REFLECTIONS:
By Robin Luke

What a spring semester!!!!!

1. SMSU is renamed Missouri State University (effective August 28^th).
2. We have a new President, Dr. Michael Nietzel (effective summer, 2005).
3. The SMSU Lady Bears won their conference, and went on to win the WNIT Tournament. Marketing minor Jenni Lingor was named Most Valuable Player.
4. The men’s team finished second in the “Arch Madness” tournament.
5. We’ve celebrated throughout the year a variety of Centennial events.

I mentioned to one of the faculty that only winning the Lottery would keep this from being the best semester ever.

Certainly the name Missouri State University will improve the image of the University. Perception is a curious beast:  what someone thinks about something is how it is…for them. While we have been “Missouri State University” in deed for the past several years, the future will find that only a name change-in-fact will cement home how far the University has come. We are the second largest University and third largest city in the State; we now have students from every county of the State, 48 states, and 160 countries. Our College of Business Administration (COBA) is the largest in Missouri (4300+ students), and is larger than most in surrounding states. The COBA is fully

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accredited by the most prestigious body in the world
(AASCB). Only 12 percent of the colleges of business in the nation have this accreditation at all levels. Recently, the Princeton Review announced that SMSU will be included in their next publication as one of the best business schools in the nation.

Marketing scholarship/awards recipients join Dr. Luke during this month's annual COBA awards banquet.  Left to right, Tammy Martin, Linsey Beckman, Brooke McDowell, Dr. Luke, Lauren Smart, Brian Tedeschi, and Derrick Grimpo.

Your marketing department is nationally ranked in Advertising & Promotion, with a full 51 percent of the 715 major in that area. The Logistics and Transportation Option is the best in the State. It will soon become a separate major within the marketing department. We are excited to welcome Dr. Carlo Smith who comes to us this fall with an L&T specialty and are looking to add a new advertising/promotion faculty member as well.

Personally, I can guarantee you that the MSU title will garner the attention of outstanding doctoral graduates looking for a teaching, research and service institution. Recruiting such faculty will be made much easier simply by the perception/reality of the name change. Up until now, we have been one of the best kept secrets in the nation.  Look for a change.

Enjoy the contents of the e-newsletter. Again, I wish to thank our editor, Sherry Cook, for putting it together, along with the many contributors this year. Please keep those cards and letters coming, and be sure to let us know of changes in job position, address, or email address. Thank you.

Robin Luke
Professor and Department Head
Southwest Missouri State University
Department of Marketing
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804
 

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