ANNUAL REVIEW 2019-2020
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN This academic year, much like the business world, has been at times unpredictable and full of unforeseen challenges. Every day, whether in the classroom or behind a computer screen, we prepare to face these challenges head on, and strategize ways to not only overcome, but excel. As I look out my office window, I don’t see the usual hustle and bustle of students on their way to class, or running to grab a quick coffee from the Biz Café below. What I do see, however, is our faculty and students’ ability to adapt to any situation that they are presented with. Our commitment to providing an exceptional education for the world’s future business leaders has never been more evident and we are proud to stand together as we persevere. I encourage you to read through our annual magazine and learn about the many ways our faculty, students and alumni have helped shape this college to make it an even stronger institution moving forward. Our enrollments continue to rise, as do our rankings, and we have never been more proud to have you rise up with us. Please stay in touch and share your feedback with us during these coming months. Whether face-to-face, virtually, or through a phone call, you are always a welcome member of the G. Brint Ryan College of Business family. Sincerely,
Dean Marilyn K. Wiley University of North Texas G. Brint Ryan College of Business
TABLE OF CONTENTS 05
GRADUATE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT SETS RECORDS
06
FACULTY IN THE NEWS
07
UNT BCIS GRADUATES OFFER NEEDED SKILLS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
08
RANKINGS AND ACCOLADES
10
UNDERGRADUATE STATISTICS
12
MASTERS STATISTICS
14
DOCTORAL STATISTICS
16
AVIATION LOGISTICS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SOARING SUCCESS
20
HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC
22
GIVING AT A GLANCE
24
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS AND THE DALLAS COWBOYS LAUNCH INNOVATIVE ONLINE M.B.A.
26
STUDENT SUCCESSES
28
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO IGNITE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
30
UNT STUDENTS BREW UP NEW BRAND FOR LAKEWOOD BREWING COMPANY
31
COLLEGE LAUNCHES FIRST PODCAST 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 3
G. BRINT RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS HONORED WITH 2020 INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD The G. Brint Ryan College of Business is one of the largest business schools in the nation. Recognized by Diverse Issues in Higher Education for the number of degrees awarded to people of color, student clubs housed by the G. Brint Ryan College of Business include chapters of Women in Business, the National Association of Black Accountants, and Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting. During the 2018-19 academic year, G. Brint Ryan College of Business Dean Marilyn Wiley partnered with the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion to deliver learning and development sessions on bias awareness and identity authoring for its entire leadership team, faculty and staff. The college enhanced their training program by offering a session to their department chairs on inclusive excellence and equity-mindedness. The training led to a partnership between the G. Brint Ryan College of Business and Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity to include UNT’s first-ever Corporate-Collegiate Partnership, as part of the 2019 Equity and Diversity Conference where the Colleges of Business and Engineering, Peterbilt employee resource groups (ERGs), and diversity and inclusion council representatives shared their identitybased engagement strategies for talent management, acquisition, and creating career pipelines for students. This year, the College increased its conference involvement as the firstever internal Eagle Sponsor Partner. The college’s diversity, inclusion, and
identity-based programming includes their Professional Leadership Program, a cooperative effort between the Ryan College of Business and corporate partners that includes regular activities related to diversity and inclusion. This year, their UNT Human Resources Collaborative featured programming titled “What Does Diversity Mean to You” and included chief diversity and inclusion officers from various companies. The Tiered Progression Program, which offers progress checks and enrichment activities, helps students successfully graduate. The college prepares students for internships with a pre-internship course that is helping its current students secure internships that lead to employment upon graduation – the only program of its kind at the University. This year, the Ryan College of Business was also recognized among five top-tier business schools for its logistics student onboarding and workforce preparation program by Global Trade Magazine, including dressing for success, communication skills, generation gaps and analyses presentations. These efforts have helped to position the college as an existing and emerging university of choice for employers seeking high-quality, diverse candidates. The Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity presented the 2020 Inclusive Excellence Award to the G. Brint Ryan College of Business with a $5000 gift from Hilti to continue their efforts to practice intentional inclusion.
4 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
DEGREES AWARDED 2018-2019
2019-2020
925
865
BBA DEGREES
BBA DEGREES
302 BS DEGREES
276 BS DEGREES
185 MBA DEGREES
162 MBA DEGREES
130 MS DEGREES
113 MS DEGREES
ENROLLMENT 5525 5093
8.6% INCREASE IN TOTAL ENROLLMENT
757 691 ’19 ’18 UNDERGRADUATE
’19 ’18 GRADUATE
Based on fall enrollment.
MASTER’S PROGRAM GROWTH YEAR-OVER-YEAR
668
544 546 513 2016 2017 2018 2019
GRADUATE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT SETS RECORDS This year, the graduate programs office at the Ryan College of Business experienced its highest enrollment numbers on record. For Spring 2020, graduate enrollment sat at 765 students, a 23% increase over last spring, and approximately 15% increase from fall to spring. “At the close of summer 2020 we were above our historic academic year enrollment (the sum of students in fall, spring and summer semesters), which was 1,708 in year 2010–2011,” explained Ben Dearman, assistant dean of master’s programs for the Ryan College of Business. The college needed just 276 students to enroll this summer in order to surpass its record year – and ultimately had 728 students help them hit the mark. “In general we are seeing growth in all our programs. The Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences (ITDS), in particular, has seen immense growth,” said Dearman.
Based on fall enrollment.
MBA/MS ENROLLMENT BY DEGREE FALL 2019
ITDS programs, such as business analytics, have played a large role in these new numbers. In spring 2018, 59 master’s students joined the program, while in spring 2020, that number more than doubled to 130. Newly designated STEM degrees have been a driving force in this recruitment. ITDS changed its Master’s Degree in Business Analytics to a STEM discipline and recently created a STEM-based MBA. The Master’s Degree in Finance has also reported modest growth since its STEM designation announcement last year. Another factor for this upwards trend in enrollment can be attributed to the full-time cohort MBA that is not only enabling students to finish their degree in less time, but is consistently bringing corporate visibility to the college. “Of course, these increases in enrollment have indisputably been a college-wide effort and could not have happened without the support of the college’s faculty, chairs and staff,” said Dearman.
388 MBA BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
144
MBA STRATEGIC MGMT.
89
MS ACCT.
79
MS BUSINESS ANALYTICS.
70
MS TAXATION
52
BUSINESS STUDIES
47
FINANCE
47
OBHR
35
MARKETING
34
MBA COHORT
29
MBA BUSINESS ANALYTICS
17 14 14 14 8 8 2
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN MGMT. SUPPLY CHAIN MGMT. MS FINANCE HEALTH SERVICES MGMT. MARKETING ANALYTICS SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYTICS
2019-2020 Annual Magazine 5
FACULTY IN THE NEWS DR. ARUNACHALAM NARAYANAN Professor Arunachalam Narayanan took home the best paper prize at the Academy of Management conference in Boston for the Operations and Supply Chain Management Division. Narayanan’s paper, titled “Effect of Capacity and Flexibility Constraints on Bullwhip Effect in Supply Chains,” was selected as a top publication out of 180 entries—including submissions from scholars at top competitors like MIT, Ohio State, Penn State and Georgia Tech. His award-winning research revolved around the idea of how to control bullwhip effect by nudging the decision makers in the right direction.
DR. VICTOR PRYBUTOK In recognition of over 30 years of service to the Decision Sciences Institute, Dr. Victor R. Prybutok was the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Service Award, Southwest Region. He has been a member of the Southwest Decision Sciences Institute (SWDSI) since 1991 and was a member of Northeast DSI prior to joining SWDSI. Dr. Prybutok is a regents professor of Decision Sciences at the Ryan College of Business. He is also the vice provost for graduate education, and dean of the Toulouse Graduate School at UNT. Dr. Prybutok has been a panelist, presenter and co-presenter more than 70 times at SWDSI and more than 150 times at DSI national.
DR. MARILYN WILEY Dean Marilyn Wiley began her three-year term as a member of the AACSB Board of Directors on July 1, 2020. Wiley was one of four individuals elected to serve as an AACSB Official Representative of an Organization from the Americas. As a board member, Wiley supports the AACSB mission: “to foster engagement, accelerate innovation, and amplify impact in business education worldwide,” while giving the University of North Texas Ryan College of Business a greater international presence in higher education.
DR. MICHAEL SAVOIE Dr. Michael Savoie, clinical professor in operations management and president and CEO of HyperGrowth Solutions, Inc., was named an Interdisciplinary Fellow (IDF) by The International Institute of Systemics, Cybernetics, and Informatics (IIIS). From the IIIS’ 6,000 member base, only 50 IIIS IDF fellows are named, worldwide, at any given time. Keynote speakers from the IIIS annual conference include respected authors of peerreviewed research. No more than 1% of keynote speakers are selected as IDF fellows.
6 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
UNT BCIS GRADUATES OFFER NEEDED SKILLS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
What role does a 61-year-old programming language like the Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL) play in response to a global COVID-19 pandemic? The answer may surprise you. While artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and computer simulations have taken center stage in the media and in support of the decision-making process to stem the spread of COVID-19, the ramifications of those decisions have had significant impacts on other areas of information technology, education and society in general. Take, for example, the surge in unemployment claims caused by the recent economic shutdown. As if the massive number of claims weren’t enough to cause delays in processing, the governmental agencies responsible for that processing had to change the software applications to account for changes in unemployment eligibility. Many of these applications are written in COBOL and the general lack of programmers knowledgeable in COBOL and mainframe computing prompted pleas for assistance from the Governors of New Jersey and Kansas, as well as others. Such delays only compound the difficulties related to COVID-19. Individuals and families that need unemployment assistance not only have to worry about staying healthy and not spreading the disease, but they must keep food on their tables and a roof over their heads. Enter the graduates of the Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences (ITDS) in UNT’s G. Brint Ryan College of Business.
The students that complete UNT’s Mainframe computing track gain valuable competencies in a variety of Mainframe concepts in addition to COBOL. An ITDS student has won the North American region of IBM’s Master the Mainframe competition three of the past four years. Of the 4,286 students from over 600 schools across the US last year, only 126 completed all the parts of the rigorous challenge, and 14 of those 126 were ITDS students, the most from any school in the United States. So, in a time when the world needs graduates with industry-relevant technical skills to assist in a global crisis, you can be sure that UNT is answering the call. Despite their age, COBOL applications and mainframe computing platforms are a major part of the transaction processing backbone of today’s economy. They provide much of the critical technology infrastructure for the government as well as key industries such as financial services, healthcare, wholesale, retail, and transportation. There are hundreds of billions of lines of COBOL in use today that power 43% of banking transactions, 80% of in-person transactions, and 95% of ATM transactions. In the fashion show of higher education, many universities have moved from teaching mainframe concepts and COBOL to technologies that are considered more contemporary. But the ITDS Department’s close relationships with its industry partners and the valuable input they provide about the skills needed in the workplace prompted the decision to offer a specialized track in mainframe computing in the curriculum. 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 7
RANKINGS AND ACCOLADES
Graduate accounting and taxation program 1st in Texas, 15th in the South and 35th in the nation according to BestBusiness-Colleges.com.
3
rd
Real estate program 3rd in Texas, 24th in the South and 46th in the nation by Best-Business-Colleges. com.
8 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
The Ryan College of Business MBA program ranked in the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
#1 Aviation logistics program ranked first in the nation for median earnings for alumni after graduation by GradReports.com.
#20 Logistics and supply chain management program 20th in North America by Gartner Inc.
5
top
100
top
#1
The Professional Leadership Program was named to the winner’s circle (top five) for HR.com’s 2019 Leadership Excellence and Development Awards.
top
30
The University of North Texas earned the distinction of top online MBA program of 2020 by DiscoverBusiness.us.
#7 Business computer information systems program ranked seventh in Texas by Zippia.com.
2019-2020 Annual Magazine 9
UNDERGRADUATE STATISTICS
10 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
DEMOGRAPHICS Average undergraduate GPA.
Average undergraduate class size.
African American | 15% Hispanic | 28% Asian | 9% American Indian | 1% Other | 1% International | 7%
FIRST TIME IN COLLEGE
3.00 66 7%
White | 39%
1136
Average SAT score for first time in college students (FTIC) — those coming into college as pre-business majors directly from high school with no or few college credits, as of fall 2019.
77%
FTIC retention rate for fall 2018 - fall 2019.
International students.
2019-2020 Annual Magazine 11
MASTER’S STUDENT PROFILE
MBA Cohort students gain real-world experience by visiting local businesses, like the North Texas Food Bank, to learn, first hand, from executives in the industry.
12 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
65% 72% Applicants admitted.
2019 - 2020
342 2018 - 2019
GRADUATE STUDENTS
1068
Of those who were admitted enrolled.
79% MBA COHORT
Percentage of students employed within three months of graduation.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Graduate student applicants.
3.60 Average GPA
12%
increase in applicants from 2018 to 2019.
White | 48% African American | 8% Hispanic | 14% Asian | 10% American Indian | 1% Other | 1% International | 18%
DEMOGRAPHICS White | 62% African American | 9% Hispanic | 18% Asian | 3% International | 9%
2019-2020 Annual Magazine 13
DOCTORAL CANDIDATES
14 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
108
Ph.D. applicants.
614 3 &4 56% Average GMAT score.
33%
years
Applicants admitted.
months
Average years to degree.
72%
Of those who were admitted enrolled.
International students.
DEMOGRAPHICS
White | 28%
Asian Pacific Islander | 9%
African American | 2%
American Indian | 1%
Hispanic | 2%
Other/Unknown | 1%
PLACEMENTS Visiting Asst Professor - TWU Asst Professor - Penn State University Asst Professor - California State University Asst Professor - John Carroll University Asst Professor - Utah Valley Asst Professor - Midwestern State University Asst Professor - University of Wisconsin Asst Professor - Robert Morris University Asst Professor and Chair - DeSales University Asst Professor - SUNY Oneonta Asst Professor - Valdosta State University Asst Professor - University of Wisconsin Asst Professor - Bentley University Adjunct Professor - UNT Postdoctoral Fellow - UNT Asst Professor - Kennesaw State University Asst Professor - UT Permian Basin Visiting Asst Professor - Southeastern OK State Postdoctoral Fellow - UNT 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 15
AVIATION LOGISTICS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SOARING SUCCESS Ten years ago, The University of North Texas, on the recommendation of the North Texas Council of Governments (NTCG), devised a curriculum that would later become one of the best degree programs in the country. Home to major facilities of the two largest airfreight companies, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) seemingly had their aviation and transportation needs fully supported. What it lacked behind the scenes, however, was a proper supply of qualified employees to enter into the field. NTCG saw this as a unique opportunity, and in 2008, approached higher education institutions to address one of the most crucial areas of growth in companies throughout Texas (and the US): Aviation. The regional shortfall soon became one of UNT’s strengths, as the G. Brint Ryan College of Business was the only college willing to take on the task. Dr. Steve Swartz, the college’s program director in 2010, 16 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
wrote the state-of-the-art curriculum that incorporated a unique, but necessary approach on the aviation industry—business logistics. Building upon its nationally-recognized logistics program, this aviation degree would focus on the 85% of employment opportunities in the aviation industry that are not found in the cockpit or cabin. From supervision and dispatch, to maintenance, marketing, and pricing and scheduling theory, UNT’s aviation degree quickly developed into a one-of-a-kind program that attracted a myriad of talent and interest. “The program really stirred up some interest, among not only students and employers, but also industry professionals who wanted to teach in the program,” explained Tim Kincaid, an aviation degree program instructor with 25+ years of corporate background, including 16 with American Airlines. He learned of UNT’s newly minted degree 10 years ago. Kincaid fondly remembers “stalking” the program in hopes of
High school students get the chance to fly an airplane with the US Aviation Academy at UNT’s annual ACE Camp.
getting an offer to teach in the program. Steve Joiner, industry veteran and former officer and pilot for the US Marine Corp, was also eager to join the program and has remained an integral faculty member since its inception in 2010. “I was always wondering why there wasn’t more business focus on the aviation industry, because it’s so wide and so diverse—but every time you would look at something on aviation, it surrounded a pilot program,” recalled Joiner. The program’s unique position, coupled with its talent and interest, became a driving force for its growth— bringing together top-tier faculty from around the country, as well as nationally recognized brands vying for partnership opportunities. “Airline companies are businesses and they’ve got all the business functions,” explained Dr. Terrance Pohlen, the college’s current senior associate dean and former logistics program director. “That really made us unique in the market place… and it really solidified our partnerships, especially with Southwest Airlines.”
Southwest Airlines’ headquarters, located just forty minutes south of campus, has become one of the program’s most influential partners. Offering a steady pipeline of internship and career placements, hosting the college’s annual scholarship breakfast, and providing complimentary travel for student teams participating in national competitions (in which the program has received numerous first-place awards), are just a few of the ways Southwest has expanded student opportunities. Professor Steve Joiner speaks to students at the Aviation Career Education Academy (ACE) camp, a collaborative program offered to high school students by UNT and TCC.
“The program really stirred up some interest, among not only students and employers, but also industry professionals who wanted to teach in the program,”
Southwest has not been the only partner to transform the program over the years either. American Airlines, Envoy Airlines, 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 17
and area airports such as the Denton Airport and Alliance Fort-Worth Airport have also served an important role. This is also true for Tarrant County College (TCC) and its pathway for transforming two-year associate’s degrees and pilot’s licenses into four-year degrees at UNT. Military prospects, in particular, have seen the benefits of earning their aviation logistics degree from UNT and have enabled further program growth. “It’s formed a pipeline for students wanting to go into the military and particularly those who want to become military pilots,” said Pohlen. Pilots are required to earn a four-year degree, making aviation logistics a compelling choice among prospective military enrollees. As added incentive, the four-year degree also gives pilots piece of mind knowing that the potential for medical “It’s formed a pipeline for students disqualifications will not end their wanting to go into career.
#1
UNDERGRADUATE AVIATION LOGISTICS PROGRAM
IN THE NATION
FOR MEDIAN EARNINGS FOR ALUMNI AFTER GRADUATION
ACCORDING TO GRADREPORTS.COM
the military and particularly those who want to become military pilots”
“Many people that go into the flight-side of the aviation industry often have a medical disqualification where they can no longer be a pilot, but with a business degree, and that experience, they can find another job in the aviation industry,” explained Pohlen. Approaching a 100% placement rate, students are comforted knowing that their hard-earned degree will get them not just a piece of paper, but a reliable, secure and fulfilling career once they graduate. Often attributed to the program’s required internship component and its exceptional partnerships, more students choose UNT for these transformative opportunities. “Having a required internship in both our aviation and logistics programs is a tremendous differentiator,” said Pohlen.
THE
ONLY
4-YEAR AVIATION LOGISTICS DEGREE
IN THE COUNTRY
STRATEGICALLY
A recent ranking of first in the country for median earnings for alumni after graduation by GradReports.com, has brought earning potential to the forefront for prospect students, too.
LOCATED IN ONE OF THE
Ten years later, UNT’s aviation logistics degree remains the only four-year aviation logistics program in the country—and the captivating enthusiasm that first grew the program still, to this day, remains palpable throughout the classroom and beyond.
FOR AVIATION LOGISTICS
18 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
BEST REGIONS
FROM THE EAGLE’S EYE
Q&A WITH LAURA RUSNOK COUNTRYMAN (’10), UNT’S FIRST AVIATION LOGISTICS GRADUATE
Laura Rusnok Countryman was the first graduate of UNT’s Aviation Logistics program and now serves as an Aviation Insurance Underwriter at Old Republic Aerospace.
Are you glad you chose Aviation Logistics as your degree path? As an aviation enthusiast, UNT’s new Aviation Logistics program filled an academic void for me that I believe was missing in aviation. As a student, I was extremely fortunate to benefit from UNT visionaries Dr. Steve Swartz and Dr. Terry Pohlen who identified the need to educate the next generation of business aviation professionals. Because of their foresight and considerable persistence with navigating the academic bureaucracy, I expanded my range, earned my Pilot’s License, and smoothly transitioned into my rewarding aviation career at Old Republic Aerospace in Dallas, Texas. In retrospect, UNT’s Aviation Logistics program laid a great foundation for me to start my career in the aviation industry.
Did a professor or class at UNT impact your current career? Much of my success at UNT is due to hard work, tenacity, and encouragement by academic pillars and character mentors: Drs. Swartz and Pohlen. Both professors stand out as program pioneers, and more importantly as champions for their students – and I’m a firsthand beneficiary of their dedication. Dr. Swartz planted seeds of curiosity and openmindedness. He encouraged me to take a chance on a new degree and later explore a unique career in aviation insurance at Old Republic Aerospace. He set the stage for me to succeed in both arenas. Dr. Pohlen
tirelessly networked to connect me with internship and scholarship opportunities. He also encouraged academic excellence by requiring abstract critical thinking from me. His example to pursue excellence serves me well today. On a more practical note, I empathize deeply with students struggling to afford tuition. Tuition is a heavy burden to bear, and Dr. Swartz and Dr. Pohlen cared enough to help me find the light at the end of the financial tunnel by unearthing scholarship opportunities and writing numerous recommendation letters. These two mentors and other UNT faculty members were an essential part of my trustworthy support system which helped me become the very first graduate of the Aviation Logistics program in December 2010.
Would you recommend the Aviation Logistics program to others?
I highly recommend UNT’s Aviation Logistics program to people seeking a stimulating education, diverse work and study opportunities, and a caring and expert faculty. UNT’s Aviation Logistics program gave me a wellrounded educational foundation to succeed in my career. But, like so much in education, I think much depends on the individual’s active participation. I very much appreciate that I was able to take active advantage of the considerable resources available to me in UNT’s Aviation Logistics program. 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 19
HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC
“
STEVE (’80) & ANNE HOLMES (’82) Given all the stress and uncertainty
Steve and Anne Holmes committed their generosity to the college’s greatest area of need during this time—the Dean’s Excellence Fund.
associated with COVID, Jennifer and I really wanted to do our part by donating to the Dean’s Excellence Fund and the
C. DAN (’62) & LE’NORE SMITH When C. Dan and Le’Nore Smith were informed of the college’s needs, they quickly stepped up to redirect their support toward the Dean’s Excellence Fund.
McNatt Emergency Fund. These are outstanding funds. They offer assistance to students who face financial challenges and provide
WILSON (’85) & JANE JONES Without hesitation, Wilson and Jane Jones generously donated to the Dean’s Excellence fund to cover gaps in faculty, staff and student financial support.
resources to address critical, short-term needs within the college. We feel so grateful to be associated with such a great University,
DON (’74) & DONNA MILLICAN A dedicated Dean’s Advisory Board member, Don Millican, and his wife Donna, pledged their support to the Dean’s Excellence Fund to help make the greatest impact.
and wanted to ‘pay it forward’ a bit for
JOHN (’76, ’78) & JENNIFER KELLY
others.
Board Chair John Kelly, and wife Jennifer, wanted to do their part by donating to both the Dean’s Excellence Fund and the McNatt Emergency Fund.
- JOHN KELLY, DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR
20 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
6 $450K 414 PANDEMIC HEROES
JIM & LINDA MCNATT The McNatt Fund for Students in Financial Crisis (McNatt Emergency Fund) was established in 2019 by Jim and Linda McNatt with a generous $250,000 gift. While at UNT, Jim witnessed the needs of his fellow students that created barriers to obtaining their education. For that reason, the McNatts chose to create a way to assist students in similar situations. One thing they did not foresee, however, was the magnitude of impact their generosity would have during the COVID-19 pandemic. Roughly one year later, at the height of the pandemic, the McNatt’s initial gift was depleted. The urgency and magnitude of need quickly prompted Jim and Linda to recommit an additional $250,000 so that they could continue assisting those in need. Learn more about how the Jim McNatt Emergency Fund is here to help: https://cob.unt.edu/students/mcnattfund
HOW TO BECOME A HERO: bit.ly/untgives Questions? Contact Jessica Steinke, Executive Director of Development: (940) 369-7623 Jessica.Steinke@unt.edu
TOTAL COMMITTED TO RCOB STUDENTS BY 6 PANDEMIC HEROES
STUDENTS AWARDED MCNATT EMERGENCY FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
$425K AWARDED TOTAL FROM THE MCNATT EMERGENCY FUND
$1,027 AVERAGE AWARD TO EACH STUDENT THAT RECEIVED MCNATT FUNDING ASSISTANCE
MCNATT FUNDING BASED ON ACADEMIC YEAR: SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 - AUGUST 31, 2020
2019-2020 Annual Magazine 21
GIVING AT A GLANCE
2019 GIVING TOTALS (1/2019 – 12/2019)
$31.7M
500 Donors
200 Donors
541
$7.23M
Number of new donors Total dollars
$3.19M $1.92M 83 2016
129 82 2017
2019
2018* *2018 giving totals account for $30M gift from G. Brint Ryan - the largest gift in UNT history.
AMOUNT RAISED
NUMBER OF DONORS
$7.23M
1,151 donors
in gifts and pledges
$2,960,563
Alumni*
915
Alumni*
$1,374,362
Estates and Trusts**
2
Estates and Trusts**
$1,020,711
Faculty Staff*
28
Faculty Staff*
$1,454,123
Other Individuals
114
Other Individuals
$1,823,733
Organizations
94
Organizations
* Faculty staff and alumni numbers may overlap **Estates and trusts are also counted in the alumni and other individual totals
22 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
NT LOGISTICS PARTNERSHIP GROWS STRONGER THROUGH $200,000 COMMITMENT
DID YOU KNOW?
UNT Logistics is among the fastest growing programs in the nation, in part because of its valuable partnerships forged with organizations like NT Logistics, headquartered in Frisco, Texas.
Ensure your support for the places, people and causes close to your heart continues for years to come by planning your estate now.
For nearly 20 years, NT Logistics has shown a commitment to UNT by offering internships to its students so they can apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world experiences in the field. Many of these internships have evolved into full-time careers— with UNT graduates making up more than 10% of the current NT Logistics workforce. “It’s a great way to give back to my alma mater,” says Lynn Gravley, president and CEO of NT Logistics, ’87 UNT graduate and UNT Center for Logistics board member since 2013. “Giving students a taste and feel of some of the challenges our industry faces allows them to benefit, as well as NT Logistics.” Gravley and NT Logistics’ active involvement in the program has also included its capstone case competitions, providing realworld challenges for students to navigate. These challenges involve professional obstacles that NT Logistics has encountered in managing their distribution networks—giving students the unique opportunity to develop practical solutions for their field of study. The success of students in these courses, and the hands-on experiences they gain, inspired Gravley to commit to the program in a different way this year—pledging a generous $200,000 to the capstone course and its case competitions. Gravley explains that by investing in the capstone course further, NT Logistics and the greater logistics community ultimately benefit, along with UNT students. “It’s an opportunity to endear us more to the program and the graduates, because if we can attract the best people then we will continue to have a great company,” says Gravley. “Because kids today will become colleagues five or ten years from now.” Ultimately, Gravley hopes that his generosity will impassion others to see the value in giving back. “A lot of industry can do the same thing we did, because the thing that we need more than anything today is talent.” Together, Gravley and NT Logistics have helped increase program rankings and national appeal. The program is ranked fifth in the world today, based on faculty publishing, is the seventh largest undergraduate program in the US, and hosts six-time national logistics challenge champions.
5 STEPS TO A BETTER ESTATE PLAN
Five simple ways you can create a legacy for the future include: 1. Make the most of what you have. Meet with qualified professionals to form a financial and giving plan that satisfies your needs and meets your goals. 2. Protect family and loved ones. Keep loved ones safe by making sure your estate plan is upto-date. It should be reviewed regularly for changes in personal relationships, tax laws, births, deaths and state of residence. 3. Be tax-smart. Don’t let taxes place a burden on your family, with careful planning now, you can get the most out of your estate plan. 4. Make sure your wishes are fulfilled. Use the services of a qualified estate planning attorney to draw up your will and other legal documents, ensuring that your wishes are clearly stated so there are no misunderstandings. 5. Continue helping others after your lifetime. Gifts to charitable organizations, such as the University of North Texas, in your future plans ensure your support for our work continues even after your lifetime.
Contact Jessica Steinke, Executive Director of Development, to learn more about including a gift to the Ryan College of Business in your plans: 940.369.7623 | Jessica.Steinke@unt.edu 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 23
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS AND THE DALLAS COWBOYS LAUNCH INNOVATIVE ONLINE M.B.A.
The business acumen that turned a $140 million investment 30 years ago into a $5.5 billion company today is now in a virtual classroom. The University of North Texas, a Carnegie Tier One research institution, and the Dallas Cowboys, named the most valuable sports franchise in the world by Forbes, have created a Master of Business Administration degree that the two organizations began offering in Fall 2020. The 36-credit-hour professional online M.B.A. in Sport Entertainment Management offers six specialization courses: sports in the global marketplace, corporate partnerships, analytics, event operations, talent management and consultancy. The specialized offerings will supplement the program’s more traditional classes, such as finance, accounting, marketing and strategic management, giving students the advantage of a traditional M.B.A. combined with best practices from the business operations driving sports’ most valuable franchise. “We’ve been fortunate to be involved in a number of different businesses, both directly and indirectly involved in the sport entertainment industry. Through key partnerships, such as our relationship with the University of North Texas, we have found ways to grow the reach of 24 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
the Dallas Cowboys across a variety of these industries,” said Jerry Jones Jr., chief sales & marketing officer of the Dallas Cowboys. “We’re excited to share those learnings and experiences with students partaking in this new online program at UNT.” The online degree features invaluable insight from and access to industry experts, including an opportunity to participate in three on-site bootcamps at The Star in Frisco, Dallas Cowboys’ World Corporate Headquarters and Training Facility. The UNT sport entertainment management programs are housed across the street from The Star and within a five-mile radius of Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas, NBA G League’s Texas Legends, National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars headquarters, and Texas League’s Frisco Roughriders, as well as the soonto-be PGA of America headquarters, which will include a golf resort with two championship courses. While the university already offered an M.B.A. Sport Entertainment Management program, as well as a B.B.A. Sport Management Track in Business Integrated Studies at its Frisco location, this online program is built specifically for professionals looking to take their next step and move up the ladder in their respective industries. The program’s architects also hope to help
former and retiring professional athletes transition to a new career or help coaches transition from the sidelines to the front office. “The Dallas Cowboys are standing at the top of the sports business world,” said Bob Heere, UNT director of sports management. “It’s one thing for business students, especially those interested in sports and entertainment, to have access to a professional team, but our students are learning best practices from the individuals responsible for moving the needle forward in the Cowboys organization. There’s a reason they are the most valuable franchise in the world. Their people are driving brand growth year over year, and now they will be helping teach our students how to do the same.” The relationship between UNT and the Dallas Cowboys runs deeper than advertising and neighborly interactions born from proximity. At least 10 full-time staff within the organization are UNT alumni. Cowboys’ staff also work alongside UNT faculty for special class projects, serve as guest speakers and are adjunct faculty at the university. In the last three years, more than 20 UNT students have been interns with the organization in a wide range of areas, including marketing, corporate partnerships, football operations, Dallas Cowboys Merchandising, Legends Hospitality and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Professionals with three years’ work experience as industry executives, coaches and former athletes can enter the program without taking the GMAT. The ideal candidates are looking to grow their business acumen beyond just the sports industry, expanding also to the ancillary businesses that revolve around it. Graduates will leave with an M.B.A. degree that also provides best practices in the sports industry landscape that continues to grow and transcend over time. “UNT’s G. Brint Ryan College of Business has a track record of providing high-quality, highimpact degree programs that work for students,” said Dean Marilyn Wiley. “Creating this online program capitalizes on the university’s 25-year history in the online space as well as the expertise of the Dallas Cowboys and our faculty. It is a fitting next step for a college dedicated to helping its graduates reach their goals.”
LEARN FROM THE BEST EXPERT FACULTY THAT WILL TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL
BOB HEERE
Heere is the current Director of Sport Entertainment Management at the University of North Texas, and a full Professor in the Department of Management in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. He currently serves as the President of the North American Society for Sport Management. He is a leading scholar in the field of sport management, and has conducted research on sport on five continents, with scholars from more than 20 different nations. He has worked closely with many different sport organizations around the world, including the Royal Dutch Soccer Federation, AFC Ajax Amsterdam, the Shanghai Sports Federation, Nanjing Sport Bureau, Fulham FC, the World Golf Foundation, and currently with the Dallas Cowboys and the PGA of America.
MATT WALKER
Walker is a Professor of Management at the University of North Texas and is directing the development of the online content. His research and consultancies focus on program evaluations and strategic processes underpinning organizational efforts across numerous sport industry sectors. He has participated in more than 30 grant-funded research projects for sport and related organizations in the United States and around the world, including the PGA of America, National Football League, Sport England, World Golf Foundation, The Boxing Academy, Golf 20/20, Nike, Barclays Bank, USA Archery, Easton Sports Development Foundation, Fulham Football Club Foundation, Fight-4Change, Magic Bus (among others). Walker is a leading scholar in sport management, helping improve and enhance the marketing and management of social and strategic programming efforts.
AARON KASTNER
Kastner is currently the Manager of Corporate Partnership Marketing for the Dallas Cowboys. In this role, he manages and oversees the day to day relationships with Cowboys corporate partners; one of which is UNT. He also serves as the Industry Director for the UNT / Cowboys professional M.B.A. program and is the primary liaison between the university and the Cowboys for the program. Prior to the Cowboys, he worked in corporate partnerships and ticketing with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids) and the Green Bay Packers. 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 25
STUDENT SUCCESSES SENIOR “BATTLES” IT OUT FOR TOP SPOT IN NATIONAL COMPETITION Jackie Battles, senior financial planning major in UNT’s Department of Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Law, took home second place in this year’s International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) Financial Planning Competition. Ninety-eight undergraduate students representing 15 universities participated in the 2020 event, which involved competitors developing a comprehensive financial plan based on a fictional case narrative that was presented by IARFC. Final plans were required to incorporate tax analysis, a net worth statement, education funding, retirement planning, life insurance analysis, disability and long-term care insurance analysis, an estate plan analysis and portfolio recommendations. Only three winning teams were ultimately chosen after three rounds of judging—and while the first- and second-place teams each had two members, Battles chose to compete alone for an added challenge. “I personally wanted to know if I could do it on my own. I knew it would allow me to thoroughly review every aspect of a financial plan, which would help to prepare me for steps in the future,” said Battles. “My aspirations are to be very involved with the community and help bridge the gap of knowledge for financial literacy. I know that this is not an easy task but I plan to continue to learn and provide that education to others. Hopefully one day from my efforts I too will earn a spot on Investment News’ top advisors list.” Last year, senior Rebecca Boyle took home first place in the IARFC competition, making 2020 the second year in a row for a UNT student to score in the top three.
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A team of UNT logistics and supply chain management students won first place at Operation Stimulus. John Murphy (US Marines), Clayton Maxwell (US Navy), Michael Quintana (Amazon intern), and Cameron Hood (NASA intern) beat 16 other teams from nationally and internationally ranked logistics programs. Terrance Pohlen, senior associate dean and professor of logistics, served as their faculty advisor. UNT has taken home first place three times—in 2016, 2018 and now 2020.
Sport Entertainment Management (SEM) MBA candidate, Roderick Henderson, brought home first place in Baylor’s inaugural S3/SAP Tickets Insightathon competition.
Chase Sower and Thanh Hang, seniors majoring in business computer information systems, were selected as finalists for the international Association for Information Systems (AIS) Software Innovation Challenge. The annual competition tasks student teams with proposing an IT solution to a challenge that addresses a sustainable development goal.
Kirk Von Der Heydt (MS accounting) and his accounting student team won the Institute for Internal Auditors (IIA) internal audit case competition at the 2019 Internal Audit Student Exchange Conference. In addition, Caylla Cotton (MS accounting) and her team placed second in this highly competitive event. Von Der Heydt and current UNT PASS President Colleen Delaney (pictured) also placed first and second, respectively, in the 2019 IIA Annual Engagement Award.
ELIZABETH AHRENS (’19)
Elizabeth Ahrens, BS/MS audit student, qualified to receive the Elijah Watt Sells (EWS) award. The EWS award is bestowed to top-achieving candidates who earn a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the CPA exam and pass all four sections of the exam on their first attempt. Out of more than 86,000 candidates who take the exam each year, only roughly 105-110 candidates (less than 0.2%) qualify for the honor.
DELTA EPSILON CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA PI HONORED AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
JOSE LOPEZ (’21)
Jose Lopez, BS/MS accounting student, received the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Accounting Scholars Leadership workshop (ASLW) scholarship. This recognition covers the cost of transportation, hotel accommodations, training experiences, and meals for Lopez to attend their annual workshop event. Each year, the AICPA Foundation awards 100 of these prestigious scholarships to deserving students. Lopez, who is expected to graduate in 2021, is a member of UNT’s elite Accounting Scholars Program (ASP).
LINDSEY COOK (’21)
Real estate major Lindsey Cook turned her lifelong passion for property management into a winning achievement. Honored as UNT’s 2020 Student Property Management Scholar, Cook’s hard work in the classroom earned her a spot at the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Global Summit. The IREM Global Summit serves as a governance and education event aimed to inspire real estate professionals through panels and presentations from experts in the industry. In addition, Cook worked alongside her peers to earn a top spot in this year’s IREM case competition.
GABRIEL MIRELES (’19)
Gabriel Mireles, People Development Coordinator for Ryan, LLC and 2019 Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management graduate, was awarded the DallasHR HR Student Leader of the Year award. While at UNT, Mireles served in a number of different officer positions for the university’s Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter, including vice president and president. DallasHR is one of the largest SHRM affiliate chapters.
UNT’s Delta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi took home three regional awards for the South Central Province from the 52nd convention of Delta Sigma Pi. Awards included Regional Chapter of Excellence, Regional Most Outstanding Professional Activities, and Regional Most Outstanding Alumni Relations. Amanda Nedrow (Chapter President), Camryn DeBeau, Sara Martinez (Chapter Webmaster), Hudson Holmes and Katrina Perez represented UNT’s award-winning chapter by traveling to the conference in Atlanta, Georgia to accept the awards. Nedrow was also given the special opportunity to vote on legislation and elect new national officers while in attendance. In addition to recognizing UNT’s chapter for regional excellence, the conference also provided students with educational and professional sessions. The sessions focused on operational, personal, professional and leadership development topics, as well as Delta Sigma Pi history and ritual. Brotherhood-building events were also among the itinerary, including the Grand President’s Carnival, a private event at the College Football Hall of Fame and the Congress Banquet and Dance. 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 27
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO IGNITE ENTREPRENEURSHIP THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS G. BRINT RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND COLLEGE OF MUSIC INTRODUCE MBA IN MUSIC BUSINESS. The new offering instills future music professionals with an interdisciplinary mindset by blending business-administration and music-entrepreneurship curricula. Students from all musical backgrounds will learn management, marketing, finance, media and other skills needed for direct application to the music industry. This program will help students build financially and professionally satisfying careers that positively impact their communities. “I am truly excited to launch this collaborative program. The MBA in music business brings together UNT’s world class College of Music with its highly ranked Masters of Business Administration in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. This innovative degree gives musicians the business skills they need to succeed in their careers along with access to a whole new set of entrepreneurial and management opportunities,” said G. Brint Ryan College of Business Dean Marilyn Wiley. UNT is known for its development of unique academic programs that prepare students for the music industry’s changing needs. The internationally-ranked College of Music debuted the world’s first Jazz Studies degree program in 1947 and, in 2018, launched a new intercollegiate, interdepartmental curriculum in Music for Media, including music scoring for film, games, TV and related digital media in partnership with the Department of Media Arts in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The MBA in music business grew out of the College of Music’s existing Music Business and Entrepreneurship program, which “Billboard” magazine listed among the nation’s Top Music Business Schools for the last four years. Each year, the program awards $20,000 in cash prizes to budding student entrepreneurs in the UNT Music Entrepreneurship Competition. “There are very few such degrees offered in American higher education today, and none to our knowledge within a publicuniversity context. This new partnership leverages the strengths and expertise of two distinguished faculties and provides an impressive, interdisciplinary curriculum at a terrific value,” said College of Music Dean John Richmond. 28 The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business
UNT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM DEVELOPED TO SPUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS University of North Texas (UNT) Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is driving entrepreneurial creativity in new ways. Entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to connect with business leaders and seasoned entrepreneurs through the Murphy Center’s newly formed Mentoring Program. The Mentoring Program, featuring twelve mentors, is designed to assist entrepreneurs growing their early stage businesses. Each mentor brings decades of experience in starting, growing and exiting companies across a range of industries. Each mentee is paired with a mentor by the Murphy Center team. Critical areas of importance that mentors provide insight into include functional skills, customers/connections, pitches and the funding process. Center Senior Director Jon McCarry is spearheading the initiative which provides entrepreneurs additional guidance and support beyond the ideation phase, i.e. the valley of death for start-ups. The Mentorship Program is open to UNT students, alumni, faculty or staff in good standing with the university, and companies working with the university on new technologies. Participation in the Program requires at least one meeting with the Murphy Center team and an application. All applications are evaluated the first week of every month. Acceptance into the Program is based on the stage of the start-up, experience, goals and fit. Visit https://cob.unt.edu/murphycenter to learn more and apply to become a mentee. 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 29
UNT STUDENTS BREW UP NEW BRAND FOR LAKEWOOD BREWING COMPANY
Lakewood Brewing Company, an independent Texas craft brewery known for their “seriously fun beer,” recently tapped into something new.
When it came time for the teams to reveal their final concepts, both Meigs and President and Founder Wim Bens were there to choose the winning idea.
Partnering with Dr. Lou Pelton’s Applied Marketing Problems class in the UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business, student teams were challenged with developing a new product brand concept and comprehensive marketing strategy for the company.
“All of the presenters had great ideas and interesting thoughts, but we felt that “Team Peach” really took their concept and wove it throughout every facet of their presentation. It was clever, and we felt like something that our target audience would react to and work well,” explained Meigs.
Expectations for Lakewood Brewing, a recent Grand Champion brand at the US Beer Tasting Championship, were high. “Great brands have to be rooted in an insights-driven concept to connect with consumers. We made it clear that we would be heavily weighing the concept in the final presentations,” said Ryan Meigs, creative director for Lakewood.
Marco Hernandez, Gina Duronio, Katie Abshire, Natalie Christiansen and Bristal Buford were among the team that took home first place with their beer brand “No Huckin Way,” a huckleberry wheat beer. “The opportunity for students to engage in real-world, realtime marketing improves their preparedness for careers and professional development,” said Professor Lou Pelton.
The ultimate goal for the student teams was to create market awareness and brand ambassadors that would organically spread the word about their new product and Lakewood as a brand.
What first began as an innovative way to incorporate practical experiences into the classroom, has now transformed into a potential new brand for Lakewood to “put in the hopper.”
“Our initial impressions were that the students were very interested in the project. It seemed like half the class stayed after the presentation to ask questions. We were impressed with the depth of thinking and how quickly they jumped into research mode,” said Meigs. “We even hosted several students on a few occasions at the brewery for tours... They continued to ask thoughtful questions and were very engaged in the process.”
“The more they talked about the concept, the more it sounded like a good idea. I spoke with one of our brewers and we decided to do a pilot, which is a very small batch that we do when we test beers for market,” said Meigs.
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Now, the members of “Team Peach” will be able to taste the very same product they conceptualized in the classroom; and if all goes well, store shelves may very well be full of “No Huckin Way,” too.
COLLEGE LAUNCHES OFFICIAL PODCAST: BUSINESS CONVERSATIONS
BUSINESS
C O N V E R S AT I O N S
THE UNT G. BRINT RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF ITS FIRST PODCAST SERIES, BUSINESS CONVERSATIONS, FEATURING CONVERSATIONS BY EXPERT FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE. FROM TAXES TO CYBERSECUIRTY, THE PODCAST COVERS A RANGE OF RELEVANT TOPICS AND ISSUES PRESENT IN TODAY’S BUSINESS WORLD.
EPISODE 1
EPISODE 2
EPISODE 3
EPISODE 4
Taxes and COVID-19
Cybersecurity in Today’s Climate
CIO Leadership and Transitions
Featuring Dr. Peggy Jimenez
Featuring Dr. Jose Lineros
The Sports Industry During a Pandemic
EPISODE 5
EPISODE 6
EPISODE 7
IT in the Nonprofit Sector and the Use of Inter-organizational Systems to Address Homelessness Featuring Dr. Mary C. Jones
Job Searching
Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Featuring Dr. Brian Hirsch
Featuring Dr. Tony Gerth
Featuring Professors Bob Heere and Matt Walker
Featuring Dr. Michael Savoie
SUBSCRIBE. LISTEN. LEARN. anchor.fm/untrcob cob.unt.edu/podcast 2019-2020 Annual Magazine 31
R. Harry Bishop Dean’s Suite 1155 Union Circle, #311160 Denton, Texas 76203
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The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business has been continuously accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1961. AACSB-accredited schools are widely considered to be the world’s best business schools.
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