October 2004

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
It is easy to be overwhelmed during these early fall weeks. As you can perhaps recall from your own Atkinson experience, it seems that an endless line-up of assignments and responsibilities faces each of us throughout this season. An encouraging thought – we have a plan!

Yes, we have been working to refine our plans for the future of the Atkinson school, for the next few years. This began with a faculty offsite this August, and is taking place even while we work furiously to complete our AACSB accreditation maintenance report, get information about our school and students out to our Board of Trustees and other stakeholders, and prepare for upcoming meetings of our Advisory group and a visit from an Executive in Residence.

A beginning point of these plans is the improvement of our entering student profile. Did you know that our average GMAT for entering students is up from 540 to over 585 this year? Also our entering student credentials in terms of colleges and universities attended, and grade point averages, were up considerably over past years. In the future, we plan to continue to improve these figures even as we gradually increase our student population. We will begin to ramp up next fall, continuing to accept a few more students each year until we get our Full Time MBA student population stabilized at around 200 students.

We will continue to refine our new curriculum for the full time program, even as we develop other offerings for another target audience – the mid-career professional. We will try in the future to take account of the fact that management education is a continuing, life-long experience as we expand our “footprint” with other programs designed for these audiences. This month we will get our Advisory Board involved in thinking about how to do this in a quality way.

In the meantime, we appreciate your continued ideas and suggestions, as well as your support, in our efforts to live up to the aspiration stated in our mission: to be the best private MBA program in the Northwest! Thanks for reading.

- Jim Goodrich

FAMILY ADDITIONS
Jude Daniel Dobson was born to Shannon & DAN DOBSON (M’02) on August 27th, 2004. He weighed 8 lbs 13 oz and is the second son for the Dobsons. Dan, Shannon and big brother Blake are excited to welcome this new addition to their family!

KUDOS
Atkinson alum receives Alumni Citation
GRACE CRUNICAN (MBA’79) was honored with an Alumni Citation last Saturday evening, September 24th, at the Homecoming Celebration Dinner in the Cone Field House at Sparks Center. This is the first time an Atkinson alum has received this award at Willamette University. Grace has been engaged in transportation issues for nearly 25 years, holding leadership positions at every level of government and a non-profit organization. In 1996, Grace was named Director of the Oregon Department of Transportation and unanimously confirmed by the Oregon Senate. As Director of ODOT, Grace managed Oregon's statewide transportation policy and development for surface and air transportation, driver and vehicle licensing, and motor carrier programs. She oversaw a biennial budget of $1.8 billion and 4,800 employees working in every corner of the state. In 2002, Grace was appointed Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation by Mayor Greg Nickels. Since coming into this position, she has incorporated the city's strategic planning staff into the department, is streamlining the permitting process and is revamping the department's project delivery and customer service approach. Grace is the mother of two and currently resides in Seattle. Congratulations Grace!

Atkinson alum receives Forty Under 40 Award
GINA (ADAMS) REYNOLDS (MBA'98) was selected as one of the Tri-Cities' Area "Forty Under 40" award recipients at an August awards luncheon in Kingsport, Tennessee. The award recognizes forty area leaders under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in the business community, as well as in civic and community organizations, and are projected to be the next generation of business movers and shakers. Kudos!

VPPPA recognizes GP's June Brothers
The Voluntary Protection Program's Participants Association (VPPPA) (Internet access required) recently recognized Georgia-Pacific's JUNE BROTHERS (MBA’84), vice president – safety, for her continued contribution to the group. The VPPPA created the June Brothers scholarship. This safety/health/environmental scholarship will be available to a college student pursuing a degree in this discipline. June has been a GP employee since 1988. She has been the chairperson of the national board of directors for the VPPPA since 1998. She was elected to the National Board in 1995. “June's dedication to Georgia-Pacific and to a safe workplace for all is inspirational, not only to our executive leadership and the team of safety professionals she leads, but to all the others she has contacted through her work at the VPPPA," said Pat Barnard, executive vice president – human resources. "She has been a leader in GP and her leadership with the VPPPA has clearly made a difference in workplace safety across the country. This scholarship shows that organizations outside of GP recognize June's value as much as we do." June was truly overwhelmed by the honor of having a scholarship set up in her name. Congratulations!

Recognition by Governor of Arizona for campaign work
RON OWEN, (MBA'80), was recently recognized by the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano for his work as District Chairman of D8 Democrats. He was awarded the top prize for Outsanding District Chair after setting records for fundraising and organization building in a District of 105,000 voters. He was selected to partner with the Kerry-Edwards Campaign for AZ.

UPDATES
JOHN W. HOEKMAN, CIMA (MBA’93) has joined Stephens Inc. Investment Bankers as a Vice President & Senior Financial Consultant in the Private Client Group. In his new position, John will provide professional wealth management services to corporations, institutions and families, while assisting with their wealth transfer planning, stock options strategies and philanthropic endeavors. He will also tailor asset allocation and risk management solutions for clients with concentrated stock positions. “For more than 10 years, I have been assisting New Yorkers formulate asset allocation strategies and develop wealth management solutions,” John commented. “During this time, I have also seen the demise of philanthropic guidance and personal relationships. Joining Stephens Inc. allows me to return to the core competencies that are essential for holistic wealth management.” On a side note, John is a survivor of the Sept 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center where he was working at the time on the 73rd floor of Tower 2 for Morgan Stanley. John and his family reside in New York City.

After living in Taipei for 13 years working in an investment banking position, MITCHELL THOMPSON (MBA’93) returned to the U.S. two years ago to join Rosen Entertainment Systems, as owner/senior manager. Rosen Entertainment Systems pioneered mobile video and entertainment for cars and SUV's (LCD/DVD systems) and remains the industry leader in this category (www.rosenentertainment.com). Last month Mitch was promoted to Vice President of Supply Chain. With his experience living abroad and his BA in Chinese Literature, Mitch travels back and forth to Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, China) at least once a month and remains heavily involved with all aspects of the business as they relate to the overseas suppliers. He met his wife in Taiwan 15 years ago. They now have 3 lovely kids and currently residing in Tustin Ranch, (near Irvine) California.

Going on 20 plus years with Nike, Inc. DAVE BECKER (MBA’80), has just been transferred to Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China were he will be working as a Senior Product Engineer. Dave is looking forward to this new professional challenge as well as an opportunity to travel within China. He writes, “Hats off to my wife and child who have followed me all over Asia! My daughter just turned nine is now living in her fourth country, but being a “fourth culture” kid, seems to take it all in stride.”

CAROLYN HARRISTON (MBA'04) was recently offered a full-time Americorp/Vista position at TechMission (www.techmission.org) as a Grantwriter/Manager. She will be writing grants to corporate foundations, private and government funding sources, managing existing grants, researching grant opportunities, supervising the development of a donor base, networking with other organizations for potential fund raising opportunities, and "of course," she writes, "that familiar phrase...'assisting with other administrative duties as needed." While at Willamette, Carolyn wrote a technology grant for Salem Area Habitat for Humanity that was approved by Pioneer Trust Bank. 'This is what helped me get this job," she says. Carolyn will be taking a year off from the Masters of Science in Health Communication program at Tufts University School of Medicine while working in her new position at TechMission. She plans to resume her studies in the fall of 2005.

RICK LEWIS (M’76) turned 60 this year! Rick spends his time working, hiking, and has recently taken up paddling sports. Rick would like to catch up with his classmates of ’76. If any happen to be in Phoenix, AZ, please do not hesitate to contact him. (You may contact the Atkinson Administrative Office for more information). “It would be wonderful to see them after so many years,” Rick writes. “Best wishes to any faculty and staff that may still be around.”

JOSE EUGENIO LUCARELLI ALATI (M’90) currently works at AIG Private Bank and resides in São Paulo, Brazil with his wife and two kids, Isabella (age 3) and Stefano (age 1).

HARVEY GAIL (M'88) and his wife Mary VanNatta recently started a new company, Spire Management, LLC. The company will provide property management and consulting services. Harvey and Mary continue to run VanNatta Public Relations, Inc. in Salem, Oregon.

This summer after five years as a Sr. Product Development Manager at AT&T Wireless, TONY BILLERA (M’86) joined an exciting UK based company, IP Access, as N.A. Region Product Manager. IP Access specializes in small base stations for indoor cellular coverage. Tony remains based in Bellevue, Washington after 17 years. His daughter, Anna, started college this year at Whitman College and his son, Alex, started Bellevue High School this fall.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Morgan Stanley and Atkinson Graduate School Present the 2nd Annual Capital Business Forum October 14
The Atkinson Graduate School is partnering with Morgan Stanley to present Dr. Robert Goodman, Economic Consultant for Putnam Investments. Dr. Goodman will speak on The Challenges & Opportunities in the New Economic Era Thursday, October 14 in the Cat Cavern at Willamette University. The event begins at 6:30 with hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
Please contact Debra Bartol at Morgan Stanley, 503-763-6108, if you are interested in attending.

PAST EVENTS

Over 140 Gather to Honor Littrell
On Friday, September 24th, over 140 people gathered at Willamette Valley Vineyards to honor EARL LITTRELL in his retirement from Atkinson Graduate School of Management. Former students from nearly every graduating class since ’72 were in attendance at the reception. Jim Bernau, Willamette Valley Vineyards Founder and President, hosted and emceed the evening’s festivities. During the event, a plaque was presented to Earl honoring his years of service to Atkinson. Thank you, Earl, for your dedication to the students and your unending kindness to the staff and faculty.

EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The Certificate in Public Management program welcomed 33 state and local government employees to its fifth cohort. For details on the program, see www.willamette.edu/cpm.

Cascade Employers Association has contracted with the EDC to provide a Mini-MBA beginning on October 8 in Wilsonville. Intended for relatively new managers or experienced managers who want to brush up on basic skills, the program includes six modules on topics ranging from project management to negotiation and financial management. Each module meets for three Friday mornings, one module per month. Details are at www.cascadeemployers.com.

The Oregon Intercultural Management Institute at Tokyo International University of America and the EDC will deliver a five-week program focusing on English language and management to a group of Japanese managers. An ongoing collaboration between OIMI and the EDC, the program is an intensive, residency experience in Salem that involves several Atkinson faculty as well as graduate students serving as teaching assistants and cultural consultants.

On November 1, managers and executives from SONY Corporation's worldwide procurement division will participate in a custom-designed, week-long workshop on supply chain management. This is the second year in which the EDC and TIUA have collaborated to provide this workshop.

ATKINSON IN THE NEWS
Willamette University was recently mentioned on the Wall Street Journal site regarding a study that was coauthored by the Atkinson school and Cendant Mobility. This study, done by four Atkinson students as part of an internship under the supervision of Professor LISBETH CLAUS, surveyed 548 "globally mobile" employees in order to ascertain prevailing attitudes among spouses or partners of expatriates. The article, entitled “Expat Spouses Can Resume Their Careers Once Abroad” can be read at www.careerjournal.com/columnists/expatjournal/20040929-expat.html.

INTRODUCING TWO NEW ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS
Beginning spring semester 2005, MARCIA KAYLEN will be instructing an Atkinson elective course entitled Sales Force Management (view GSM 643 course description). Marcia received her M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (PA.), with an emphasis in strategic planning and marketing, and her B.A. from Miami University of Ohio. She retired from Hewlett-Packard Company after a twenty-one year career, most recently as Sales Force Training Manager and earlier as manager of marketing communication, product management and market research functions. Prior to HP, she was as a retail buyer in several large markets and co-owned a small apparel manufacturing business, yielding firsthand experience with both consumer and business markets in the context of the buying and selling process. Marcia lives in Corvallis, owns an historic home she is continuously refurbishing, has one son who lives and works in London and commutes frequently to Portland where she is a docent at the Portland Art Museum.

DR. RANDALL DONOHUE will be teaching Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) this spring (view GSM 662 course description). Randall received his B.A. in Rhetoric from Willamette University. He received a Master of Science in International Marketing from University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) and his Ph.D. in International Business Management at University of South Australia (Adelaide). Randall is passionate about marketing communications, especially in multi-cultural situations. His teaching and research are supported by more than 20 years of overseas experience in business and management. In Singapore, he managed the State of Washington’s first overseas trade office. Later, he served as official market-development cooperator of the Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA), leading a multicultural team of managers and consultants promoting U.S. products and services in 14 Asian markets. Moving into higher education full time, Randall’s research has focused on marketing communications and public relations for NGOs and multilateral trade-related organizations. He is an active member of the American Marketing Association, and the International Consortium of APEC Study Centers. ‘Long, long ago,’ Randall and his wife both graduated from Willamette and then worked as Peace Corp volunteers in India.

SPRING COURSE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
“The wisest mind has something yet to learn.” ~George Santayana
Take a look at the courses Atkinson is offering next semester: Spring 2005 Course Schedule. Spring semester begins January 17th.

NEW ASA MEMBERS
Atkinson Student Association (ASA) has added some new faces. After recently holding elections for new representatives ASA has added some new members. HEATHER BUXTON and KIRSTEN CHANGSTROM both were elected to First Year Representative positions. TIM SPARKS was elected to the At-Large Representative Position; he will be acting as the voice in ASA for 3-2, accelerated and part time students. CHRIS HANSON was elected to the Second Year Representative position, and SUE FOLDEN has taken the post of Vice-President. Sue was asked by acting ASA President KELLY DUNCAN to take the Vice-President position she vacated to move to President due the absence of ASA President WOODY ENGLISH, who is currently studying abroad. ASA welcomes its new board members and is very excited about the upcoming year.

NEW ADDITIONS TO ATKINSON SHRM
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is pleased to welcome two new additions to its Board. Atkinson Chapter SHRM President, DEBRA SPEARS-TURNER announces, “HEATHER BUXTON is our new Merit Award Vice President. Heather will be responsible for coordinating and submitting the Superior Merit Award to SHRM on our chapter’s behalf. SHRM awards the Superior Merit Award only to those chapters that demonstrate excellence through regular functions with its members, partnering with its parent chapter, creating networking and learning opportunities for its members within the professional community, and getting directly involved with the HR community. Our student chapter has received the award for the past two years. We are also pleased to welcome COURTNEY RANSTROM as our very first Communications Vice President. Courtney will be responsible for the maintenance and improvement of our website (www.willamette.edu/org/shrm) and will compile and edit our newsletter. Both Heather and Courtney will be an excellent addition to our Board by enabling us to better provide for our members and continue to create better learning and networking opportunities.”

www.willamette.edu/org/shrm
The Atkinson chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) welcomes new board members DAN OLSON, MELINDA MIZUTA, LYNDSEY EISENBARTH and JOE WELLER. First-year students Dan and Melinda have joined the board to define and implement AMA community service initiatives. Atkinson AMA is applying for a grant from the national AMA Foundation to apply marketing expertise to assist a local non-profit organization. Lyndsey (first-year student) and Joe (second-year student) are working with Beth Ursin, Career Services Director to develop AMA career services initiatives to assist students in connecting with career development resources in the field of marketing, including finding internships and making connections with alumni. We are excited about the additions to our board and look forward to the rest of the year. The AMA Board now consists of:

ATKINSON STUDENT TO PERFORM IN WILLAMETTE PLAY
Current Atkinson student JOHN B. HALL is part of Willamette University's Theatre Production of Marisol, by Jose Rivera. Show times are October 1-2, 7-9 at 8 pm and October 3 & 10 at 2 pm. Winner of the 1993 Obie Award, Marisol is an apocalyptic urban fantasy which urges society to “wake” and somehow find a way to recover the long-lost and much needed compassion for our fellow man, as this is the only way to save our world.

“ Rivera’s play is angry, fearsom, fantastic and poetically frenzied, without surrendering either its sanity or its mordant sense of humor. . . It’s a cry from the poet’s heart.” —Village Voice

" Rivera’s cruelly slanted world view . . . is fascinating.” —NY Post

“ Rivera’s dialogue is poetically powerful.” —BackStage

“ The writing has the potential to tickle a bruised city audience awake with the dark absurdities of our current malaise.” —NY Newsday

For information on performances or season passes, or to reserve tickets, please contact the box office at (503) 370-6221 or email thtr-tix@willamette.edu.

On October 3, Professor STEVE MASER ran in the 33rd Portland Marathon, finishing with a personal best, which was not surprising since this was his first marathon. Interviewed by ATKINSONews, he said, "I made it across the finish line to the cheers of the die-hards who apparently didn't have anything better to do on a gorgeous fall afternoon or were family or friends of the few who, remarkably, were behind me. I have my medal, my t-shirt, my rose, my seedling, and a semblance of self-respect even though I was passed by people considerably older than I who were walking."

AN: What was your time?

SM: Time is relative, so there's no point in talking about it. I'll say this: if I do it again, I won't have difficulty establishing a new personal best. On the other hand, knowing how intensely competitive I am, you won't be surprised to learn that with some 7100+ runners and walkers taking part, I set a goal of coming in 6,442nd. As it happened, I came in 4961st. See, it's all relative.

AN: Why did you do it?

SM: Penance.

AN: Why did you want to do penance?

SM: I decided last spring, after twenty-five years of effort with little evidence of success, that in 2005 I would not teach Atkinson students how Arrow's Possibility Theorem explains the meaning of life--certainly all of management life. I felt the need to do penance for this decision. Sure enough, around mile 22, I saw a glow rising in the distance and heard a deep voice, likely that of Kenneth Arrow himself, inside my head. It said, "Let Arrow go, Steve. It's OK." Maybe I was seeing St. Helens erupting but I felt better, anyway.

AN: Was running the marathon worth it?

SM: Yes, if only for the sake of setting the goal of finishing and succeeding. I have a new found appreciation for why the first guy to do this, running 26 miles from the scene of battle to report victory, immediately died. He probably didn't train. I shall tell myself that I can do anything now if I put my mind to it. I'm not sure I'll listen to myself, however.

View the current events calendar and other information for alumni at: http://www.willamette.edu/alumni/agsm/.

The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get into the office.

- Robert Frost