“Dubai is one of the only thriving metropolitan areas in the Middle East, especially for global tourism and real estate investment,” says Jim Kindley, director of the MBA program. ”The learning opportunity will be substantial as our students meet with executives of international firms and organizations, and work on assignments related to the region. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we’re looking forward to it.”

Previous MBA classes have gone to Vietnam and China and as a result of connections made during the trips, several graduates have secured jobs. Watch a video from the Class of 2011 trip to China.

In advance of the trip, students read Don’t They Know It’s Friday? Cross-Cultural Considerations for Business and Life in the Gulf by Jeremy Williams. In addition, they attended two cultural sensitivity sessions focused on business etiquette in UAE and cultural differences (particularly as a Muslim country and its Bedouin civilization).

While in Dubai, the 30 students will gain insight into doing business in Dubai through visits with nearly a dozen companies including the American Consulate, the Dubai International Financial Center, the Dubai Mall, Department of Marketing and Tourism, and Gulf Capital. They’ll experience the culture through visits to mosques, the desert, and dinner in the Heritage Village.

When the students return from Dubai on June 27, they will finish the one-year MBA program with a capstone course. A closing celebration will be held in Randolph Hall on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 4 p.m. with the candidates, families, faculty, Board of Governors, and campus executive leaders.

The next MBA program will begin in July. Applications for the 2014-15 class will be accepted starting in October 2013.

More information: http://www.mbacharleston.com

2013 Enactus Team

“This is a tribute to the hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of our School of Business students,” says Dr. David Desplaces, management professor and team adviser. “We couldn’t have done it without the professors who have taught, worked with, and mentored these team members over the last several years.

To be named one of the top teams in the nation, the business students compete in a bracket-style tournament, delivering a presentation of their projects to a panel of CEOs and executives. The College of Charleston Enactus team presented results from their Kick it Forward and Lemon-Aid Stand projects. Kick-it Forward empowered 1,625 elementary students in Cameroon, Africa, by providing necessary school supplies to stay in school, as well as giving hygiene lessons to curb the cholera outbreak. The Lemon-Aid Stand taught 45 elementary students banking, hygiene, and entrepreneurship skills, while raising $562 for local non-profits.

The team earned third place in the ocean sustainability category for their Oyster Shell Recycling program, in which they educated more than 3,000 people on the importance of recycling oysters, prepared 5,000 bags of recycled oysters for reinvestment into waterways, and constructed a three million gallon-a-day filtration capacity reef to fight water pollution.

Participating students include: Holly Davis, Sean Hooper, Stephanie Schnabel, Nicole Watches, Kesha Rainey, Peyton McGuire, and Alex Pappas with the support of Sarah Cielinski and Allison Woodruff.

The students are already planning for next year on each project. With Kick it Forward, the team hopes to partner with the American Embassy in Cameroon on developmental projects. The next step for the Lemon-Aid Stand is to partner with YESCarolina to extend programs to middle schools in the Charleston area. And, plans are being made to partner with the Open Land Trust to promote recycling and education through environmental sustainability.

For more information, contact David Desplaces at desplacesd@cofc.edu or 843.566.5640.

Real estate students will be able to complete sensitivity analysis when calculating the value of a property with many leases or a project that is under development over an extended period of time.   In addition, students will develop their skills in simulated situations to determine how much cash flow a building will generate or to manipulate variables to see how those changes will affect the value of the investment.

“The ARGUS software platform is a valuable asset in making our students competitive in the commercial real estate job market.  Our students will be better equipped in and out of the classroom with relevant skills that are needed for internships and post-graduation opportunities,” says Alan T. Shao, Dean of the School of Business.  “We are extremely grateful to the ARGUS Software company for making it possible.”

Director of the Carter Real Estate Center, professor of real estate in the School of Business.

Elaine Worzala, director of the Carter Real Estate Center and professor of real estate, facilitated the software gift with ARGUS and will begin using the software with her students in the fall 2013 courses.

“Most major real estate companies, financial institutions, appraisers, investors, developers, and contractors that use institutional capital apply this software when analyzing investment opportunities,” says Worzala.  “These skills will be incorporated into our undergraduate real estate curriculum to better prepare our students for their careers.”

The two software packages include ARGUS Valuation DCF and ARGUS Developer. Valuation DCF is designed for the valuation and management of existing properties, while Developer is intended for large-scale development projects that may take years to complete such as shopping centers, office buildings, industrial buildings, apartments, hotels, resorts and mixed-use developments.

In addition to the ARGUS software, students will have the opportunity to compete each spring semester in the ARGUS case competition against other universities across the country.

For more information about the Carter Real Estate Center or the real estate academic program, contact Elaine Worzala, director of the Carter Real Estate Center, at worzalae@cofc.edu or 843.953.8121.

About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers seven undergraduate majors and several interdisciplinary concentrations, an honors program in business, an M.S. in Accountancy and an MBA.  Approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil. The faculty has research expertise in areas such as global logistics, hospitality and tourism, political economics, financial investment, bankruptcy, business intelligence, real estate, and sustainable business practices. Visit http://sb.cofc.edu/to learn more about our students’ achievements, undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty and Centers of Excellence.

About the Carter Real Estate Center
The Carter Real Estate Center (CREC) facilitates the teaching, research, and industry service by bringing together students, faculty and business community executives to better understand the complexities of commercial real estate assets and the changing dynamics within the industry today and to help prepare students for post-graduate job placements. The CREC was established and is supported with a generous gift from Ben Carter of Ben Carter Enterprises (Atlanta, GA), the Carter family, and other friends of the Center.  Visit http://sb.cofc.edu/centers/carter/ for more information.

The $250K endowed award is made possible by philanthropic gifts from Anita Zucker, chairperson and CEO of the InterTech Group, and Justin R. McLain ‘98, executive chairman of Endeavor and managing member at Duart Mull.  Both Zucker and McLain are members of the School of Business Board of Governors. 

“I am so fortunate to have known and worked with Howard for over 20 years.  Though he is retiring from the College, he will be a lasting icon for the business school and in the Charleston community,” says Zucker.  “I wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.  Though, knowing Howard, he will stay very intellectually engaged and connected.”  

Award Structure and Selection
Investing in business faculty is a high priority for Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business. The endowed Howard F. Rudd, Jr., Distinguished Faculty Award will annually recognize one business professor by providing each recipient with $10,000 of funding for use in research, curriculum and program enhancements, or professional development.  A special committee will be appointed to select each year’s recipient.  Minimum requirements for consideration are that each candidate must “exceed expectations” in all applicable annual review categories.

“I’ve seen first-hand the extent to which Howard goes beyond the status quo to maximize exposure and opportunities for his students to achieve great things after graduation,” says McLain.  “In the same spirit, Anita and I want to help reward those professors who go beyond the school’s already high standards to really advance the knowledge, experiences, and talent of the students.”

“I am extremely grateful to Anita and Justin for their leadership in stepping forward to make this award a reality.  Our faculty and students will benefit greatly from their generosity,” says Shao.   

For nearly three decades, Rudd’s iconic leadership has left a lasting footprint in the 242-year history of the College of Charleston, most notably as the founding dean of the School of Business and Economics in 1986. His commitment to service and excellence in teaching has inspired thousands of College of Charleston students who evolved in his leadership, management, and business policy courses into becoming proud alumni and productive, prosperous leaders in companies and organizations worldwide. 

About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers seven undergraduate majors, several interdisciplinary concentrations, an honors program in business, an M.S. in accountancy and an MBA.  Approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil. The faculty has research expertise in areas such as global logistics, hospitality and tourism, political economics, financial investment, bankruptcy, business intelligence, real estate, and sustainable business practices. Visit http://sb.cofc.edu/to learn more about our students’ achievements, undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty, and Centers of Excellence.

Dr. Howard F. Rudd, Jr., professor of management and dean emeritus, School of Business

After 29 years of service to his students, alumni, fellow faculty, and the College of Charleston community, Howard F. Rudd, Dean Emeritus and professor of management and leadership, is set to hold his final class lecture today.  The School of Business is hosting the “Last Lecture” special event to mark Rudd’s retirement celebration in Wells Fargo Auditorium at 10:50 a.m. during his regularly scheduled class.  His final lecture will be standing-room-only and feature distinguished guest lecturers including George Spaulding, the Honorable Alex Sanders, Tommy Baker, and Anita Zucker who will reflect on the leadership style and legacy of Rudd over the past three decades.  

The “Last Lecture” agenda is consistent with Rudd’s hallmark class syllabus where prominent CEOs, presidents, and other executives take the podium and share their experiences and different leadership styles with the students.

“All of us graduates owe Howard some appreciation for all that he helped to accomplish at our business school,” says Scott Cracraft, 1983 business alumnus, managing director, Lynch Cracraft Wealth Management/Raymond James & Associates, Inc., and member of the School of Business Board of Governors.  “This occasion rightly celebrates someone whom many of us have come to love well beyond the classroom.”

Rudd began teaching at the College of Charleston in 1984 when the business department consisted of business and economics majors with 21 faculty members spread across campus and one administrative assistant to keep pace with his energetic initiatives.  He was instrumental in developing the School of Business and Economics (first established school at the College) with College President Harry Lightsey.  In 1986, he was named the first Dean of the business school, and remained at the helm until 1997 when he returned to the faculty as Dean Emeritus.

Later, Rudd focused his energies in the classroom, particularly in his leadership and management courses, and on scholarly research.  During his tenure the School substantially grew, received its first AACSB accreditation in 1988, and established the Board of Governors advisory group. 

A reception in Tate 202 will follow Rudd’s final lecture with family members, close friends and colleagues, current students, and members of the Board of Governors.

The Board of Governors plays a vital role in advising Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business, and serving its needs by contributing business community insights, resources, and strategic vision for the School of Business. The new members include:

• Gary DiCamillo, managing partner, Eaglepoint Advisors.  DiCamillo was past chairman and CEO of Polaroid and other companies, and past president of Black & Decker.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Whirlpool Corporation and is a trustee at Babson College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
• Stephen Kerrigan, private investor and consultant.  He is the former chair and CEO of Coinmach Service Corporation.  He is also a member of the College of Charleston Foundation Board.
• Chris Price, founding principal and broker-in-charge for PrimeSouth Group.  Price, a 1991 College of Charleston business alumnus, is actively involved in Upper King St. renovations through the City of Charleston’s Revitalization Commission.
• Ken Seeger, senior vice president and president, MeadWestvaco (MWV) Community Development and Land Management Group.  Seeger has more than 30 years of real estate experience including his role at MWV.  He was also founder and president of the Presidio Group (San Francisco).
• Marco Wirtz, president and CEO, Daimler Vans Manufacturing in Ladson. Wirtz has been with Mercedes Benz since 1998.
• Jonathan Zucker, president, The Intertech Group.  Zucker is also founder and chairman of the South Carolina-Israel Collaboration.

“These business leaders are an impressive slate of new additions to our Board,” says Charles Buddy Darby, CEO of Kiawah Development Partners and chair of the School of Business Board of Governors.  “Their combined experiences will bring creative perspectives to the Board and dynamic opportunities for the business students.  I look forward to working with them to help meet the interests of the business school.”

Go to the Board of Governors website for a complete list of its 52 members including the executive committee.  The Board’s Nominating & Governance Committee upholds a nominating, review, and voting process according to its by-laws for all new members.

About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers seven undergraduate majors, several interdisciplinary concentrations, an honors program in business, an M.S. in Accountancy and an MBA.  Approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil.  The faculty has research expertise in areas such as global logistics, hospitality and tourism, political economics, financial investment, bankruptcy, business intelligence, real estate, and sustainable business practices. Visit http://sb.cofc.edu/to learn more about our students’ achievements, undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty and Centers of Excellence.

James Stanton, business administration/finance major, met with a member of the Caja Ruralas (bank) at his home in Pajarillos, to evaluate household income and evaluate income opportunities for the family.

Twenty students from the College of Charleston traveled to a mountain village in Honduras for a third consecutive year to make the most out of their spring break.  The ongoing relationship with local communities in Honduras provides students with service learning experiences with payback well beyond the economic opportunities that are created for the local communities.

This year’s week-long service learning trip was to the mountain village of Pajarillos.  Business students met with local households and the community leaders to help determine small enterprises that would be sustainable based on the skills and needs of the community.  During their time in Pajarillos, the students helped to fund a bakery, two corn silos to store and sell corn at market peaks, and two school community vegetable gardens to improve nutrition and teach children how to grow alternative crops. 

Lance Maynard, an economics major, works with Alex Moncada, the program coordinator for Global Brigades, as they interview a family regarding household income and business opportunities.

Global Brigades, an organization that helps to organize service-learning experiences around the world, has worked closely with the School of Business over the past three years to develop long-term, impactful business and capital improvement ventures in the regions visited by the students.  Elise Lasko, a 2011 School of Business alumnus, was recruited by Global Brigades as a program coordinator in Honduras.  Now, she and other Global Brigades employees will train the villagers, and build and begin to operate the bakery business with them.

“While these may seem like simple business ventures and capital improvements for U.S. standards, they are significant investments that will have long-term income opportunities for the locals who now own them,” says Rene Mueller, associate dean of undergraduate programs and director of the Global Business Resource Center.  “It’s such a meaningful learning experience for our students to apply basic business principals and then see huge returns for the Hondurans.” 

During their spring break, students also taught basic finance courses to women and paid for 10 memberships at the Caja Ruralas (bank). 

Honduran boy wears Town of Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department camp shirt.

Numerous Mt. Pleasant organizations and businesses contributed donations for the students and staff advisors to deliver to the Honduran villages.  A sincere thank you goes to the Town of Mount Pleasant Recreation Department for its donation of 400 camp and sports team t-shirts, Dr. Cynthia Garner for her contribution of 150 toothbrushes, the Residence Inn by Marriott (IOP Connector) for large boxes of toiletries, and several pairs of reading glasses courtesy of Harbor Specialties of Mt. Pleasant.  Children’s toys and adult shirts were also donated by the Town of Mount Pleasant Office of Community Development & Tourism.

Contact Rene Mueller at muellerr@cofc.edu or 843.953.5394 for more information on service learning projects at the College of Charleston School of Business. 

About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers seven undergraduate programs, an honors program, an M.S. in Accountancy and an MBA.  Approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil. The faculty has research expertise in areas such as international trade, hospitality and tourism, political economics, financial investment, bankruptcy, business intelligence, and sustainable business practices. Visit sb.cofc.edu to learn more.

Director of the Initiative for Public Choice and Market Process, and associate professor of economics.

“Adam Smith is one of the most recognizable figures in economics, and his contributions to the fields of philosophy and economics are still relevant today,” says Pete Calcagno, Ph.D, associate professor of economics and director of the IPCMP.  “His concept of the invisible hand is considered the classic statement on laissez faire capitalism.” 

Week of Events
Monday, March 18, 2013
“Why Be an Economics Major?” Lunch with Don Boudreaux at 1 p.m. in room 301 of the Beatty Center (5 Liberty St.).

“The Economic Fate of America’s Middle Class” Presentation with Don Boudreaux in the Wells Fargo Auditorium of the Beatty Center.

Don Boudreaux writes a letter a day to the editors of major American publications, often in response to an absurdity or out-of-context factoid presented by a columnist or politician. His recent book, Hypocrites & Half-Wits is a witty, entertaining collection of his best letters that address the shaky facts, faulty reasoning, and intellectual dishonesty that threaten a free society. Now a professor of economics at George Mason University, he obtained a Ph.D in economics from Auburn University and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He has lectured in America, Latin America, and Europe on topics ranging from antitrust law to international trade.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
“Why Study Economics?” Lunch with David Scmidtz at 1 p.m. in room 202 of the Tate Cener (5 Liberty St.)

“Adam Smith on Freedom” presented by David Schmidtz at 3 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Auditorium of the Beatty Center. Sponsored by the Philosophy and Political Economy Club.

David Schmidtz is originally from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada. He earned his Ph.D at the University of Arizona, and continues to teach and write there. He is the author of many books, including Elements of Justice (2006), and The Limits of Government: An Essay on the Public Goods Argument (1991), which combine his interest in philosophy and economic analysis. He has also published in many journals. His writings also focus on rational choice theory and environmental ethics. Schmidtz is the founding director of the Freedom Center at the University of Arizona, and editor of the Cambridge Press journal ‘Social Philosophy and Policy.’ 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
“Why Didn’t Adam Smith Do Anything About It?” will be presented by Isaac Morehouse at 1 p.m. in room 301 of the Beatty Center.

“Real Estate Valuation: An International Perspective” will be presented by Nick French at 7 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Auditorium of the Beatty Center. This event is part of the Carter Real Estate Center Speaker Series.

Nick French is a professor of real estate and the program director of the MSc Real Estate programs at Oxford Brookes University in the UK. He is a recognized expert in the area of property appraisal and valuation, and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has recently been appointed to the Professional Board of the International Valuation Standards Council (IVCS). He is also a member of the Appraisal Institute, CoreNet, ERES, AREUEA and ARES. French serves as the editor of the Journal of Property Investment & Finance, and writes regularly for The Estates Gazette, The European Journal of Real Estate Research, The Journal of Corporate Real Estate and other professional and academic journals.

Thursday, March 21, 2013
A Panel on Foreign Aid and Economic Development will be held in room 202 of the Tate Center at 12:15 p.m.

“Which Institutions When: Economic Freedom and Comparative Development” will be presented by Josh Hall in the Wells Fargo Auditorium in the Beatty Center.

Josh Hall is an assistant professor of economics at Beloit College in Wisconsin who formerly worked as an economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. He is also a co-author of the widely-known Economic Freedom of the World reports. He also penned over 100 articles in journals, book chapters, and academic book reviews across America. He is the director of the Charles G. Koch Student Research Colloquium and Speaker Series. Hall’s area of research is in applied microeconomics, including urban economics, public finance, and the economics of education.

Friday, March 22, 2013
“Why Graduate School?” Lunch with Josh Hall will be held at 11 a.m.in room 212 of the Beatty Center.

The weeklong event has a series of educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community to engage in discussion on Adam Smith and his economic philosophies.  See Adam Smith Week Schedule of Events.

The fifth annual Adam Smith Week is sponsored by the Initiative for Public Choice and Market Process (IPCMP) that was founded in 2008 with a generous gift from the BB&T Charitable Foundation and the Charles G. Koch Foundation. 

About the Initiative for Public Choice & Market Process
Founded in the fall of 2008, the Initiative for Public Choice & Market Process advances the understanding of the economic, political and moral foundations of a free market economy.  The Initiative for Public Choice & Market Process supports the growth and development of teaching and research at the College of Charleston School of Business while engaging students and the Charleston business community. Visit sb.cofc.edu/pcmp to learn more.

About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers seven undergraduate programs, a master’s in accountancy and an honors program.  Approximately 1680 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil. The faculty has research expertise in areas such as financial investment, bankruptcy, global logistics, political economics, business intelligence, hospitality and tourism and sustainable business practices. Visit sb.cofc.edu to learn more.

“Ann Coulter was ‘trolling’ us pretty hard – she was clearly trying to elicit a response from the crowd and she got what she was looking for,” explains Thomas, a political science major from Gainesville, Fla. “I didn’t agree with what she was saying, but I liked her style and knew I wanted to get in on the action.”

Thomas, a Libertarian, asked how Coulter felt about marriage as a private institution and wondered why government needs to be involved in marriage. Thomas attributes some of his debate skills to the political science department that provides a vibrant atmosphere for debate and intellectual discourse. “I love discussion-based learning and debate, which we do a lot of in my political science classes, so this was right up my alley.”

Thomas also says that his parents have been supportive of his activities and says, “My parents watched it and while they didn’t agree with what I said, they thought I was well-spoken.”

Thomas attended the conference with about a dozen other members of the College of Charleston chapter of Young Americans for Liberty, a student run organization with the goal to actively promote the ideas of individual liberty, free markets and limited government. The trip was sponsored by the Initiative for Public Choice & Market Process and the School of Business.

“We are a group of students who are interested in the current events of today and how they will impact our lives in the future,” explains Will Joyce, an economics major and president of the chapter. “Some of our activism events this semester will be a Freedom of Speech Wall, a Free Markets 101 event, and an event focusing on the past decade of war. I’d like to see the College have a stronger political activism presence on campus, and I would like to increase awareness among my peers of the issues students will be facing after they graduate.” 

Director of the Initiative for Public Choice and Market Process, and associate professor of economics.

The Initiative for Public Choice & Market Process (IPCMP) helped to fund the trip because the issues that are discussed at the conference align with the program’s mission, which is to explain and discuss the economic, political and moral foundation of a free society.

“It is so important for students to understand the issues of economics and politics on a deeper level and truly understand how free markets function, why they work, and where they fall short,” says Peter Calcagno, and economics professor and director of the IPCMP. “They also need to understand how government functions at an institutional level, why we get the polices that we do, and that government solutions also fail, or have unintended consequences.”

Their visit to campus is part of a four-day annual meeting with the International Asset Management Council (IAMC) being held in Charleston on March 18 – March 21.

Dr. Rene Mueller, associate dean of undergraduate programs and director of the Global Business Resource Center.

“The impressive group of corporate panelists is giving our students the opportunity to ask questions that specifically relate to their career interests and skills needed to attain jobs in international trade, supply chain management, and corporate real estate,” says Rene Mueller, director of the Global Business Resource Center, associate dean of undergraduate students, and professor of international business. “Our students are so fortunate to have direct and personal contact with major corporate executives like these who really help to prepare students for future job interviews.”

The participating executives include:

• George A. Manos – IAMC chair and president, U. S. Steel Real Estate, U. S. Steel
• Roger Nesti – international real estate executive, the Kellogg Company
• Kevin Dollhopf – vice president of workplace solutions, Hanesbrands, Inc.
• Samantha Turner – senior real estate manager  Weyerhaeuser Company
• Mert Livingstone – vice president, workplace solutions,  Johnson & Johnson
• Jennifer Hatton – principal, IA Interior Architects

About the Global Business Resource Center
The Global Business Resource Center (CGBP) in the College of Charleston School of Business develops international trade education opportunities for undergraduate business students and professionals in the Charleston business community in order to build the necessary international business skills needed to effectively compete in today’s global economy.  The GBRC is the only university in South Carolina to offer training courses for the Certified Global Business Professional^TM (CGBP^TM) exam, the first nationally accepted, international trade credential program. Visit the Global Business Resource Center website for more information.

 About the Carter Real Estate Center
The Carter Real Estate Center (CREC) provides support for the commercial real estate program in the School of Business.  The Center works closely with contacts in the commercial real estate industry to provide learning opportunities for real estate students.  These opportunities include internships, an industry speaker series, local and out-of-state site visits, and support for student participation in commercial real estate professional organizations. Visit the Carter Real Estate Center website for more information.