Welcome...

Dr. Larry Shirland as Interim Dean of the School of Business Administration.  He will be replacing Dr. Rocki-Lee DeWitt who has decided to return to teaching and research after serving as our dean for seven and a half years.  Please also welcome Dr. Richard Vanden Bergh who has agreed to serve as Associate Dean for Undergraduate programs.

Go to http://www.uvm.edu/~presdent/?Page=speech_articles_interviews/reporttoboardmay_09.html for more information.

Top 15 in Operations in April 2009 Entrepreneur Magazine
According to a survey published in the April 2009 edition of Entrepreneur magazine, the master of business administration (MBA) program at The University of Vermont's School of Business Administration is one of the nation's best when it comes to preparing students to succeed in Operations Management. This isn't the first time the School has been ranked: the Princeton Review ranked us as number 6 for opportunities for women in 2008 and we ranked 78th among The Aspen Institute's "Global Top 100 Schools" in 2007-2008.  http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/theview/article.php?print=true&id=2540

Utility Damage Prevention
MBA Students Report Research Findings on Utility Damage Prevention
May 11, 2009

Three MBA students have spent the greater part of a year studying Vermont's Underground Utility Damage Prevention System once they became "experts" after successfully writing a grant proposal.  "It's a great example of how UVM can be effective in the community," said Shirland. "These students gained valuable experience and helped the state and other organizations at the same time." In addition to gaining valuable market research skills, grant management, and survey data collection, Shanley said they learned how to deal with "passionate opinions on both sides of the issue."  More at http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/?Page=News&storyID=14288.

Marketing Club Looks Ahead to 2009-2010
In February, a record of 20 members participated in the annual networking trip to NYC where they visited NASDAQ, Polo Ralph Lauren, News America Marketing, Wieden+Kennedy, Peppercom and NY & Company. Overall, the trip was a tremendous success and, along with positive feedback, students got many tips in career and job search, internships and resumes.

Entrepreneurship Club Hosts...

... the inaugural business plan competition, which is taking place throughout the month of April, and concluding on the first weekend in May.  Student team submissions are due April 17, 2009 and will be evaluated and selected for the second round by a group of faculty and business leaders.  The second round of the competition consisting of teams pitching their plans to a panel will take place on Saturday, May 2nd.  For more details, contact Matthew Ackley or Scott Bailey at Mackley@uvm.edu or Sbailey@uvm.edu.