Students
Integrating academic and real-world skills
Our student organizations continue to support the integration of academic and real-world skills through various activities.
Two
student organization chapters were recognized as superior or outstanding in the last few months. These include
Beta Alpha Psi and
the Society for Human Resource Management: SHRM.
Christopher Valmassoi (FIN) was selected as the Senior Undergraduate Leader Scholar and
Elena Popova (ECN) was selected as the Junior Undergraduate Leader Scholar.
SBA has expanded its Executive-in-Residence
program to bring five local business executives to support our student and faculty
interaction.
Funding to Support SBA Students' International Skills
In memory of the SBA faculty member, Dr. Catherine Tyler, the Catherine Tyler Memorial Endowed International
Travel Award was set up for undergraduate or graduate OU-SBA students. Awards will be used for tuition, fees, room, or board, or
for travel expenses such as air fare, fees,
lodging, and other costs directly related to a University approved international internship or study abroad experience.
The Chrysler Foundation will help build a virtual collaboration room and provide for program development for
global team education. Winter 2009 semester will bring students from China, India and OU together, as a part of project management class,
to work with Chrysler on a sponsored global project.
Support from the Oakland University provost will help support a hybrid global team project, where
students from OU SBA and Beijing Jaiotong University Management School will meet for 3 weeks in Beijing to initiate
some projects and complete these projects at Oakland using a virtual collaboration room.
Student Events
Scholarship Breakfast: The 2008-2009 SBA Scholarship Recipients and School Benefactors enjoyed
breakfast at Meadowbrook Hall on September 25th. Over $60,000 in scholarship gifts have been received by students this year.
Dean Tanniru and the students thanked the donors for their support.
OU Alum visits students: Tooling around in the Segway PT, a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle, Jim Norrod, SBA ‘70 and CEO
of Segway, Inc., captured the attention of students, members of the Business Futures Council and the Oakland University Police
Department and inspired them with his message of innovation, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit during his September 15th visit to
the SBA.
During his talk to the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), Jim emphasized the need for teamwork and planning
in having a successful career as an entrepreneur. “Don’t let luck dictate your career,” he advised. “Hire people that
are smarter than you are. Get them to do things together outside of work, and they will work better as a team.” He also
demonstrated how drive and determination can be the difference maker in where you take your career, more money doesn’t always
mean a better career opportunity.