President Jim Davis and I had a great working relationship. He hired me to do a job, and to the best of my ability, I did it. Since the president of my institution is now retiring, I've reflected lately on why I enjoyed working for Jim during the past four years. I think it was because of the way he let me run my own operation. He hired me to be the leader of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business (Byrd School), and he got out of the way for me to accomplish what needed to be done. I offer the following specific leadership examples of what Jim did in allowing me to effectively perform my work:

• We had a clear, front-end agreement on what he wanted me to do: get the university's business programs accredited by AACSB International and build a new business school building. He clearly conveyed to me his immediate vision - a sense of destiny - for the Byrd School. He deliberately focused our attention on the important issues - reach new heights through lofty accomplishments. He knew that only a limited number of goals could be pursued at one time.
  
• The Byrd School faculty, staff and I had freedom to perform. He made us feel responsible for what happened, he gave us authority that led to empowerment and dedicated team members, and we practiced self-management. At no time were we "managed" or controlled - we jointly pursued goals and values that we perceived as worthwhile.
  

• He inspired effort for a common cause, and we were recognized for work accomplished. We had small wins along the way, and he let my people and me know that he appreciated what we were doing. He encouraged our hearts by acknowledging our achievements.
  
• He understood that his job, as well as my job, was seen as a network hub of relationships with inside and outside groups. Much of our time should be spent out of our offices - it would be a big mistake for us to be chained to our desks.
  
  
• From day one, there was an emotional connection between Jim and I. As a result, I became a committed follower - a dean that wanted to make an impact not just for the sake of the university, but for him while he was still president.
  
  

I will miss working side-by-side with Jim Davis on getting a job done, but I truly look forward with great anticipation to working with our new president, Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons. On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Byrd School, we wish you, President Davis, only the very best during the days to come. Look back with pride on what you have accomplished, and look forward to a new world of enjoyment and happiness. There was only one piece of advice that Jim gave me that I did not follow. He said, "Be sure to take your vacation days; it will make you a better dean." With nearly four years under my SU belt, I let slip some 20-25 days. Perhaps you now have the time and I will take the time, and who knows, maybe we can use those days together.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE BYRD SCHOOL: CREATING A PARTNERSHIP

A couple of weeks ago, Charles Weiss, CEO of the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, and I met over lunch. We agreed that it would be highly desirable for both organizations to team up on activities and initiatives during the coming year. Even thought we have not had the time yet to formalize what we want to do, we will be doing so during the days to come. We agreed that each organization can be stronger if we lock our arms together to accomplish our mission work.

2007-08 BETA GAMMA SIGMA INDUCTEE

Prior to the end of the spring semester, the Byrd School held its initial induction ceremony for students and faculty of Shenandoah University. Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International. Prior to obtaining its specialized accreditation, students and faculty were inducted into Sigma Beta Delta. The mission of Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to foster personal and professional excellence, to advance the values of society, and to serve its lifelong members. Coordinating the event was Dr. Charles Pineno, Lillian Braun Chair in Accounting. Listed below are the students, faculty and administrators who were involved in our special induction ceremony.

Honorary Inductee President James A. Davis Juniors Sara Andrews Michele Bingaman Jane Derrick Sarah Hickie Whitney Largent Seniors Debra Boone Carrie Decker Kara Edmonson Ryan Hattenback Autumn Trenary Winchester MBA Vaibhav Agarwal Jason Bowers Catherine Fitzgerald Mamagul Nuriyeva Robin Posey-Blue

Weekend MBA Kwadwo Amponsah Michel Lowe PharmD/MBA Heidi Banko Emilie Gillis Daniel Salehi Stewart Wetmore Faculty Inductees President-Elect Tracy Fitzsimmons Dr. Miles Davis Dr. Giles Jackson Dr. Bingguang Li Dr. John Proe Dr. Travis Sample Dr. William Schulte

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOOT CAMP

Representatives from Sam’s Club of Hagerstown, Md., one of the sponsors of the boot camp, met with Dr. Miles Davis, director of the entrepreneurship program.

The Byrd School assists young high school students in seeing if they have what it takes to be successful in running their own business. Having just completed this year’s boot camp, students learned from those who have taken the entrepreneurial route to business success. It was an exciting five-day forum centered around discussions and visits by several successful entrepreneurs. Participants were able to assess their technical and business skills and evaluate whether they might be ready to start their own ventures. In addition, they were taught how to write and develop a sustainable business plan during five daily workshops. “The goal of this year’s Young Entrepreneurs Boot Camp was for students to overcome barriers to their achievements and gain the confidence and courage needed to succeed,” said Dr. Miles Davis, director of the entrepreneurship program.

THE BYRD SCHOOL: SPECIAL STAFF MEMBERS RECOGNIZED

Linda Simpson and Sue Olmsted

Many of the e-letters during this past year have discussed the important accomplishments and activities of our faculty. Two members of our academic family who are not faculty deserve special recognition as well. Linda Simpson and Sue Olmsted are the two special go-to individuals who work each day to address the needs and concerns of students and faculty. Both Linda and Sue are on the front line dealing with any request or question and do so with a servant’s heart. Many of you who have graduated and are now reading this edition of the Byrd Business Review can appreciate the contributions made to your education by Linda and Sue. You have voiced to me your thoughts about them many times when you stated the positive impact they had on your academic and personal lives. We say thanks to each of these outstanding members of our school for the important roles they play.

JUNE 2008 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT

The following economic snapshot was written by Dr. Clifford F. Thies, Eldon R. Lindsay Professor of Economics and Finance, in the Byrd School. As a regular contributor to the monthly e-letter, Dr. Thies writes: “With the release of this month’s Index of Leading Indicators by the Conference Board, showing an ever so slight uptick, it is appropriate to follow-up with the quarter’s SNAPSHOT of consumer and business confidence. Taking into account responses to seven weekly or monthly surveys of consumers, and to six monthly or quarterly surveys of business persons (including surveys of CEOs, CFOs, supply chain managers, human resource managers, bank loan officers and small business), exploring perceptions of the economy and short-term plans, some hope can be expressed that the economy has, maybe, found a bottom. To be sure, both consumer and business confidence are very low, and month-to-month fluctuations are often reversed, but, an upward movement in both indices is better than more downward movement” (see chart below).