Also awarded were three faculty recognition awards including the Teacher of Tomorrow award to Mrs. Sheryl Edwards, the Research award to Dr. Vikram Bhandauria, and the Service award to Mr. Ronnie Watson.

The evening culminated with the announcement of the Outstanding Students in each academic area and the Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Students.

• Outstanding Student in Accounting – Kelly Birchfield
• Outstanding Student in Finance – Kristen Yarbrough
• Outstanding Student in Management – Tommy Clark
• Outstanding Student in Marketing – Zichao Yang
• Outstanding Student in MIS – Joshua Anglin

This year’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student is Tommy Clark.  Mr. Clark graduated Cum Laude in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He has been honored in the past with Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, the Mulerider Leadership Award, the Student Leadership Award for Outstanding Service, named a Residential College Academic Scholar, and was a member of the 2011 SAU Homecoming Court.  Tommy served multiple terms as a local and state PBL officer and has competed and won in several PBL competitive events, including first place at state in Impromptu Speaking and first place in the state and nation for Local Chapter Annual Business Report.  He has served as a competitive judge for Future Business Leaders of America at district and state conferences, and presented educational workshops at district, state, and national leadership conferences.  While at SAU, Tommy has also served as a President’s Ambassador and Business Ambassador.  He is currently enrolled in the SAU Master of Art’s in teaching program and works as a Graduate Assistant for the College of Business. He plans to begin his teaching career in the fall of 2013 in the high school business classroom.

The 2012-2013 Outstanding Graduate Student in the College of Business is Megan Whitehead. Ms Whitehead graduated in December 2012 with a 4.0 GPA.  She also graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business from SAU in 2005. Originally from Batesville, AR, she is the daughter of Bobby and Sharon Magaha.  She currently serves as the Director of the Small Business Technology & Development Center in Magnolia.  She and her husband, Dusty, reside in Taylor, Arkansas and are the proud parents of their one-year-old son, Wade, and have another little-one on the way.

Under the leadership of our two Chapter Presidents this year SAU PBL earned fifth place in Largest Local Chapter Membership.  SAU PBL Chapter President for the spring 2013 semester, Deana Hughes, received recognition in Who’s Who in Arkansas PBL. Hughes is a senior Wildlife Conservation Biology major from Arkadelphia, AR. She placed fifth in the Public Speaking and Word Processing competitive events.  Hughes also earned second place for the Local Chapter Annual Business Report she wrote on behalf of the chapter.

SAU-PBL’s Community Service project placed fifth in state competition.  The project was chaired by Jineen Davis Dobbins, a senior management major from Magnolia, AR.  The project report was written and presented by Brandon Groce, Briti Nakarmi, and Chukakun Nix.

Groce, who currently serves as the SAU PBL Chapter Treasurer, placed second in the Hospitality Management event and fifth in the Business Presentation event.  Groce also participated in the Open Events, winning second place in Strategic Management.  Groce is a freshman accounting major from Benton, AR.

Nakarmi currently serves as the SAU PBL Chapter Director of Publicity.  She placed second in the Cyber Security event.  Nakarmi is a senior Management Information Systems major from Nepal.

 Nix, currently serves as the SAU PBL Chapter Secretary placed fifth in the International Business event.  Nix is a senior accounting major from Warren, AR.  Nix also competed in the Business Ethics event with Charu Simmons.  They placed fourth in this team event.

Simmons is a junior accounting major from Nepal.  She also placed third in the Accounting Analysis & Decision Making event.

Jason Rakes, a junior management major from Rogers, AR, won first place in the Computer Concepts event and placed third in the Business Communications event.  Rakes also participated in the Open Events and received second place in Organizational Behavior.

Andrew Sawyer, a freshman accounting major from Paris, Texas, won first place in the Microeconomics event and placed fourth in the Macroeconomics event.

Prajit Hamal Thakuri, a sophomore accounting major from Nepal, received second place in the Accounting Principles event.

Eric (Drake) Frisby, a junior finance major from El Dorado, AR, placed second in the Microeconomics event and third in the Macroeconomics event.

Vincent Oliver, a senior marketing major from Bentonville, AR, placed second in the Computer Applications event.

Mallory Wooten, a senior accounting major from El Dorado, AR, placed fourth in the Accounting for Professionals event.

Kristen (Sams) Yarbrough, a senior accounting/finance double major from Texarkana, AR, placed fourth in Financial Concepts and fifth in Accounting for Professionals.

Austin Evans, a senior accounting/management double major from Foreman, AR, placed fourth in the Management Concepts event.

Danielle Durham, a sophomore General Business major from Maud, TX, placed fifth in the Computers Applications event.

Eight chapter members will be representing SAU at the PBL National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, on June 21-26, 2013.  Phi Beta Lambda is the post-secondary division of Future Business Leaders of America.  Membership is open to all students interested.  PBL members rely on donations and fundraisers to cover the expense of attending the National Leadership Conference.  All proceeds from fundraisers and donations will go towards hotel and travel expenses for the trip to Nationals.  For more information about PBL or if you would like to make a donation to help these students in their fundraising efforts, please contact Dr. Gerald Plumlee at 870-299-2732 for more details.

The Executive Network

Guest speakers on Wednesday, February 20, 2013, were:

• Mr. Antonio Hoof , an Associate IM Analyst – Service Delivery Support for BHP Billiton in Shreveport, Louisiana.
• Mr. Joel Parrish, a Product Development Director in Outdoor Living for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in Bentonville, Arkansas
•  Mr. Terry Roberts, a District Manager for Medtronic, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee.

Guest speakers on Thursday, February 21, 2013, were:

• Mr. Dan Galway, a recently retired Vice President of Global Sales for Hewlett-Packard. He currently lives in Plano, Texas.
• Mr. Phil Brooks, a First Vice President and Financial Advisor for Raymond James & Associates, Inc. in Plano, Texas.
• Mr. Bill Anderson, the President of Dowdey, Anderson, & Associates, Inc., a civil engineering firm in Plano, Texas.
• Mrs. Beth Galway, Owner and CFO of Abler Consulting Group, LLC. in Plano, Texas.
• Mr. Fernando Barbosa, a Senior Vice President & Managing Director – Latin American, US Hispanic Market, Europe, Middle East and Africa Content Distribution and Production Disney Media Networks for the Walt Disney Company. He currently lives in Coconut Grove, Florida.

Dr. Tim Wise and Miss Traci Hughes traveled to Northwest Arkansas on April 4-7, 2013, with twenty business students.  During the trip we visited SAU Alums Miss Tamara Burton and Mr. Bill Hyatt at Farm Bureau in Little Rock, Mr. Buddy Wray at Tyson in Springdale, Mr. Grant Toms at Saatchi & Saatchi in Bentonville, Mr. Ronnie Rothwell at JB Hunt in Lowell and Mrs. Crystal Duncan and Mr. Joel Parrish at Wal-Mart in Bentonville.  We also visited the Wal-Mart Visitor Center and the Crystal Bridges Museum.

Mr. Anderson’s generous gift allowed our students to see the world headquarters for four major corporations and interact with various levels of executives in their own environments.

How would the business industry change if, instead of focusing on product design and statistical process controls, it changed to a customer focus?

Three researchers, including SAU’s own Dr. Ken Green, have been doing research focusing on the three areas of TQM (total quality management), and have found that customer focus had the largest impact on customer satisfaction with products or services.

Green teamed up with co-authors Jeremy Bellah and Pam Zelbst from Sam Houston State University to have their article “Unique TQM Practices and Logistics Performance” accepted for publication in the International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management which will come out a little later this year.

This is the third paper for Green to have published. Two other Journals, International Journal of Operations Management and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, have also published his work to an international readership.

The research was completed in 2009, but information takes a while to get from raw research data to published articles.

“The data collection, writing, and review processes are somewhat lengthy,” said Green. “On average, it probably takes about 18 months from data collection to journal acceptance on the first paper from a data set.”

This particular article shares evidence that the focus on product design and statistical process controls that have had the most emphasis in every industry overlooks the key component, the customer.

When the researchers first began the study of 104 manufacturing managers, they thought all three components would equally affect total quality management, but when the research was finished, they realized that the single most important factor was customer focus.

The information gleaned from this study will change the way Green is teaching his classes.

“My research is tied directly to what I teach and the results of the research are incorporated directly into my classes,” said Green. “For example, I’ll incorporate this study into my TQM classes this fall.”

Green has been with SAU for three years, but his emphasis has always been how to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and his Master of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech, he learned considerably more from his Louisiana Tech mentor, Dr. Tony Inman, while pursuing his doctorate.

“He taught me to appreciate the field of operations management as one that searches for and establishes programs that significantly improve organizational performance,” said Green. “And he taught me how to do high quality research.”

He enjoys tying his research to his classes and teaching his students real-world applications in the work force so they are prepared after graduation. He gives the students first-hand knowledge by allowing them to analyze the data and discuss the results pertinent to students who plan to become managers.

This particular study will allow the students to understand how important customer focus is which is different from what most people think when they consider TQM.

When asked what SAU’s College of Business (COB) offers that isn’t found everywhere, Green discussed the emphasis on environmental sustainability that has been adopted by the COB. New research is already being done in this area.

With his focus forward, Green said, “We have begun to incorporate the results of our studies directly within our operations management and supply chain management courses to ensure that our students are exposed to the most current ideas and empirical results.”

Her parents laid the foundation of those traits in their little cowgirl, but life experiences and adversity honed them into a deeply refined, quiet strength that belies her shy facade.

In high school, she watched her mom fight and win a vicious battle with breast cancer. In her freshman year at SAU, she would lose her father at Christmas to brain cancer, but not before that legacy of perseverance was instilled deep within her. The loss left a burden of financial struggles and worry on her young shoulders.

“She worried and worked through it, never stopping,” said SAU Rodeo Coach Rusty Hayes. He told “Arkansas Life” writer Bobby Ampezzan in a feature story about Mills that the shy cowgirl from Live Oak, Fla. is likely “the best overall cowgirl” he has had on his nationally competitive team. “It’s a combination of her rope-handling skills, horsemanship, competitiveness and academic success. She has roped professional as a team roper, she won the United States Team Roping Club’s Cruel Girl Team Roping Championship three years ago, and was second this past October,”  Hayes is quoted as saying.

Mills shows leadership, integrity and perseverance in all she does. Those qualities didn’t just land on her – they were instilled by parents who knew their value in the making of a cowgirl, and the hard lessons that honed her perseverance started early in her life.

After falling off during her first experience with a horse, it was her father (with her mother’s encouragement) who lifted her up to put her back on the pony to make sure his little cowgirl learned to face her fears and keep moving forward.

Her father had been there by her side from the start of her rodeo career. It was he who was beside her in every event as she learned the ins and outs of calf-roping as a little girl.

“He was always right there in the box with me, pushing them (to run out of the shoot for the events),” said Mills. When Mills wanted to take a break from her studies to be home with her dying father, it was his encouragement that made her stay up on the proverbial horse and to keep riding.

“He wouldn’t let me quit. He told me to keep going – to keep doing what I love,” she said.

When her horse, Badger, was among five stolen from the SAU stables in November 2011 – the night before the annual Ozark Region rodeo at SAU, Mills drew from those hard life lessons to become a leader and a source of strength for her rodeo teammates. As McCurtain County, Okla. law enforcement investigated the theft, information trickled in indicating that the horses were somewhere in a vast and thickly forested area of the county. It was Mills and Coach Hayes who braved storms, coyotes and the dark of night to search the area. They took a mare named Cotton Candy – Badger’s stable mate. The two were inseparable at home in Mulerider Stables. The moment the mare nickered and they heard a distant response from within a deep thicket, Mills knew it was her Badger.

“I looked at Coach, but I couldn’t get the words out. Once I did, he knew by the way I said it that I wasn’t playing,” said Mills. “We heard stomping, but they weren’t getting any closer. Coach said, ‘I’m going in’ and the sheriff said ‘I’m going with you.’”

After two weeks tied to a tree without food and water, Badger emerged at the end of a rope in Coach Hayes’ hand.

“I stood in awe,” Mills recalled. “Coach said it took a minute before I took the lead rope from him. I was in shock. He looked so bad, but he was still nickering at the mare. Once she was brought into view, he was fine.”

Recalling the moment of realization that she was experiencing another great loss – that her horse, her teammate, her source of revenue was missing, Mills said, “I don’t think it actually set in until the day we found them. I didn’t want to think that I would never see him again, so I kept it out of my head.”

Only four of the five horses would return home to Mulerider Stables. Credit Card, the fifth horse had been killed. In honor of the lost teammate, a scholarship will be endowed as soon as the final $1,100 is raised. If it is raised before July 1, 2012, the scholarship can be granted to a rodeo student in the fall of 2013. If not, the scholarship will sit unused until the remainder of the money is raised. That gift would bring closure and healing to the painful chapter in the SAU Rodeo Team’s year.

“The scholarship means a lot to a rodeo member,” said Mills. “You have to pay for school, for food for you and your horse, for travel and upkeep. It gets expensive. If some good will come from this event… well, [that scholarship] would mean a lot to somebody.”

As most rodeo students from Florida’s panhandle do, Mills had the option to attend Troy University, in Alabama. It was closer to home, but Mills wanted to see her options. Her friend, Cody Prescott, an SAU Rodeo team member who was world champion calf roper in 2009, was here. She found information online about SAU’s program and came to Magnolia to tour the campus. Once she saw Mulerider Stables, SAU’s campus and toured the community, she surprised her parents with her decision to come to SAU.

“They thought I was too shy and would never go that far from home,” said Mills. “But, everyone was friendly. I felt like it was home. I had a good place to keep my horses and everything just seemed to be growing and expanding for the rodeo here. It seemed like an easy choice to me.” Her greatest influences on campus are Coach Hayes and his wife, Dina. “Coach Hayes is the closest thing to a father figure that I have in my life,” said Mills. “They call me daughter and I call them mom and dad.”

In her role of leadership in the region, Mills presented Hayes with the award when he was honored as the 2012 Ozark Region Rodeo Coach of the Year.

She credits Dr. Pierre Boumtje, her agriculture business professor, for keeping tough classes interesting.

Continuing her education in pursuit of a master’s degree, Mills was able to compete one more year in collegiate level rodeo. 2011-12 was her last season. She was awarded the Betty Gayle Cooper-Ratliff Scholarship at the CNFR in June. She will graduate in May 2013 with a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in agriculture.

“It’s kind of sad. The new rodeo arena is going up and I won’t even get to ride in it,” she said. “I met so many great people here and we’re all moving on.”

Aside from the moment of wavering during her dad’s illness, Mills never considered stopping her educational journey.

“Once I start something, I am going to finish it, no matter what,” she said, in a believably determined tone of voice – a voice of someone who knows the meaning of perseverance.

“The Walt Garrison Award is extremely tough to win,” said Hayes. “For us to have one of our own get that award is as big an honor as winning a national title. It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving kid.

To donate toward the “Credit Card Scholarship” visit www.saufoundation.org and choose “Make a Gift”. Be sure to specify that the donation is intended for the “Credit Card Scholarship.”

The Longview, Texas native knows the game, and has lived to play it since that first volleyball was placed in her hand in the seventh grade.

“I got into it by accident when I was in the seventh,” said White. “I had been playing basketball, but there was something about this game that just drew me to it. I found out I was a better volleyball player. I picked up on the techniques really quickly and my ability to jump really high just made it a natural fit for me. I love it.”

Starting out on the B-team in seventh grade, White attended camps. By her eighth grade year, she was number one. In high school, she was “top dog” for the Longview High School Lady Lobos volleyball team.

She gained the attention of coaches and came to Southern Arkansas University on a scholarship to play for the Lady Muleriders – front row as an outside hitter.

Mulerider Volleyball Coach Steven Gream came to SAU in 2009, his first impression of White was formed by her single-focused determination.

“What impressed me most about Jordan was how she worked hard to earn a starting position by coming in early before practice to improve her skills. It was a joy to see her grow as a player and to benefit from her hard work,” said Gream. “Jordan is an energetic player and has become one of the most feared hitters in the Great American Conference. She has the ability to jump high over an opposing block and hit with power at all angles. She brings to the team a hitter that we can rely on and causes lots of problems for our opponent which takes pressure off of our other hitters.”

In 2010, the SAU volleyball team had one of the biggest turnaround seasons in NCAA Division II history by going 20-12 and earning 19 more wins than in 2009 – earning the second most wins since 2000.

According to Gream, the team finished third in the GAC tournament, marking the first time the volleyball team has won a conference match since joining NCAA Division II. White contributed to the energy of the team of athletes that made that happen.

The close-knit team of are a force to be reckoned with. White attributes part of that success to that bond they share.

“We were a team. Some teams miss out on that. They aren’t team-oriented or united. It makes a difference,” said White.

Tapping into another love – her love of fashion – White will graduate with a bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in marketing. With an inherited good taste in fashion that she gained from her mother and grandmother, White aspires to become a buyer for department stores.

“The funny thing is, I used to think [my mom’s] clothes were so ugly. I didn’t know she was so stylish until I got older. I wear her stuff now,” she said, laughing. “My mom and grandmother were always into reading “Vogue,” so I guess I get my fashion sense from them.”

Though her closet is full of wardrobe options, you are more likely to see White around campus sporting her uniform or athletics gear than her high-fashion duds. Her focus this past year especially has been keenly honed on winning games and graduating in May.

“I accomplished a lot this year. I’m proud of it, but it’s kind of bittersweet,” she said. “I love volleyball. It’s been my life since seventh grade – now, it’s over. I know I have a lot to look forward to, but I’m going to miss this.”

Her goal is to return to SAU to work on a masters (her mother achieved two!), but for now, her sights are on the unknown adventures that are waiting on her beyond the horizon of graduation. Wherever that adventure takes her, there is little doubt that she will give it her all to be the fiercest in the game.

“I noticed the difference over the years of folks who accumulated wealth – even with average paying jobs, and the others who never accumulated any wealth even with high-paying careers,” he said. “I became intrigued by those two vastly different situations. I am fascinated by how people spend their money.”

Ashby graduated from Southern Arkansas University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He completed his master’s in business administration degree at Ole Miss in 1978 and followed with a doctorate in business administration in finance from Louisiana Tech University.

For years, Ashby worked as an accountant by day and served as an adjunct professor teaching mostly accounting classes at night at the University of the Ozarks in Fort Smith.

“One year, the finance professor didn’t show up and I got to teach the basic financial management course,” he said. “After teaching that course, I knew what I wanted to do.”

His favorite part of teaching is seeing the moment of understanding in his students.

“Seeing somebody finally ‘get it’ – whether that means getting a particular concept in the narrow sense, or ‘getting’ why a career as a financial planner could improve a lot of lives and would be a great way to spend your working years,” said Ashby. “I also get to work with a fabulous group of faculty, who truly care about students and their success.”

Ashby said he has been inspired by many professors, but his time under the direction of Dr. David Rankin, a former dean of SAU’s College of Business – now president of the University, may have had the most influence on his career.

“Dr. Rankin and his finance courses, particularly the investments course, eventually led to my dual careers as a finance professor and an investment manager,” said Ashby. “His classes were rigorous to say the least. But he made them “real world” and impressed upon students to do the right thing – for example, paying taxes.  He was teaching ethics before ethics was a buzzword in business schools.”

“Dr. Ashby is an outstanding professor and has distinguished himself through his teaching, scholarship, and leadership of the CFP program both here in Arkansas and nationally,” said Rankin. “In addition, he has put his expertise to work by founding the very successful investment advisory firm Mustard Seed Financial, Inc.”

Ashby has a motto that he frequently shares with his students: “To whom much is given, much is required. Use the talents you have been given wisely.”

Talk to former students and it would be a sure bet that you wouldn’t find one with negative things to say.  He is endeared by those who know him.

“I think it is because he is always willing to help students and faculty alike with any problem, and I think that has won him a whole host of friends both here at the University and beyond,” said Rankin. “He is easily one of the most outstanding finance professors anywhere.”

Dr. David Ashby is Peoples Bank Professor of Finance and Economics in Southern Arkansas University’s College of Business.

Since high school, Taylor Brown has dreamed of opening an orphanage. The 19-year-old sophomore from Texarkana, Texas, came to Southern Arkansas University uncertain of what degree to pursue to achieve that goal.

“After talking it over with my mom, I knew that a business degree could help me do anything, even start my own business,” said Brown.

She enrolled in SAU’s College of Business to study management, but she is also drawn to early childhood education and psychology, which could also serve her in accomplishing her worthwhile goals.

“I think it’s great that SAU offers so many options to help me in my future,” she said. “I can move forward until I know exactly what I want to do.”

Brown said she is also excited to be a part of Leadership College and Phi Mu sorority. The groups are tied to local and regional service projects, like Columbia County Animal Protection Society, children’s charities and projects for the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. When she is home, Brown also volunteers at the Randy Sams homeless shelter in downtown Texarkana.

“I love that I am given the opportunity to branch out and serve in the community,” she said. “There are days when I really feel called to do this work and then some days it feels overwhelming, like something out of reach. That is why I am glad that SAU provides so many options for me to consider in building my future.”

SAU Graduate Reggie Porchia

Yes, Reggie Porchia graduated with a flawless 4.0 from Southern Arkansas University’s Master of Business Administration program, but he credits acquiring his good job so quickly to SAU College of Business’ reputation and accreditation.

“My employer basically told me that my educational background and the fact that SAU is an accredited institution gave me the qualifications that were necessary to obtain not just a job, but a lifelong career in one of the most important government agencies,” said Porchia. SAU’s College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, the world’s premier accrediting agency for schools of business. Having the AACSB seal of approval means SAU is among the top 10 percent of business colleges in the world.

“That is really a mark of excellence,” said Dr. Lisa Toms, dean of the College of Business.

Porchia certainly left his mark at SAU. Tim Wise, professor of management and marketing, had nothing but shining things to say about his proud alum.

“He was always quiet, immaculately dressed, and unfailingly polite,” said Wise. “He served on a number of our committees, including some of the ones that helped shape the MBA. He’s an excellent example to young African-American men and to students in general, and we’re proud to have him representing the SAU College of Business.”

Porchia spent his undergraduate years at SAU as well, obtaining a bachelor of business administration degree in 2008 before going on to get his MBA in 2010. He was involved on campus as a President’s Ambassador and a member of the Lambda Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Beta Gamma Sigma.

“I initially chose SAU because it was close to the town I grew up in. I wanted to get a great education and be close to my family,” Porchia said. “Family is really important to me.”

In fact, one thing that most SAU alum recall is the family-like atmosphere you feel when you are a Mulerider.

“At SAU, not only is the education top-quality, it’s also personal,” Toms said. “We focus on that personal environment not only in the classroom, but also in our online classes.”

To maintain AACSB accreditation, the College of Business must go through maintenance visits every five years. During this time, the accreditation team looks to ensure the SAU College of Business is meeting the 18 standards required for AACSB accreditation.

Among the 18 standards, the SAU College of Business must continually work to improve quality, ensure faculty members are qualified and stay current on research in their fields of study, and assess student learning to be sure they are learning what is being taught.

Choosing to attend an AASCB accredited business school assures the student that they are receiving a top-quality education, Toms said.