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MEET FOUR BIZ BODS BENEFITING FROM YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

DONOR DOLLARS MAKE BIG IMPACT ON STUDENT EXPERIENCES

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FEATURES4 DONOR DOLLARS MAKE BIG IMPACT ON STUDENT EXPERIENCES

8 BU 406 PROVIDES TRANSFORMATIONAL ADVENTURE FOR STUDENTS

10 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

12 BUSINESS STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

14 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

16 DONOR HONOR ROLL

18 LANDS LEAVE STRONG LEGACY AT WASHBURN

19 HINDERLITER HONORED AS ALUMNI FELLOW GREINER FEATURED AS ECONOMICS LECTURER

20 WAKE UP WITH WASHBURN

21 SCHMIDT SPEAKS AT "ETHICS AT WORK" SCREENING

22 FACULTY & STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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Time marches on... Has it really been 15 years since I took President Farley up on his offer to come to Kansas? A lot of things have changed. I still feel young (most of the time), even though my hair has gone from salt and pepper to “platinum.” Tricia and I are empty-nesters, but five of God’s greatest blessings (grandchildren) help to fill the void. As an economist, I still watch the markets, but I have even more of a personal interest in how the retirement nest-egg and

grandkids’ college funds are faring. One of the first assistant professors I hired at Washburn just became a full professor. We have said goodbye to many of the faculty who built the reputation of the School of Business, but have also welcomed several great new teachers and scholars who continue to set the standard of excellence for our students. Then again, some things haven’t changed. President Farley continues to provide great leadership. The Washburn tradition of “giving back” continues. Our Business Scholarship endowment is on the cusp of $8 million, allowing us to provide scholarship support to a couple hundred students. Other endowed funds and new gift funds provide support for faculty to travel to professional conferences, provide secure databases and purchase new tools and technologies to enhance teaching. Students also receive support to travel around the world, develop new ideas and lay the groundwork for new business ventures. Our test scores continue to be in the top 20 percent and our graduates and current students are in high demand in the marketplace. In fact, the local market would love it if we could supply more! Our magazine this year focuses on our students and how your financial support has made a difference in their lives. I have gotten acquainted with many of the students featured here and know them as young people full of promise. However, for every one you read about, there are dozens more students who are just like them – smart, hard-working, primed for success and so very appreciative of the assistance you provide. On their behalf, and that of the faculty and staff of the Washburn School of Business, we thank you for your support.

LETTER From the dean"I have gotten acquainted with many of the students featured here and know them as young people full of promise. However, for every one you read about, there are dozens more students who are just like them – smart, hard-working, primed for success and so very appreciative of the assistance you provide."

David L. SollarsDean and Professor

DeanDr. David L. Sollars

Associate DeanDr. Russell Smith

MAcc DirectorDr. Kanalis Ockree

MBA DirectorDr. Bob Boncella

Director of Student AffairsStacy Woltje

Mission StatementWashburn University School of Business provides high quality business education, supported by research and service activities, that enhances the economic vitality of the region.

Editor/DesignerHailey Handy

ContributorSarah Towle

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Washburn University School of Business

Washburn Business is published annually by Washburn University School of Business, 1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621. This publication is distributed to students, alumni and friends of the school.

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Katlin Othmer is a junior from Topeka, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Leadership. She was a 2018 recipient of the James David Pollak Memorial Scholarship, the largest single scholarship that the School of Business awards annually. “It is such an honor to receive this scholarship award,” she said, “I couldn’t be more grateful.” Othmer says that receiving this scholarship has helped her financially and also enabled her to prioritize her studies more. It’s also allowed her more time for volunteer activities, which is something she loves to do. She currently volunteers at Findables, a resale shop that benefits Midland Care’s Hospice and Palliative Care programs, every week. Over the summer, she volunteered at the Mulvane Art Museum’s summer children’s program. Othmer has also donated her time to the Womens 5K with the YWCA and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. She’s also hoping to spend even more time volunteering through the Leadership Institute this semester. In addition to her volunteer work, Othmer also works part-time at Envista Credit Union as a member service representative. Her position there came as a result

of attending the Spring career fair and she intends to go again this year in hopes of finding an internship. Othmer says she really enjoys her job at Envista because it gives her an opportunity to work with numbers. This scholarship has also benefited her self-esteem. She considers herself a very self-motivated person and receiving this award has been a nice acknowledgment of her hard work. “The fact that the Washburn School of Business is able to provide these scholarships further emphasizes that Washburn and its alumni are dedicated to student success,” Othmer said. She plans to continue her hard work through the next two years on campus and then into her MAcc program, ultimately earning her CPA. She thinks she would like a career in the public sector of the accounting field, something her participation in the Mize Houser & Company P.A. Summer Leadership Academy this past June helped to solidify.

Taylor Keller is a sophomore from Palco, KS. He’s majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has launched his own screen-printing business, Royal T Designs. Keller started out by designing shirts for some of his high school athletics teams, but realized they needed a better option after repeatedly running into problems with their screen printers. He thought that he could remedy the situation by making the shirts himself, so he bought a screen-printing press and started teaching himself how to screen print. Keller participated in the Student Business Accelerator Fund (SBAF) competition this past April and was awarded funding for Royal T in the amount of $2,250. The SBAF is designed to help foster a culture of entrepreneurship at Washburn by supporting student

startup ventures. Students who earn a spot pitch their business to the panel of judges in hopes that they will receive funding through an award grant. Washburn alumnus Mark Beffort (BBA ‘85) generously donates the funds each year for the competition. “The SBAF really helped me move my business forward, and the experience of presenting to the judges was invaluable,” Keller said. With his SBAF award, he was able to purchase necessary equipment to help move his business forward. Check out RoyalTDesigns.com for more information about Keller's business.

DONOR DOLLARS MAKE BIG IMPACT ON STUDENT EXPERIENCES

“The fact that the Washburn School of Business is able to provide these scholarships further emphasizes that Washburn and its alumni are dedicated to student success.” - Katlin Othmer

“The Student Business Accelerator Fund really helped me move my business forward, and the experience of presenting to the judges was invaluable." - Taylor Keller

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clients, firm partners, employees and other interns. “One thing I learned in the last few weeks is the importance of networking and maintaining relationships with other professionals. I now understand how beneficial it is to establish these connections for career advice, mentoring and continued learning,” he said. He was also struck by how driven and knowledgeable everyone is at PWC, even the recent college graduates. It was interesting for him to observe professionals engaging in the career he someday hopes to have. “I was able to get comfortable presenting information, answering and asking questions, and take part in valuable teamwork and collaboration,” Walton said. During his time as an intern at PWC, he sampled a lot of delicious Kansas City barbecue, attended a Royals game and many other fun networking events, but the cap to it all was an all-expense paid trip to Disney World with his fellow interns. Walton will finish his undergraduate degree this year and then go directly into the Washburn MAcc program, after which he intends to take the CPA examination.

Jared Walton is a senior Accounting major from Halstead, Kansas. He earned a Human Resources internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) the summer after his sophomore year. He was then awarded a Washburn scholarship provided by PWC and invited back for another internship this past summer, this time in their Assurance department. “While the scholarship came as a bit of a surprise,” Walton said, “It allowed me to focus more on my classes and worry less about money. I really appreciate that PWC is providing students with these kinds of opportunities and strengthening their relationship with Washburn.” He spent three months working at their Kansas City firm, working with teams on three different client engagements. Walton was able to get familiar with each client’s auditing software and their company culture. He got a real-life preview of the kind of work he would be doing if he were working there as an associate. Walton says he also enjoyed being able to network with

Anna Lang is a senior from Shawnee, Kansas. She is majoring in International Business and Marketing. Taking International Business and Entrepreneurial Experience was always part of her plan at Washburn. “I heard about the BU406 course as a senior in high school during my visit to Washburn; it was part of my decision to come here,” Lang said. Because of her early decision to take part in the course, Lang says she was able to start researching and planning for it early on. She and her classmates were able to apply for and receive two scholarships to help pay for the trip portion of the course; one was from the School of Business and the other through the WTE program. “There is no way I would have been able to do this program without the generous donors who give money

for students to have an experience like this,” Lang said. Working on the course project with students in Belgium was challenging, Lang said, but also really fun. She enjoyed being able visit Hill's Pet Nutrition and learn from company executives about the company, demographics and problems that needed solving. She and her classmates researched to develop their ideas for Hill's. They presented to the Hill's executives in May with their Belgian counterparts via Skype. In June, they traveled to Belgium and presented their second project to ACE Packaging Company, their Belgian client. The group then toured parts of Europe. After she completes her education, Lang hopes to find a job in marketing research or international marketing. “This course really helped me narrow my focus and showed me how much I enjoy marketing and international business,” Lang said.

“There is no way I would have been able to do this program without the generous donors who give money for students to have an experience like this." - Anna Lang

"It allowed me to focus more on my

classes and worry less about money.

I really appreciate that PWC is

providing students with these kinds of opportunities and

strengthening their relationship with

Washburn.” - Jared Walton

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In the International Business and the Entrepreneurial Experience (BU 406), students experience a unique international course that combines a hands-on business education with a multi-cultural study abroad experience. Washburn students work in teams with students in Asia or Europe to solve business problems for companies in the U.S. and overseas.

In Europe, Washburn partners with University College in Leuven, Belgium. A mixed American-Belgian team works in parallel for two companies—Hill’s Pet Nutrition in Topeka and ACE Packaging Company in Leuven. The teams initially work together and communicate via the Internet. In March, the Belgian students travel to Topeka and collaborate on-site at Hill’s with Washburn students to solve a problem presented by Hill’s. The CEO and executive team meet with the students and explain the business issue in great detail.

When the Belgian students return home, they continue to work with the Washburn students to finalize the Hill’s project and make a joint presentation to the company’s executive team. In parallel, the Washburn and Belgian students start working on the project for ACE. In June, Washburn students travel to Belgium where they finalize their work for ACE and present their findings to an audience of instructors, students and local businesses. Students visit local businesses and cultural sites in Belgium, France and surrounding areas.

For the Asian experience program, Washburn partners with Wuhan University of Science and Technology (WUST) and University College PXL Limburg in Hasselt, Belgium. Students communicate online in mixed teams to conduct research, gather information and analyze several Chinese companies.

In May, the Washburn and Belgian students travel to China and the entire group presents their findings to their clients. While in Asia, the students gain cultural and business experience by visiting cultural sites and meeting with Chinese businesses. They travel to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Macao and Hong Kong.

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Cheyanne PriceSenior, International Business/MarketingValley Falls, Kansas

What has been your favorite class so far?My favorite class so far has been Multinational Enterprise Practices taught by Esmond Alleyne. He is awesome and takes an interest in students’ lives while keeping the material fun.

What is your favorite website?My favorite website is Peacecorps.gov, as I just accepted an invitation with the Peace Corps. I will be in Zambia for 27 months in a rural area educating families and farmers about agroforestry techniques.

What is your dream job?I would love any job that pays me to travel the world while I get to help others and improve their lives.

During her time at Washburn, Price has completed four years of service (over 1,300 volunteer hours) in the LinC Bonner Scholar Program. She also completed a Service Learning Trip to Nicaragua, studied in China and went on an Education First Tour to seven European countries.

Andrew MillerSenior, Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship & InnovationTopeka, Kansas

What has been your favorite class so far?My favorite class so far was Financial Accounting with Jim Martin. He made accounting entertaining and applicable to real life.

What is your favorite website?My favorite website is Zillow; I like to watch the home market fluctuate.

What is your dream job?I would like to create and operate an investment/wealth management firm.

Miller has been involved with Kappa Sigma, Rotaract, LinC Bonner Scholar Program and the Paint Gang for sporting events. After graduation, he intends to buy a large plot of land and build a home with his fiancé.

STUDENTSQUESTIONS3 5 THINGS

I’VE LEARNED

1. Find what makes you happy and make sure to take time out of your day to do what you enjoy.Although Washburn is a great place for academic learning, Artzer advises making sure you also learn about what makes you happy. “It’s easy to get caught up in school and work, but mindfulness and focusing on what life is all about is also an important component of leaving college a well-rounded person,” he says.

2. Building meaningful relationships leads to a happier and more rewarding life.Coming from a small town, Artzer said he didn’t expect professors to know who he was, but has since learned the importance of building meaningful relationships. He found other people also looking to build meaningful relationships and has become good friends and colleagues with co-workers, peers and professors.

3. Don’t take the easy way out.Out of all his classes at Washburn, Artzer has most enjoyed Intermediate Accounting with Dr. Kanalis Ockree. He says though it really challenged him to work hard to learn the material, he enjoyed it so much because of what he was learning. “I think a lot of people enroll in classes that they think will be easier, but harder classes give you the opportunity to learn something useful and to have more knowledge to relate to the things you’ll see and do in the real world,” Artzer says.

4. Prioritize your life so you have time for both fun and education.Atzer said he finds that if he does his assignments as soon as they are given, he gets them done early and then has more free time available. “Between school, work and homework, balancing time during the school year isn’t easy. I work hard during the week, so I can be free to enjoy

myself on the weekends; it makes for a less stressful life when you don’t have anything resting on your shoulders,” he said.

5. Having a high-quality character is key.When Artzer first started interviewing for internships, he found that employers weren’t offering him the position, despite knowing the material. It was a good learning experience for him, because it taught him that employers are looking for more than just the technical skills. He said to overcome this, he started acting differently all the time, not just as a professional. “Improving my character has helped me overcome some of my faults and work towards being a better person,” Artzer says.

Jared BishopSenior, FinanceTopeka, Kansas

What has been your favorite class so far?My favorite class so far was Commercial Transactions with Craig Blumreich, because of the amount of information and knowledge he gave to the class on different types of contracts.

What is your favorite website?My favorite website is either Barstool Sports or Motley Fool.

What is your dream job?My dream job would be a General Manager of a professional sports team; if that doesn't pan out, I would like to be a portfolio manager for a large corporation.

Bishop is the president of the Washburn Finance Society. He recently took a job with Advisors Excel as a Financial Planning Consultant after being in their intern program for a year.

Koal Artzer is a senior undergraduate student from Goodland, KS. He's majoring in Accounting.

He plans to graduate this December and then hopes to work in public accounting. Artzer says he aspires to gain a solid understanding of accounting principles when they are applied to real-world situations. He’s currently interning at Berberich Trahan and Company in the audit department and planning out his Master of Accountancy for next year. He would eventually like to earn both his CMA and CPA certifications in hopes that it will help him stand out from his peers in the auditing field.

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ABWA, CAREER CHAPTERCatherine Brierton

ABWA, EXECUTIVE CHAPTERAllison Hoeffner

AMERICAN HOME LIFE INSURANCE COMPANYSimon Schmidt

ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTANTS, TOPEKA CHAPTEREmma Goodhart

GARY BAKERKyle EmerickJonathan Saathoff

RUTH BALDWINBethany Press

CHARLES B. & FLORENCE B. BEEKSChase BrillAnna Parish

BERBERICH TRAHAN & CO.Linhui Huang

BILLIE JEAN BERGMANN Rheanna Leckner

WILLIAM J. MCNEIVE & ROBERT J. BERNICAAndrew ForemanTaylor Keller

PENN B. BLAIR MEMORIALJustin ArmbrusterHarley MacLaird

ED BOZARTH CHEVROLETRachel Hockenbarger

C.B. CAMPBELLSarah Spies

MAX L. CAMPBELL FAMILY MEMORIALNenah Hewins

ANDERSON CHANDLER/FIDELITY STATE BANKAlexis ClarkCooper FriessJenna GarciaElsa MartinezSota ShutoSarah Spies

DONALD CHUBB Alison Martin

RANDY & DEBRA CLAYTONMary Mayer

LAURANNA R. CLOTHIER MEMORIALJacob AndrewsKazuya Hiroyama

JAYNE L. COLEMANBlaine Wells

COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SERIESWill McKee

GENE & KAREN CULLINANEBlake Peterson

THELMA ANN DAVIDSON MEMORIALRaul DicuHaojun FuPaul HaaseKaylee HavensteinJean HazelwoodBrandon HoeffnerMichael LickteigAlyssa McCleanElizabeth MillerAbigail StinerJonathan Walker

W. LAIRD DEANSarah HabigPeyton LopezChloe Neukirch

HAROLD L. DICKDylan Kurtz

DOUTHETT & CO. CPA ACCOUNTINGJacob Dickey

GARY & MARY EISENBARTHSarah ArriagaCatherine BriertonChase BrillRorey CombsAmy EppWilliam HamiltonDylan KurtzPeyten LopezWill McKeeSpenser Wine

MIKE & KAREN ELPERS ACCOUNTINGBethany Press

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Marcus Gay

FALK ACCOUNTING Jordan Hardy

LLOYD H. & NETTIE BLANCHE GIDEONJaycee Sumner

JOSEPH C. & GLADYS H. GIGOUSKoal ArtzerJoshua CrosbyLauren DavidsonSonya HaleNenah HewinsAllison HoeffnerJoseph HolleyJessica LancasterRyan McIntoshEmilie NielsenHannah PeimannKayla Voetter

HELEN & HUBERT GISH ENTREPRENEURSHIPAlejandro Valarezo Plaza

PAUL & PAULINE GIVENSRorey Combs

JOHN & HARRIET GREENWilliam Hamilton

GEORGE W. & PAULINE GREENWOOD MEMORIALVictoria Hennes

ROBERT L. & LOU NELL GUSTAVSONSota Shuto

ESTHER HANCUFFAlona HarrisonTayler NorthJaycee SumnerKayla Voetter

LARRY L. & LUCILLE L. HINDERLITERIsaac HanMichelle SweanyChris HallNicholas MaloneyAmber TerrellTyler Feist

ROBERT N. HOLMESTyler FeistNicole Fangman

HULL FAMILYAlexis AndersonAntonia De LaRosaTomi Francis-RamirezHarley MacLaird

CHARLES I. & WILMA HUMMERTTurner Wintz

HUTCHINS FAMILYMatthew Hicks

IIA SCHOLARSHIP, TOPEKA CHAPTERBrady AndersonJenna Garcia

INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTSEmma Goodhart

INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS OF TOPEKA, INCNoah Thompson

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCEMary BartellJakob BublitzAndrew HorvathLinhui HuangJesse KernAnna LangChryspus MuemaCheyanne PriceSimon SchmidtTrae SheltonLacey SowardsAbigail StinerNolan Versluys

WILLIAM A. “COCKY” IRWINBlake CzajkowskiJared Walton

GERALD & GAYLE ISAAC Dawson Wills

HAL JENSEN LEADERSHIPSarah Arriaga

BEULAH GIDEON JOY FOUNDATION FOR BUSINESSBailey Keating

KANSAS SOCIETY OF CPASAshlyn Lane Trae Shelton

CHARLEY & MARTHA KELLY MEMORIALNathan Mikoleit Spenser Wine

JOHN F. KILMARTIN, JR.Walker Bassett

TERRY J. & JUDY L. KIMESAlona Harrison

CLARENCE W. KINGKimberley Brummett

THOMAS L. & JANETT MILLER KINGLacey Sowards

KOCH DISCOVERYAndrew ForemanSarah Habig

DAVID N. LIEBERMANHannah Peimann

DAVID BRIAN LITTLERyan McIntosh

JOE LOVEWELL ECONOMICSAdam Hall

JIM & KATHY MAAGJoseph BrydenAlex Lasher

DAVID & MARY MANLEYKendall Beemer

DALE C. MARCOUXLucas AitkensWalker BassettJack BlumlBenjamin BuchananCecelia CaracciloThomas CarvalhoJames ClancyIsaac DaileyCamille DenisJacob DickeyMadison FarrMarcus GayMegan GulleyReed HarpJacob HeadMatthew HochuliClayton HolmbergBlythe LandonAnna LangRheanna LecknerBrielle McArthurGriffin MottChryspus MuemaTayler North Danielle OrtizKaitlyn RohrBraden RugeAlex SalomanJoel SpainMagnus Van HoeckeJared WaltonMason WietharnJessi WilliamsAlexander Yelland

TERRY & PHYLLIS MARSHALLCierra Quiring-JohnsonSimon Schmidt

KEITH & JULIANN MAZACHEKKenneth DiecHarley Reser

MIZE HOUSER & COMPANY P.A. Jared Walton

VIRLEEN K. & FRED O. MORNS, JR.Joseph Holley

CLEORA NEMECSamuel Andrew

Dylan BabcockJoshua GeitherOlivia HigdonBergan HoferBradley KochMitchell LadyAbigail McCroryCatherine MoodyJamison PhelpsOlivia Smith

AL PALENSKE MEMORIAL Lucas Aitkens

PAYLESS SHOE SOURCE/MAY DEPARTMENT STORESBrady AndersonTrae SheltonNoah Thompson

JAMES D. POLLAK MEMORIALJason HaberkornKatlin Othmer

DALE & SUSAN PONDMegan Gulley

LOUIS & RUTHANN POZEZJakob BublitzOlivia Montague

PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS LLCJenna Garcia

PROFESSIONAL ADVERTISING CLUB OF TOPEKABlake Tomasino

CLARA B. RIEDELAmy Epp

MALCOLM & KAREN ROBINSONHarley MacLairdStephanie Saiya

HAROLD & MARRION ROLLEYJames Gehring

JOHN & NOEL RONNEBAUM ACCOUNTINGReed Harp

VIRGINIA CURRIER ROSSKatie CarpenterAlison Martin

JOHN & LINDA RUNYAN Emilie Nielsen

SALES & MARKETING EXECS. OF TOPEKAJake BublitzJessi Williams

MAYO M. SCHMIDTBlake Peterson

SCHOOL OF BUSINESSWill McKeeOlivia SmithKailey WardJackson WexlerJennie Wilson

CHESTER L. SEELEYJaron CaffreyJacob ChinnAdam HallYusuke ItoPaul MismaqueDawson Wills

ARTHUR L. SHULTZBlake AllenDavid ArtidielloJennifer BeanEthan BroomJoseph BrydenKyle EmerickChristian GrubeJacob HeadKazuya HiroyamaClayton IngramKonnor KeysRachel KlaskeKayla LaneJeremy LuckLuyao LuoMary MayerNathaniel McGheeJordan RoweJonathan SaathoffRachel SlechtaAdam ThewTurner WintzBorui ZhangWill McKee

RAY SIEHNDELBlake Tomasino

RONALD J. & JAMES F. SNYDERWilson BrownVictoria HennesRachel HockenbargerMiranda HuettnerLacey Sowards Caroline Sprecker

DAVID & TRICIA SOLLARS Jacob AndrewsAnna Parish

SPANGLER FAMILY Thomas Carvalho

DONALD A. STARKQiao AnranNoah Phelps-Roper

STAN STAUFFERYELLOW FREIGHTBlake Czajkowski

RAYMOND A. STEWART, JR. & JANICE D. STEWARTThomas CarvalhoAaron EdigerJames GehringLinhui HuangDarius McLemoreJonathan WalkerXiaobei Zhang

STREITLINE ENTREPRENEURSHIPTaylor Keller

TIM & CHERIE STUEVE ACCOUNTINGXiuhua "Rose" Ma

TOPEKA INSURANCE PROFESSIONALSCierra Quiring-Johnson

WALTER L. & MARGARET H. VAN VLECK FAMILYAaron EdigerOlivia GrassoNoah Phelps-Roper

ISAAC J. VERNONReed BluhmShambrey BuddZachary BurnsPatrick EllrichMatthew LeBegueNandini MacMillanDarius McLemoreAdam Setchel

RICHARD G. VOGELKevin Helmer

VIRGINIA H. WILBERTKatie Carpenter

DALE E. WILSON MEMORIALKoal ArtzerMiranda HuettnerXiuhua MaCaroline Sprecker

DONALD C. WRIGHTStephanie SaiyaJoel Spain

MARK & SHEREE YARDLEYTaylor NorthXiaobei Zhang

Thanks to the generosity of many alumni, community leaders and organizations, the Washburn School of Business awarded

more than $407,000 in scholarships to approximately 280 incoming and current business students.

2018-2019 SCHOLARSHIPS

BIZ BODS RECEIVE $407K IN SCHOLARSHIPS

Each semester, we administer the Educational Testing Services (ETS) Major Field Test in Business to our BBA and MBA capstone courses. The test measures business knowledge gained by students during their studies and allows us to benchmark performance against hundreds of Business programs across the U.S. This past Spring term, we were excited to announce that our Washburn BBA scores were in the top 15 percent and our Washburn MBA students scored in the top 3 percent. Every year, consistently, for the last several years, Washburn students have scored in at least the 80th percentile or higher. We believe our strong results are a testament to the excellence of our faculty, staff and students, and to the support we receive from alumni and our business partners. In addition, we have tremendous support from everyone in the Washburn academic community. It is truly a team effort and we are proud of and grateful for everyone involved. The Washburn University students listed here placed in the top 25 percent.

* MBA student

Brian BrzezickiConnor EnglandNicole FangmanJoshua Frantz *Adam GehringTrevor GroundwaterIsaac HanGabrielle Hirsch *Caleb HopkinsJacob HornerKaitlin HubbellCameron JuhnkeRose KlaskeMichael MilazzoBlake MillerTyler PalmerJohn RayHaley Shirley Jacob StruberHunter WeidenbakerMatthew Wiebe *Dawson Wienck

Spring 2018Benjamin Albertson Ivan Amarilla Kathryn CarswellKenneth DiecSarah FinksDonald Heiland III *Bailey Hockett Dalton HolmesAshlyn LaneAlexandra Mikulka *Alec PomeroyJames SparksReed Trease

Fall 2017

Jacob DickeyMatthew LozziKoal Artzer

Summer 2018

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Beta Alpha Psi is an international honors organization for financial information students and professionals promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems. The organization aims to encourage and recognize scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. The Washburn Beta Alpha Psi Mu Omicron Chapter inducted 16 students on May 3. The special honoree was Keenan Buoy, BBA ‘82. Buoy is an owner/partner at Myers and Stauffer and is acknowledged as one of the nation’s preeminent government health care experts. The event was co-sponsored by Berberich Trahan & Co., P.A.

Class of 2018 Inductees:Brady AndersonKoal ArtzerBrooks BrownJacob DickeyMaureen DombrowEmma GoodhartReed HarpKaylee Havenstein

Victoria HennesLinhui HuangAnran QiaoTrae SheltonKenton TegethoffJared WaltonTurner WintzXiaobei Zhang

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTSWashburn Pitch Competition

The Washburn Pitch Competition gives students an opportunity to pitch a new business idea to a panel of judges consisting of local business professionals. This year, more than 60 students/teams participated. Go Topeka co-sponsored the event and made cash prizes totaling $31,500 available for the winners.

First Place ($9,000 prize)Matt Spezia, next generation parking meters and mapping utilizing GPS and a laser reader

Second Place ($6,000 prize)Andrew Foreman, Apposite Vocabulary, an app to help users use and learn new words

Third Place (tie, $3,250 prize each)Axel Olin-Flores, Hairpel, a product innovation for hair stylists and barbersEric Watson, Hot Spot, a social app to connect businesses and people in real time

Top Washburn Institute of Technology Entry ($2,500 prize)Andrew Myers, Automative Hortus Hive, an Internet-based plant care system

Top Freshman Entry ($1,000 prize)Kiki Huang, phone hanger accessory

AAA Best Paper Award

In October, three Washburn University School of Business students, along with Professor Pamela Schmidt, brought home the Best Undergraduate Paper Award from the 2017 Midwest Region meeting of the American Accounting Association (AAA). The team presented “Metro Bike Ride Share: A Data Conversion and Data Analysis Business Case Utilizing Weather and GPS Source Data.” Students Liberty Beecham, Maureen Dombrow and Matthew Hicks started their Topeka Metro Bike case study during their accounting information systems project in Spring 2017. The team paired data they gathered from Topeka Metro Bikes with external, public data sources. It was the first time in several years that the AAA Midwest Region bestowed the Best Undergraduate Paper Award. The association only gives out the award if they feel the research has earned the honor. The team also won the Jack and Maye Stewart Student Paper Competition at the Accounting Information Systems Educators Association Conference in June. Both the team and their research were featured in the Fall 2018 issue of local publication TK Business Magazine.

Business Plan Competition

For Washburn’s Business Plan Competition, students develop written business plans for a new product or service. The plans are critiqued by a panel of judges consisting of Washburn alumni and the Topeka business community. Cash prizes totaling $10,500 were made possible due to generous donations from Washburn School of Business alumni.

First Place ($4,000 prize)Blake Tomasino, Top Kan Spirits, a craft brewery/distillery partnership

Second Place ($3,000 prize)Andrew Foreman, Deon Duncan-Taylor, Marcus Gay and Jim Henry, Top City Drive-In Theater, a drive-in movie theater

Third Place ($2,000 prize)Matt Spezia, Jake Struber, Reed Trease, Moderno Metros, a smart parking meter system

Fourth Place ($1,000 prize)Emily Lauritsen, Crux, a mental, physical and emotional well-being company

Fifth Place ($500 prize)Brian Brzezicki, Wolf API, an applicationprogramming interfaces software company

NIBS Worldwide Business Plan Competition

A team of three Washburn students advanced to the final round of the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) Worldwide Business Plan Competition. School of Business students Jacob Struber, Matt Spezia and Reed Trease placed second in the competition with Moderno Metros, an app that uses GPS and interactive maps to help drivers locate parking spaces and pay the parking meter. They won a cash prize of €800 (approximately $940). The final round took place via Skype conference at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Entry to the NIBS Business Plan Competition required a written business plan and a five-minute video describing the service. Of the entries, three were picked as finalists. The finalists recorded two more videos expanding on the service and written business plan; they also participated in a live question-and-answer session with a panel of judges. NIBS is an association of business schools from around the world. This competition aims to stimulate global entrepreneurship among students.

Student Business Accelerator Fund

The Student Business Accelerator Fund (SBAF) aims to create and advance a culture of entrepreneurship at Washburn by supporting student startup ventures with financial assistance to begin the startup process. Students submit business plans and pitch their businesses to a committee comprised of alumni, business professionals, academics and entrepreneurs. SBAF is generously funded by Mark Beffort (BBA ’85), who strongly believes in supporting our students and their entrepreneurial initiatives.

Funding Granted: $13,200 Kennedy White and Connor England, SmartSave, an energy audit consulting business

Funding Granted: $20,000Matt Spezia, Reed Trease and Jacob Struber, Moderno Metros, a smart parking meter system

Funding Granted: $5,000Emily Lauritsen, Cutter Climb Company, a bouldering gym

Funding Granted: $2,250Taylor Keller, Royal T Designs, a t-shirt screen printing business

Pictured in photos (left to right): Matt Spezia, Pitch Competition winner; Maureen Dombrow, Matthew Hicks and Liberty Beecham, AAA Best Paper award winners; Blake Tomasino, Business Plan Competition winner; Jacob Struber, Matt Spezia and Reed Trease, NIBS Worldwide Business Plan Competition second place winners FALL 2018 15

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Thank you for supporting Washburn University School of Business

CONTRIBUTORS

BLUE & WHITE CLUB BENEFACTORS $500 - $999Larrie ('63) & Judy ('61) BatesAnthony ('12) & Jenna BuntingBob Clelland ('76)Kenneth ('70) & Irene CombesDon ('68) & Ellie DrescherReza & Linda EspahbodiLou Nell GustavsonSusie Hoffmann ('87)Bill Layes ('66)James ('55) & Sharon LemingLouella MooreSmith MooreRosemary Walker & Joel Nelson

BLUE & WHITE CLUB PACESETTERS$250 - $499Larry ('73) & Debbie ApelTed ('73) & Barbara BakerBarb Barnard ('93, '88) & Charles WaetzigEvelyn BernicaLance ('12) & Emma CahillBrian ('06, '03) & Brandi ('04) ClarkeJay Currie ('87)Emma Espinoza ('79)FHLBank TopekaLloyd ('64) & Bobbie FlemingFloyd ('80) & Janice ('96) GrahamCalla Haggard ('94, '88)Tom & Mary HickmanMike ('81) & Linda JohnstonLarry ('65) & Pam KasbergerRobert & Joan KerchnerRobert ('67) & Andra LampertJohn ('68) & Darlene MagnusonMarshall ('17) & Amy MeekBill & Mary RoachPamela J. SchmidtJeannie Shy ('85)Michael & Anca StoicaJay ThoweDallas ('59) & Louise ('59) ToddLinda Tuller ('90)Roger ('70) & Joanie UnderwoodSorin Valcea

BLUE & WHITE CLUB INVESTORS $100 - $249Dick ('82) & Vicki AmickMartha Bartlett Piland ('86) & Gary PilandKen ('98) & Bridgett ('96, '94) BatesKent Becker ('83) & Rachel MillerSonia ('93) & Tab BetsworthJennifer & Levi BixelCathy & Doug BluthardtRuss & Beth BrandenMichael ('97) & Michelle BrownAnderson W. Chandler (H'08)Dave ('69) & Linda CharayJeffrey Crawford ('92) & Janice BallouMarti Dittman ('78)Peggy ('02) & Robert FanningBob ('85) & Kris FletcherGregory ('81) & Peggy FrankenJack ('57) & Faith ('57) GreenwoodJim ('71) & Lee GriebatJohn ('79) & Shirley HalladayAkhadian HarnowoMichele Hatfield-Ferris ('94) & Ronnie FerrisHill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.Maureen ('84) & Bob HirtLee & Linda HoffmannAaron ('94) & Lynette JenningsGerald Jimeson ('61)Chris ('00, '97) & Megan ('02, '00) JonesNorma JumaBonnie Kelly ('93)Todd ('85, '82) & Mary ('86) KrassLon ('68) & Brenda LawtonTrenton ('90) & Tamara ('90, '88) LennardJoshua ('05) & Jenna LooneyKelly ('86) & Ed LukeBeverley Lutz ('96, '87)Rich* ('66) & Laraine MacFeeBrad ('91) & Jennifer MartinTony ('73) & Judy McCueSuzanne ('87) & Peter McIntoshDaniel ('10) & Kelly McPherronMedtronic FoundationCris MillardAl ('65) & Frances MoorheadDmitri Nizovtsev

Marsha ('74) & Phil OliverViki O'Reilly ('78) & Paul StensgaardPrincipal Financial Group Foundation, Inc.Harold ('59) & Betty RichardsonJessica ('08) & Justin RobertsMark ('83) & Julie ('83) RossBrad Sager ('77)Faye Salvatore ('50)Camille Schmidt ('90)Mary ('97) & Richard SchumacherBarbara ScofieldEdward ('73, '70) & Ann ShimokawaDel Shull ('56) & Joanne ChapmanTerry ('76) & Mary SimmonsAl ('66) & Erika SproulTerry ('64) & Ethel ThomasJune Truan ('49)Vita Tucker ('86, '83)Phil ('74) & Linda TysingerDavid ('77) & Sandra ('00) WeeksTava ('98) & Kevin WeidenbakerMarlin Weyer ('68)Dee ('89) & Larry Woodson

BLUE & WHITE CLUB PATRONS $50 - $99Jayne Aylward ('01) & Ralph UnglesMatt & Jill BakerMark ('83) & Veronica BauerChuck ('64) & Mary BennettRoger ('70) & Janice BennettChris Bouck ('99, '98) & Daniela SchneiderJohn & Mary BouckJon ('62) & Peggy BoursawCarolyn BrockYvonne ('93, '91, '84) & Gary BrownellDia ('01) & Bill CollinsScott ('76) & Caroline DiehlKevin Dreiling ('10)Norma Eiman ('76)Drs. Ron ('61) & Norma FaustJoel Fernandes ('17)Max ('96) & Mildred FosterSean & Kylene FrostBillie Jean ('09) & Bobby GrahamKari ('94) & Robert Hachiya

Nathan Hall ('17)Kenneth Hasenbank ('70)Elaine ('95) & Robert HeislerKathryn Holloway ('93)Lawrence ('62) & Mayanna HowardEllen HyattVenita Hyatt ('05, '97, '89)Dale ('66) & Jo Ann IsaacsNiki ('99) & Bill JohnsonJ.D. Kaad ('08, '06)Shea ('13) & Lindsey ('12) KirsopKarl KleinJay & Susan LadenburgerDoug ('89) & Nancy LeikerBrooke ('02) & Justin LohrGarrett ('10) & Caley ('11) LoveBonnie McBride ('96, '93)Todd ('95) & Serah McBrideFaustino ('01, '98) & Rita MendozaRyan Mertz ('12)Debra & Thomas MikulkaJoanne ('99) & Noble MorrellBen ('13) & Kathleen ('13) MoserDan ('81) & Amy ('82) NackleyChris ('88) & William NicklinColton Oswald ('14)Stephanie ('71) & Ruben PerezLuke Perez-Funk ('11) & Danny FunkJustin ('12) & Danielle PippittEliot ('64) & Treva PotterLeon ('96) & Jeanne QuintonEd RamirezDavid ('73) & Mary RichardsonDon ('57) & Barbara ('57) RoehlMitchell ('99) & Elizabeth RootRichard Ross ('75, '71)Ed ('69) & Mary Ellen ('86) SableRuth ('84) & Mel ScottDennis ('87) & Kathy SlimmerBrian ('86) & Gayle ('86) SmithSheila Williams Smith ('93)Joe ('93) & Elizabeth SteffenBrett Swanson ('85)Fritz Thoele ('05)Jeffrey Ulrich ('03)Kathy Ungerer ('80)Shane & Jennifer Van DalsemKathryn Wade ('84)Don ('73) & Pamela WaltonBinbin Wu ('13)

DONOR HONOR ROLL2017-2018

BELL TOWER LUMINARIES $50,000 +Dick (H'94, '66) & Trish DavidsonGary ('69) & Mary EisenbarthEstate of Angela Holliday *

BELL TOWER DIGNITARIES$25,000 - $49,999Joe ('78) & Gladys GigousGO TopekaKansas Heritage FoundationUnion Pacific Corporation

BELL TOWER PRINCIPALS$20,000 - $24,999Virjean Burton * ('49)Kansas Insurance Education Foundation

BELL TOWER PARTNERS $15,000 - $19,999Kaw Valley Bank

BELL TOWER VISIONARIES$10,000 - $14,999Dave ('74) & Jane RobertsLes & Susan StreitMark ('77) & Sheree Yardley

BELL TOWER CHAMPIONS$7,500 - $9,999Scot ('85) & Anna FerrellFred ('88, '82) & Pam Palenske

BELL TOWER LEADERS$5,000 - $7,499Keenan ('82) & Lisa Buoy

The Educational Foundation of the Kansas Society of CPAsMichael ('80) & Karen ElpersBill (H'15, '80) & Pam GreinerHoward Hildenbrand ('61)Lonnie Hossfeld ('80)Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.Terry ('63) & Phyllis MarshallBrad ('80) & Cindy OwenEstate of Margaret E. Wilson *Glen ('68) & Kathy Winchell

BELL TOWER DIRECTORS $3,500 - $4,999Charles & Wilma HummertJim (H'04, '61) & Kathy ('64) MaagKaren ('74) & Roger Viola

BELL TOWER AMBASSADORS $2,500 - $3,499Bruce BurtonGerald ('67) & Gayle IsaacSteve (H'05, '70) & Brenda ('95) KitchenDylan Palenske & Nick Palenske ('12)Dale (H'18, '69) & Susan PondPricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

BELL TOWER NOTABLES $1,500 - $2,499Esmond Alleyne & Marsha Bacote-AlleyneGary BakerRob & Marilyn HullIone HumphreyInstitute of Internal Auditors - Topeka ChapterKoch Industries, Inc.

Dave ('67) & Mary ('67) ManleyKeith & JuliAnn MazachekJacque ('59) & Dr. Lawrence McKibbinMize Houser & Company P.A.Judith PeletzDr. Roger Schoenfeldt ('58) & Adelaide SchoenfeldtDavid & Tricia SollarsJohn (H'18) & Barbara ('85) Stauffer

BELL TOWER GUARDIANS $1,000 - $1,499Paul ('68, '65) & Bert ArtzerJon ('73) & Judith BakalarJerry ('80) & Betty BanakaBerberich Trahan & Co., P.A.Tim ('79, '75) & Margaret ('72) CarkhuffLiviu FloreaDaniel ('87) & Monica FoltzMark ('65) & Linda KryslJim ('79) & Sandy ('80) MartinDavid ('79, '76) & Terri MosesJere (H'10, '59) & Carol NoeKandy ('82) & Robert OckreeRandy Scheer ('81) & Hillary KaplanDavid & Melinda SetchelCherie ('88) & Tim StueveKate ('78) & Dan TaylorRob & Nancy WeigandJames WelchBrad ('78) & Kay WrightDon Wright

* DECEASEDH = HONORARY

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LUCILLE HINDERLITER HONORED AS 2017 BUSINESS ALUMNI FELLOW Lucille Hinderliter (BBA '65) was honored as the 2017 School of Business Alumni Fellow. She is a certified public accountant, tax manager and a former shareholder at Agler & Gaeddert. She visited with students about her experiences transitioning from Mayetta, Kansas to Washburn and being one of the few women in her Accounting program. Hinderliter commented that when she decided on Accounting, there weren’t a lot of women the program; it was a field that was just beginning to open to women. While taking her Accounting courses, there were only about three or four other women in the program; most of whom went on to work in banking or law. Hinderliter gave students advice about continued learning, knowing your own limitations and having integrity. “Your integrity is one of the things you need to guard. Once it is gone, there is not really any hope for a major recovery of it,” she said. Hinderliter told students to think of education as an ongoing, lifelong process. She said that learning can come from unexpected sources; it could be someone who has more practical experience or more education.

“Keep in mind that you can learn something from almost everyone and every event that happens in your life, whether good or bad. We all have the chance to grow with the challenges that come to us," Hinderliter said.

“Your integrity is one of the things you need to guard. Once it is gone, there is not really any hope for a major recovery of it.”

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB. Only the best business students in the world and professionals who earn the distinction of “the best in business” during their academic careers can claim membership. The Washburn University chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma inducted its Class of 2018 on May 2. Richard Vaughn, BBA ‘87, was the special honoree.

* Denotes graduate level student (MBA, MAcc)

WILLIAM GREINER FEATURED AT ECONOMICS LECTURE SERIES

"The quality of the firm should be your top item in decision making; working for a high-quality firm can set you up for your entire career."

Lands to leave strong legacy at Washburn Washburn University was already a part of their family, and now it will forever be a part of the Land family’s legacy. Donn Land (BBA '71) had his father, two uncles and an aunt graduate from Washburn. His wife, Janet (BBA '72), had a sister who also attended Washburn and joined the Alpha Phi sorority. “Living so close to campus, and with that many family members having gone there, I was kind of destined,” Donn said. Donn grew up a block south of campus, and Janet in Prairie Village, Kansas, before they became Ichabods and met through their Greek Life affiliations. “Washburn was a very important, interesting part of my life,” said Janet. “I think Washburn in the Topeka setting was perfect for me because of its smaller size.”

A few weeks after Donn graduated from Topeka West High School, the 1966 tornado struck Washburn’s campus, so the two attended “Trailer Tech,” as they affectionately called it, because classroom trailers were used as campus was being rebuilt. Donn was one of the students to open the new Alpha Delta house three years after the tornado. “There was a lot of pride as campus was going through the rebuilding process,” he said. “There was a sense of community and family, and the Alpha Delta fraternity became very close.” Donn worked at the local Dale Sharp car dealership in college – starting by cleaning up the cars after the tornado, to eventually serving as controller of the dealership’s Import Plaza during his junior year. “I would go to my accounting classes in the morning and then apply what I was learning in the afternoon,” he said. He and Janet married and eventually moved to Texas. Donn worked in accounting and eventually started his own CPA business. He went on to own 26 Jackson Hewitt locations, but sold them in 2015 and is currently going through phased retirement. He and Janet enjoy spending time traveling or with their five grandchildren. When thinking about their life and time at Washburn, they wanted to focus on building their legacy with the University. Through a planned gift, Donn and Janet have established a scholarship fund for the School of Business. Donn said he was inspired to do so because of his own personal experience paying for his own tuition. “Part of me wanted to help someone else down the road,” he said. “It’s called payback time. I got a lot from Washburn, both educationally and socially.” Janet believed in the importance of helping those who come after her, knowing education is the main conduit toward a better future. “I think Washburn is an excellent place to put your money,” Janet said. “One hundred years from now, we will be gone, but hopefully it will still be there helping someone else.”

Class of 2018 Inductees:Krista AmesBrady AndersonDavid ArtidielloKoal ArtzerPrakash Bhattarai *Wilson BrownRyan Broxterman *Joseph BrydenMatthew BurnsBradley Crenshaw *Josh CrosbyIsaac DaileyParth Desai *Jacob DickeyHaojun FuTrevor GroundwaterChristian GrubeJason HaberkornKaylee HavensteinJacob HeadMatthew HicksRachel HockenbargerDalton HolmesBlake Kitrell *Anna Lang

Alex LasherJennifer McKinnon *Olivia MontagueMuhsinjon MuhamadjonovLu PanBlake PetersonAnran QiaoJohn RayJonathan SaathoffAlex Salomon Rivarola *Jordan Sester *Adam SetchelLacey SowardsJoel SpainCaroline SpreckerMichelle SweanyAmber Terrell *Rachana Uprety *Shuang WangMatthew Wiebe *Abby WieblerJessi WilliamsTurner WintzBorui ZhangXiaobei Zhang

Investment Strategist of Mariner Wealth Advisors after a 40-year career in investment management. Following the breakfast lecture, Greiner spoke to students about private and public sector wealth and factors based on free market and enterprise concepts. He also shared some career advice and told students that he should have been more patient with the companies he was working for when he was younger, because he started to get the reputation of someone who changed jobs too frequently. “When you’re leaving school and looking at potential employers, consider the company over the pay. The quality of the firm should be your top item in decision making; working for a high-quality firm can set you up for your entire career,” Greiner said. The Lecture Series in Economics and Free Enterprise aims to educate the public about the state of the economy at local, national and global levels. This series has been made possible by the generosity of Bill and Pam Greiner for the last 16 years.

William Greiner (BBA '80) was the featured speaker at the Lecture Series in Economics and Free Enterprise. Greiner recently retired from his position as Chief

A provision for Washburn in your estate qualifies for membership in the Whiting Society, a group of supporters inspired to make gifts that will last well beyond their lifetime.

wualumni.planmylegacy.org

Contact Jeannie ShySenior Director of Gift Planning and Development785.670.2734 | jshy@wualumni.org

Investing in Our Future

With your planned gift, your generosity provides students from all walks of life a place to realize their dreams.

“Washburn is an excellent place to put your money. One hundred years from now, we will be gone, but hopefully it will still be there helping someone else.”

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HARD WORK, COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING AMONG MOST IMPORTANT THINGS LEARNED AT WASHBURN Jon Skelton (BBA ’93) is the CFO of

Innovative Livestock Services, Inc., a cattle feeding company that also

engages in farming operations. Skelton visited

campus in Sept. in conjunction

with Wake Up

with Washburn

and spoke to students about things

he learned at Washburn that stuck with him and helped

him throughout his career. He said the three key things that helped him the most are understanding hard work, networking and good communication skills. “Though certain things do come naturally to people, much of that can be overcome by hard work,” Skelton said. Skelton said when he arrived at Washburn, networking was a foreign concept to him. He said getting to know people and establishing connections will help you down the road. He recalled Dr. Gary Baker recommending him for an internship, which later turned into a connection that helped him get his first job out of school at a CPA firm. That experience made

networking real and showed him how important it truly was. “The issue of communication is constant in business;

you just can’t communicate too much. As you enter the employment market, don’t be afraid to communicate; be proactive in your communication and tell your

bosses and peers what is going on…The better you can express yourself, bring up thoughts, ideas and

concerns, the better response you will get from your employer as you progress through your career,” Skelton said.

Skelton was recruited to work for a cattle feed lot, which led to his current role at ILS. He was involved in the formation of the company, which required a lot of communication on his part. He said when he began college, he didn’t like public speaking, but he had to learn to get comfortable in front of people in order to succeed. He says the growth and success of ILS was created by partnerships, which stemmed from hard work, networking and communication.

Randy Lyne (BBA ’72) is the Owner and CEO of Preferred Pump and Equipment, Inc., the largest U.S. wholesaler of pumps, water well equipment and accessories. He visited campus in Feb. for Wake Up with Washburn and spoke to students about the importance of people, both customers and employees. He said people are the most important thing and the biggest asset in running a company. Lyne recalled starting in the pump industry in Kansas City, having just graduated from Washburn. Though he changed companies and locations a few times, he decided early on that he wanted to be in a distributor business where he was working with the same people year in and year out. He talked one of his bosses into helping him start his own business in Texas and began with three employees. Through hard work, the company grew over the years and became successful. “I’m proud to say that my employees work harder than anyone else in the industry, but it is just as important to have a lot of fun,” he said. Twice each year, they take a group of over 1,000 employees and customers on vacation. Last year, they went on their annual Las Vegas trip, as well as to Grand Cayman Island. Lyne says their company culture is very important to him. “We hire good people, train them well and teach them how to run a business. We inspire them to run their branch as if it is

their own business,” Lyne said. Lyne said Preferred Pump has built their company on repeat business

and relationships, striving to be true partners with their customers.

“COMMUNIC

ATION IS

CONSTANT IN BUSIN

ESS...THE BETTER YOU CAN

EXPRESS YOURSELF, BRIN

G UP THOUGHTS, ID

EAS AND CONCERNS,

THE BETTER RESPONSE YOU WILL G

ET FROM YOUR EMPLOYER."

“WE HIRE GOOD PEOPLE, TRAIN THEM W

ELL AND TEACH THEM

HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS. W

E INSPIRE THEM TO RUN THEIR

BRANCH AS IF IT IS THEIR OWN BUSINESS.”

EMPLOYING GOOD PEOPLE IS KEY TO BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Business leader Mayo Schmidt (BBA ’80, Hon. ‘16), most recently President, CEO and Director of Hydro One in Toronto, Canada, visited campus in April and spoke at a discussion and screening of KTWU’s “Playing by the Rules: Ethics at Work” series. Schmidt said he grew up being taught that you must have ethics beyond reproach. He said ethics also need to be reinforced over your lifetime with examples from your mentors and peers. He was a commodities trader for 15 years with General Mills. He said General Mills is an organization that emphasized and supported his values and beliefs. Schmidt was in a position where he was negotiating thousands of contracts every year, over the phone. He negotiated with other traders and companies who had responsibilities to their own businesses, shareholders and customers as well. Schmidt said if he had violated his values and ethics by not being forthcoming with the truth of their phone conversations, his company’s trust in him would have eroded very quickly. His ability to be successful in negotiating contracts had to do with the trust that his company had in him that he would do the right thing. “The difficult part for most people regarding ethics is that it’s not always obvious what the right answer is. You don’t always have the benefit of having all of the information. You certainly don’t have the benefit of being able to look back at that decision until you’re being judged on it later,” Schmidt said. Schmidt said that though there can be differences in what is viewed as ethical practices across the world, leadership in different countries intend to do the right thing. He said

that organizations in the United States and Canada are held to a high standard.

He told a story about how when he started with Hydro One, he was alarmed and concerned when he

found out how many people were behind in their power bills and how many families were getting disconnected

from service every year for non-payment. There were regulations in place that determined when a customer's

“THE DIFFICULT PART FOR MOST PEOPLE REGARDING ETHICS IS THAT IT’S NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS WHAT THE RIGHT ANSWER IS. YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HAVING ALL OF THE INFORMATION."

ETHICS AT WORK MEAN ETHICS & VALUES BEYOND REPROACH

electricity would be shut off for non-payment. In this situation, the regulatory system didn't match up with what he believed to be ethical, so he made the decision to turn the electricity back on for the homes that had been disconnected and to create an affordability fund to help those who needed assistance. It resulted in more people paying their bills and the amount of disconnections decreased significantly. “In North America, there are bright light lines that are easier to follow. There are countries where the lines are not easy to follow and you have to use good judgment, good protocols and good practices. You have to know your business and follow a philosophy of no exceptions,” Schmidt said.

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FACULTY & STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTSPamela SchmidtAssociate Professor of AccountingDr. Pamela Schmidt was promoted to associate professor and received tenure. She has taught at Washburn for six years. Schmidt was also recently awarded the "Best Undergraduate Paper" alongside three of her students at the 2017 Midwest Meeting of the American Accounting Association.

Karl KLEINRegional Director of Kansas Small Business Development CenterKarl Klein was awarded the Kansas SBDC State Star for his contributions and commitment to supporting small business efforts in the area. As part of his role at the SBDC, Klein teaches a class each semester at the School of Business; he is teaching Introduction to Business this Fall.

DAVID PRICEAssociate Professor of MarketingDr. David Price was awarded the 2018 Dicus Excellence in Teaching Award. The award is a special honor as it is selected by the students. Price says his favorite part of teaching is making learning fun and making a difference. He has taught at Washburn for 12 years.

JENNIFER BIXELAssistant to the DeanJennifer Bixel was honored this past Spring with the Washburn Outstanding Service Award in the Administrative Support category. She provides support to Dean David Sollars and the entire School of Business. Dean Sollars says he would "be lost without her." Bixel just celebrated her 20th year at Washburn.

Rob HullProfessor of FinanceDr. Rob Hull was awarded the Kaw Valley Bank Excellence in Research Award for 2018. Over the last five years, he has published 14 peer-reviewed journal articles. His research topics include: seasoned equity offerings, hedge funds, insider trading, capital structure and retirement decision making.

NORMA JUMAProfessor of ManagementDr. Norma Juma was promoted to professor. She has taught at Washburn for 13 years. Juma's research is primarily focused on entrepreneurship in Africa. She presented her findings this past year at conferences around the world – in Italy, South Africa and Atlanta, Georgia.

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