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Special Programs

Professor For A Day

The Professor for a Day program is intended to introduce Doermer School faculty and students to contemporary business issues faced by northeast Indiana business firms. We invite out guest to speak to upper level undergraduate and MBA students in policy and strategy courses. Our guest opens the session with a topic that is contemporary and relevant to his/her organization, explains the situation and its impact on the organization's business model, shares the company's approach to resolution, and invites student questions. Our guest may come with a formal presentation using presentation software such as PowerPoint or make use of handouts and other media. Or our guest may be very informal and invite student interaction by asking how they would approach resolution.

The amount of time is at the discretion of our guest. We limit the number of sessions with students to three.

Some guests have spoken to unique challenges faced by their industry such as outsourcing, off shoring, collaborations, partnerships, labor/management relations, business ethics, global issues affecting their company and/or the northeast Indiana economy, and their perception of good learning experiences for business students in preparation for careers. The ethics of conducting business in our guest's industry comes up in many discussions.

2007-2008

During the fall 2007 semester, one community leader generously gave his time to spend a day at the Richard T. Doermer School of Business and Management Sciences. The executive was Dr. John Fallon, an Ear Nose and Throat specialist. The executive engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

2006-2007

During the fall 2006 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Richard T. Doermer School of Business and Management Sciences. The executives were Tom Cottrell, Partner-In-Charge, BKD LLP, and Deepak Kapur, President, Truck Group, International Truck and Engine Corporation. The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

During the spring 2007 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Richard T. Doermer School of Business and Management Sciences. The executives were Joseph Kimmell, Partner of Baker & Daniels, and Donald Schenkel, chairman and CEO of Tower Bank. The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

2005-2006

During the fall 2005 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Richard T. Doermer School of Business and Management Sciences. The executives were Tom Teague, CEO, VersiTech; and Don Wood, CEO of 80/20, Inc.The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

During the spring 2006 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Richard T. Doermer School of Business and Management Sciences. Dan Copeland, CEO of Business People Magazine; and Jared Hochstedler, CEO, Eagle Promotions. The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

2004-2005

During the spring 2005 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at theSchool of Business and Management Sciences. The executives were Kathy Carrier, CEO of Briljent and Larry Lee, President of Leepoxy. The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

2003-2004

During fall 2003 and spring 2004, three community leaders were invited as Professors for a Day at SBMS. The executives were A.V. Fleming, CEO, Fort Wayne Urban League, Ian Rolland, retired chairman and CEO of Lincoln National Corporation; and Ronald Bonar, chairman emeritus, Bonar Group. The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

2002-2003

During the spring 2003 semester, two executives were invited as Professors for a Day at SBMS. The executives were Richard T. Doermer, retired chairman and CEO, Summit Bank and NBD Fort Wayne, and board members of several corporations and Esther Johnson, director of operations, United Technologies Electronic Controls. The executives interacted with students and faculty and participated in various business classes. They discussed the challenges they encountered in their careers and the career paths open to students in their respective fields.

In the fall 2002 semester, two successful entrepreneurs were invited to spend a day at the School of Business and Management Sciences. The entrepreneurs were Joel Nicols, president, Apollo Design Technology, and Michael Ottenweller, president, Ottenweller Company. The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in various business classes. They discussed the major challenges and opportunities facing them and offered counsel on student research projects.

2001-2002

During the spring 2002 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the School of Business and Management Sciences. The executives were Michael L. More, partner, BKD, and Dr. David Humphreys, CEO of Fort Wayne Rescue Mission. The executives met with faculty and students and participated in various business classes discussing the challenges facing the accounting profession and the significant contributions of the not-for-profit sectors to the American and local economies.

During the fall 2001 semester, three senior executives were invited to spend a day at the School of Business and Management Sciences. The executives were Joanne Renselle, CEO of Logikos Inc.; Marilyn Moran Townsend, CEO of CVC Communications; and William Lawson, CEO of Franklin Electric. The executives interacted with faculty and students and participated in various business classes. They discussed the major challenges in their business careers and offered counsel on student research projects.

2000-2001

During the spring 2001 semester, two community leaders were invited to spend a day at the School of Business and Management Sciences. The executives are Charles R. Schrimper, CEO and chairman of the board, Group Dekko, and Maclyn T. Parker, partner, Baker & Daniels. The executives met with faculty and students and participated in various business classes discussing the challenges they handled in their respective professions.

During the fall 2000 semester, four senior executives have been invited to spend a day at the School of Business and Management Sciences. The executives are Philip Laux, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce; Marc Levy, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County; Mark Gliebe, general manager, GE Motors & Controls, GE Industrial Systems; and Ian Rolland, retired CEO and chairman of the board, Lincoln National Corp. The executives met with faculty and students and participated in various business classes while discussing the challenges and opportunities they have faced in their respective organizations.