Dr. Geralyn McClure Franklin, Interim Dean
Greetings from the Moody College of Business. Our college has celebrated many successes throughout the Fall 2019 semester.
The enrollment in the Moody College of Business increased to over 2,800 students including over 1,000 graduate students in our MBA program (on campus or online). Our undergraduate and graduate programs continue to receive national recognition as a best business school for 2020 by sources such as CEO Magazine, Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report.
We welcomed ten new faculty and staff including two endowed chairs. Our 64 full-time faculty continue to produce high-quality research including scholarly articles published in the most respected business journals.
In November 2019, we announced that our Master of Science in Accounting program was transitioning to 100% online. Classes will begin in the Spring 2020 semester, providing more students the opportunity to earn an advanced degree from UL Lafayette.
We are excited about our accomplishments and are grateful to all who support the Moody College of Business. Please enjoy additional highlights in this newsletter.
New faculty and staff join Moody College of Business
Master of Science in Accounting now 100% online
The B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration master of science in accounting program will now be offered 100% online to better serve working professionals. The program prepares students to pursue senior roles in public, corporate, not-for-profit, governmental, and consulting sectors as well as earn the hours needed to receive their CPA license in Louisiana. Accelerated online courses will be offered in five, eight-week terms beginning January 2020.
Hospitality Management honor society inducts first UL Lafayette students
Eta Sigma Delta (ESD) Honor Society inducted its first UL Lafayette members on Wednesday, November 13. This new Moody College of Business student organization recognizes hospitality and tourism students for outstanding academic achievement, meritorious service and demonstrated professionalism. There are more than 90 active chapters worldwide. ESD is a program of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE). Learn more about our Hospitality Management major.
Professional Land and Resource Management program provides unique student opportunities
Buster LeBlanc, instructor and program director, and Professional Land and Resource Management (PLRM) students visited the Chevron Tract in Iberia Parish. Students experienced how a farming operation and oil and gas production facility operate in conjunction with one another. Our PLRM program is one of ten AAPL undergraduate accredited university programs in North America. Learn more about our Professional Land and Resource Management major.
Business Spotlight: McIlhenny Company
Faculty and staff visited Avery Island for a tour and meeting with executives of McIlhenny Company, the makers of TABASCO® Brand products. Industry collaboration is essential to providing our students real-world career experiences that apply theory learned in the classroom. These partnerships also provide businesses the opportunity to work with students who are eager to learn and contribute to the organization. Learn more about employer participation in our internship program.
Moody Business Week
Moody Business Week was held in October offering students numerous professional and personal development opportunities. Students participated in special events including Business and Breakfast with Richard Zuschlag, CEO of Acadian Companies; Career Closet Pop-Up Shop; Marketing You! Workshop; and the Moody College of Business Internship and Career Fair.
Life Lessons for Today's Leaders: Cracker Jacks, Kangaroos, and Snipe Hunting
Keynote speaker for Moody Business Week was Dr. Tim Clipson, President of Leadership Is For Everyone! He shared with faculty, staff, and students an interactive presentation on what we become is based on three things: with whom we surround ourselves; what we put in our head; and the choices we make.
Women Entrepreneurship Panel
In conjunction with Women Entrepreneurship Week, Moody Business hosted a panel discussion of local entrepreneurs, and UL Lafayette alumni, who shared their insights and expertise with students. Panel participants were Tara Guidry, Cajun Crate; Jackie Marks-Rollins, McDonald's; and Margo Huval Dugas, MD Title.
Moody Business Week Internship & Career Fair
Students met with employers offering intern, part-time and full-time opportunities. Internships are a valuable opportunity for our students to earn academic credit while gaining hands-on, professional experience. Learn more about student and employer internship program opportunities.
Outstanding Graduates announced for Fall 2019
Congratulations to our Fall 2019 Outstanding Graduates. Commencement will be held Friday, December 20. General Assembly begins at 11 a.m. and the Moody College of Business graduation ceremony begins at 4 p.m., both in the CAJUNDOME. Learn more about our Moody College of Business Fall 2019 Outstanding Graduates.
Indonesian delegation visits Moody Business for tourism discussion and Silent Disco Fashion Show
Our Hospitality Management program hosted Dr. Nana Yuliana, Consul General of Indonesia, and delegates from Houston who provided an update on the US-Indonesia relationship on business, tourism, and culture. In conjunction with her visit, the HMGT 407 Event Planning and Management class hosted a Silent Disco Fashion Show at the Dupre’ Library on December 3 featuring Indonesian designer Rony Billiardo.
Student sales team earns top placements at international competition
Our student Sales Team competed at the International College Sales Competition hosted by Florida State University in Orlando on November 6-9. Team members are Kaitlyn Camel, Jacob LeJeune, Robbye March, Gabriel Mire, and Austin Wade, led by coaches Dr. Valerie McGehee and Darby Murphy. Eighty universities from around the world and over two hundred students competed this year for the World Cup of Sales.
For the speed selling competition, Jacob and Kaitlin were finalists, placing in the top ten out of 180 students. UL Lafayette was the only Louisiana school to place in the top 10 for speed selling. For the role-play competition, Kaitlyn placed third out of ten competitors and Robbye placed fifth out of ten competitors. Jacob received a golden ticket from Scripps as their choice for best sales pitch.
Students consult with the City of Ville Platte to boost economic development
MBA students in Dr. Geoff Stewart's Marketing Management course and the Louisiana Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center at UL Lafayette spent the semester working with partners from the City of Ville Platte to identify opportunities to help them recover from economic depression.
The students presented their recommendations to community leaders including Mayor Jennifer Vidrine of Ville Platte, the Evangeline Parish Community Foundation, Police Jury, Industrial Development Board, Evangeline Parish Chamber, and Dr. Lazard and his team at the Evangeline Parish School Board.
Students recommend portfolio investments to UL Lafayette Foundation
Our Student Managed Investment Portfolio class presented their stock research and recommendations to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation Investment Committee on December 4. The students utilized the Maraist Financial Services Lab and its Bloomberg Terminals to analyze stocks within the Foundation's current investment portfolio. Student analysts also earned their Bloomberg Market Concepts certification. The class is taught by Dr. Praveen Das.
Master of Business Administration program earns national rankings
The Princeton Review has again rated the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Moody College of Business MBA on-campus program on its listing of “Best Business Schools for 2020.” The MBA program has also been listed in the Top 15 Most Affordable MBA in Hospitality Management Online Programs 2020 by BestCollegesOnline.org and as Best MBA and #6 in the Top 60 Online Degrees in Project Management list by Intelligent.com for 2020. Learn more about our MBA programs.
