Impact is the School of Business and Economics semi-annual publication. It illustrates how our students, alumni, faculty, staff, School, and University are changing our world.

1. School of Business and Economics
Spring 2011
Spring 2011
Applied Portfolio Management Program:
$1.2 Million and Growing

2. On the Cover Table of
Contents
Dean Johnson, associate
professor of finance and
director of the Applied Portfolio
Management Program. APMP’s
success story is told on page 4.
We would like to recognize and
thank our Dean’s Advisory Council 4 “Student Millionaires”
members.
David Bernard, Retired
Tackle Wall Street
Kimberly-Clark Thirteen Years of Success for the
Applied Portfolio Management Program
David Brule, President/CEO
Northern Star Industries Inc.
John Calder, CEO 8 Moving Up the Glass Funnel
Cincinnati Controls Inc. Advancement Challenges for
FROM THE DEAN James Lenz, Director
Female Faculty Members
John Deere and Company
The Michigan Tech mascot Blizzard and I welcome you to this, our second issue of
Impact. When you receive this issue, we may indeed be experiencing a blizzard in Hugh Makens, Office Counsel 10 Alumni Excel Everywhere
Warner Norcrosse and Judd LLP Taxes, Packages, and Health Care:
Houghton, but the amazing growth of the School of Business and Economics contin-
Shankar Mukherjee, President/CEO Alumni Make Their Mark
ues to be red hot.
Dhanni Systems Inc.
This issue is a virtual banquet of all the unique and vital parts that make up the com-
munity that is the School of Business and Economics.
Scott Pattullo, Senior VP 16 To Sir, with . . . Ties
Sales and Marketing, Wheels Inc. Resurrecting the Sam Tidwell Tradition
Our cover story features one of our most successful initiatives, the Applied Portfolio John Rockwell, Managing Director
Management Program (APMP). APMP illustrates how excellent students, superior
faculty, and advisors from around the country help to create an award-winning pro-
Element Partners
18 Mickus Family Generosity
James Trethewey, Retired Local Support for Our School
gram that continues to embrace change to thrive in tough economic times. Next, we Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
visit with a faculty member whose groundbreaking research focuses on those who also
continue to face tough challenges—female university faculty. 20 Tech MBA Online
On-campus Immersion Experience
Three inspiring alums who have made a tremendous impact in their respective organi-
zations are presented, followed by an announcement of the resurrection of a tradition
started by one of our most beloved past faculty members. Next, a family that has come Impact is produced by Michigan 22 Chart Your Own Course
forward with generous support for our School (the Mickus family) is introduced. Technological University’s Laurila Creates Opportunities
School of Business and Economics
You will learn about our new Tech MBA Online program and its debut this past fall. and University Marketing and
Some of our students are then featured with a story about a recent graduate who has Communications 24 Career Fair Hospitality Suite
boldly carved out his own opportunities in the sports world and other students who Darrell Radson, Dean Connecting Recruiters with the School of
are equally assertive in extolling the virtues of the School and its business students to Lynn Czarnecki, Director of Business and Economics
potential recruiters. Marketing and Communications
Last, but absolutely not least, we present to you the research published by our hard- Editing
Suzanne McDonough
26 MBAA Golf Outing
working faculty and four new members of the faculty whom we have welcomed this
past fall. Design
Bill Tembreull, Creative Director, 27 Let’s Get Social
What could be missing from such a feast? You! We hope we have whetted your appetite University Marketing and Connecting with Us Online
for more news about our success. Please get in touch with us and share your feedback Communications
and stories. Join our community by visiting our newly designed website www.mtu.edu/
business, email me at business@mtu.edu, or phone me at 906-487-2668.
Contributors
Suzanne McDonough, Erin Kauppila,
28 Faculty Publications
Lynn Czarnecki, Darrell Radson,
Dennis Walikainen 30 New Faculty
Photography
Ryan Schumacher, Adam Johnson
(Brockit Photography), Greg Maino 31 Blast from the Past
Darrell Radson, PhD (Juskuz Photography)
Michigan Technological University is an equal
opportunity educational institution/equal
opportunity employer.
2 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 3

3. F E AT U R E
eet S
Str CK
all O
W T egy
S stratcurrencies
“Student Millionaires” “Managing real assets forces the students to deal with the realities of the
Tackle Wall Street
MICHIGAN TECH
market—uncertainty, noise, imprecision—and perhaps more importantly, their
emotions, as they make the decisions to invest funds.” APPLIED PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PROGR AM
—Larry Durland, APMP Advisory Board Chairman
Thirteen Years of Success for APMP
ment W
hat would you do support student scholarships and for the questions during the presentation
fina
with $1 million? APMP expenses. can be quite brutal,” says Johnson.
GLOBAL FINANCE
ge
For most people, it
APMP is a unique program in a Once approved, the students put their
nce ana
is a daydream. For
number of ways, including the primary strategy into practice in the real world
some lucky School of Business and
way it functions. “Our portfolio team of investment. APMP students meet
m
Economics students, it is their
RS
has a lot of control over this real twice more with the advisory board,
amazing reality.
money,” Johnson explains. “They have at the end of the first semester and at
TO
Students in the Applied Portfolio an advisory board, but the ultimate the end of the year, where they receive
Management Program (APMP) have decisions are theirs.” advice and constructive criticism about
ES daq
become millionaires of sorts. Although their work. In the process, they learn
Each year, APMP accepts up to
they do not have the luxuries the valuable professional and interpersonal
S V
twelve seniors who have gone
N& Nas
term implies, they have the privilege skills in order to begin their careers in
through a rigorous interview process
I
of managing an investment portfolio the investment field.
in order to qualify. These students
worth more than $1.2 million.
form an investment team and do “We couldn’t do it without the help of
APMP was started in 1998 with extensive research in order to come our advisory board and other generous
generous contributions from Michigan up with an investment philosophy supporters of APMP,” says Johnson.
bull P5
Tech alumni and friends. The program and strategy. This strategy includes “People like Stan Phelps, Larry
MY
began under the direction of Associate market projections, asset allocation Durland, Joe Dancy, Jeff Smolek, and
00 NO
Professor of Finance Dean Johnson. policy, diversification procedures, and many others provide our students with
In that time, more than one hundred stock and fixed income analysis. The real investing experience before they
students have moved through the ranks preparation that goes into the plan enter the workforce.”
CO bea
under Johnson’s leadership. The money mirrors the setting up of an investment
E
Not only is the opportunity that these
they invest comes from private donors. firm, right up to getting investor
students have remarkable, the results of
The profits go into the Michigan buy-in from the advisory board before
their investments are as well. Michigan
Tech Fund—the University’s official they can put their plan into action.
r
Tech’s Gold Team portfolio had a 31
nonprofit fund management and gift
“The board decides whether or not the percent return this past year, beating the
solicitation agency—to be used to
investment strategy makes the cut, and typical market results. This performance
4 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 5

4. F E AT U R E
Dean Johnson
Associate Professor of Finance
APMP Director
resulted in earning them runner-up to invest funds. The meetings with love to have a financial crystal ball to time management, presentation skills, career. My classes were great, but
working in teams. You’re running being able to apply the skills is key in Ryan Layton Brad Person
status at the annual University of the advisory board reinforce this, with consult to help them predict the future
APMP 2003–04 APMP 2005–06
Dayton Redefining Investment Strategy hard questions from professionals and, no doubt, would be envious of every aspect of the fund: analysis, the real world. At the time it felt like
Education (RISE) conference and reviewing the portfolios’ investment the APMP “student millionaires” and management, accounting, investor an overwhelming amount of tasks on
competition. RISE is the world’s largest results. The program produces their success. However, it doesn’t take relations. Exposure to all of these was top of an already difficult workload.
student investment forum with over graduates with true experience— a crystal ball to see that the future very beneficial to preparing me for But it all paid off. With my APMP
250 universities from more than fifty applied, not theoretical—in looks bright for these savvy and hard- my career.” experience, a great internship, new
nations participating. This was the tenth portfolio management.” working students. financial contacts, and decent grades
Brad Person ’06 (APMP 2005–06) is
year of the competition, and Michigan under my belt, I was able to land a
Stan Phelps is the chairman of S. N. “We are immensely proud of the an independent investor and founder
Tech has won the value-style portfolio job at a Chicago-based financial firm
Phelps & Company, an investment program and the success of our of Digital Harbor LLC. Person echoes
category three of those years. called William Blair. Admittedly, I do
and securities firm, in Greenwich, students under the leadership of Dean some of Layton’s analysis of how
work a lot—sometimes twelve-plus Jessica Chlopek Amanda Vogt
The APMP students not only win Connecticut. He is considered one Johnson and the advisory board,” says APMP affected his career. “If one
hours a day!—but I love my job, and APMP 2005–06 APMP 2008–10
competitions, they win high praise of the nation’s leading experts on the School of Business and Economics thing had to be named, it would be
I’m proud to say that a small-town
from their advisors and those who restructuring of financially distressed Dean Darrell Radson. “With ongoing applying a fundamental analysis to
Wisconsin girl made it to the big
provide them with internships companies and on corporate “junk” support, this program will continue an environment and not necessarily
city with the help of APMP, Dean
and employment. bonds and other higher-risk financing to be a shining example of the quality achieving a result or outcome. We’ve
Johnson, and the rest of the Michigan
vehicles. A strong believer in giving education that the School of Business seen the past several years bring an MICHIGAN TECH
Larry Durland, the chairman of Tech team!”
back to others, Phelps supports a and Economics provides.” array of risks and regulations that
the APMP Advisory Board, retired have changed the financial landscape. Amanda Vogt ’10 (APMP 2008–10)
number of educational institutions. He
from a long and successful career in Alums Make Their Mark Valuations, strategies, and analyses is a financial analyst at S. N. Phelps
found out about APMP after seeing a
APPLIED PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PROGR AM
the insurance industry, including APMP graduates who are now working must each take this adaptive & Company. “I was amazed and
participating student on CNBC’s Wall
numerous management positions with in the “real world” reflect positively on approach to stay viable. APMP surprised after competing at RISE that
Street show, Squawk on the Street. He
Equitable of Iowa, later ING. “As I their experience. highlights this process on a daily Michigan Tech gets to manage over
was so impressed that he has provided
have worked with the APMP, I have basis by applying it to a real-world a million dollars. Many of the other
internships and employment for a Ryan Layton ’04 (APMP 2003–04)
become more and more impressed with opportunity. It’s a great experience that schools were only managing a couple
number of APMP grads. “We have is now an investment manager for
the importance of the word ‘applied,’” pays dividends.” hundred thousand, where we have the
been very happy with the students. Wells Fargo. The most valuable thing
he says. “Managing real assets, rather opportunity to invest much more. The
Their background has been excellent, he learned from APMP? “It’s easy Jessica (Omtvedt) Chlopek ’06
than applying textbook solutions to program and experience I gained were
and their willingness to learn the enough to formulate an opinion. The (APMP 2005–06) is an institutional
paper trades, forces the students to irreplaceable. Apart from the academic
business part of Wall Street, in most valuable thing I learned was equity sales associate for William Blair
deal with the realities of the market— and career benefits, APMP is also a
addition to the academics, is excellent.” how to defend it. There are many and Co. “I thought it was an awesome
uncertainty, noise, imprecision—and, great way to build relationships with
perhaps more important, their Bright Future ancillary skills beyond investment and necessary experience if you are
analysis that you develop in APMP: your peers who share the same passion
emotions as they make the decisions Most Wall Street investors would serious about pursuing a financial
for finance.”
6 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 7

5. RESEARCH
Moving Up the Glass Funnel Advancement Challenges
for Female Faculty
S
ince the 1980s, American women highest paying fields, and in the highest rank, Each participant experienced a multitude using a modified version of the Social percentage is falling and stalling rather than
have made great strides in academia, full professor.” of incidents and attitudes that combined to Watch Gender Equity Index (GEI), which rising. It has been estimated that, at this
particularly in the number of degrees restrict career advancement. “Many factors rates countries based on the empowerment, rate of change, it will take another seventy
The academic glass funnel has been well- years to achieve equity at the top of
awarded. Females now make up add up to form this type of discrimination,” education, and economic activity of women.
documented and has affected thousands of US companies.
more than one half of the undergraduate says Goltz. “Women might be excluded from
women over many years. However, progress The goal of this ground-breaking research, says
population and earn the bulk of master’s informal social-networking gatherings, for “That is a long time to achieve equity, and
toward eliminating it has been painfully slow, Goltz, is to bring to light the pervasiveness
degrees. In the 2008–09 academic year, for example, or find that their ideas and research if I can help shorten that time even a little
perhaps because the causes are not obvious and serious effects of second-generation
the first time in history, more women than are discounted by male faculty members.” bit with this research, it will have been
or well understood. Based on her knowledge discrimination to inspire the legal system and
men earned doctorates, according to the worth the effort,” says Goltz.
of the statistics, as well as her own personal When examined individually, such events universities to make the structural changes that
Council of Graduate Schools.
observations as an academic, Goltz became and attitudes may seem innocuous, but are necessary to achieve equality.
Beyond the doctoral level, however, women interested in researching this vital topic. when they build up over a period of years—
Goltz believes that it is important to
are underrepresented. “It’s an effect called and, in many cases, are adopted into the
Supported by Michigan Tech, Goltz understand and correct discrimination at
the ‘academic glass funnel,’” says School of university system and culture—they create
researches second-generation discrimination, universities since research indicates that
Business and Economics Professor Sonia a barrier for women in academics. What’s
a major cause of the discrepancy between students learn as much through the behaviors
Goltz. “As you move up through the ranks more, says Goltz, a woman who tries to call
the number of female faculty hired modeled for them as they do through
of academia, the percentage of female attention to unjust practices is often labeled
by a university and the number who traditional methods. These are the students
faculty, especially those with tenure, declines a troublemaker, which can cause further
receive tenure. Unlike first-generation who eventually become corporate America.
dramatically.” prejudice and negatively impact her career. In
discrimination, where women are openly
addition, these cases are difficult to prosecute Certainly, the glass funnel is evident in
Women are overrepresented in part- denied opportunities because of their gender,
in the legal system. corporate America as well. For instance, in the
time, nontenured, and primarily teaching second-generation cases involve a complex
corporate world, in recent years, women made
positions, and sexual harassment and and nuanced set of events and prejudices. These and other conclusions based on her
up about 40 percent of the managerial and
lower salaries continue to plague women, research are described in four academic
Goltz’s research involved traveling across administrative workforce, but these jobs have
explains Goltz. “These differences are greater articles examining different themes
the country to interview women who were been mostly in lower and middle management.
at more financially affluent universities, surrounding the issue, as well as a book
involved in second-generation discrimination The percentage of women in the corporate
private universities, and at more prestigious manuscript that takes a holistic view.
cases at their respective universities. This was power base is even smaller, taking into account
institutions,” she says. “For example, AACSB,
a very unusual study because plaintiffs often The study also has inspired additional research that many of the few women executives that
the accrediting body for business schools,
do not discuss their cases for various reasons. that will explore a method with potential do exist are in less powerful support roles,
reported that in 2008, gender differences
to highlight and address the issue. Goltz such as VP for human resources.
were still evident, with women found in However, as Goltz found, these women have
is collecting in-depth data about female
smaller proportions in schools with graduate unique insights into important processes at Not only is the percentage small, but
empowerment in two Midwestern universities,
programs, in private institutions, in the their universities and in the court system. there is recent evidence that the
Sonia Goltz is a professor of organizational behavior in the Presently, Goltz is involved with establishing a Michigan Tech
School of Business and Economics. She received an MS and university-wide faculty mentoring program as a result of a
PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Purdue National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant. This grant
University. Goltz began her career at the University of Notre supports the initiative to strategically evaluate the recruitment
Dame and joined Michigan Tech in 1996. Her research interests and retention of a diverse faculty, specifically to increase the
include individual perceptions of group fairness, organizational number of female faculty members at Michigan Tech.
discrimination and justice processes, and social power.
8 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 9

6. A L U M N I I M PA C T
Dynamic Career “If you maintain a high level of integrity and work harder
than the competition, you will always do well.”
in Corporate Taxes —Dave Bernard ’74
Alumnus with Global Impact
A
fter graduating from Michigan Tech were expanded to include the management of
in 1974, a fortunate incident altered all Kimberly-Clark office facilities,
the trajectory of Dave Bernard’s real-estate transactions, and tax-credit real-
career before it started. “I was set to estate investments.
interview with the accounting department at
Bernard applied the same work ethic to his
Kimberly-Clark,” he says, “and just three days
longtime participation in the Tax Executives
before, they called to say the position was filled,
Institute (TEI), a worldwide organization that
but they could offer me a spot as a tax analyst. I
aims to improve the standards of practice for
took the job and never looked back.”
tax professionals. Starting from a local chapter
In the Kimberly-Clark tax department, membership, Bernard moved up through the
Bernard found a surprisingly active professional ranks to eventually become a member of the
environment. “Contrary to popular belief, board of directors and the TEI international
taxes are an incredibly dynamic, fluid area,” president in 2006–07.
he says. “New laws are enacted every year,
Now retired from TEI and Kimberly-Clark,
and interpretations vary depending on the
Bernard is not satisfied to simply rely on past
administration in power, so you always have
successes. He continues to make an impact,
to be on your toes. My job required me to stay
both in the tax world and at Michigan Tech.
current with policy changes in Washington,
DC, and across the world.” He provides corporate tax consulting for
a variety of large enterprises and holds a
Bernard’s thirty-six-year career illustrates an government-appointed position on the
impressive level of commitment, dedication, IRS Advisory Council, which advises the
and focus that impacted not only Kimberly- IRS commissioner about efficient tax
Clark but the larger world of corporate taxes. administration.
Bernard rose from the lowest position in the
tax department of Kimberly-Clark to the Bernard is also an active member of the School
highest, serving in roles including chief tax of Business and Economics Dean’s Advisory
officer and vice president for taxes. He was Council and welcomes the chance to give
responsible for tax management, tax strategies, back. “As a Houghton native, Michigan Tech
risk management, and talent development, has a special place in my heart,” he says. “The
and was involved in the resolution of countless problem-solving skills I developed there have
complex negotiations with the IRS Office of served me well throughout my career, and I
Appeals and the Department of Justice. In am honored to help the University continue to
2005, Bernard was named the vice president provide quality education.”
for taxes and real estate, and his responsibilities
10 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 11

7. A EAD NI
HL U ME R I M PA C T
Corporate Account Manager
Innovation and Balance are Keys to Success
M
arie Cleveland ’82 loves her her contributions with numerous accolades In addition, Cleveland finds the time to
job. As a worldwide corporate over the years, including Rookie of the Year, connect with Michigan Tech. As a member
account manager for Federal Senior Account Representative of the Year, of the Presidential Council of Alumnae, she
Express, she handles six major Corporate Account Executive of the Year, works with the Society of Women Engineers,
accounts and is responsible for bringing in Ambassador’s Club Award, and the Largest serves as the vice president of the Chicago
$50 million in sales each year. Corporate Account Close Award. In 2010, Alumni Chapter, is an Alumni Association
she received the highest honor at FedEx, the Gold Carpet and Life Member, and works
“We believe in helping clients in any way we
President’s Club Award. to recruit students and help fellow alumni
can,” she says, “which often involves finding
find and keep jobs by setting up networking
innovative solutions to improve their bottom The key to professional satisfaction,
events and job fairs.
lines.” This freedom to think and act outside according to Cleveland, is finding balance.
the box is one of Cleveland’s favorite aspects “I love my job, but it is not my life,” she says. “I have always loved Michigan Tech,” she
of the position. “One of the great things about FedEx is that says. “When I was a student, I didn’t realize
they promote priorities; for me, it’s faith, how much of my tuition was subsidized.
Though initially skeptical about working in
family, and FedEx.” Volunteering with the University is my way
sales, Cleveland found a talent and a passion
of returning the favor, of giving back.”
for the high level of client interaction. She Along with her family—her husband,
became a regional recruiter for Roadway Michael, is a 1982 chemical engineering
Package Systems (RPS) in 1988 and went graduate, and daughter, Kerstin, is a
on to hold various positions with the chemical engineering first-year student
company. When FedEx purchased RPS in at Michigan Tech—Cleveland is heavily
2000, Cleveland was named a corporate involved in her community. She is the
account executive. president of her neighborhood association,
the president of the Illinois Cook County
There is no doubt that Cleveland has had
chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans,
a big impact at FedEx and is a highly
a member of various church committees, and
valued employee. FedEx has recognized
“You spend one third of your life at work. a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
Why wouldn’t you find a job you love?”
—Marie Cleveland ’82
12 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 13

8. A EAD NI
HL U ME R I M PA C T
Health Care VP
Improves Patient and
Caregiver Satisfaction
“Making big impacts in health care is all about quality patient care. It is entirely
possible to save money while keeping caregivers happy and giving them the tools
they need to perform well.”
—Dave Chaudier ’93
D
ave Chaudier ’93 has a four-part approach to accepting a position as the operations improvement
work: “Don’t fear failure, don’t let anything coordinator for Aurora. He moved into a position as
surprise you, learn from your mistakes, and a financial analyst, joined the company’s Leadership
don’t put up with anyone’s negativity.” Academy, and eventually moved into operations as the
regional business manager for cardiac services.
As the vice president of operations at St. Luke’s Medical
Center, the largest hospital in Wisconsin’s Aurora There, Chaudier demonstrated an exceptional ability to
Healthcare system, Chaudier applies this pragmatic step into and assist floundering departments, cut costs,
philosophy to leading the cardiac, surgical, and radiology implement lean processes, and turn operations around.
services lines, and hospital support departments When an unexpected shift in management left him with
including central services. He is responsible for more no one in the positions above or below him, he took the
than one thousand caregivers, over $200 million in reins of the cardiac interventional unit in what he calls
expenses, and total charges of more than $1 billion. the greatest professional challenge of his career.
One of the youngest vice presidents at Aurora, Chaudier “For eighteen months, I performed the duties of the
employs business strategies that impact patient care. manager, director, vice president, and business manager
in one of the largest labs in the country,” he says. “It
“My primary goal is to take care of the caregivers so they
was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do.”
can provide the best care and experience to every patient
Chaudier’s success in managing the high-stress cath and
we serve,” he says. To that end, Chaudier set a goal for
EP labs led to his promotion to the regional director of
2010 to increase caregiver engagement and patient loyalty
cardiac services in 2006, a position he held until he was
scores while cutting $13 million in costs, improving
named vice president in 2010.
scheduling, and streamlining internal processes.
As he settles into his position, Chaudier is anything
A career in health care management was not always in
but complacent. He looks forward to adding additional
the cards for Chaudier, who initially entered Michigan
responsibilities and cites his well-rounded Michigan Tech
Tech as a mechanical engineering student but switched to
education as an important career influence. “Engineering
become a business major.
teaches you a hands-on approach to problem solving,
After graduating from Tech, Chaudier worked in while business focuses on the people and numbers,” he
manufacturing and management consulting before says. “Together, they make a powerful combination.”
14 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 15

9. TRADITIONS
Tie One On—For Sam
The School of Business and
Economics is announcing the start of
the Tidwell’s Ties Campaign. Alumnus
Ed Robinson has agreed to chair the
campaign for the ties and for more
financial support of the Tidwell Center
endowment, as he has done in the past.
The Tidwell’s Ties Campaign will use
modern technology to create a virtual
display of past and future ties online. This
will allow more people to have access
To Sir, With . . .Ties H
to the collection, which is already too
ollywood has created many officer. “He recognized my good grades
large to be physically displayed in the
movies about dedicated current space. There is also discussion of and encouraged me to continue within
and inspiring teachers. organizing a “Red Tie Reunion” for alums. the accounting major. He also invited me
From To Sir, With Love to stop by his office anytime and discuss
to Mr. Holland’s Opus, we have seen “I am thrilled that Dean Radson has asked where the accounting field could take
me to head the Tidwell’s Ties Campaign,” me. His closing line always reminds me
how teachers have changed the lives of
Robinson said. “Through these literal ties,
students in countless ways. how he supported and encouraged his
Resurrecting the Sam Tidwell Tradition
we, as alums, will continue to strengthen our
figurative ties to our School and to each other. students: ‘I believe that you have all the
Michigan Tech’s School of Business
It promises to be not only a fitting tribute to material necessary to make a significant
and Economics has its own teaching
Sam Tidwell but a means to ensure that his contribution to the business world,
legend. Although his story will likely
legacy lives on in the pursuit of educational through accounting.’”
never appear on the silver screen,
excellence at the School of Business and
memories of Accounting Professor Not only did Tidwell make an
Economics at Michigan Tech.”
Sam Tidwell continue to echo impression on his many students, he
through the School’s halls. Tidwell Alums should look forward to more news from made an impact on the accounting
died in 2002, but his legacy lives Ed Robinson about the Tidwell’s Ties Campaign teaching profession. “He was a leader in
on in each student who came into in the near future. the field of public school accounting,”
his classroom. says Robinson. “He put on seminars
at Michigan Tech every summer for
A native of Mississippi, Tidwell
school administrators and caused a
was often referred to as “Gentleman
massive improvement nationally in public
Sam” for his southern drawl, dry sense
school fund accounting.” Tidwell authored four
“I found Sam Tidwell’s enthusiasm for of humor, and sophisticated presentation. He
editions of the first textbook in the field.
was interested not only in making the world of
accounting contagious, and it inspired me to accounting more exciting and accessible, but also in
teaching his students, many of whom were “rough around
Soon after coming to Michigan Tech in 1956, Tidwell started
his red tie tradition. He requested that each student send him a red
pursue a career in accounting.” the edges,” about manners and professionalism. tie after he or she had passed the CPA exam. He then wore the tie, the
more garish the better, to class and told his current students about the
Former student Ed Robinson ’66 recalls Tidwell with great
former student’s success.
affection. “I switched out of engineering and moved to business and
—Paula (Kauppi) Seiter ’70, accounting because of Sam. . . . He was a student’s professor. His Tidwell retired from Michigan Tech in 1984. In 1999, the School of
the first female alum to pass the CPA exam whole interest revolved around the students. I remember spaghetti Business and Economics established the Tidwell Center for Business
dinners at his home, his hospitality. He maintained contact with Excellence. The Tidwell Center consists of endowment funds to
all his students, and that didn’t stop after graduation. He extended support accounting scholarships and direct student services, such as
himself tremendously. If anyone could be held up as a model counseling, tutoring, and mentoring. In addition, the student lounge
teacher, it would be Sam Tidwell.” and study center was remodeled and now carries his name.
Paula (Kauppi) Seiter ’70 was the first woman to pass the CPA In memory of Sam Tidwell and his dedication to students, the School
after graduating from Michigan Tech. “I found Sam Tidwell’s of Business and Economics is resurrecting the red tie tradition (see
enthusiasm for accounting contagious, and it inspired me to pursue above). Once again, each accounting graduate who passes the CPA
a career in accounting,” she says. “I have fond memories of Sam: exam will be asked to send in a red tie.
the enthusiastic professor, southern gentleman, and all-around
“A teacher like Sam Tidwell is rare,” says Dean Darrell Radson. “We
great person.”
want to continue to honor Sam and to keep connected with our
“I still have hanging on my office wall a letter, a full page, before alumni. We are resurrecting and reinvigorating the tradition to help
word processors, that he sent me at the completion of my freshman inspire a new generation of accountants.”
year,” says Dan Greenlee ’74, Michigan Tech’s chief financial
16 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 17

10. SCHOOL SUPPORT
Mickus Family Store, South Range, Michigan
Mickus Family
“Their leadership gift is a wonderful example of how people can provide for their
family and Michigan Tech at the same time.”
Generosity
—Eric Halonen, Director of Major Gifts and Gift Planning
The Michigan Tech Fund
for him became the woman of his dreams–Rosella. Michael Mickus. “He took care of his family. After their
needs were met, he took care of his alma mater. He
Albert Mickus went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in
always appreciated Michigan Tech.”
electrical engineering in 1949 and a bachelor’s degree in
Local Support for Our School
business (called business engineering administration at Michael Mickus earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical
the time) in 1950. He also earned a master’s degree in engineering in 1974 and a bachelor’s degree in business
business administration at the University of Michigan. engineering administration in 1975. He resides in Hubbell.
Albert spent his career at the Kohler Company of The gift resulted from a charitable gift annuity that the
A
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and retired in 1990 as executive Mickus family established with the Michigan Tech Fund
lbert and Rosella (Lenci) Mickus, a couple Albert Mickus was born in South Range, Michigan, director of distribution for the US and Canada. in 2003. As a result of this estate gift, Albert and Rosella
with local roots, have given the School of and died in 2008. Rosella Mickus was born in Hubbell, Mickus are members of the University’s McNair Society
Rosella Mickus graduated from the St. Joseph School
Business and Economics $450,000 through Michigan, and died in 2009. and Hotchkiss Society.
of Nursing in Hancock, Michigan, in 1945. She served
an estate gift. As a student at Jeffers High School, Albert Mickus in the US Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and “Their leadership gift is a wonderful example of how
“The Mickus family’s generosity will help us support worked in his father’s grocery stores in South Range worked in Ypsilanti, Michigan, hospitals while Albert people can provide for their family and Michigan Tech at
and educate tomorrow’s business leaders for an and Pequaming. He enrolled at Michigan Tech in 1942, was attending graduate school. After their son Michael the same time,” said Eric Halonen, director of major gifts
entrepreneurial business environment that is continually volunteered for the war, served in the marines in World was born, she became a homemaker. and gift planning.
changing,” says Dean Darrell Radson. “It will be used War II, and returned to Tech on the GI Bill.
Michael, who also is an alumnus, says his parents “We are grateful for Al and Rosella’s support.”
to achieve our programmatic innovations, enhance our Halfway through his schooling, Albert was in a attributed much of their success to his father’s education
technology infrastructure, and expand our ability to debilitating motorcycle accident. It took him two years to at Michigan Tech.
educate the business leaders of tomorrow.” walk again, but, during his recovery, a nurse who cared
“He aspired to be a pleasant and helpful person,” says
18 School of Business and Economics  Michigan Technological University School of Business and Economics  Impact Spring 2011 19