Spring2013_CommencementSpeech_Melissa_Dunn

Before she was even 15 years old, Melissa Dunn had already visited more colleges than most people will see in a lifetime. Her mother, a high school guidance counselor, had been professionally visiting colleges for years and Melissa had been her trusted companion on these trips.

So when it came to her own college decision she had clear expectations and the nagging feeling that no school alone would be able to satisfy all her requirements: a top education in international business, excellent internship opportunities and a renowned Arabic program to polish her language skills. Melissa was convinced that she would have to compromise and choose one objective over the other. These were her thoughts until she visited The University of Texas at Austin.

Looking for a business degree following the advice and passion of her father, a trained accountant and CFO to several companies, Melissa was targeting the top 20 business schools in the nation. And this is how UT and McCombs came on the radar of this talented high school student from New Jersey.

On the tour of McCombs, she passed the stock ticker, saw a sign that advertised an event of the Undergraduate Business Council, and learned about the opportunities at McCombs and UT. “I arrived on campus on the Easter weekend of 2009 at 09:30 in the morning. By 11:00 a.m. I knew that this was the school I wanted to go to and that UBC was the organization I wanted to join, ” says Melissa.

She fully embraced all opportunities offered to her and approached them with the result-driven enthusiasm that defines her as a person. In her first years at McCombs she became an executive board member of UBC, served as the McCombs representative for Student Government and got involved with the organization “Teach for America,” a national teacher corps of college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years and raise student achievement in public schools.

As a result of her involvement she developed a deep interest in domestic policies to improve the lives of others. “I became so interested in and passionate about politics and the process of defining domestic policies that I started questioning my focus on business. My advisor, Lovelys Powell, helped me think through this and with his support I realized that a business degree is a strong foundation for policy making.”

Attending the White House Welcome for Prime Minister David Cameron

The applicability of business skills to policy making is a fact that she was able to prove to herself during her internship semester with the Bill Archer Fellow Program in spring 2012. As a full-time intern with the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. she was tasked to research the economic impact of  federal non-discrimination policies on federal contractors. Through her understanding of supply chain management, procurement structures and the ability to analyze balance sheets she quickly became a valued and respected team member.

Making an impact and changing things for the better has always been important for Melissa. “I was offered an internship at the White House to be in charge of the calendar of Melody Barnes, then Director of Domestic Policies. And my other offer came from the Center for American Progress where I would be able to do research. It wasn’t an easy decision but I went for the  option that gave me the most insight into what life as a policy maker is really like and gave me the opportunity to publish two papers ,” says Melissa. After the internship, Melissa was sure that she wanted to pursue her passion of improving the lives of others focusing on the educational opportunities for children.

Taking a class at the Archer Center

Back in Austin she added a government minor to her business degree and started to work as a recruitment intern for Teach of America. After her graduation, Melissa will join the teaching corps and has committed to a two year program in New Orleans teaching math to raise the skill levels of students in traditionally under performing high schools.

She knows that her business skills and her government training will serve her well on her path to Washington where she ultimately wants to be to influence policies on the highest level. “If we use what we learn in business school to fuel what we are passionate about, then we really change the world,” says Melissa and we know that this longhorn will do nothing less than that. We think “Melissa Dunn 2028” BBA ’13 sounds really good!*

*The presidential election of 2028 is the first time Melissa would be eligible to run for president of the U.S.A.

Papers co-authored by Melissa Dunn:

The State of Gay and Transgender Communities of Color in 2012

Supporting Gay and Transgender Youth Most in Need

Texas BBA Program Awards

BBA Career Services Award

• Anna Martinez
• Sara Saastamoinen

The McCombs BBA Career Services award recognizes a student who has demonstrated superior integrity, time, effort, and dedication toward advancing the mission of BBA Career Services.

Student Leadership Award

• Robert Belanger
• UZ Zhan

This award recognizes excellence in student leadership.

Texas BBA Outstanding Service Award

• Michelle Moon
• Christopher Schulze

This award recognizes students who have made a significant contribution through dedicated service to the Texas BBA Program.

Cole Holmes Academic Advising Support Award

• Veronica Becerra

This award annually recognizes a Peer Advisor in the McCombs Undergraduate Program Office who supports the academic advising mission and who has demonstrated the qualities Cole exhibited during his tenure at The University of Texas at Austin where he served in multiple roles including: Orientation Advisor, Academic Advisor, Coordinator of the Peer Advisor Program, and Director of Advising.

Office of Student Life Service Award

• Dima Horda
• Eugene Hsiao

This award recognizes the outstanding contribution and support given by a student to the programs, initiatives, and mission of the Office of Student Life.

Undergraduate Business Council Awards

George Mitchel Business Leadership Award

• Freshmen Charlie Adkins and Sarah Qin
• Sophomores Parker King and Jacob Spangler
• Juniors Lindsay Mulford and Dennis Thankachan

This award recognizes students who have exhibited strong leadership within the McCombs School of Business.

Barbara Jordan Business Leadership Award

• Seniors Jeffrey Stevens and Khurram Kabiruddin

This award recognizes outstanding seniors who have shown great initiative, strong leadership, and outstanding motivation through their activities within the McCombs School.

Most Outstanding Business Organization

• Hispanic Business Student Organization

This award recognizes an organization that has promoted leadership, encouraged service and developed professionalism through its various programs. This organization is set apart from other business organizations by its membership and activities.

Most Improved Business Organization

• American Marketing Association

This award recognizes an organization which has drastically improved in the past year through effective new leadership or programs.

McCombs BBA/MPA Advisory Board Award

Rising Star Leadership Award

• Jeffrey Stevens

Faculty Honor Roll

Rory Morgan McDonald – MAN374 – Management
Dean A Bredeson – LEB323 – Business, Government and Society
James D Miller – FIN367 – Finance
Douglas R Dierking - MAN337 –  Management
Frances A Pedersen – LEB323 – Business, Government and Society
Douglas J Morrice – OM368 - Information, Risk, and Operations
Robert A Prentice – LEB323H – Business, Government and Society
Kathleen A Edwards – MAN328 – Management
Gail A Gemberling – STA309 – Information, Risk, and Operations
Katie Gray – MIS304 – Information, Risk, and Operations
Gretchen B Charrier – ACC356 – Accounting
Regina W Hughes – FIN370 – Finance

Important Scholarship Information

The 2013-2014 McCombs BBA Scholarship Application for Continuing Students, is currently available from March 1, 2013 – May 1, 2013.  The application can be found online through the McCombs website: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/business/scholarships/

Deadline to apply:  MAY 1, 2013

**Note:  If you currently receive a “renewable” McCombs Scholarship, you must apply with the McCombs Undergraduate Scholarship Application to be eligible to renew your award.  If you do not apply, we cannot renew the award.***

Apply to University-wide Scholarships

We would also encourage you to apply with the University-wide Scholarship application.  For information regarding university-wide scholarships, please visit the Office of Student Financial Services (http://finaid.utexas.edu/).

Questions? We have answers!

For questions please contact Charles Enriquez, Director Recruiting & Scholarships, at charles.enriquez@mccombs.utexas.edu.

           
At the McCombs Executive Mentorship Dinner, I learned what it means to be a part of the Red McCombs School of Business. Michelle Obama could not have said it better; “When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.”

Over the course of two hours, relationships were formed over the common ground of being a part of the McCombs legacy. Alumni of McCombs took this evening to reach back and open the door for us. Executives shared their insight into the working world. These mentors gave us an opportunity to network and to ask how McCombs initiated their career path. They gave advice and shared admirable stories.

Holding the door open creates a legacy. It creates a community. Senior Jeff Stevens, chair of the BBA legacy committee, said, “Building a McCombs community is just as important as what we do in the classrooms and organizations.”

By listening and interacting with these fellow McCombs legacies, I saw what opportunities await BBA undergraduates. I feel honored to be part of McCombs and urge others to be apart of this legacy. These Executives have inspired me to assist in maintaining the McCombs legacy and I look forward to attending events like this dinner now and after graduating. Furthermore, every undergraduate can begin participating now during the BBA Legacy Campaign at the end of March.

Thank you to all of the peers, mentors, and everyone who assisted in executing such a wonderful evening. The legacy created before us keeps rolling, so my fellow peers, I challenge you to be a part of the legacy and to reach back and hold the door open for others. We bleed burnt orange. Hook ‘em.

We would like to thank the following alumni for their participation and for connecting with our BBA/MPA students.

1. Keat Wilkins – CEO, Sense Corp 2. Jeff Eller – Chairman, Public Strategies 3. Steve Rohleder – Group Chief Executive, Accenture (Health & Public Service Operating Group); former Accenture COO 4. Sandy Gottesman – LiveOak Gottesman 5. Darrell Windham – Head of the Corporate Law Practice, Greenberg Traurig; former Head of the Corporate Law Practice at Fulbright & Jaworski 6. Jim McBride – Founder and Managing Member, Blue Sage Capital 7. Gary Valdez – CEO, Focus Strategies 8. Joe Holt – CEO, JPMorgan Chase, Central TX 9. Kevin Hegarty – CFO, UT; former CFO of Dell Financial Services 10. Ken Cho – Co-Founder, Spredfast 11. Rick Thielke – Portfolio Manager and Head of Analytics, SandRidge Capital 12. Jack Baum (to confirm) – Partner 2m Co, CEO of Food, Friends & Company

The Barbara Jordan and George Mitchell Leadership Awards recognize two first, second, third, and fourth-year business students for their outstanding leadership qualities and service to the McCombs School of Business.

McCombs Affiliated Student Organizations that foster and produce these leaders are encouraged to apply for one of two McCombs Organization Awards: Most Improved Organization and Most Outstanding Organization.

Recipients of the awards will be invited to attend a breakfast with the Deans of the business school as well as the Honors Day Convocation where the awards will be presented.

For more information and the application itself, go to texasbusinesscouncil.com and make sure to submit all necessary forms online, and turn in the application itself to the Office of Student Life by the deadline, March 18, 2013 at 5:00 PM.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Rudy Garza, G-51 Capital Management

AT&T Conference Center, Room #203

5:30 Registration, 6:00 Program and 7:00 Reception

RSVP: UTEWeek2013 Keynote: Rudy Garza

As founder and managing general partner of G-51 Capital Management, Rudy focuses on the development of

all portfolio companies, syndication partnerships and deal flow. Through mentoring as well as serving on

portfolio boards, he is instrumental in driving success through defining and then guiding the implementation

of well-grounded business and marketing strategies. Rudy is an expert at finding and defining business and

revenue models, market shaping services, business growth strategies and talent sourcing. Rudy has served

as an investor and board member for over 20 companies, selling several to publicly traded firms including SAP,

ADP, Prudential, and Cisco Systems among others.

Rudy is also an active leader in the venture community, as a longtime member of the NVCA and the Texas

Venture Capital Association.  He has served as Chairman of the Board of the University of Texas Alumni

Association (“Texas Exes”) in 2011. In addition, Rudy is a lifetime honorary trustee of the Dell Children’s

Medical Center Foundation.

Last Saturday, the Undergraduate Business Council hosted the McCombs Executive Summit at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. The topic of this year’s summit was “Big Data.”

The panel with a cross-industry selection of executives.

The event hosted a Q&A panel featuring a selection of cross-industry executives from the fields of technology, social media, retailing, banking, advertising and mobile communications. Companies represented included Target, AT&T, Facebook, Adlucent, Cisco, and BBVA Compass. This panel was facilitated by our own McCombs professor, Dr. Michael Hasler.

The seven company representatives shared insights on how they use big data analysis in their decision processes. Dr. Hasler summarizes: “Big data analyzing is experiencing a shift from being a competitive advantage to being a competitive necessity.” After the panel, attendees were broken up into groups to work on case questions facilitated by the company representatives. The companies gave insight into the challenges that appear in their worlds, and how to approach and solve these questions.

Working on case questions.

The Summit concluded with a three course lunch and a presentation from keynote speaker, John Gordon, Director of Strategy & Product Management for the IBM Watson Solutions Division. Gordon spoke on the rise of a new era of data generation, and how the businesses that will harness and leverage this data will be truly successful. Gordon said, “80% of that data is unstructured and unleveraged. Data is growing exponentially. Soon, you will be able to ask more questions than anyone ever has before. You’re going to be more informed that anyone ever has before.”

Michelle Moon and Adam Petras

Gordon also pointed out that, “Data is the new oil.” Dr. Hasler explains, “Oil changed the economic structure in the beginning of the 20^th century. Data is driving the activity in the beginning of the 21^st century. When oil comes out of the ground, it is black mud and we cannot use it until it’s been refined. The same is true for big data. Once it is refined, it becomes information and we can make decisions.”

The event was enjoyed by the company representatives and the 80 students, who graciously gave up their Saturdays to learn.

Dr. Michael Hasler is the Director of the new Masters of Science Business Analytics Program to be launched in fall 2013. For more information and to find out how to apply, visit their website at the link above.

Company Field Trips are designed to help bridge the gap between the classroom and the working world.  The Undergraduate Business Council is hosting four trips this year to Dallas, New York, Houston, and Seattle.  All of these trips focus on a specific major or job type such as consulting or investment banking.  In all, more than 120 McCombs students will attend these trips this year.  Some of the companies visited this year include McKinsey & Co., The Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, Evercore, and J.Crew.  At each of these visits, students have the opportunity to learn more about the company, network with alumni, and talk to recruiters.

The next Company Field Trip will be to Houston on Friday, February 22 to visit Bank of America Merrill Lynch, ExxonMobil, and Jefferies (sign up for the Houston trip).  Just a few weeks later on March 12, McCombs students will head to Seattle to visit Accenture, Amazon, Boeing, and Microsoft (sign up for the trip to Seattle).

Company Field Trip: McKinsey and Company

Company Field Trip Dallas: Bain and Copmany

Company Field Trip New York: Goldman Sachs

Last Friday night, nine contestants from various McCombs student organizations came together to compete for the title of “Mr. McCombs.” Mr. McCombs is a male beauty pageant that raises money and canned goods for charity. The contestants choose the charity of their choice to give to, upon winning, and the canned goods are given to the Capital Area food bank. The Daily Texan and Good Morning Texas provided  coverage for the event.

Isoken is the new Mr. McCombs!

After dancing, dressing up in their finest suits and swimwear and showcasing their talents, Isoken Omoruyi, the Asian Business Student Association rep, came out with the crown. Isoken’s high spirits and self-composed song he performed with an accompanying band propelled him to the top and allowed him to stand out to the judges. Conrad Bates, of the Undergraduate Business Council, won the title of “Mr. Congeniality.”The event raised over $750 dollars for charity and more than 4000 cans, which are donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. This is far more than past Mr. McCombs pageants have ever brought in.

Conrad (center) is Mr. Congeniality.

Isoken’s song: UT is Number 1

Tuesday February 19, 2013

Ebetuel (Beto) Pallares
Co-Founder Cottonwood Capital Partners and CEO Joseph Advisory Services

AT&T Conference Center, Room #201

5:30 Registration, 6:00 Program and 7:00 Reception

RSVP: http://tinyurl.com/EIR-Speakers-Feb-19

Beto Pallares founded Joseph Advisory Services (JAS) in 2006.  He brings extensive domestic and international start-up experience as an entrepreneur and in conducting due diligence for both start-ups and late stage companies. His professional experience spans working for top-tier strategy consulting firms, co-founding start-ups, international business development, nonprofit management, venture capital and military service.  In the summer of 2009, he co-founded Cottonwood Capital Partners, the general partner of Cottonwood Technology Fund, a seed and early-stage venture fund with headquarters in El Paso, TX.

He serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards.  He is also an advisor to the UT Horizon Fund, the venture capital investment fund of the University of Texas System, and serves on the limited partnership advisory committees of several venture funds.  Mr. Pallares graduated from Brandeis University, in Waltham, MA, with a degree in economics, and received his MBA from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).  He also went on to attain a Ph.D. in International Business from UTEP.  Dr. Pallares’ research has focused on confluence of high tech emerging market firms, incubators and technology commercialization.