Alumnus and College of Business Administration National Advisory Board member Bob Archer, MBA ’61, knows the impact a new College of Business Administration building will have on future business students at Kent State University. To advance the building project, he has offered a $1 million challenge gift to encourage giving toward the project by the end of the year.
Archer, who received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Kent State in 1961, is a longtime supporter of the university and has already made a $1 million gift toward the new building. He recently approached Kent State with a new challenge: reach $19 million raised by the end of 2021 and his challenge gift would be added to complete the capital campaign goal of $20 million.
“This space will allow our students to become tomorrow’s leading business graduates,” Archer said in a Challenge announcement video. “Together, we can help make a bright future possible for our KSU business students.”
I invite you to read more about this challenge, along with additional college updates and upcoming events, in this issue of the newsletter.
Deborah F. Spake, Ph.D. Dean, College of Business Administration
Alumnus Bob Archer Commits $1 Million Challenge Gift for New Building
The new Kent State College of Business Administration building, a key component in the university’s master plan to transform the Kent campus and improve facilities, has motivated alumnus Bob Archer to issue a challenge gift to inspire other alumni and friends to help move the project forward within this calendar year. Read more.
To learn more about participating in this challenge, contact Tom Hoffman or click the button below to make a gift.
College Highlights
$20,000 Awarded to 2021 CEBIpitch Finalists
Eight student finalists competed for $20,000 in cash prizes in the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation's fifth annual CEBIpitch competition, which took place virtually on April 7. The winner, Grace Dillard, received the top prize of $10,000.
More than 175 Students Receive Scholarships & Awards
Each spring the College of Business Administration recognizes students receiving scholarships at the annual Scholastic Excellence Celebration. This year, more than 175 students were recognized for scholarships or other awards along with faculty and staff who received awards for outstanding teaching, research and service.
Fortune Ranks Kent State Online MBA No. 35
The Kent State University College of Business Administration’s Online MBA ranks No. 35 in the nation in Fortune’s inaugural Best Online MBA Programs 2021 ranking. This top 35 placement joins other high rankings for the Online MBA program from U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review earlier this year.
Daymond John Featured as Keynote Speaker
Daymond John, founder/CEO of FUBU, presidential ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, star of ABC’s “Shark Tank” and CEO of The Shark Group, served as the keynote speaker for the Better Business Bureau of Akron’s 101-Year Anniversary celebration hosted by the Kent State College of Business Administration’s Michael D. Solomon Entrepreneurship Speaker Series.
The Academy of International Business Partners with Kent State Professor on Video Series
Ilgaz Arikan, Ph.D., associate professor of management, recently collaborated with the Academy of International Business (AIB) to launch a video series, “Frontline IB: Conversations with IB Scholars,” featuring the top scholars in international business.
Kathryn Wilson, Ph.D., Discusses Her Role on the Ohio Economics Experts Panel
In this episode of “Breaking Down Business,” hear from Kent State Economics Department Chair Kathy Wilson as she discusses her role on the Ohio Economics Experts Panel, gives an overview of what the Kent State economics major entails and discusses career options for economics students.
Alumni Spotlight
Grace Wakulchik, MBA’96, Honored as 2021 Spirit of Women in Business Award Recipient
The Kent State University College of Business Administration recognized Grace Wakulchik, MBA ’96, president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital, as the 2021 Spirit of Women in Business award recipient. Wakulchik was honored as part of the college’s monthlong Spirit of Women in Business Conference.
