Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

Category: Faculty and Staff

Dr. Mari Buche Receives Advisor Award

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Associate Professor of Management Information Systems was presented with the Student Organization Advisor of the Year award.

The 18th Annual Student Leadership Awards ceremony was held Friday, April 13, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Thirteen awards were presented with nearly 175 students, faculty, staff and campus leaders attending the event.

Associate Professor of Management Information Systems Mari Buche received the Student Organization Advisor of the Year.

Jess Banda, Director of Public Relations for the  Rotaract on campus said, “More than an adviser, Mari is a motivator, constantly encouraging the organization to pursue national and international projects, to collaborate with the local community, and to stretch ourselves and reap the benefits of accomplishment.

Never more than a quick call or e-mail away, Mari makes herself consistently available to support Rotaract activities. Mari is a truly excellent advisor. She’s given much of herself, and she deserves to be recognized for her commitment to students.”

Congratulations Dr. Buche!

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Dean Johnson Named Michigan Professor of the Year

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Dean Johnson

April 3, 2012—

Dean Johnson, the James and Delores Trethewey Associate Professor in Michigan Technological University’s School of Business and Economics, has been named Professor of the Year by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan (PCSUM). Johnson shares the honor with professors from Michigan State, Saginaw Valley State and Wayne State Universities. 

 “Dean Johnson has demonstrated his outstanding teaching ability over the years to many students through the Applied Portfolio Management Program, which he designed and directs,” said Darrell Radson, dean of the School of Business and Economics. “We are very proud that his abilities have also been recognized by higher education leaders and professors across our state.”

The four Michigan Professors of the Year were judged on student learning, interactions with graduates, experiential learning, academic advising, undergraduate research opportunities, and scholarship on teaching and learning.

“It is great to be recognized with this honor, especially since it is presented for teaching and guiding students,” Johnson said. “I know that our Applied Portfolio Management Program (APMP) also had a lot to do with it, and a lot of people have helped me with APMP over the years.”

In the APMP, students invest real money in the stock market. Their portfolio now totals more than $1.3 million. They have won the RISE (Redefining Investment Strategy Education) national investment competition three times.

In nominating Johnson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Max Seel was effusive over the business professor’s record of advising, teaching, scholarship and devotion to his students.

“Johnson,” he said, “has a genuine concern and compassion for each individual student.” His devotion to his students was revealed when he began the APMP program, Seel said.

“APMP was the result of a single, new, untenured professor who took the risk to expend enormous amounts of time to secure the required resources necessary,” Seel said, noting that Johnson had “established an Advisory Board of investment professionals” and “secured the physical space, furniture, computers to house the program; acquired the actual money for the students to manage; built relationships with guest speakers; located internships; and many other necessary, ongoing activities.”

The APMP students are now housed in the new LSGI Trading Room, with Bloomberg trading platform, thanks to Johnson’s leadership and alumnus Joe Dancy.

Johnson has previously won the Michigan Tech Distinguished Teaching Award twice–only the third professor in the history of the University so honored. He is a member of the Michigan Tech Teaching Academy (which recognizes teaching excellence), and has been honored with the James and Delores Trethewey APMP Professorship. 

Johnson himself once said, “When I walk into the classroom, I have an hour to make a difference in the lives of those students. . . . I try to find out where they’re from and what career goals they have. Once you develop a personal relationship, it becomes much easier to push, push, push them to learn and study because they realize I truly have their best interest at heart.”

Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu) is a leading public research university developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering; forest resources; computing; technology; business; economics; natural, physical and environmental sciences; arts; humanities; and social sciences.

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Mark Roberts Fit for Award

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Mark Roberts, Professor of Economics

“I am pleased to announce that Professor of Economics, Mark Roberts, has been chosen as this year’s Intramural Sports Distinguished Faculty Athlete,” said by Doug Oppliger, faculty advisor for Intramural Sports.

“Mark gets out on his skis, his feet or his bike almost everyday. It’s really important to him.

“When I talk to him and say I have been too busy to get out on the trails because of work, he gently reminds me of the importance of taking the time to do those things we love.

“Mark has competed in cross country ski races and mountain biking races. Although I am not to sure how much he competes, I think he epitomizes what we want student athletes to do–incorporate healthy exercise into their everyday lives for the rest of their lives.

Mark will receive the award at this year’s Intramural Sports banquet at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 19.

“My deepest thanks to the committee (past five award recipients) who participated in the selection process,” said Oppliger.

2006-07–Bob Baillod (CEE)
2007-08–John Gershenson (ME-EM)
2008-09–Norma Veurink (Engineering Fundamentals)
2009-10–Tim Schulz (College of Engineering)
2010-11–Neil Hutzler (CEE)

Originally posted in Tech Today.

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Duo Takes on Resources Policy

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With a prestigious new coeditorship, two professors in the School of Business and  Economics will have the opportunity to impact the analysis and public understanding of resources and mineral economics policies around the world.

Gary Campbell and Mark Roberts have been named coeditors of Resources Policy, The International Journal of Minerals Policy and Economics. Established in 1974, the journal is published by Elsevier and is aimed at economists and decision makers in academia, government, and industry. Campbell and Roberts, who are currently acting as associate editors, will take over the position in January 2012 from Philip Maxwell, professor emeritus in mineral economics in the Western Australian School of Mines at Curtin University.

“We are proud to be a part of a strong editorial tradition,” said Campbell. “We’ve been working together for more than twenty-five years, and, as coeditors, we will be able to exchange ideas and dedicate our combined energies to continue Resources Policy’s contributions to the field.”

The coeditorship is an honor that recognizes Campbell and Roberts’ service to the profession and their expertise in minerals policy and economics. Campbell, whose research focuses on metal markets and the urbanization and sustainability of mining, helped establish and now coordinates the master’s program in applied natural resource economics at Michigan Tech and the associated Peace Corps Master’s International program. He is also an adjunct professor with the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences. Roberts, who is also involved in the Master’s International program, analyzes cycles of metal, energy, and commodity prices and studies the environmental issues and impacts of mining. Both maintain full teaching schedules.

Campbell and Roberts have a long history with Resources Policy as regular contributors and reviewers. Roberts was a member of the editorial board for twenty years. As coeditors, Campbell and Roberts will solicit papers, assign reviewers, communicate with authors, and send papers through the editorial system.

The greatest challenge of the position, said Roberts, will be finding qualified reviewers for each piece. “One of the benefits of working together will be the chance to pool our contacts to find reviewers who have expertise in the topic of each article,” he said.

“We are honored to accept the position,” said Roberts, “and we look forward to the challenge.”

Campbell and Roberts’ first coedited issue of Resources Policy will be published in March 2012.

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Tidwell Outstanding Man and Woman in Business Selected

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Sam B. Tidwell is a legend with former accounting students. Gifts given in his memory support the Outstanding Man and Woman of Business award.

Craig Storm and Megan Plis are the 2011-12 recipients of the Sam B. Tidwell Outstanding Man and Woman in Business.  This award is given to students who bring honor and pride to the School of Business and Economics through high scholastic achievement and involvement.  Students eligible for this honor went through an intense interview process that included an essay and interview with faculty.

Anne Warrington of the Undergraduate Scholarship Committee added, “Megan and Craig are two of the most competent, talented, and totally amazing students in the School of Business and Economics. They have everything it takes for professional success after graduation.  It has been a pleasure meeting and working with them in classes and student organizations.”

Outstanding Man in Business

Craig Storm is a senior in the School of Business and Economics who will graduate with his degree in Accounting this spring.  In his time on campus he has been affiliated with Kappa Sigma Iota Accounting Organization (KSI) and an International Business Ventures Enterprise team member while currently holding an internship with Lake Accounting.  Craig has a level of professionalism and maturity that he brings to the community and the classroom which made him a strong candidate and the recipient of this award.

When asked about receiving the award, Craig said, “I enjoy studying how companies function from an accounting and financial perspective. This was the biggest factor in choosing my major and where I want to go professionally. It is an honor to be selected for this award, and I look forward to representing the School of Business and Economics as I advance my career,”

Outstanding Woman in Business

Megan Plis is a senior, Business Management major and Spanish minor who will graduate this spring.  An extremely involved student, Megan makes time for a variety of extracurricular and leadership activities outside of the school environment.  She volunteers at her church leading the music at worship services and singing in the choir.  With three years of diverse sales and marketing experience at a Lolita’s Bridal Boutique, the Wooden Nickel, and River Valley Bank she has been able to put her education into action.

About the Award

The Outstanding Man and Women in Business is awarded annually and the School of Business and Economics is confident that this year’s selections represent the student body well with their efforts in leadership and extracurricular activities.  Undergraduate Scholarship Committee members Anne Warrington, Mari Buche, and William Breffle were heavily involved in the selection of this award.

“The Scholarship Committee has a challenging task to select these award recipients,” said Darrell Radson, Dean of the School of business.  “We, as a school, thank them for their continued commitment to recognizing students who excel in and outside of the classroom.”

When asked about the selection process, Buche noted “the selection process was very difficult this year.  All of the finalists were exceptional candidates: strong academic GPAs, demonstrated leadership skills, and clear commitment to the improvement of the school and Michigan Tech.” Other finalists for this year’s award included: Caitlin Pionke, Rhea-Ann Moses, Jordan Baker, Andrew Loucks, and Spencer Shandonay.

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