Simon School Communications Blog

Simon Launches Free iPod Touch/iPhone App

With the assistance of Simon alumnus Sean Flaherty and his firm ITX Corporation, the School now has its own iPhone/iPod Touch application! Available for free at Apple's iTunes store, the Simon app contains the latest news, events, and information on the School. A second phase of the app is already in development and will be released in late August.

“This new iTunes presence including audio, video and images will allow busy working professionals to immediately access news and information about the Simon School anywhere around the globe, right at their fingertips,” says Dean Mark Zupan. “Since Simon is the most international of all the top business schools, with students from all over the world, this global access is crucial.”

To access the free app through iTunes on a PC or Mac, visit http://bit.ly/qmp8c. iPhone or iPod Touch users can install the application on their device by visiting the App Store and conducting a search, keyword “SimonSchool.”

Susan B. Anthony Promise Award Presented to Lynne Sullivan '91

In a ceremony during the annual Wegmans LPGA golf tournament, the Susan B. Anthony Promise Award was proudly presented to Lynne Sullivan '91. Sullivan is the CFO and Executive Vice President of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired - Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester. 

The award recognizes a Simon alumna who demonstrates the promise of women's equality in society, politics, and economics. Sullivan's energy and leadership has led ABVI-Goodwill's recent market expansion in the Rochester area. Her duties include management of the finance, information technology, and facility operations of the organization. In addition, Sullivan has been a key player in shaping the company's focus on environmentally sustainable growth.

The Promise Award was established by the University of Rochester’s Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership and the Simon Graduate School of Business in 2006 to help commemorate Susan B. Anthony’s life and vision. This year's event was co-sponsored by the Anthony Center for Women's Leadership and the Wegmans LPGA.

Dennis Kessler Awarded the Ackley Executive Professorship

Through the generosity of an esteemed alumnus, Simon was proud to recognize a new professorship this summer. On June 22, in a ceremony held at the Genesee Valley Club, Dennis Kessler was installed as the Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship.

Professor Kessler is co-owner of Kessler Restaurants L.L.C., a Rochester, N.Y.-based owner and operator of 21 Burger King and 41 Friendly's restaurants. With his expertise in entrepreneurship, Kessler is actively involved with the University of Rochester's Center for Entrepreneurship. Kessler has also been the driving force behind the http://www.web@simon.com, a fact-filled forum of information delivered by leading Western New York female entrepreneurs.

Edward J. Ackley, B.S. '53, M.S. '64 and Agnes V. Ackley, B.S. '54 are longtime benefactors of the Simon School. Mr. Ackley is former owner and president of The Filter Store in Mendon, N.Y. and a former C.E.O. of Consler Corporation, which he built in a multi-million dollar company before selling it to Graver Technologies. He was recently honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award at Simon's Commencement 2009.

 

(Pictured above from left: Simon School Dean Mark Zupan, Edward J. Ackley, Agnes V. Ackley, Dennis Kessler and University of Rochester President Joel Seligman)

Professor George Cook Featured on D&C Podcast: Hybrid Automobiles

Simon School Executive Professor of Marketing George Cook recently was featured on a podcast that focused on the marketing of hybrid automobiles. Hosted by Sean Dobbin of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, the podcast highlights how hybrid cars (like the Toyota Prius) are progressing through the product life-cycle.

Cook speaks to the challenges facing the industry and clarifies some public misconceptions. Is the hybrid's success dependent on ever-rising gas prices? Will future energy legislation help speed the move away from gas-powered autos?

To hear the podcast in its entirety (19 minutes), access Episode 21 from this link:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=PODCAST09

Simon Announces Partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow

To further promote diversity among the student body, the Simon School has announced a strategic partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), a national nonprofit that develops African-American, Hispanic-American and Native American young people for leadership positions. The goal of MLT is to smooth the transition from early career to an MBA and from an MBA to executive leadership.

“We are pleased to partner with MLT to attract more diverse MBA candidates to the Simon School,” says Dean Mark Zupan. “A diverse student body reflects the global business environment and enriches the experience for all,” says Dean Mark Zupan.

Currently, Simon is one of the most globally diverse business schools.  At Simon, 26 percent of U.S. students are under-represented minorities. According to a joint study by MLT and Boston Consulting Group, minorities comprise only 16 percent of graduates from the top 100 colleges and 8 percent of all students at the top 30 M.B.A. programs (versus 12-13 percent at top law and medical schools).

Simon School Celebrates Commencement 2009

On June 14, 2009, the Simon School gathered to proudly celebrate its alumni, faculty and degree candidates at Commencement. Held at the Eastman Theatre in downtown Rochester, the ceremony featured insightful addresses, well-deserved awards, and the graduation of 408 students.

   

Edmund Hajim B.S. '58, chairman and CEO of MLH Capital LLC, delivered the Commencement address and was honored with the David T. Kearns Medal of Distinction. Hajim, also chairman of the University Board of Trustees, has been a longtime supporter of the Simon School and recently gave a transformational gift of $30 million to the University of Rochester. 

The School also recognized longtime supporter Edward Ackley B.S. '53, M.S. '64 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Ackley's recent donation to the School established the Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professorship in Entrepreneurship. The position is currently held by Professor Dennis Kessler.

Before distributing degrees, students awards were announced for exemplary performance. Five students were specifically honored for excellence in academic achievement:

• John M. Brophy Award (part-time MBA): awarded to Jay Rajda
• Karl Brunner Award (non-US student, full-time MBA): awarded to Juanjuan Qin
• Philip T. Meyers Scholarship Award (US student, full-time MBA): awarded to Brian Mirochnik, Lisa Teitelbaum
• Hugh H. Whitney Award (executive MBA): awarded to Jiye Shi 

Three Longtime Faculty Members Awarded Professorship Appointments

(Pictured from left: Simon Professors Greg Shaffer and John B. Long Jr.; University of Rochester President Joel Seligman; Simon Professor Ronald W. Hansen; J. Peter Simon, son of the School's late benefactor, William E. Simon and chair of the Simon School Executive Advisory Committee; and Dean Mark Zupan.)

The Simon Graduate School of Business is proud to announce that three longtime professors have been appointed to chaired professorships. "These three members collectively have given over 90 years of service and dedication to the Simon School and have significantly contributed to its international success and prominence," says Dean Mark Zupan. 'We deeply appreciate their long-term investment in the future of this great business school and are pleased to honor their positive impact through these distinguished professorships."

Ronald W. Hansen has been named the William H. Meckling Professor of Business Administration. He will also become the senior associate dean of program development as of July 1, 2009.

John B.Long Jr. is now the Frontier Communications/Rochester Telephone Professor of Business Administration.

Greg Shaffer is now the Frontier Communications/Rochester Telephone Professor of Business Administration.

 

For further information: Press Release

The Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall

Our last seminar day in China was spent at two magnificent locations, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall!

We visited the Temple of Heaven, visited by emperors for centuries. We witnessed many retired Chinese citizens doing their daily exercise.

After the visit, we traveled about 1 1/2 hours outide of Beijing to a remote location to have lunch at the Schoolhouse (a renovated Chinese schoolhouse) where we had a wonderful buffet. The owner is an American and his wife. He briefly visited each table and described his life and his entrepreneurial ventures in China over the past 25 years.

Later, we climbed the Great Wall. It was hard work, but an experience not to be forgotten.

Tomorrow, we leave Beijing for Rochester. The entire trip has been an educational experience from beginning to end. Professor Matteson has led us on a global and enlightening experience for all.

Beijing and the Forbidden City

On Sunday March 29, we visited Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. It is a fascinating, mile long gated residence of the emperors, their families and their concubines.

Much of the city remains as it did hundreds of years ago. It was quite cold there, some snow falling as we moved through many of the residences.

We lunched at Wahaha restaurant, owned by the beverage company, and then proceeded to rickshaws that took us on the old city streets, called hutongs. There, we visited a family home and saw how so many Chinese live. This area is in sharp contrast to the city itself which has been updated for the Olympics.

Ironically, we ran into some University of Rochester undergrad students, who saw the Simon logo on our sign. We invited them to attend the alumni event this evening at the Hard Rock Cafe in Beijing.

Tomorrow, we go to the Great Wall....and the Temple of Heaven.

Beijing and the High Speed Train

On Saturday, March 28, we traveled from Shanghai to Beijing. In order to get to the airport, we went on the MagLev (Magnetic Levitation Train), traveling 301 km, or close to 180 miles per hour.

Then a short flight to Beijing. After arriving to a very welcoming reception at the hotel, and our new guide, Henry, we enjoyed a traditional Peking Duck dinner complete with an entertaining group of dancers.

Tomorrow, we explore Beijing, I can already tell this city is quite different in tone and style than Shanghai.

Final Seminar Day in Shanghai

Friday was our last seminar day in Shanghai. We had a speaker in the morning, Dr. Frank Peng, professor of economics and finance at TongJi Univeristy. Dr. Peng also works with the World Bank and consults the Chinese government on a variety of subjects. He worked on bringing the World Expo to Shanghai in 2010.

Dr. Peng reiiterated China's strengths for us and talked about how China is planning on dealing with the world financial crisis. He believes that we will see an upturn in the economy by the end of 2009 and into 2010. He is optimistic about the future and how China will fare.

During the afternooon we had an interesting panel of speakers, who were able to give a variety of views of China from their perspective.

Jay Chen '99 owns retail drugstores in China, he talked about dealing with the government in managing his growth. Diana Smith Walsh '96 talked about being an expatriate, along with her husband, and how her life has changed in this process. Diana spends much of her time now as a social entrepreneur, living on two continents. Emily Carder works for I.B.M. and has spent the last two years in Shanghai. She discussed being a female executive and working mom and how she gains respect from her employees. Liang Heng '06 talked about her experiences moving back to China after working in the U.S. for a number of years.

In the evening, we had a nice reception and then rounded out the day with a special dinner at Kathleen's 5, on top of the Shanghai Art Museum. The resturant is surrounded by glass on all sides. Professor Matteson toasted to a successful trip and all of the interesting things we have learned. It has truly been an incredible experience.

Tomorrow, we head to Beijing. Thanks to Erik from Far East Expeditions for sharing his city with us.