Dr. J. Bret Becton, Dean
When I was growing up, the arrival of spring meant it was time to plant crops, vegetables, or flowers. It was exciting to watch a seed sowed in February or March grow into something spectacular just a few months later. Henry David Thoreau said “I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” This spring, it is important to look back at the seeds that were planted in the Moody College of Business that have produced remarkable results.
The enrollment in the Moody College of Business increased to over 2,600 students including over 750 enrolled in our MBA program. Our undergraduate and graduate programs continue to receive national recognition by sources such as CEO Magazine, Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report. Our faculty continue to produce high-quality research including scholarly articles published in the most respected journals in the various business disciplines.
Our students and faculty have enjoyed using the state-of-the-art Maraist Financial Services Lab which opened in August 2018. This has been a tremendous resource for our students in the student managed portfolio class by allowing them to utilize Bloomberg terminals to access the same market research used by financial services professionals to evaluate stocks. The "Lunch Club" applied food service management lab, our on-campus 45-seat casual dining restaurant and commercial kitchen, celebrated its 30th anniversary. And finally, in January we announced our new 100% online bachelor's degree in management which will provide more students the opportunity to earn a business degree from UL Lafayette.
We are excited about our accomplishments and have faith that greater things are to come at the Moody College of Business.
Hospitality Management "Lunch Club" celebrates 30th anniversary
The Lunch Club applied food service management lab celebrated its 30th anniversary. Lunch Club is our on-campus 45-seat casual dining restaurant and commercial kitchen located in Hamilton Hall. Students fully operate the restaurant including menu development, budgeting and staff management. Learn more about the Hospitality Management program.
Risk Manager in Residence grant brings The Travelers Companies to Lafayette
Bob Nighan, Vice President - Risk Manager, Corporate Insurance and Risk Management at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, CT visited Moody College of Business as part of a Risk Manager in Residence Program grant from Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc. Mr. Nighan shared his career experiences with our insurance and risk management students, alumni, and local professionals.
The UL Lafayette Insurance and Risk Management program is honored to have been selected for the eighteenth time to be a host university for the Risk Manager in Residence program. The program brings a practicing risk manager to the university to engage with students about the risk management profession and insurance industry.
Alumni Spotlight: Jeanine Haller Piskurich, BPX Energy
Jeanine Haller Piskurich, Vice President Land, East Business Unit of BPX Energy was the guest speaker at a UL Lafayette Moody Business Student Association of Professional Landmen meeting in April. Piskurich '84 received her bachelor's degree from the college of business in professional land and resource management.
She has extensive energy sector industry experience in acquisitions, divestments, business development, new entry access and exploration and development activities totaling in excess of 3 million acres and $6 billion. She was promoted to the first ever Vice President of Land role within BP’s Lower 48 Business in March of 2018.
The Moody College of Business Professional Land and Resource Management program is one of only eleven in the United States. Learn more.
Grant funding awarded for Louisiana seafood supply chain research
Moody College of Business and the Meridian Institute hosted a discussion on how economic development and innovation can be used to influence the future of seafood related businesses along Louisiana's coastline.
During the event, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announced the award of a $250,000 grant from the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to examine the Louisiana seafood supply chain. The funding will enable Dr. Geoffrey Stewart, The Moody Company/BORSF Endowed Chair in Regional Business Development and associate professor of marketing and University researchers to create a comprehensive economic development strategy for the seafood industry in seven coastal parishes – Cameron, Terrebonne, Lafourche, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard.
61st Annual Awards Banquet
The Moody College of Business held its 61st Annual Awards Banquet on April 11 to celebrate the achievements of our students, faculty and college. Student scholarship recipients, outstanding graduates, student organizations, and faculty and staff awards recipients were recognized.
For 2018-2019, we awarded 210 undergraduate and graduate student scholarships totaling more than $297,953. Three endowed chairs and 78 endowed professorships were awarded to our faculty with stipends and support totaling more than $620,000. We are grateful for our network of donors whose generosity makes it possible to provide this financial support to our students and faculty. View photos from the awards banquet.
2018-2019 Faculty and Staff Award Recipients
- Colonels Philip and Jean Piccione Endowed Award for Research Excellence: Dr. Joshua Bendickson, Department of Management
- John T. & Sandra B. Landry Endowed Award for Teaching Excellence: Chase Edwards, Department of Marketing and Hospitality
- Robert “Bob” Merrick Endowed Advising Award: Pam Meyer, Department of Accounting
- Outstanding Staff Award: Jan Byrd, MBA Program Office
Moody Business Week
Moody Business Week was held in March offering students numerous professional and personal development opportunities. Students participated in the Career Closet Pop-Up Shop, business student organization fair, Lunch with the Dean, Internship Q&A Panel, Build Your Brand Workshop, Dining Etiquette Dinner, and the Moody College of Business Internship and Career Fair.
Dining Etiquette Dinner prepares students for professional events
Students learned etiquette basics while enjoying a three-course meal. From fork placement to conversation tips, attendees are now prepared to professionally represent themselves and their future employers.
We invite business professionals to volunteer as table hosts at future etiquette dinners. Contact the Office of Career Services to volunteer.
Moody Business Week Internship & Career Fair
Students met with employers offering intern, part-time and full-time opportunities. A record 148 business students completed internships through the Moody College of Business Internship Program in 2018-2019. 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 Spring 2019
Congratulations to our Spring 2019 Outstanding Graduates. Commencement will be held Friday, May 17. General Assembly begins at 11 a.m. and the Moody College of Business graduation ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m., both in the CAJUNDOME. Learn more.
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 Lafayette Foundation Investment Committee on April 29. The students utilized the Maraist Financial Services Lab to analyze stocks within the Foundation’s current investment portfolio. Student analysts also completed their Bloomberg Market Concepts certification. The class is taught by Dr. Praveen Das.
Master of Business Administration program earns global and national rankings
The Moody College of Business MBA, Executive MBA and online MBA programs were featured by CEO Magazine in its 2019 Global MBA Rankings. The MBA program was also nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020 edition of "Best Graduate Schools." Learn more about our MBA programs.
You Are Invited
College of Business Alumni are invited to a Backyard Barbecue at the Alumni Center on Sunday, May 19 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be food and drinks, fun activities for all ages (including future Ragin' Cajuns alumni), and campus tours. This event is hosted by UL Lafayette Alumni Association. Deadline to register is Wednesday, May 15.
