The University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business has been admitted to membership in the Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools, the first business school in the Americas to earn the distinction.

AAPBS is the leading association of schools of business in the Asia-Pacific region, established to advance the quality of business and management education by collaborating in research and teaching.

“Membership in AAPBS gives the Robins School a direct, formal link to the finest schools in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Jorge Haddock, Robins School dean. “As the region becomes increasingly important, such linkages have tremendous potential to help the Robins School carry out its mission.”

Several AAPBS member schools already have partnerships with the Robins School, including the universities of Hong Kong, Tsinghua (China), Queensland (Australia), Curtin (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Yonsei (Korea), Otago (New Zealand), National Chengchi (Taiwan) and Thammasat (Thailand).

Associate Dean for International Business Programs Tom Cossé led the Robins School’s AAPBS membership initiative. “For the Robins School, membership benefits include opportunities for networking with faculty and administrators at leading schools in the Asia-Pacific region and to develop relationships leading to joint teaching, research, and executive education programs, as well as student exchange opportunities. The member schools are shaping the future of management education in a significant region of the world, and the Robins School is a participant.”

David Sylvia, Robins School class of 2008, was selected to present at the International Management Development Association's (IMDA) 17th World Business Congress in Paramaribo, Suriname, which occurred on June 18 - 22, 2008. The Congress is an annual opportunity for academics from all over the world to present their research papers on a number of business topics, ranging from global marketing management to current issues in trade and development. Sylvia was the youngest researcher to ever attend the IMDA Congress, presenting his team's research on how companies both disguise and emphasize local brand origin in the Turkish market. Sylvia was the sole representative from his team of four, which included Dr. Dana Lascu of the Robins School of Business and two professors from universities in Turkey and Austria. At the Congress, Sylvia presented among representatives from 23 countries, including the First Lady of the country of Georgia. David is now the Global Franchise Leader for Herbal Essences for Proctor & Gamble.

This September, as University of Richmond classes get underway, young alums will be trading regular visits to the Robins School of Business for corporate meetings and time at a different kind of desk. That our alums have great jobs with major international financial firms is the result of the University’s successful effort to assist students in securing Wall Street internships and permanent jobs. The story of how they got there, as well as their experiences and opportunities, reflect an increasingly structured process known informally as Richmond’s Wall Street pipeline, thanks to alumni involvement. Though it is a difficult and unsettling time on Wall Street, this has not deterred Robins School students from pursuing careers in finance. Now, more than ever, alumni support is very critical to assisting students with jobs and internships.

Several years ago, Ryan FitzSimons, one of the first students to benefit from the Richmond Wall Street pipeline, was making his way through the University of Richmond with a double major in finance and economics. In his junior year, FitzSimons was approached by a professor. He mentioned that there was this guy in Goldman Sachs, who was a trustee at the University, and who wanted to speak about a summer internship. I went up there and it went very well; they offered me the position and I had a great summer. During his senior year, Goldman came back with a full-time job offer, and FitzSimons has worked there ever since.

That trustee was George Wellde. “[When I graduated], it was very difficult then for an undergraduate from the University of Richmond to get a job on Wall Street,” Wellde recalls; however, Wellde made the jump in 1980, landing a position with what is now Goldman Sachs Group.

When Wellde came back to the states in 1999, he wanted to become more involved “across the board” after his time abroad. “So I called Bill Cooper [Dr. William E. Cooper, former president of the University] and asked him to find someone in the business school who was their ‘best and brightest.’ ” That turned out to be FitzSimons, whose recruitment has been followed by many others.

By all accounts, the annual two-day recruiting trip to New York has been the most successful mechanism for providing visibility of the school to Wall Street and of highlighting the appeal of a Wall Street career to University’s top finance students. This unique opportunity was developed over the years by the Advancement Office, Career Development Center, the business school and, principally, through the efforts of finance professor John H. Earl Jr., finance department chair at the Robins School.

Each year, Professor Earl oversees the selection of 14 to 18 juniors to participate during their senior years in the Spider Management Investment Fund (SMIF) which is responsible for managing a portion of the University’s endowment. As a major benefit of being selected for SMIF, students are invited to participate in the Wall Street trip in the fall of their senior years, with the University paying all their expenses. In addition to having the experiences of managing the Spider Fund, Earl says, “pretty much every one of those managers has sat for and passed the first of three exams needed to receive the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Together, the requirements demonstrate a combination of expertise and commitment that has helped Richmond students stand out in their Wall Street interviews."

“The intensive involvement is what makes the program work,” says FitzSimons. “Each individual receives coaching, and a lot of time is invested to prepare the kids to do well in the recruiting process. And all I ask of them is to pay it forward, to help others and to lead by example as George Wellde did. I wouldn't have ever had the opportunity to get a job at Goldman Sachs coming out of undergrad were it not for the University of Richmond.”

Notice anything different? If you’ve walked through the atrium of the Business School recently, you’ve likely noticed a few changes. The atrium, which is the primary gathering spot for Robins School students, faculty and staff, was recently remodeled, and now offers a fresh and crisp environment with a modern flair.  A contemporary design approach was taken, offering comfortable, leather seating throughout with bold new artwork, creating colorful contrasts to the simple hues of the furniture. Six new computers are now also available for student work. 

Yet another change that has made a surprisingly significant difference to the atmosphere of the atrium is the placement of our international flags. Before, the flags bowed down over the atrium from between the 1st and 2nd floors, limiting the natural light and creating a darkened space. Now those same beautiful flags are on display on the third floor, still visible from the atrium, however, they no longer hinder the light that filters through and ultimately creates a more open, airy and uplifting environment.  

A great deal of thought went into making the Robins School of Business atrium a place for congregating. With these various changes, a more friendly, welcoming forum for community development has been fostered, and the beginning of a transition is taking place.

As you know, construction will soon begin on the Robins School of Business expansion (Queally Hall - http://business.richmond.edu/expansion/index.html). This new look will carry us into the future, with a modern, technologically innovative space we will all soon enjoy.

It’s about making a difference. After participating in this year’s Greater Richmond Challenge, an event that brings together community members in an effort to explore and understand the resources and challenges that face the Richmond area (sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce), Executive Education’s Kaye Vaughan & Matt McIntire knew they wanted to do more. “Working with a team of nine other people and seeing how we came together was a great experience,” said Kaye. “I wanted to better understand and experience more of what is going on in the Richmond community.  I didn’t feel that I had a true understanding of what Richmond really is.  This was my opportunity to meet and work with other people interested in the same thing.”

“The Challenge was quite an eye-opener for both Matt and myself,” Kaye adds. This experience was so much of an awakening that the two began to share their interests and enthusiasm with their colleagues. What started as simply the interest of two people quickly grew, as other staff members decided to join the efforts to help the Richmond community and its residents reach their full potential.

First up on their agenda is the United Way. As a department, the Executive Education staff have committed themselves to serving the United Way, each in their own fashion. Under the broader scope of early childhood development, they will participate in projects in which they have the most interest. Potential projects that they may take on include donating children’s books, assembling parent “kits,” or even taking time out to read to local children. At the same time, Matt McIntire has taken the initiative to work through the University’s Center for Civic Engagement and support efforts at a local elementary school. Together, they hope to have a positive and lasting impact on the local community. Stay tuned for updates on their stories and successes as they reach out, making a difference today, tomorrow and for the future of Richmond.

This is just one of many community involvement efforts by faculty and staff within the Robins School. Look for future stories on how we are making a difference throughout the community.