News & Notes

Though every School of Business grad was elated at the prospect earning his or her degree, the 2008 commencement was bittersweet for many who reflected on the retirement of School of Business Dean Paul A. Leonard.

Graduating senior Michael Reynolds, a graduate of the financial analysis program, was chosen as the student speaker this year. He cited basic business knowledge in his advice. “Life can be summed up with the first rule of accounting,  ‘For every debit, there is a credit.’  When given to, you must give back. The School of Business and this university gave you memories, friends, personal growth and a great degree. Your family and friends have given you the support and guidance needed to make it here today. It is up to us to put the credit where it belongs.

One of the credits goes to all of the professors and faculty, as well as Dean Leonard who has transformed this school into a premier institution and has left his mark for generations to come. He has been to many graduations, and this sadly is his last as Dean. Thank you Dean Leonard for your commitment to the university, the School of Business and to the students who have walked across this stage over the years.”

Dr. Leonard’s remarks at the undergraduate ceremony focused on the potential of the young graduates, “I am confident that all of you will achieve great success in your personal and professional lives.  And I am sure that some of you will become inspirational leaders who will transform and invigorate major organizations in ways that will have profound impacts on society.”

Joe Sheehan carried on the tradition of a favored professor offering congrats to graduates. Sheehan, Coordinator of Law for the School of Business, shared stories and offered advice to the class of 2008.  “Years from now, people will forget the things you’ve done. People will forget the things you’ve said. But people will never forget how you make them feel.”

Though the undergrads dodged raindrops at their post-ceremony celebration, sunny skies ruled over graduate commencement.  After degrees were conferred at the SEFCU Arena, the MBA and MS Accounting graduates returned to the School of Business building one last time: not for classes but a celebration with family and friends.  In attendance were John and Kelly Lizzi, Weekend MBA graduates and indomitable parents, who had a baby just a week before.  

Congratulations to all!

Click here for more photos of Commencement 2008

 

Vice Dean Wins University Award for Excellence 

School of Business Vice Dean Linda Krzykowski (’93) has been selected to receive the 2008 University Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Krzykowski joins a select group of university professionals who have been honored for their exceptional contributions to the life of the campus.  

Dean Paul A. Leonard lauded Krzykowski’s accomplishment, “This prestigious honor is long overdue and is testament to Linda’s extraordinary achievements and commitment to the School of Business and the University at Albany.” 

Krzykowski did not start her work life in academia. After graduating from Allegheny College with a dual degree: Mathematics and Economics, she landed a job at Xerox in the Capital District, where her husband Brian was attending Albany Law School. During her time at Xerox, she worked in sales, marketing management, management development and training, and earned her MBA at UAlbany.  

While in school, Krzykowski worked with management professor Dianna Stone. After graduation, Stone asked her to teach an integrative management class, so Linda K., as she is known in the School of Business, started teaching. “I liked it and taught some more. I was having fun and expecting to go back to industry.” It was not to be. By 1995, Krzykowski was teaching fulltime and managing the evening MBA program at the request of then Dean Don Bourque. 

She had expected that the state university system would be mired in a sea of rules and regulations, but found that the School of Business let her have free rein as she managed—first the evening MBA and then all graduate business programs, “I’ve been amazed at what I’ve been able to do. No one has ever told me ‘no.’ If I figured out a way to do it, I could do it. I had ownership and able to change things. I had expected to be bound in red tape.” 

She used her freedom to make significant changes to the evening MBA: cutting the business program's attrition rate in half, improving the quality of applicants and increasing the size of the program from 160 to 250 students., “I felt like I had ownership of these programs and felt like I could impact them. If I felt like I couldn’t then it would stop being fun. I’m most proud of how the evening program turned around, and our respect in the business community. We made changes to the curriculum and a lot of programmatic changes, and it came into its own.” 

In 2007, Krzykowski was promoted to Vice Dean for Administration. Dean Leonard said, “Linda Krzykowski’s leadership, mentoring and ethics, dedication to the school and her ability to bring diverse groups together is well known by all.  Linda is the perfect person for this critical administrative role.” 

The Vice Dean oversees the administrative aspects of undergraduate and graduate programs, including student recruitment and admissions, student advisement, and career services, and also works with faculty, and department chairpersons on curriculum issues. She coordinates the accreditation committee and oversees the assurance of learning. She developed the Ethics Seminar Series, panel discussions, including The Impact of Mixed Generations on Business, and involved many guest speakers in classes and special events. 

Krzykowski also creates and manages partnerships with other colleges and universities and other UAlbany academic units.  She was the driving force between recently signed articulation agreements with Siena College to provide graduate degrees in accounting and business for their students.  An agreement with our own College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering establishes the Nano+MBA. Two new degrees: JD+MBA and an MD+MBA are currently in the works. 

In 2006, Krzykowski was honored as the Woman of Excellence in the Professions by the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Previous awards include the School of Business Award for Excellence in Service, the University Graduate Student Organization Award for Leadership in Graduate Programs and Girl Scout Leader of the Year. 

Krzykowski serves as Vice Chair, Board of Visitors for Allegheny College, is on the executive board of Junior Achievement and the parent advisory board for a high school multi-church youth group. 

 This year, Linda Krzykowski celebrates 15 years with the School of Business. Her daughter Laura, 21, attends The College of William and Mary and plans to become a veterinarian. Son Daniel, 16, is a sophomore in high school and husband Brian is counsel with the Mills Law Firm.

Career Services Director Honored 

Deirdre Sweeney, Director of Career Services for the School of Business has been named a Forty Under 40 by the Business Review. A luncheon was held in her honor on May 1. Sweeney has been with the school since 2004, when she was hired to create a career services office to meet the distinctive needs of business students.   

In less than five years she instituted a variety of career education and networking events, including Network NYC, the Mid Size Accounting Firm Panel, and the Financial Analyst Career Boot Camp. She established the School of Business job board, and strengthened school relationships with employers in New York City and the greater Capital Region. Sweeney is involved in the daily operations of the school as she advises students on career options, critiques resumes and cover letters and offers career workshops. Dedicated to the students and the school, she often goes beyond the confines of her job and has shown herself to be a true team player. 

Sweeney is member of the College of Saint Rose Board of Associates, co-chair of the Hudson Mohawk Association of Colleges Career Consortium, Universities, and Employers, and a mentor for the Upstate Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training. She earned a BS from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and an MS in Education, Counseling/College Student Personnel from the College of Saint Rose.  An avid runner, Sweeney completed the Marine Corps Marathon. 

The School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business and accounting. Approximately 500 students will graduate this month.

New School of Business Building Included in State Budget

New York State will provide funding for the new School of Business building to the tune of $54 million. The new 90,000 square-foot state-of the-art academic and research facility, twice the size of the old building, will significantly strengthen the school's undergraduate and graduate educational and research mission.

A 75,000 square-foot addition to the existing Campus Center was also funded by the legislature.

University at Albany Announces New School of Business Dean

Dr. Donald S. Siegel has accepted the University at Albany's offer to serve as the next Dean of the School of Business at UAlbany.  He will assume this responsibility on July 1, 2008.  Dr. Siegel is currently Professor of Entrepreneurship and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management, University of California, Riverside.  He previously served as Professor and Chair of Economics at RPI.  Dr. Siegel holds a Ph.D. in business economics from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.  His research and teaching have focused on topics related to university technology transfer, economics and strategic implications of entrepreneurship and technological change, productivity analysis, and corporate social responsibility.  We expect Dr. Siegel will provide leadership for continuing the School’s efforts to strengthen its research profile and reputation for high quality educational programs in business and accounting.

Your Future is only a Weekend Away...

On April 8, 2008, a special Information Session about the Weekend MBA Program will be held in the Patroon Room of the UAlbany Campus Center. You will have an opportunity to meet with current and former stduents, meet and talk with program administration and also win some great prizes.

Reservations are not necessary, the event will be held from 5 pm- 8 pm. For more information, please call Lynda Holt, Director, Weekend MBA at (518) 442-4964.

Jiminy Peak- Skiing and Sustainability

Almost four decades ago, Brian Fairbank, then a 23 year old self-professed ski bum who grew up outside of Buffalo was asked to be the general manager of Jiminy Peak.  Without even asking to look at a P&L statement, Brian took on the job.  At the time, the resort featured two chairlifts, three buildings and major snowmaking capabilities.  Today, Jiminy Peak is considered one of the most popular ski resorts in Southern New England, with a vision of being an absolute gem of mountain resorts.

Fairbank took time from his busy schedule to visit Associate Professor Paul Schurr’s Marketing Management class and share his insights with professionals enrolled in the Evening MBA program.

With 300 condos, 5 homeowner associations, wedding and banquet facilities, an adventure park, and 172 acres of trails, Jiminy Peak continues to grow, in part because of Brian’s leadership -- he is now President and CEO -- and in part because of the dedication of his staff and loyalty of his customers.  The resort has focused on its core values - relationship fostering, safety, passion for beauty, improvement of guest experiences and sustaining the environment, profit and growth.  With a staff of 950 (300 of which are seasonal), creating a sense of family, trust and responsibility is no small feat.  Brian and his management team have been able to make all 950 employees aware of the resort’s vision, mission and core values and understand how important all of the above are in sustaining and constantly improving the resort.  The addition of a wind turbine in 2007 has even further demonstrated Brian and his team’s focus on the environment and sustainability.

His advice to all of us aspiring leaders is to make sure your environment allows you to make a difference and be noticed without worrying about stepping on toes.   Constantly ask yourself how you can influence and impact your organization.   And, most importantly build credibility through communication, honesty and trust.   
 

Cathie Wright ‘08

University at Albany

School of Busines

Field Projects Provide Experience and Real Business Results

Experience is built into the UAlbany fulltime MBA program.  The curriculum features a yearlong field project in which students act as consultants to business. Groups of two to five students work with their professors to solve a real problem of the host company.   The projects are geared towards the concentration chosen in the second year of the program: Human Resource Information Systems, Information Technology Management or Information Assurance.

Information Technology Management students recently presented their progress at the midway point of the year, with their peers and project advisors: Assistant Professor Sanjay Goel and Associate Professor Lakshmi Mohan, in attendance.  One group discussed the decision support system they are creating that will be used for the New York State Department of Health emergency preparedness program.

The students noted that though the current system collects a large amount of information, the data is not easily manipulated. For instance, in the event of a flood, nursing homes must identify evacuation locations. Patients should be relocated to areas out of the “slosh zone,” where flooding is most likely. Using the old system, multiple nursing homes had planned to converge on locations that do not have extra beds or are further into the slosh zone.   The students are creating a decision support system that will integrate all key emergency data, rerouting patients away from areas likely to flood, and to places that have enough beds to accommodate them.

Here’s a sample of the projects from this year:

Albany Medical Center
Purpose: Improve admission and clerkship evaluation processes.
MBA Team: Mark Yurkewecz, Corey Hart, Anthony Robibero, Abhishek Sharma

New York Association of Homes and Services of the Aging
Purpose: Improve communication between IT and Business.
MBA Team: Ankur Arora, Natasha Malik, Jennifer Wilbur
Purpose: Market Expansion and Product Enhancement of EQUIP Software.
Team Members: Ankur Arora, Natasha Malik, Jennifer Wilbur

New York State Department of Health
Purpose: Create decision support system for emergency preparedness program.
MBA students: Kyle Collins, Michelle Cuchelo, Michal Jacyna, Uday Ranganathan

Professional Insurance Agents
Purpose: Improve electronic communication to PIA members.
MBA Team: Stephanie Schwartz, Adnan Zorlak

University at Albany Information Security
Purpose: Create process diagrams for purchasing and an asset/ threat matrix.
MBA Team: Rachel Niebor, Kwaku Essel,

In the past, the School of Business has offered field projects with Tiffany & Co., PepsiCo, Towers Perrin, General Electric, Albany Medical Center, Dupont, Intermagnetics General, KeyCorp, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Albany International, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Barclay’s Capital LLP, SAP, Empower Solutions, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, St. Peters Healthcare System, Hudson River Bank & Trust, Phoenix Wealth Management, New York State Police Computer Forensics and many others.

The Class of ’82 Reunites 

Some old friends from the School of Business recently gathered together to reconnect and take a tour of their alma mater. With support from the University at Albany Alumni Association, the MBA Class of 1982 held their 25th year reunion. They brought pictures, project reports, and even a commencement brochure, talked about old times and shared memories of days gone by in the Business Administration building. The group toured the campus and enjoyed dinner and a slideshow at the Alumni House.  

For more information on School of Business Alumni, visit http://www.albany.edu/business/alumni/index.html

Weighing in on Ethics

Woody Allen once said, “His lack of education is more than compensated for by his keenly developed moral bankruptcy.”  At the University at Albany, we’re proving Woody wrong: we’re graduating students who have the education and the ethical background to succeed in business.

Recent corporate scandals have spawned more interest in ethics, but it has always been a feature of UAlbany’s School of Business programs. Vice Dean Linda Krzykowski noted that the current Ethical Dilemmas lecture series adds to the ethics training incorporated into many business classes, “The series is meant to spotlight current ethical challenges.”

Kevin McCoy, Partner, Marvin and Company and a member of the School of Business Advisory Council and the School of Business Accounting Advisory Board spoke recently on Ethical Dilemmas in Accounting.  MBA student Jennifer LaBarr ‘08 was in attendance.  Though her expertise does not lie in accounting, she is completing a concentration in Human Resource Information Systems, LaBarr was engrossed by McCoy’s presentation, noting that though new standards may create difficulties for some, they have been put into place to protect people.  She appreciated the content, but also the speaker’s approach, “He was laid back, friendly, approachable and enthusiastic.”

Ethics seminars are offered regularly to MBA and MS Accounting students in the School of Business. In November, Associate Professor Paul Schurr presented Ethical Dilemmas in Marketing. This week,Assistant Professor Sanjay Goel offers Ethical Dilemmas in Information Technology Management. 

Giving Thanks, Giving Back

On Monday, students from the MBA and MS Accounting programs took a break and celebrated Thanksgiving, giving thanks for the good food, good friends and the almost-end-of-semester. Some international students shared foods from their home countries while tasting a traditional turkey dinner for the first time. The meal was coordinated by the Department of Accounting and Law.  The customary turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy were supplied by Price Chopper Supermarkets. 

Mark Boucher ‘06, Vice President – Operational Administration, Price Chopper Supermarkets, and a graduate of the MBA program, was on hand to deliver his employer’s donation.  He said, “The relationship between Price Chopper and the University at Albany School of Business is a strong one.  A number of our employees have been educated by UAlbany. This is a great opportunity to give back.”  

The students have been giving back to the community through a variety of service projects.  The 20th Annual Junior Achievement Bowl-A-Thon drew more than 20 teams and 100 bowlers from the School of Business, long-time supporter of the event.

Members of the Dean’s Leadership Council (DLC) are all smiles with Dean Paul Leonard

Full-Time MBA students from the Class of 2009-
Kerri Sullivan, Rosa Goldstein, Adon Trombley, Nicholas Gallo, and Brian Pittelli

On a recent Saturday, MBA students recently traded their books for shovels as they dug ditches for Habitat for Humanity.Click here to read more.

Students continue their philanthropy into December with Chamber Angels, sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

School of Business Dean Honored as a Citizen Laureate

School of Business Dean, Paul A Leonard accepting his award from George R. Hearst, III

School of Business Dean Paul A. Leonard ('75,'76) has been named a recipient of the 2007 University at Albany Foundation Citizen Laureate Award,  the highest honor granted by the University at Albany Foundation.

Dr. Leonard has served as Dean of the School of Business since 2003, strengthening the School and building a more student-centered culture.  Under his leadership, the School has hired eleven new faculty members, added a new freshmen direct admissions program, and created new programs in forensic accounting and financial analysis.  The School of Business has intensified its outreach to alumni and business leaders in the Capital Region, having already earned a reputation in New York City.  Dean Leonard has led the School through AACSB reaccreditation and has spearheaded the effort for a new state-of-the-art School of Business building.

Dr. Leonard has been a member of the UAlbany faculty since 1979, when his service to the campus began. As a faculty member he served repeatedly on the Senate, as chair and member of numerous Senate councils, and on a myriad of other University-level committees.  In 2003 Professor Leonard was named a Collins Fellows in recognition of his “extraordinary devotion to the University and the people in it.”

Dean Leonard is also a well-respected and popular teacher, having received the Harold Cannon Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching, the Dean W. Warren Hynes Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching and the President’s and Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

As a researcher, he has published articles on topics relating to financial analysis, capital markets, and banking in the Journal of Financial Services Research, Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Economics and Business, Journal of Business Research, Quarterly Journal of Business and Economics, Municipal Finance Journal, Journal of Applied Business Research, American Business Review, and Healthcare Financial Management.

Dr. Leonard has consulted for the New York State Banking Department, the Municipal Finance Officers Association, the Public Securities Association and many others.

Dean Leonard earned his doctorate (Ph.D.) at the University of Oregon (1980) and his MBA (1976) and BS (1975) degrees at the University at Albany.

The Dean shares the Citizen Laureate Award with University Council Chairperson George Phillip, Neil and Jane Golub, and colleague Dr. Leonard A. Slade Jr., director of doctoral and masters programs in humanistic and liberal studies.

 

Competitive Edge

Twins Steve and Mike Ammann bring a competitive edge to the lacrosse field and to their studies at the School of Business. The team ended the 2007 season 15-3. The brothers completed their junior year with almost perfect GPAs.

In 2007, the men’s team became the first UAlbany lacrosse team to win an NCAA game. Ranked second nationally for six consecutive weeks, they recorded the school's first-ever NCAA Division I victory and advanced to the quarterfinals where they overwhelmed Loyola, 19-10, and then lost the next game after Colgate scored in the final five seconds of overtime.

Twins Mike and Steve Ammann knew their team had what it takes to win. The brothers are naturally competitive, even against each other. According to Mike, “Right out of the womb we were competing for something. Steve has driven my competitive nature.” Luckily for UAlbany, they are working together on the same team. Steve said, “A lot of non-verbal communication goes on. I can read his movements.”

This season, Mike scored 11 goals and 20 assists while Steve had 13 goals and nine assists, bringing the midfielders some national attention. The Ammanns were named to the ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Men’s At-Large Team. Mike was chosen for the first team, while Steve was a second-team selection. Mike said, “Awards are nice, but if you are succeeding and you know it – that’s what counts. I’d give it up to play one more game (Final Four). It’s all about the team.”

The two ended up at UAlbany after being courted by Tufts and other schools. They chose UAlbany for affordable tuition and the family atmosphere on our NCAA Division 1 lacrosse team. Competition is one of the things that drew Steve to the School of Business . The finance student said, “I like how you can make money off money.” Mike saw himself as a business professional but didn’t know what field to choose. He noted that an accounting degree from UAlbany will open doors for him. Whether or not his team makes it to the Final Four, he’ll get a job with the Big Four.

Since Mike is majoring in accounting and Steve is working on a business concentration in marketing and finance, there hasn’t been an opportunity to compete against each other in the classroom. They are interned for different companies this summer - Mike for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Steve for Morgan Stanley. According to Mike, “It’s the first split of our lives.” He also received an internship offer from Morgan Stanley, but figured it was time for the two to branch out. He said, “It’s great to network. All my friends are his friends.”

While some may find it difficult to balance academics and athletics, the brothers agree that a busy schedule keeps them focused. Steve said, “The more I have going on, the easier it is. It forces me into a schedule and to do my work when I have to instead of when I want to. Academics has made me appreciate the importance of preparation on and off the field.”

UAlbany Weekend and Evening MBA students traveled to Dublin, Ireland to find out why the Irish economy has become such a powerhouse in the past thirty years. They started by learning Irish culture, visiting castles and Irish fishing villages. After two days of getting the lay of the land, they dove into Ireland business and economy.

Malahide Castle

The students, who work for a variety of Capital Region companies, including Mohawk Industries, M & W Zander, HSBC, and GE visited with Pfizer Shared Financial Services Center, Curam Software, Microsoft Ireland, Ireland Development Agency, Forfas, Organon Ireland and the Institute of European Affairs.

Each day, Irish business was handily dissected by UAlbany Professor Rita Biswas. Dean Paul Leonard and Vice Dean Linda Krzykowski, who accompanied the group on the trip along with Lynda Holt, Director of the Weekend Program.

The professionals enrolled in the Weekend MBA program come from a variety of industries and backgrounds. Finance, human resources, operations, marketing and other crucial areas of business are taught by University at Albany faculty.

Weekend MBA classes meet on alternating weekends: Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, at the off-campus Executive Education Center. Approximately 25 participants are admitted each year. Tuition includes textbooks, all course materials and meals, and of course, an international trip.

Each year, Weekend MBA students experience the globalization of business through the week-long international trip built into the program. Students meet with executives, examine international leadership styles, study trade issues, research strategic alliances and return with a truly global perspective to their classes, their organizations, and their careers.

 

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