The Doermer School of Business connects learning of the business curriculum with its practice in many ways. The School’s strategic initiatives such as the Curriculum Connection, International Experience, Student Competitions, Cole Entrepreneurship Program, and others are intended for this purpose. They take our students and faculty to the workplaces of CEOs, managers, and officers of regional companies. The Executive-in-Residence Program brings the executive into the student’s learning environment. Over the course of several days, our guest delivers lectures, critiques current projects and problem solving scenarios, offers students views of contemporary high profile business situations, and provides advice on career planning.
The experience gives our faculty and administrators an opportunity to seek advice on designing business curricula and meaningful learning experiences. In time, we will draw our guest into assessment of learning outcomes.
Our guests have spoken about business ethics, conducting international business, corporate governance, managing people, future of regional manufacturing, regional and U.S. competitiveness, and the importance of cultivating innovation in existing corporations.
The highlight of the program is the interaction between guest and students in question/answer setting.
The Doermer School of Business was honored to have two Executive in Residence (EIR) during the 2012 year. They were Thomas Cottrell and Debra Williams.
The Doermer School of Business was honored to have Thomas Cottrell, Managing Partner of BKD, LLC as its Executive in Residence (EIR) on February 14 and 15, 2012.
EIRs differ from Professors for a Day with respect to the amount of time and expertise the share with faculty and staff. During his visit, Tom met with the J401 (Administrative Policy) and M301 (Introduction to Marketing) classes and discussed how he made his career choices and how he developed his leadership style at BKD. In A422 (Advanced Financial Management) and A437 (Advanced Management Accounting), Tom told the accounting students about how he got into accounting and gave career advice on how to look at opportunities available to students and how to succeed in accounting as they pursue their careers.
In addition, Tom celebrated BKD’s relationship with the Doermer Business School’s Accounting and Finance faculty at a luncheon held in his honor.
Tom received his Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 1982. He attained the partnership level at BKD in 1997 and was named Managing Partner of the Fort Wayne, Indiana Area office in 2002. In 2011, Tom was named one of the recipients for the IPFW Alumni Association’s Ralph E. Broyles Medal for his commitment to IPFW, the Richard T. Doermer School of Business, and the Accounting and Finance Department. The Broyles Medal honors an IU graduate from any campus who has made significant contributions to IPFW. In his nomination, Stanley Davis, chair of the Accounting and Finance Department, said, ”Tom has always been willing over the years to be active in the life of the School and Department in any way requested. He is indeed a dedicated professional and certainly an impressive role model for students, and possesses leadership skills respected by both faculty and administrators.” When asked why he is so actively involved with the university, Tom said, ”Today, I see IPFW as a regional asset, a gem. Higher education is a big part of who I am. We all have an obligation to give back to our community. If I can contribute, in some manner, towards the success of IPFW and its students, it is my pleasure to do so.”
Tom is also the Chairman of the Doermer School of Business’ Business Advisory Council.
The Doermer School of Business was honored to have Debra Williams, Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer for Parkview Health as its Executive in Residence (EIR) on November 8 and 9, 2012.
DSB was honored to have Don Wood, president, CEO, and founder of 80/20 Inc. as an Executive-in-Residence (EIR), March 17 and 18.
EIRs differ from Professors for a Day in the amount of time and expertise they can share with faculty and staff. Don was able to spend just a few hours as a professor for a day; however, as EIR, he spread his time and talents over a three-day period. In that time, met with the J401 class talking about his career and experiences; he also spent time with faculty and staff as a “virtual” member of DSB—even attending a staff meeting!
Don was also able to spend time with Assistant Professor of Marketing Nan Suntornpithug to discuss international business practices, and with Associate Professor of Marketing Bill Todorovic and graduate aide Anthony McDonald discussing competition team strategy.
Don founded 80/20, Inc. in 1989 with the goal of offering a new product to the industrial marketplace: the Industrial Erector Set—basically modular framing systems that can adjust to fit any industry and application.
Don and his family had a clear vision of the opportunities that would be created by their revolutionary concept; they also understood the value of interdependent relationships between manufacturer, sales, personnel, and the customer. Because of that understanding, the company continues to reinvest in people technology and product development.
Don is a member of the DSB Business Advisory Council.
Larry Lee, President of Leepoxy Plastics served as an Executive-in-Resident at DSB in March 2009. Mr. Lee, an attorney and president of Leepoxy Plastics, Inc., is an active supporter of higher education in Indiana and sports in Fort Wayne with special support to IPFW and IPFW athletics. Mr. Lee, owner of Leepoxy, and his wife, Linda, have donated $5 million to Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne. This was the largest gift IPFW has ever received.
Mr. Lee has been a force in the advancement of IPFW Athletics. He served as a member of the original Hilliard Gates Scholarship Committee and was also a charter member and President of the Royal Dons Club. Mr. Lee created the Lloy Ball Scholarship Fund for Men's Volleyball. He led the drive for IPFW to transition to Division I. Mr. Lee is the owner/president of Leepoxy Plastics, Inc.
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.
