Past deans of the Sorrell College of Business will take the stage in the Lewis Hall Atrium to talk about the evolution and growth of the College on Wednesday, March 23.
Joining current dean Dr. Judson Edwards on the stage will be former deans Dr. Cliff Eubanks (the College’s inaugural dean), Dr. Wayne Curtis, Dr. Larry Lovik, and Dr. Earl Ingram.
“We’re looking forward to hearing from the men who have been responsible for building the Sorrell College of Business into what it is today,” Edwards said. “Each of these men played pivotal roles in the College’s growth and will share interesting insights with students and faculty alike.”
As part of the 50th Anniversary celebration, a special fundraising drive is ongoing to support the Sorrell 360 Center for Professional Life, which was introduced this semester in the College.
‘The Center focuses on 360 degrees of professional development. Providing success in business and in life takes a holistic approach to career readiness and success. We believe that complete preparation for student’s career and life success must also include the development of soft skills, relationship building tools and personal wellness,” Edwards said.
The goal is to raise $15,000 to immediately provide funds to support adaptive learning spaces for students, provide a space for in-between classes, provide access to Suitable, an app for students to track their professional development and micro-credentials, mental health resources and funding for 360 Center events and workshops. Donations can be made here.
This week, a series of panels have highlighted the College’s 50th Anniversary.
Monday, a group of alumni kicked off the week sharing their Sorrell experience as students and how it has impacted their professional careers and lives. Participating on the panel were Sohail Agboatwala, Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Services, Tara Morelock, a lecturer in marketing and management in the College, TROY Dean of Enrollment Management Buddy Starling, Dr. Stan Blankenship, a professor of practice and Director of the Sorrell Center for Corporate and Community Collaboration, and Josh McGowin, an assistant professor in the School of Accountancy.
A video of the panel is available on the Sorrell College of Business Facebook page.
A group of former faculty members shared their experiences and exploits on a panel that included Nick Cervera, the University Attorney, former finance professor and long-time Director of Athletics Robert Earl Stewart, Dr. Steve Garrott, a retired professor of marketing, and Dr. Ed Merkel, a past professor of accountancy. This panel is also available for viewing on Facebook.
Joining Tuesday’s activities was Sorrell College alum, Jon Eiland, Senior Vice President of Credit Strategy and Portfolio Analytics at PNC Bank, who addressed the students and faculty about his career and offered them advice for personal and professional success.
The week continues with the M. Stanton Evans Symposium on Journalism, Money and Politics, in cooperation with the Hall School of Journalism. The symposium’s keynote speaker is Evans biographer Steven Hayward, the resident scholar at the University of California-Berkeley’s Institute of Government Studies. The event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in the Trojan Center’s Lamar P. Higgins Ballroom.
Festivities culminate Thursday night with a Disco Party in the Lewis Hall Atrium, where prizes are to be awarded for best disco dancing and ’70s dress.
A gallery of photos from the week can be viewed here.
