View the Global Top 100 lists for that week.

The project was part of the students’ work for a MGT 691 course (Business Research, Strategy and Planning) taught by Dr. Stephen Mayer, assistant professor of management.

The purpose of the game is to give students an opportunity to make real-world business decisions and to see the results of those decisions. Over the last 12 months, the Business Strategy Game has been playedby 45, 979 students in 2,495 classes/sections at 561 college/university campus locations in 49 countries.

To learn more about Niagara University’s MBA programs, please visit mba.niagara.edu.

Dr. Anna McNab, assistant professor of management, received the award for excellence in research. She received the Best Paper Award for a manuscript published in the AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction in 2011, titled “Designing Emergency Response Dispatch Systems for Better Dispatcher Performance.” Dr. McNab also has a forthcoming paper accepted by MIS Quarterly, titled “Reliability Generalization of Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, and Behavioral Intentions.” Lastly, Dr. McNab has collaborated on a pair of projects that investigated the effects of various types of media on perceptions related to sexual assault and the intentions to intervene in such situations. These were published by leading communications journals and have seen some attention from the popular press.

Dr. James Kling, associate professor of management and chair of the commerce department, received the award for excellence in service. As chair, he manages all the courses and faculty associated with economics, finance, marketing and management. He is also on the university’s Academic Integrity Board, Niagara University Senate Executive Committee, and is the academic director for the Center for Supply Chain Excellence, which he founded in 2000. He serves on the board of directors at Stella Niagara Education Park, a pre-K through 8th grade private Catholic school in Lewiston, N.Y. Just last week, he completed the Vincentian Mission Certificate program, an 18-month program designed to help deepen Catholic and Vincentian values at Niagara University.

The award for excellence in teaching went to Dr. Christopher P. Wright, assistant professor of management. This undoubtedly was for his ability to make quantitative methods accessible and at demonstrating the applied side of statistics. He also uses technology in and out of the classroom, including video lectures on Blackboard, his use of a tablet in class and the online homework system through Pearson.

Dean Daly added, “Dr. McNab published an article in one of information systems’ very most prestigious journals, making her our Researcher of the Year. Following years of outstanding service, Dr. Kling had the “perfect storm” in 2012-13: He was acknowledged for Service of the Year, with his involvement on the  university’s Senate Executive and numerous college-level committees, as well as serving as department chair. Dr. Wright was recognized as CBA’s Teacher of the Year for his innovation in teaching and developing new methods for engaging students in heavy quantitative courses, one of our most difficult tasks. Their efforts exemplify the diversity of talents and performance across a wide range of activities that make the faculty at Niagara University so special.”

The Rev. John Gouldrick, C.M., associate vice president for mission and director of the Vincentian Scholars Program, and Dr. Thomas Chambers, director of the master’s program in interdisciplinary studies and chair of the history department, were also welcomed into Kappa Gamma Pi as honorary inductees.

The purpose of Kappa Gamma Pi is to strive for a high standard of personal Christian excellence, service and scholarship among members; to encourage individual and group initiative and participation in local and national church and secular affairs; and to awaken a spirit of Christian leadership among the undergraduates of Kappa affiliated colleges and universities.

“Let that be our prayer, to go out together and to serve those most in need,” said the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, NU president, during his remarks.

Father Levesque has made community service a focal point of his presidency at Niagara University, which will conclude this summer after 13 years.

Congratulations to the inductees:

• Kristy Barrett (Kenmore, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Special Education
• Kelly Byrne (Lewiston, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• David Cheung (Calendon, Ontario)
  • Master of Science/Education 5-12
• Christianna Chiavetta (Amherst, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Education 5-12
• Andrea Fazio (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Master of Science/Education 5-12
• Elona Finlay (Guelph, Ontario)
  • Master of Science/Education 5-12
• Stefanie Fortunato (Woodbridge, Ontario)
  • Master of Science/School Psychology
• Jordan Goldstein (Amherst, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Mental Health Counseling
• Nathan Johnson (Grand Island, N.Y.)
  • Master of Business Administration
• Gloria Kordasiewicz (Lakeview, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Criminal Justice Administration
• Kristin Lundy (Spencerport, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Criminal Justice Administration
• Lori Majewski (Cheektowaga, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Education B-6
• Brittany McMahon (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/School Counseling
• Brittany Miles (East Amherst, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Education B-6
• Emily Oleyourryk (Oswego, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Literacy Instruction
• Kyle Phillips (Akron, N.Y.)
  • Master of Business Administration
• Kathryn Potter (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Literacy Instruction
• Sean Patrick Repman (Buffalo, N.Y.)
  • Master of Business Administration
• Kirsten Rodgers (Wilson, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Education B-6
• Christopher Russell (Youngstown, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/School Counseling
• Laurice Russell (Ransomville, N.Y.)
  • Master of Arts/Interdisciplinary Studies
• Katelyn Schober (Amherst, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/School Psychology
• Jennifer Cardamone Schultz (Lewiston, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/School Counseling
• Ashley Serwon (Cheektowaga, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Literacy Instruction, B-6
• Kayla Snell (Lockport, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/Education B-6
• Latrell Sturdivant (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)
  • Master of Science/School Psychology
• Olivia Wells (Stoney Creek, Ontario)
  • Master of Science/Education B-6
• Jamie Lynn Whiffing (Hamilton, Ontario)
  • Master of Science/Education B-6

Kappa, gamma and pi are the initial letters of the Greek phrase that means “Catholic Women Leaders.” The original name has been retained because of its importance in the society’s history. However, both non-Catholics and men are welcomed to the membership of Kappa Gamma Pi each year.

Membership in Kappa Gamma Pi is a promise for the future, to continue in service to church and community. Members are chosen because they have already demonstrated this commitment, and are expected to continue in this leadership role after graduation.

Additional photos from the event are posted on Niagara University’s Facebook page.

To learn more about the graduate programs offered at Niagara University, please call 716.286.8769 or visit www.niagara.edu/graduate.

More than 230 people attended the event, which was emceed by WGRZ-TV anchor and 1986 NU graduate Maryalice Demler.

The Maid of the Mist (and the Glynn family) took home the award for 2013 Family Business of the Year. The Glynn family has overseen the prominent Niagara Falls-based business since 1971, when James Glynn, ’57, became president of the Maid of the Mist Corporation. Under his and his son Christopher’s, ’85, leadership, the business has grown exponentially, now serving more than 2.5 million passengers annually. The company’s effective marketing strategy draws tourists from around the world to ride the iconic boats, resulting in a major economic boost on both sides of the border. Within the past 42 years, the Glynns have demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of the region. They are major supporters of Niagara University, Niagara College (Ontario), Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Opportunities Unlimited, the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, the Health Association of Niagara County, and Family and Children’s Service of Niagara, among many others.

Freed Maxick CPAs P.C., the recipient of this year’s award for Distinguished Accounting Firm, is one of Western New York’s premier accounting companies, with offices in Buffalo, Batavia, Rochester and Syracuse. It’s affiliated with the Leading Edge Alliance, a national association of more than 40 national accounting firms. Aside from its excellence in accountancy, Freed Maxick is also extensively involved in the community. The firm is a major supporter of organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, the Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, the Buffalo Museum of Science, the Catholic Health System of WNY, the Leukemia Society of America, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Shea’s Performing Arts Center, to name a few. More than 25 Niagara graduates currently work for Freed Maxick, including managing director Ronald Soluri, Class of 1973.

The recipient of this year’s Corporate Leadership Award was Joseph McDonald, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Health. McDonald oversees the second-largest hospital system in Western New York, with more than 8,500 employees and 1,400 physicians. McDonald came to Catholic Health in 2002, just a few years after the merger that created the integrated system, and has successfully charted the company’s strategic direction in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare reform. Today, Catholic Health’s programs, services and relationships with the medical community are better aligned to ensure the continued success of its mission “to reveal the healing love of Jesus to those in need.” During McDonald’s tenure, Catholic Health has experienced a growth in services, the introduction of advanced technology, improved quality and safety, and a return to fiscal stability. Its annual revenues presently stand at $843 million. The organization’s charity care and community services contributions have also increased, to more than $47 million annually. In 2009, Catholic Health and Niagara University partnered on an educational initiative designed to prepare MBA students for leadership positions in the healthcare industry. Under McDonald’s leadership, Catholic Health also teamed with Niagara University’s Department of Nursing to offer a unique “RN-to-BSN” degree pathway for registered nurses who want to advance their careers.

The origin of St. Michael’s Hospital, Niagara’s 2013 Canadian Business Leader of the Year, dates back to the 1890s when the Sisters of St. Joseph operated a boarding house for working women in the south end of Toronto. That safe haven, Notre Dame des Anges, became St. Michael’s Hospital, as the sisters sought to respond to need for care among the poor in Canada’s most populous city. St. Michael’s began receiving medical students in 1894. In 1920, administrators negotiated a formal agreement with the faculty of medicine at the University of Toronto that continues to this day. As Toronto grew and expanded, so did the hospital. Ongoing physical expansion, most prominent in the 1960s, increased the original 26-bed facility to 900 beds. From that point on, St. Michael’s distinguished itself as one of the most innovative medical and teaching facilities in the world. Canada’s first successful heart transplant and robot-assisted uterine tumor removal took place at St. Michael’s, as did North America’s first muscle transplant. The downtown facility, known for exceptional and compassionate care of its patients, especially the homeless and disadvantaged, has come to be known as the Urban Angel.

The Outstanding MBA Student for 2013 was Mario J. Colucci, who works as an assistant vice president and manager at M&T Bank. Colucci earned a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University in May 2007. Shortly after interning at M&T Bank and graduating from GW, Colucci returned to M&T to work as a banking officer and business and planning analyst. Colucci later completed M&T’s Management Development Program while still managing the bank’s day-to-day operations. Colucci’s next step in professional development led him to Niagara University, where he enrolled in the MBA program with a dual concentration in strategic management and human resources. Shortly thereafter, Colucci was promoted to an assistant vice president position at M&T, where he manages specialized brokerage services as well as reporting and analytics. Colucci has completed his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and holds FINRA Series 7, Series 24 and Series 99 securities licenses. He currently maintains a 4.0 grade point average in Niagara’s MBA program.

Just before the banquet concluded, Dr. Shawn Daly, dean of the College of Business Administration, announced to attendees that Niagara will be featured in a four-page spread in next month’s edition of C.E.O. magazine. The institution will be recognized among the top 100 business schools in the nation.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s banquet were Catholic Health, Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP, Citi, Computer Task Group, Freed Maxick CPAs P.C., Gaines Kriner Elliott LLP, M&T Bank, Maid of the Mist, the Niagara University Family Business Center and Supply Chain Optimizers.

Additional photos from the event can be viewed on Niagara University’s Facebook page.

The awards banquet was preceded by a healthcare symposium geared toward achieving improved population health, bettering the patient experience and reducing the cost of care.

Sponsored by NU, the American College of Healthcare Executives and Catholic Health, “Healthcare Executive Forum Presents: Achieving the Triple Aim” featured a panel discussion with Dr. Michael Edbauer DO, MBA, chief medical officer for the Catholic Independent Practice Association (CIPA) and vice president of medical affairs for home care and primary care at Catholic Health System; Michael Moley, senior vice president of human resources for the Catholic Health System; Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D., senior vice president of marketing, planning and business development for ECMC; and Momba Collins Chia, MS, HAS, president and C.E.O. at the Western New York Healthcare Collaborative Council Inc.

For more information on Niagara University’s business programs, please visit www.niagara.edu/business.

Dr. Shawn Daly, dean of the college, recognized the winners on April 2 after they successfully made presentations in front of an inspired audience and challenging panel of distinguished judges that included four Niagara alumni – Rocco Surace, Karen Howard, Bud Crumlish and Aldona Cytraus – along with Lynn Oswald, a local entrepreneurship advocate.

“We were very pleased with the enthusiasm and content that all the teams delivered,” said Dr. Daly. “We want to help Niagara students tap their creative genius and put their business training to use. This competition was set up to be a spark and it sure looks like we got the fire started,” he went on to say.

They Play You Play, founded by Alex Cleveland and Kevin Walders, was crowned the overall winners. Their company will provide stressed out couples who need a romantic or “sanity” break with a safe and educational environment for their children while they enjoy an evening out.

Second place went to the Good Neighbors Business Association, a social entrepreneurship endeavor founded by Jacob Blaisdell, Michael Fetzer, Nicholas Palisano and Jenna Roberts. This entity has been created to harness the energy and expertise of young professionals who are committed to revitalizing Niagara Falls.

Edge Up Warm Up, a business that centers on a training device to help golfers stretch out while simultaneously improving their golf swing, won third place. This start-up was founded by Mitchell Piper, Michael Meng and Chris Politi.

Along the way to the finals, the teams in this year’s competition were provided with three seminars conducted by local entrepreneurship experts. These seminars touched on innovation, business plan preparation and presentation skills. Each team also benefited from the expertise and generosity of a faculty mentor.

The three winning teams, along with several others from Niagara, were selected to compete in the Western New York Regional Competition on April 18. From there, they have the opportunity to advance to the New York state finals in Albany on April 25.

“To get through this rigorous process these Niagara students have shown the determination and intellect that defines us. I am very hopeful that one or more of our teams will advance to the state level and shine there too,” added Dr. Daly.

Building a New Somalia:  Reflections from the Former Prime Minister, Dr. Abdiweli Ali will include a presentation from Dr. Ali, as well as a panel discussion featuring:

• Dr. Ali
• Dr. David A. Reilly, Associate Professor of Political Science
• Dr. Brian M. Murphy, Associate Professor of Communication Studies
• Dr. Khalid Qazi, President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) of Western New York

In November 2010, Dr. Ali took a sabbatical from his position as associate professor of economics at Niagara University to join the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia as the country’s deputy prime minister. The following June, Dr. Ali was named Somalia’s prime minister after the resignation of Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, another Western New York resident.

Originally tasked with presiding over a country in the midst of a Civil War that has spanned two decades, Dr. Ali’s challenges grew exponentially as Somalia dealt with its worst famine in 60 years. The United Nations declared six of the states in Somalia to be “famine zones,” many of which are under control of militant extremist groups.

As a result, Dr. Ali, a native of the Puntland region of Somalia, has continuously appealed to countries, organizations and individuals worldwide for humanitarian support.

The United States has pledged more than $100 million toward Somali relief efforts and those in the Buffalo-Niagara region are helping out as well.

When Dr. Ali spoke at Niagara University on Sept. 19, 2011, the Niagara University Student Government Association announced that it would be contributing $5,000 toward “NU Mission Somalia,” a university-sponsored awareness and fundraising initiative.

On Jan. 21, 2013, the U.S. government formally recognized the first Somali national government in more than two decades, an accomplishment that many credit to Dr. Ali’s leadership.

In addition, the Somali National Army, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia, liberated the Somali capital of Mogadishu from Al Qaeda-linked extremist insurgents in August 2012. It’s reported that the government has since pushed the militants out of 90 percent of major towns in southern Somalia.

Dr. Ali’s term as prime minister concluded in October 2012.

Dr. Ali joined Niagara University’s faculty in August 2003. He earned a master’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and completed his Ph.D. at George Mason University. Dr. Ali has since attained a master of public administration degree from Harvard Law School, where he received the Joel Leff Fellowship in 1998 and 1999. Prior to Niagara, Dr. Ali was a research and forecast manager for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

While much of Dr. Ali’s academic research has concentrated on economic growth and development, public finance and international trade, he has shifted his focus to the effect of institutions on economic growth within countries and regions. He has spent much time in Somalia in recent years, assisting with public finance management and helping draft the nation’s Reconstruction and Development Plan (RDP) on the heels of the disruptive civil war.

The AACSB-accredited college hosts its 23^rd Annual Business Appreciation and Accounting Banquet at 5:30 p.m., during which four business leaders and organizations are set to be honored.

Corporate Leadership Award

• Joseph McDonald, President & C.E.O. of Catholic Health

Canadian Business Leader of the Year

• St. Michael’s Hospital

Niagara University Family Business of the Year

• Maid of the Mist and the Glynn family

Distinguished Accounting Firm

• Freed Maxick CPAs P.C.

“We are thrilled to take this opportunity to recognize four people and organizations that have been so supportive of Niagara University,” stated Dr. Shawn Daly, dean of the College of Business Administration. “The relationship between Niagara and the Glynn family is well chronicled while our connection to Joe McDonald and Catholic Health is one that continues to grow and directly benefits our students. Of course, we are also very proud of our relationships with our friends at Freed Maxick and St. Michael’s.”

The event, emceed by WGRZ-TV anchor and 1986 NU graduate Maryalice Demler, begins with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and award presentations.

Tickets for the banquet are $75 per person while a $1,000 sponsorship comes with a table for 10. Registration is available online at www.niagara.edu/baab before April 15. For more info, please call Gerry Catalano at 716.286.8173.

The awards banquet is preceded by a healthcare symposium that begins at 1 p.m. and is geared toward achieving improved population health, bettering the patient experience and reducing the cost of care.

Sponsored by NU, the American College of Healthcare Executives and Catholic Health, “Healthcare Executive Forum Presents: Achieving the Triple Aim” will feature a panel discussion and remarks from the following individuals:

• Dr. Michael Edbauer DO, MBA, Chief Medical Officer for the Catholic Independent Practice Association (CIPA) and vice president of medical affairs for home care and primary care at Catholic Health System. He is also the president and C.E.O. of Trinity Medical WNY P.C.
• Michael Moley, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the Catholic Health System
• Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Business Development for ECMC
• Momba Collins Chia, MS, HAS, President and C.E.O. at the Western New York Healthcare Collaborative Council Inc.

The cost to attend the symposium is $25 for students, $30 for ACHE members and $35 for nonmembers. Walk-ins will be charged $40 (cash or check). Online registration is available at http://tripleaimhef.eventzilla.net.

The free event begins at 9:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will be offered to all attendees.

Graduate School Open House is an excellent opportunity for prospective students and their families to learn more about NU’s accredited graduate degree programs in business administration, sport management, criminal justice administration, teacher education, counseling, educational leadership and interdisciplinary studies as well as Niagara’s Ph.D. program in leadership and policy.

Attendees will be able to speak individually with university faculty and staff members about course offerings while representatives from Niagara offices of financial aid, career development and other student services will also be present to answer questions. In addition, current NU graduate students will be on hand to talk about life on campus.

To request more information and/or register, please contact Niagara University’s Office of Graduate Admissions at 716.286.8700, 800.462.2111 or log on to www.niagara.edu/april.

Seniors Peter Pane, Brandon Gallegos and Steven Boyle teamed with MBA student Ling Zhou to finish second out of nine colleges and universities in the annual competition, which assesses students on their writing and presentation of a stock research report.

The Niagara team will share a $500 prize, and has also been offered scholarships to complete the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Exam.

Ed Hutton, CFA, assistant professor and director of the Financial Services Laboratory at Niagara University, served as faculty advisor while Steven Gattuso, CFA, assistant professor, acted as the team’s industry mentor.

During this year’s competition, the student teams were required to analyze Computer Task Group (NASDAQ: CTGX), of Buffalo, N.Y. The research process began in October 2012, when CTG presented its financial results and discussed its business strategy during a luncheon attended by the student teams.

The Niagara team then spent two months conducting a thorough analysis of the company, including the construction of a sophisticated spreadsheet valuation model of the factors affecting the price of the stock. The team also had to evaluate current and projected macroeconomic factors, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), interest rates and capital spending. Due to the importance of emerging electronic medical records (EMR) to CTG’s business, the team also had to conduct an analysis of recent legislation requiring EMR adoption.

Altogether, the team estimates it spent over 400 hours in its research.

In January, the Niagara team submitted its written report, containing over 60 pages of financial calculations, to a panel of judges, all of whom were professional stock analysts or portfolio managers and CFAs. In their research report, the team had to recommend to buy, sell or hold on the stock of CTG, and forecast the stock price. The judges scoring of each report was sealed until the completion of the oral presentations.

In February, the Niagara team attended the Western New York Investment Research Conference. During the conference, the team heard a talk given by Dr. David Blitzer, chairman of the S&P 500 Index Committee, and several other academic and investment professionals. In addition, Hutton delivered a talk to the group titled Seven Myths Regarding the Equity Risk Premium.

After the speakers concluded, each university team had to present a summary of its stock research report to the 110 conference attendees and a panel of CFA judges before answering questions to defend its findings. The judges rated each team’s presentation style, format and delivery, and its ability to answer the questions.

The written report scores and the presentation scores were combined. At that point, Niagara and Canisius College were tied for first place, both teams having outscored SUNY Buffalo, Syracuse University, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Fredonia, St. Bonaventure University and SUNY Oswego.

The Niagara and Canisius teams were subsequently required to present their findings again to a combined judging panel, and answer another round of difficult questions in defense of their conclusions. Canisius ultimately finished just ahead of Niagara.

The competition was sponsored by the CFA Institute, an organization of over 100,000 members in 68 counties, as well as Standard & Poor’s, Morningstar, Zacks Investment Research, Citigroup, Manning and Napier, Nottingham Investment Advisors and Kaplan Schweser.

For more information, contact Hutton at 716.286.8208 or ude.aragainnull@nottuhe.

In 2012 – the 31^st year that the university offered the program – Niagara students helped local residents file 479 tax returns, totaling more than $575,000 in federal and state refunds.

Assistant accounting professor James Ingham was proud of the 77 students who contributed more than 860 volunteer hours to the program last year, his first as coordinator. This tax season, Ingham hopes that Niagara can – as the university’s mantra suggests – “do more.”

“When we talk about creating an educational environment that is enhanced through service and experiential learning, this is exactly what we mean,” said Ingham, who owns an MBA and is a certified public accountant. “It’s wonderful to offer this service to people who may not be able to afford a professional accountant, and it gives our students an opportunity to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom to the real world.”

Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, the program, called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), is entering its 32^nd year at Niagara. Under the program, NU students prepare and electronically file federal and state tax returns free of charge for elderly and low-income taxpayers in the community. The program is coordinated by members of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for accounting, and the college’s Accounting Society.

Beginning Feb. 12, assistance will be provided from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. at Niagara University (St. Vincent’s Hall, Room 207) on the following dates:

• Feb. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28
• March 12, 14, 19, 21 and 26
• April 2 and 4

Sessions will also be held at the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building (3001 9th St., Niagara Falls, N.Y.) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:

• Feb. 13, 20 and 27
• March 13, 20 and 27

No appointments are needed to participate in this free service.

Niagara University’s VITA program has garnered national accolades from Beta Alpha Psi, an organization with more than 300,000 members in 300 chapters on college and university campuses around the world.

For more information, please call 716.286.8050 or visit www.niagara.edu.