.: Ocean Bank presents College with $1 million gift.

  Joyce Elam, executive dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA) and José de la Torre, dean of the CBA's Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business, accepted a $1 million gift from Ocean Bank at a reception held Thursday, January 15, at the University House, home to FIU's President Modesto A. Maidique. The contribution, which will be used to build the auditorium in the CBA's new business building complex, is the largest single donation to date made by Ocean Bank and reinforces its commitment to supporting education within the local community.

  Ocean Bank executives, including President and CEO Jose Concepción and Director and Executive Vice President Rolando Bichara, along with 50 of the bank's FIU alumni, presented the gift.

  "We are delighted to present this gift to the College of Business Administration, since Ocean Bank is a true hometown bank and FIU serves our hometown in so many important ways," said Concepción. "For more than 21 years, Ocean Bank has embraced education as one of the most important causes in this community, and we are delighted to forge this public-private partnership that will make an impact on the education of generations to come."

  According to Elam, as a result of dwindling public funding and the ever-growing population it serves, the CBA relies increasingly on corporate gifts to make expansion and development possible.

  To view some clips of media coverage of the event, click here.

.: Joint degree programs bring more options to graduate students.

  This Spring semester marked the launch of a new joint degree program leading to both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Finance (MSF). The program enables students to obtain both degrees in significantly less time than it would take them if they pursued the degrees consecutively. The joint program would require a total of 73 credit-hours to complete, while taking the two programs separately would require a combined total of 88 credit-hours. MBA students who have taken nine credits of courses in the MSF program can obtain their MSF degree with an additional 18 credits, while an MSF student who has taken six credits of MBA core finance courses can obtain an MBA degree with only 40 credits.

  In place as well is a joint MBA/MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (MALACS) degree program which enables students to earn both degrees simultaneously in less time than if they pursued the degrees separately. A similar joint degree program leading to both an MBA and a Master of Science in Information Systems (MSMIS) is scheduled to launch this coming Fall. Other such programs are in the planning stages.

  For more information about joint degree programs, contact the Chapman Graduate Admission and Student Services office.

.: College welcomes new appointees.

Executive Professor in Management and International Business Edward W. Glab has joined the College after retiring from ExxonMobil, where he worked for more than 25 years. Formerly a member of the College's Dean's Council, Glab will be involved in a number of initiatives in the College. He has a background in international business, education, media, and government service. While at ExxonMobil, he held a variety of positions in public affairs, including political risk; government and community relations; new business development; media relations; corporate marketing and advertising, and emergency response, among others.
Also joining the College recently is Clinical Professor of Management and International Business Jerry Haar, formerly Director of the Inter-American Business and Labor Program at the North-South Center, University of Miami. He has held visiting appointments at Harvard, Stanford, and the American Enterprise Institute and was a research associate at Columbia University and a Fulbright Scholar at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Brazil.
Barry Johnson, development officer in University Advancement, will be working on the College's fund-raising efforts in the area of major gifts. He came to FIU from AT&T, where he was vice president for corporate affairs for the company's Florida operations, based in Miami. His AT&T career began with Southwestern Bell in Springfield, Missouri, and included assignments at Southwestern Bell's general headquarters in St. Louis, AT&T's regional headquarters in Atlanta, the company's Florida sales operations in Fort Lauderdale, and the company's corporate Florida headquarters in Miami.

IN THE COMMUNITY

  David Wernick, research director in the College's Knight Ridder Center, again presented the findings of his study on the impact of Homeland Security initiatives on South Florida's business community at a half-day conference at the Biltmore, co-presented by the College and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. The event provided a forum for representatives from business and government to discuss pending regulations, which are of serious concern to South Florida's businesses. Wernick also has briefed the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors and the International Board of Enterprise Florida about the findings of his research.

  At 1:00 p.m. on February 16, Richard Ives will interview Wernick and Executive Dean Joyce Elam, who conceptualized the study, on WLRN radio's "Topical Currents." Be sure to tune in. For previous coverage of the study, click here.

 

FOCUS ON ALUMNI

.: Business alumni in Jamaica launch College's first international chapter.

José de la Torre, dean of the Chapman Graduate School of Business, and Beverley Williamson (EMBA '03), president of the new Jamaica Business Alumni Chapter, unveil the Chapter's new banner in Kingston, Jamaica.

   Special guests who addressed the more than 100 alumni and friends at the January 24 launch of the College's Jamaica Business Alumni Chapter included Dr. The Hon. Donald Rhodd, Jamaica's Minister of State, Ministry of Education; José de la Torre, and Monique Catoggio (EMBA '03), director of alumni and partner relations for the College. Already, the new Jamaica Business Chapter has adopted the Homestead School for Boys in Kingston, plans to develop an advisory board comprised of alumni, and will partner with the Business Alumni Chapter in Miami to offer the first International Trip for College alumni.

.: College's leaders and Jorge Arrizurieta, Florida FTAA's COO, address alumni at the Chapter's Annual Meeting.

   Come to Chispa Restaurant & Bar in Coral Gables on Thursday, February 12th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., to celebrate Valentine's Day with other College alumni and friends and help the Chapter launch its 2004-2005 Board of Directors nominations process. Special thanks to Oleomed for sponsoring the hors d'oeuvres and to Chispa for the drink specials. Roses will be available for sale. To RSVP, visit the Chapter's Web site.