managing Partner, Flint
The origins of Plante & Moran date to 1924, when Elorion Plante founded a small accounting firm in Detroit. In 1955, Frank Moran became managing partner of the firm, and his unique business philosophy sparked a period of tremendous growth. By the early 1960s, one-third of the company’s revenues came from services other than auditing and accounting. Today, Plante & Moran is the nation’s 12th largest certified public accounting and business advisory firm, providing clients with financial, human capital, operations, strategy, technology, and wealth management services. Plante & Moran Financial Advisors, the firm’s financial planning entity, has over $7 billion funds under management, and is the third largest independent investment advisory firm in the nation.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
The Coffee Beanery
Ms. JoAnne Shaw, President
In the 1970s, coffee shops were not as prevalent as they are today. But in 1976, JoAnne and Julius Shaw decided to take a chance on a hunch – that quality, gourmet coffee would be the next “big thing.” With home equity loans and entrepreneurial spirit, the Fenton residents rolled up their sleeves and opened their first store in Dearborn. Over the next nine years, the Shaws opened eight new stores. The couple’s triumph is built on Ms. Shaw’s commitment to be successful no matter what it takes. Today, Coffee Beanery, which is headquartered in Flushing, is a multi-million dollar franchise with over 117 locations throughout the U.S., and 26 locations internationally. Coffee Beanery is recognized as an industry leader for its unique family business approach, corporate culture, and commitment to quality.
FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD
Koegel Meats, Inc.
Mr. John C. Koegel, President
Succession can be a problem for family-owned businesses, but it’s not one that has hampered the Koegel family and it’s well-established Flint-based meat company. The Koegel name has been a Flint trademark since the early 1900s and over three generations. President John Koegel attributes the company’s long-standing success to his grandfather’s founding principles. Today, Koegel Meats is proud to carry on the century-old traditions and recipes of Albert Koegel, Sr., placing emphasis on excellent and fair customer service and the highest standards of product quality.
DEAN’S AWARD
Mr. Larry R. Nichols, ‘86 MBA
President, Oakland Commerce Bank
Larry Nichols has provided extraordinary service to the School of Management as a trusted Chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Board and active volunteer while also leading a distinguished career in the banking industry. Larry has provided vision, leadership, service, and support as a long-time member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, and a frequent guest speaker for SOM classes. Larry is also the 1981 recipient of the SOM Business Club’s Outstanding Alumni Award. Larry’s banking career spans 30 years, including his current position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Oakland Commerce Bank in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Larry and his wife Janet, ’73, reside in Grand Blanc.
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
Peter Manos, MBA
Elizabeth Refice, BBA
posted: Sept 15, 2008
Dr. Seyed Mehdian
 |
posted: Sept 11, 2008
2008 President’s Ball Award Recipients!
Beta Alpha Psi
Dr. Charlie Nelms Community Contribution for a Student Organization Award
Lielte Estifanos, BBA Student
Emerging Leader Award
Keith Moreland, PhD, Professor of Accounting
Distinguished Professor Award
posted: July 07, 2008
From Michigan to Moscow…an International Education
A group of University of Michigan-Flint MBA students have a better understanding of the global economy after participating in an extraordinary trip to Russia. Because of previous visits to Russia and established relationships, the 13 School of Management students had an itinerary that included meetings with high level government and business leaders in both
Moscow and Togliatti (Flint’s sister city). In a period of just 10 days, the SOM students met with: the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, President of GM Russia, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, President and Managing Director of Ford Motor Company Russia, and the Director of the Corporate Sector of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Russia. Tours included: the AutoVAZ facility in Togliatti, Russia’s largest automobile production facility, the AutoVAZ-GM joint venture facility also in Togliatti, Russia where the Chevy Niva is produced, various GM and Ford auto dealerships in Moscow, a commercial bank in Togliatti and universities in both Togliatti and Moscow. At a visit to Russia’s largest GM dealership, the SOM students learned that 40 new vehicles are sold almost every day from that one Moscow location in the booming Russian car market.
“Some of the Cadillacs at the Moscow Chevy dealership are made in Lansing, Michigan, so that was quite interesting for our students to see Michigan vehicles being sold in Moscow - $100,000 for the Cadillac Escalade by the way,” said SOM Professor Mark Perry, who along with Dr. Greg Allar accompanied the students.
“Moscow has to be one of the most energetic and dynamic cities in the world right now,” observed Professor Perry, who added that “Moscow is now like New York City on steroids, because of the explosion of economic activity there, the significant growth of the consumer market, and the incredible construction boom. The rise of the market economy in Russia, especially in Moscow, during the last several decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union is probably one of the most important and remarkable episodes of economic growth in human history, and for our students to be there and witness it first-hand is something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
In Togliatti, the UM-Flint students met with the mayor’s staff, and during a meeting at the Togliatti City Hall Professor Perry (center of photo), and the President of the Togliatti Academy of Management Dr. Igor Bogdanov, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will lead to future student and faculty exchanges between the two institutions.Perry brought back a personal letter from the Mayor of Togliatti, which is to be delivered personally to Flint Mayor Don Williamson. Overall, the trip was such a success that Professors Perry and Allar are already planning a return trip to Russia next year.
Written by: Mel Serow posted: May 05, 2008
MBA Graduate Gives Back Through Entrepreneurship
Fenton Township Resident Creates ChashOffersFast.com To Help Struggling Home Sales
Article in The Flint Journal!
posted: April 22, 2008
Faculty Article: India's New Class Of Billionaires Are Builders, Not 'Robber Barons'
By Professor Mark J. Perry and Madhukar Angur
Editorial in Investor's Business Daily!
posted: April 22, 2008
Congratulations Dr. Seyed Mehdian!
 |
posted: April 10, 2008
New Agreement Eases Transfer of OCC Business Students to UM-Flint
 |
“Approximately half of our students intend to transfer to four-year schools and a large percentage major in business, our third largest credit program” said OCC Chancellor Timothy R. Meyer. “This new agreement with the University of Michigan-Flint gives our business graduates the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degrees at an outstanding institution of higher education”.
“We are delighted to be signing the Bachelor of Business Administration articulation agreement with Oakland Community College today”, said UM-Flint Interim Chancellor Jack Kay. “This is a splendid opportunity for our two institutions to meet some of the higher educational needs of Automation Alley. We look forward to expanding and strengthening our collaborative efforts with Oakland Community College.
Under the agreement, any student may transfer any number of semester credit hours of general education and other relevant credit hours earned at OCC toward a BBA degree at the University of Michigan-Flint; however, students are required to complete at least 45 institutional hours at UM-Flint. A grade of “C” or better is required of courses for transfer. Oakland Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint will review this agreement every two years and make adjustments as deemed appropriate to maintain the integrity of each institution as well as for the improvement of the transfer process.
To commemorate the signing of the articulation agreement, the School of Management will create four $500 OCC business scholarships according to SOM Dean Jack Helmuth.
OCC is the largest community college in Michigan and the 26th largest in the nation. The college offers degrees and certificates in more than 130 fields including university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts. Approximately 70,000 undergraduates attend OCC each year.
The University of Michigan-Flint is one of three campuses of the University of Michigan. The university offers bachelors and graduate degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in a number of pre-professional and professional fields. Students benefit from an association with the entire University of Michigan while they enjoy the many advantages of a smaller institution. In August of 2008, the university will open its first residence hall.
Written by: Mel Serow
posted: Arpil 8, 2008
James R. (Bob) Hagerty, who is based in Pittsburgh, covers housing and economics for The Wall Street Journal. Over the past 30 years, he also has worked as a reporter, editor and bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal and the International Herald Tribune in Hong Kong, London, Brussels, Paris, Atlanta and New York. He holds a B.A. degree in economics from the University of North Dakota. He served as managing editor of The Asian Wall Street Journal (1994-98) and London bureau chief of The WSJ (2000-03).
Mr. Hagerty joined The Journal in April 1978, working on the copydesk in New York. He moved to Hong Kong in August 1979 and worked for The Asian Wall Street Journal as a copy editor, deputy news editor and news editor, respectively. He joined the International Herald Tribune in 1982 and was an editor in Paris and a reporter in London.
In August 1986, Mr. Hagerty rejoined Dow Jones as a news editor for The Wall Street Journal Europe in Brussels and was also a reporter and deputy managing editor for the paper. In July 1993, he returned to the Asian Journal as page-one editor, and in July 1994, he was named managing editor of the paper. Returning to the U.S. in March 1998, he was deputy bureau chief in Atlanta until being named London bureau chief in February 2000. He moved to the New York bureau in May 2003.
Mr. Hagerty won the 2000 New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists Award in the business reporting category for his January 25, 1999 article, “Tough as Nails.”
posted: Mar 24, 2008
 |
In 2006, Professor Emeritus Walker E. Fesmire established the endowed Walker E. Fesmire Accounting Scholarship to support the education of SOM undergraduate students. Dr. Fesmire taught Accounting at SOM for 15 years before retiring in 1997. Dr. Fesmire was the founding force and longtime advisor for Beta Alpha Psi. He helped Accounting students establish the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program, allowing our students to assist in the preparation of tax returns for low-income citizens of Genesee County. To view the guidelines for this scholarship, please visit Professor Emeritus Walker E. Fesmire.
posted: Jan 23, 2008
No: Expanding global economy will keep the economy going
IS A RECESSION LOOMING? No: Expanding global economy will keep economy going By Mark J. Perry January 3, 2008 http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080103/news_lz1e3perry.html
(Dr. Perry’s commentary is being nationally distributed through McClatchy-Tribune News Service. So far, at least 10 papers across the country have carried it.)
posted: Jan 23, 2008
Faculty and Alumna Team Up to Make Difference at SOM
SOM Dean Jack Helmuth (2nd from left) and donors Dr. I. Douglas Moon and Sheila Smith (’96 MBA) (4th & 3rd from right) pose with international students during a donor reception Tuesday, November 13, 2007.
On Tuesday, November 13, the School of Management celebrated two endowed gifts made by two special friends, former dean Dr. I. Douglas Moon, Ph.D., and alumna Sheila Smith (’96 MBA). More than 40 guests were in attendance to thank Dr. Moon and Ms. Smith for their generosity.
Susmitha Obulareddy, who was out of the country at the time of the reception, felt compelled to compose a speech of her experiences and gratification of the assistance the scholarships will provide other international students:
I really enjoyed my time at the (School of Management). The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson. My life at this University has completely changed my outlook and perspective on the world. I am a better person now and this School has played a major part in my transformation. The School gave me a free reign many times to come up with imaginary situations and at the same time try and relate to the real world out there. As E.C. McKenzie put it, "Nothing grieves a child more than learning the wrong lesson and learning something that he is not supposed to." I believe that the School and the system here have allowed me to pursue my field of interest and that paved way for me to pursue my passion for finance.
The faculty and the staff members were always kind and helpful and would never refuse help when needed. I read once that there are always two educations, where one should teach us how to earn a living and another to teach how to live. This School has done both in my case and my perspective horizon has broadened widely due to this School and the experience I have acquired from this education. For an international student, sometimes life would be difficult to adapt to the new place, but the faculty and all the people in the School of Management have made me feel very comfortable and helped me out in whatever way possible. Their support and guidance was crucial for me in adapting to the different environment at a very quick pace.
To learn more about giving opportunities at SOM, please contact Nicole Borcherding, Major Gift Officer, at (810) 767-2156 or by e-mail at nborcher@umflint.edu.
Click here for more photos.
posted: Nov 20, 2007
 |
The University of Michigan-Flint Interim Chancellor Jack Kay and Wenchang Fang, Professor and Dean, College of Business, National Taipei University (NTPU), Taiwan, recently signed an agreement establishing a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. UM-Flint School of Management (SOM) Dean Jack Helmuth (center in photo) also signed. NTPU is ranked one of the top public universities in Taiwan. The SOM MBA Program is fully accredited by AACSB—International, the premier accreditation agency for business programs worldwide.
“We are extremely pleased to have such a prominent partner at NTPU,” said Dean Helmuth. “With this new agreement, students will broaden their perspectives so they can approach problems not only from multiple functional viewpoints, but from global and ethical perspectives as well. SOM will continue its efforts to assist with internationalizing the UM-Flint campus.”
Students who successfully complete the graduation requirements of this program are awarded two degrees: MBA degree from the University of Michigan-Flint and an MBA degree awarded by National Taipei University.
The dual MBA program consists of an initial study period on the NTPU campus and approximately 12 months on the UM-Flint campus for a general MBA, and longer for an MBA with a concentration. To reduce the duration of study, some of the graduate coursework on the Flint campus may be taken in mixed online and residency format in the highly acclaimed NetPlus! program.
posted: Oct 24, 2007
 |
A central mission of all 15 Michigan public universities is the provision of undergraduate education of the highest quality. The Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year recognition program recognizes the outstanding contributions made by the faculty from Michigan’s public universities to the education of undergraduate students. Dr. Moreland was also the recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award which recognizes outstanding faculty performance at the University of Michigan-Flint.
posted: Oct 15, 2007
Survey Says:
UM-Flint’s School of Management
“professors are exceptional!”
UM-Flint’s School of Management
“professors are exceptional!”
The University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Management (SOM) is an outstanding business school, according to The Princeton Review. The New York-based education services company features the school in the just-published 2008 edition of its “Best 290 Business Schools” (Random House / Princeton Review, Oct. 9, 2007, $22.95).
In the profile on the University of Michigan-Flint’s SOM, the Princeton Review editors describe the school as offering an MBA program designed with the needs of working students in mind with a winning combination of convenience, excellent professors, and the name recognition that comes with a University of Michigan degree. They quote from students attending it who say "the mixed media NetPlus! program available at the University of Michigan-Flint is unsurpassed by any other program. It offers the best of both worlds for my busy life. Professors are exceptional. One cannot say enough about their knowledge in terms of course work and their real world application. Administration is outstanding. Although I live over an hour from campus, I have never had a problem getting help from someone in the MBA office, with everything from financial aid to contacting a professor in an emergency."
 |
According to Robert Franek, Princeton Review VP-Publishing, "We select schools for this book based on our high regard for their academic programs and offerings, institutional data we collect from the schools, and the candid opinions of students attending them who rate and report on their campus experiences at the schools. We are pleased to recommend the Univeristy of Michigan-Flint School of Management to readers of our book and users of our website as one of the best institutions they could attend to earn an MBA."
In a "Survey Says. . ." sidebar in the profile, The Princeton Review lists topics that the University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Management students it surveyed for the book were in most agreement about. The list includes: "cutting-edge classes," and "solid preparation in communication/interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and quantitative skills."
The University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Management has earned the prestigious AACSB-International accreditation, which is considered the hallmark of excellence in management education. The school delivers AACSB-accredited business programs to a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students primarily in Michigan and the surrounding region, as well as national and international communities, using a variety of learning/teaching approaches that focus on skills, abilities, technology and knowledge vital to organizations.
Media Contact:
Mel Serow
University Relations
810-767-2158
for Princeton Review Books: Jeanne Krier, 212-539-1350
posted: Oct 9, 2007
UM-Flint’s School of Management Increases Advisory Board
Four new members have been added to the Advisor Board of the School of Management (SOM) at the University of Michigan-Flint. The Advisory Board provides an added dimension to SOM in its ongoing efforts to maintain and develop forward looking programs of teaching, research, and service.
“The Board assists the School in building relationships with community business, cultural and governmental leaders,” said SOM Dean Jack Helmuth. “The board members provide a mechanism through which key issues can be anticipated, explored, analyzed, and evaluated from a variety of differing viewpoints.”
New Board Members:
William R. Hartman is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Republic Bankcorp. He joined Citizens in February 2002. Prior to joining Citizens, Hartman served in various CEO roles at the state and regional levels for a large financial institution. Citizens is the largest bank holding company headquartered in Michigan with roots back to 1871. Citizens serves communities in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin and in Iowa as F&M Bank.
Phil D. Bahr is the managing principal of the 130-person Troy office of The Rehmann Group. Established in 1941, The Rehmann Group, LLC, has grown to become one of the largest CPA and business-consulting firms in the Midwest with more than 550 professionals in 12 offices throughout Michigan.
Mark J. Antakli is the Vice President of Business Development for Intraco Corporation a company providing sales, marketing, distribution, logistics, and financial services for their automotive suppliers in over 80 countries. Intraco focuses on four different business units: construction materials, vehicle distribution, aftermarket automotive parts, and automotive chemicals.
Samuel J. Cox is a regional entrepreneur and the owner of three McDonald franchises. Originally from Kansas, he opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in the early 1990s. Over the years he has successfully operated multiple locations, employing over 200 people in Genesee County. Prior to his McDonald’s career, Mr. Cox was the Detroit’s leading sales executive for Purina Mills LLC, a Fortune 500 company.
The School of Management has over 800 undergraduates, nearly 200 MBA students both in a traditional format and a mixed delivery NetPlus program mode. The school has been AACSB-International accredited for three decades. The faculty are acclaimed for their excellence in the classroom, research, and interaction with the business community.
posted: Oct 15, 2007
Detroit Economic Club Luncheon!
On September 12, ten SOM MBA students attended the Detroit Economic Club luncheon featuring guest speaker Mr. Raman Roy (6th from the left), Chairman & CEO of Quatrro BPO Solutions, headquartered in India. Mr. Roy is known at the “Father of India Outsourcing,” and addressed the audience of Detroit area business professionals Detroit on “Harnessing Global Intellectual Capital to Create Corporate Value.”
Before the luncheon, Mr. Roy met privately with the MBA students at a student-only reception for about 30 minutes, and students were able to meet Mr. Roy and ask him questions about his views on outsourcing, globalization, the India economy, and his impressive corporate experience at companies like GE, American Express and Wipro. Of the ten SOM students, 8 were from India and they mentioned that they probably would not have had the opportunity to personally meet a busy CEO like Mr. Roy in their home country of India, and were very thankful for the opportunity to meet him in Detroit, interact with him at the reception and hear him deliver a timely talk on contemporary global business issues.
Faculty and staff welcome our international students!
Pictured are some of the 138 international students attending UM-Flint, including 30 School of Management students. We have 12 undergraduates and 6 MBA students from Tamkang University in Taiwan, 6 undergraduates from Kwangwoon University in South Korea, one MBA student from East China University of Science and Technology, and 5 students from Alliance Business School in India.
SOM has formed an Academic Partnership with the Wall Street Journal!
 |
WSJ is a tremendous resource for business students to keep up with the real world events and news related to finance, business, economics, and national and international business trends. The Wall Street Journal Academic Partner Program will help SOM students become successful in both their classes and careers.
India Trip (coming soon)