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G. Brint Ryan College of Business.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SPOTLIGHTS

STUDENT

 

Sugam Kafle

 

Being far away from home has its challenges, something that Sugam Kafle knows from firsthand experience.


As an international student from Nepal, it’s been over six years since Kafle has seen his family. On top of that, his brother is living in Australia. 

“Since I’ve been here so long it does get hard because both siblings are in different countries and mom and dad are alone at home,” he said.


Kafle came to UNT as a transfer student, and has since become an exceptional leader and student worker.

“I got accepted and was handed potential scholarships within a week.”

Kafle was interested in IT, but had been pursuing engineering because that’s what his parents wanted him to originally study. When applying to UNT, however, he was introduced to the BCIS major, which combines both business and STEM together.

When asked why he chose the Ryan College of Business, Kafle’s answer was simple.

“The building sold me,” he said.

He also credited the amazing opportunities that the college offers its students to become more involved, like the Professional Leadership Program and the Business Ambassadors.

He became a student worker in the Ryan College of Business Undergraduate Advising Office, and gave tours of the Business Leadership Building to prospective students and their parents. Those experiences helped build his communication skills, and got him out of his shell.

READ MORE...

ALUMNUS

 

Homero Bayarena ('86, '88 M.B.A.)

When Homero Bayarena puts his mind to something, he puts his whole heart into it.

Growing up, Bayarena was told he wasn't going to succeed in life because of his Mexican American background. But he didn't listen and continued his education at UNT where he took advantage of all the opportunities presented to him to create the life he always wanted for himself.

He became active in several student organizations, and in 1984, he became the first official Homecoming king, as well as the first Latino Homecoming king. Bayarena now works for FranklinCovey as a senior consultant specializing in diversity.

"My involvement in so many organizations with different kinds of people led me into the world of diversity in business," he said. "I was able to learn to recognize the value of the human being and have been able to surround myself with people who value each other."

He also is the founder of one of Maryland's largest and premier community theaters, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Bayarena was able to create his own path in life and, ultimately, the impact he has on people and his community has been immensely positive.

"My success stories aren't about me," he says. "They are about the people I've had a chance to possibly influence on their journey."

READ MORE...

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Published by UNT North Texan, Alicia Zartman, March 2023

FEATURED DONOR

HEB

Since 1905, HEB has provided Texans with more than just groceries. Committed to making lives better, they prioritize getting involved by giving back to their surrounding community and its future.

In April 2023, HEB solidified that commitment by joining the UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business Corporate Partnership Program as its fifteenth member. 

Enlisting in the program as a Gold-level partner, where their support will be directed toward Career Services, HEB is now perfectly situated to expand on the opportunities they bring to the community by supporting student success in college and beyond through industry recruiting partnerships.

To learn more about the Corporate Partnership Program, visit: https://cob.unt.edu/college/corporate-partners

IN THE NEWS

UNT programs rise in the latest national rankings

The University of North Texas G. Brint Ryan College of Business saw its part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) jump ahead of dozens of other universities across the nation to come in at No. 68 in the nation – and No. 6 among Texas public universities. The full-time M.B.A. landed at No. 5 in the state and No. 95 in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools, released April 25.

“We are proud of the number of programs that continue to rise in the national rankings and will continue to put forward our best faculty expertise and quality programs in educating future students,” said Michael McPherson, UNT’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Rankings such as these from U.S. News & World Report confirm our status as a Tier One research university with the highest quality academic standards as we gain greater national recognition.”

READ MORE...

Excelling in the accounting field

Accounting majors Haleigh Tuma (pictured left) and Rayeanna Gaby (pictured right) recently made UNT history after earning perfect scores on the Microsoft Excel Expert exam.

All accounting students enrolled in ACCT 4100 (Accounting Information Systems) are required take the Microsoft Excel Expert exam to better prepare for the workforce and enhance the skillsets necessary to excel in the accounting field.

"Excel is very important in the accounting field. The better you are with it, the easier your job will be in the future," said Gaby.

Since this requirement was added to UNT's accounting curriculum, only one other accounting student has earned a perfect score in past years.

“For perspective, nationally, one out of roughly every 3,000 test takers earn a perfect score, and we had two this semester,” explained Accounting Professor Jose Lineros.

Passing the Microsoft Excel Expert exam, and doing so with a perfect score, not only provides students with invaluable knowledge, but it also helps them stand out amongst competitors in the job market.

“Taking the Excel Expert exam is beneficial to students’ knowledge about Excel and helps to introduce features that otherwise you might not just know to exist from general knowledge,” said Tuma. “Excel is going to be a significant part of my future as I go into my internships in the accounting field and just generally as I progress into my career in accounting.”

UNT professors ranked among best researchers in the world

G. Brint Ryan College of Business Professors Jeremy Short, Audhesh Paswan and Victor Prybutok have all been cited among the best scholars in the world, according to a recent ranking by Research.com.

"The approval criteria for scientists to be considered into the ranking of top scientists are based on the D-index, proportion of the publications made within the given discipline, plus the awards and achievements of the researchers.”

Short, Prybutok and Paswan recorded 13,112, 11,269, and 5,442 citations, respectively, earning them their deserved ranking.

The research contributions of these faculty advance knowledge and innovation at the university, while simultaneously enhancing the institutional reputation and learning opportunities for our students.

READ MORE...


THE MORE YOU KNOW

UNT Giving Day kicks off tomorrow, May 2

In honor of its founding year, UNT is hosting 1,890 minutes to make an impact.

Beginning tomorrow, May 2, your fellow UNT alumni and friends will come together to make a collective difference for our students. Whether you choose to support scholarships, to enable students to pursue their degree without financial constraint, or faculty research, to advance the business industry with new knowledge and ideas, your gift matters.

Please mark your calendar for tomorrow morning and get ready to shape the future of UNT. Can’t wait until the morning? Your early gift will still count toward the campaign. Just visit: https://givingday.unt.edu/amb/RCOB and share your support.

During this time, your gift (up to $1,000) toward the G.A. "Jack" Robason Scholarship in Accounting will also be matched, dollar-for-dollar, to make an even greater impact.

HELP STUDENTS SOAR...

College honors accomplished alumni at annual Ascend Gala

Three UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business alumni were honored this spring at the college’s annual Ascend Gala. Each year, the gala recognizes both students and alumni for their outstanding achievements, innovation and leadership.

Steve Willard (’80, BBA) and Randy Wright (’81, MS) were both inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame, the most prestigious honor conferred by the college. Hall of Fame recipients are vetted and selected for their professional achievements that have merited the honor and praise of their peers and colleagues.

As a UNT marketing graduate, Willard has had a career full of successes, including opening the first Infiniti Car Dealership in Dallas, helping to raise $10 million for the George W. Bush for President campaign, developing one of the first customer-friendly approaches to bill collection while working for ETAN Industries, and starting three companies for business process outsourcing: ATS Cloud, ETAN Tolling Solutions, and Advanced TeleSolutions. As a retiree, Willard now uses his time and talents to serve on the college’s Dean’s Advisory Board—heading its Corporate Partnerships Program and raising nearly half-a-million dollars for the college, to date.

Wright earned his master’s degree in accounting from UNT, while also teaching cost accounting for two years. Since graduation, he served in public accounting for 42 years and was a partner for 34 years. He is a retired partner of both Deloitte and BDO, and is currently an executive consultant to BDO, while continuing to serve selected clients and assisting with firm management. He has been an advocate for hiring UNT students at both firms and is a popular speaker to accounting student organizations.

I addition to Willard and Wright, Jordan Thurston (’16) was also honored with the college’s Rising Star award. The Rising Star award recognizes a recent alum that has shown exceptional growth in their profession, as well as a strong potential for future successes.
 
READ MORE...


PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES AT THE RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

UNT GIVING DAY

For 1890 minutes, alumni, students, employees, and the UNT community can and exhibit passion and pride for the university by making a gift toward UNT Giving Day. During this inaugural campaign, the Ryan College of Business is featuring four funding areas to make a significant impact:

1)   The G. Brint Ryan College of Business Dean’s Excellence Fund
The Dean’s Excellence Fund provides immediate, essential support to our students. This fund serves as a vital resource to help our students and campus respond to opportunities and challenges as they occur.

2)   Jack Robason Scholarship in Accounting
The Jack Robason Scholarship in Accounting provides awards to students pursuing a career in the accounting field so they can progress toward their degree without financial constraint. This scholarship is awarded to full-time accounting students in the Ryan College of Business in the Master’s program.

3)   Kulkarni Faculty Research Fund
Late Professor Shailesh Kulkarni was an outstanding educator, an excellent researcher, and a great colleague. Your gift in his memory supports faculty research in the ITDS Department—both of which were important to his life's work.

4)   General RCOB Scholarships
Scholarships increase the accessibility of an affordable, high-quality education, and can have a lifetime of implications. By providing students with the funds to support their academic pursuits, scholarships give those in need the chance to earn a degree on a level playing field.
 

THE WILSON JONES ENDOWMENT FOR RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS CAREER SUPPORT SERVICES

Alumnus Wilson Jones (’85) and his wife, Jane, donated $5 million to the college in 2022 to create a new career center in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. This generous gift will not only go towards the build out of a space that will serve to better prepare students for successful careers, but it will also fund the hiring of new staff and resources to support the college's growing student body. Working in conjunction with this gift, the Wilson Jones Endowment for Ryan College of Business Career Support Services will provide additional assistance to reach these goals and support services that promote career readiness.
 
G. BRINT RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FUND

Frank Dudowicz was an ardent supporter of the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. Before he passed away on May 1, 2022, one of his final requests was to have memorials be made to the Ryan College of Business Communications Support Fund, a testament to his ongoing efforts to be a positive force in the UNT community. Donations made to the Communications Support Fund aid Dudowicz’s most recent board efforts to increase brand awareness for the Ryan College of Business. Click here to honor Frank's memory with a gift.
 

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University of North Texas
G. Brint Ryan College of Business

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