A love of teaching and a passion for Strategic Management attracted Jeff Harrison to becoming a college professor. The excellent students and faculty of the Robins School combined with the high quality of life in Richmond brought Jeff and his family to University of Richmond from Cornell University 5 years ago. Dr. Harrison is the W. David Robbins Chair of Strategic Management and Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program at the Robins School. "We were very fortunate to have someone of Jeff's caliber on our faculty - each year he always proves to be one of our most popular teachers as well as top scholars," relayed Dean Haddock.

Jeff's greatest joy at the Robins School comes from teaching and mentoring his students. Since his arrival, Jeff has been coordinating the annual McWick Case Competition for Strategic Analysis, in which over 140 Robins School seniors in teams of 4 or 5 present strategic recommendations on a case study. The winning team receives a check of $2,000, thanks to the generosity of alumna Kathleen McBride. "It is very satisfying to see what our students are capable of doing as they are about to leave the Robins School," says Jeff.

Much of Jeff's research is on Stakeholder Theory or Corporate Strategy. Stakeholder theory is quickly emerging as a very popular discussion topic in business today because of its practical approach to business ethics. Rather than being a deterrent to performance, treatment of stakeholders with justice and fairness is envisioned as a facilitator of value creation. In November, Jeff worked with colleague Robert Phillips to host a conference on Stakeholder Theory which attracted top scholars from around the country to critique and advance the theory and discuss its relevance in the world's challenging economic climate. Jeff was also co-author of a new book with Ed Freeman and Andy Wicks (from the Darden School at UVA), published by Yale University Press called, "Managing for Stakeholders: Survival Reputation and Success." It is Jeff's ninth book.

Stakeholder Theory is also evident in Jeff's entire approach to life, which is devoted to the well being of his students, his growing family as the father of five and grandfather of 2, and his church. Jeff met his wife Marie, a professional musician, while an undergraduate student at Brigham Young University. Two of their sons graduated from the University of Richmond this May. Jared is a biology major headed to the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine at Virginia Tech this fall. Joseph is a double concentration in entrepreneurship and finance who is seeking to work for a management consulting firm. He received the Alumni Association's Outstanding Student Award and the Outstanding Management Student Award at the Senior Dinner this year. The University of Richmond and Richmond community has been an ideal fit for the entire Harrison family.

Getting it done always with a smile! Rhonda Hall, who has been the Assistant to the Dean since 1997, is very well known by all those who work closely with the Robins School for her efficiency, dedication, and her unique ability to always seamlessly handle it all with grace and a smile. She credits her wonderful disposition to her close knit family, healthy lifestyle, and enjoyment of her job. Rhonda's husband, Denard, who she met in her hometown of Hopewell, also works at the University of Richmond in the School of Continuing Studies. Prior to joining the University of Richmond, Rhonda was an academic advisor at Virginia Commonwealth University in the College of Humanities and Sciences for 13 years. During that time as a full-time employee, she also completed her degree at VCU in Business Administration while raising her young son Chris.

University of Richmond offered a needed change - a smaller, friendly environment which was closer to home. As Assistant to the Dean, her primary responsibilities include administering faculty contracts, managing the Dean's calendar and all correspondences, and organizing the Executive Advisory Committee to the Dean. Rhonda relays what she most likes about her job, "Every day is different, and I enjoy the opportunity to interact with the various constituencies on a regular basis, ranging from university faculty, students, and staff to corporate leaders." Rightly recognized this year for her dedication and commitment to the Robins School, Rhonda received the Arlene Davis staff award with colleague Fae Bell, in honor of longtime staff member, Arlene Davis, during the Robins School Convocation ceremony. Her dedication is seen on a regular basis as Rhonda always does whatever it takes to get the job done well and ahead of schedule -- whether it means coming in early, staying evenings or working weekends.

Taking care of herself is a top priority as Rhonda's commitment to healthy living is evident as she is seen working out regularly at the University's new Weinstein Center. When she is not at the University of Richmond, Rhonda enjoys spending time at home with Denard outdoors working in her vegetable and flower garden and visiting with her son, Chris and his wife Olivia, who live just down the street. The beach is her favorite get away as a place to relax and recharge with her extended family. Rhonda Hall -- a continuous bright light and a touch of class for the Robins School.

Written by Joyce van der Laan Smith,
Assistant Professor of Accounting

On May 7th Olena Mykhaylova, Assistant Professor of Economics and I along with seven faculty members from Arts and Sciences traveled to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan as part of the faculty seminar abroad program for two weeks. The seminar was led by Uliana Gabara and its objective was to provide the participants with a deeper understanding of the cultural, political, and business environment in former Soviet republics with the intent of informing our research and teaching. Throughout the spring semester we had read books and articles and attended insightful lectures given by experts. I felt I was well prepared for the travel experience portion of the seminar; however, I soon realized that the lectures and readings were only able to provide a one dimensional understanding of life in the region. Traveling to the area and observing, listening, and experiencing its unique sights and sounds provided me with a contextual richness that the books and lectures alone could not convey. From the discussions over lunch with Russian businessmen in a Chinese restaurant in St. Petersburg about the difficulty of working in a stressed political and legal system to the shoe shine vender on the hot, crowded street in Kyrgyzstan who was learning to work in a market that would not guarantee you a job, I began to understand what it means to live and work in a transitional economy. I believe this experience will allow me to not only provide information to my students on accounting issues in transitional economies but also to provide a context within which to more fully appreciate those issues. It also reminded me how powerful experience is in learning.

Congratulations to Tom Arnold, who was recently inducted as the F. Carlyle Tiller Chair in Business.

F. Carlyle Tiller has been closely associated with the University of Richmond for many years. He received his B.A. degree from the University in 1948 and after receiving his M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania in 1950, joined Wheat First Securities Inc., serving as its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1971 until his retirement in 1986. During his 36-year career with Wheat, Mr. Tiller also served the University of Richmond in several capacities. He has lectured on investments at the E. Claiborne Robins School of Business and, as a member of the Board of Trustees since 1974, has served as Chairman of the Executive Committee and as Rector of the Board. He is a recipient of the Trustees' Distinguished Service Award and in 1976 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree.

In 1983 Wheat First Securities made a grant to establish the F. Carlyle Tiller Chair in Business to honor this man who has given so unselfishly of his time and resources to further the educational goals of the University of Richmond. Additional gifts of friends and alumni have helped to create this chair.

University of Richmond students launched their version of a "last lecture" series -- in which a professor speaks on the question, "If you were to address students at the University of Richmond for the last time, what would you say?" -- on April 7th.

Joe B. Hoyle, an accounting professor noted for his Socratic method of teaching, was chosen by a student vote to be the initial last lecturer in what the students hope will become an annual event. Hoyle is author of "Tips and Thoughts on Improving the Teaching Process in College - A Personal Diary." The Duke and Appalachian State graduate was named 2007 Virginia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Endowment for the Advancement of Teaching/Council for Advancement and Support of Education, as well as one of 22 favorite undergraduate business professors by BusinessWeek in 2006.

Watch the video of Joe Ben Hoyle's presentation here.

At this year's Honors Convocation Ceremony (held in April), several Robins School faculty members were honored for their service and accomplishments. The Outstanding Faculty Awards went to: Dean Croushore for Teaching, Doug Bosse for Scholarship, and David North for Service. North was also named the David Meade White Distinguished Teaching Fellow.