From The Dean

I am very excited to share with you our latest edition of the Business Bulletin, where we highlight another incredible and record-breaking semester in the ISU College of Business. From unprecedented student opportunities and success, to outstanding faculty and staff achievements, to new endowments and program growth that will forever positively impact the College of Business, I am so proud to be part of one the best Business schools in the world. I’m so excited for the extraordinarily bright future our College has ahead. 

Shane's Send-off: a Farewell Party

In April, community members from across Pocatello and ISU gathered at the Stephens Performing Arts Center for College of Business Dean and Michael C. Ruettgers Professor of Marketing Dr. Shane Hunt’s going away party. Invited to send “vest wishes” to Shane and his family, attendees were encouraged to wear sweater vests as a nod to Hunt’s iconic outfit of choice - a sweater vest and khakis.

Introducing Interim Dean Dr. Alex Bolinger

Dr. Bolinger earned his PhD in Management at the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. His research and teaching interests focus on group dynamics and decision-making, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Students in his classes have learned about teamwork and business strategy through collaboratively writing seven books, devising student-led fundraisers, and bringing over 20 trophies to ISU in a decade of appearances at the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition.

Boosting Bengal Pride

Every semester, Idaho State University College of Business faculty and students alike participate in and put on a variety of events for those both inside and outside of the College. Not only does this allow them to share their knowledge and Bengal pride with the community and across the state, it also offers many opportunities for learning outside of the classroom. Highlights include the Idaho Business Leader of the Year, Idaho Economic Outlook Symposium, Financial Literacy Week, Executive in Residence, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Student Leadership Retreat.

Becoming Limitless Introduction

Is there a limit to what a Bengal can do? Be? Achieve?

Somewhere along their journey, students may be tempted to believe they’re only capable of so much. That their limits have been reached. The Idaho State University College of Business is here to help students realize something amazing: they can achieve anything. 

Largest Program Support Endowment in College History

A planned gift of $3,000,000 from an anonymous donor will support the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the College of Business and is the largest program support endowment in the history of the College. Program support endowments offer funding that can be used for scholarship support, student research, faculty research, program development, events, and more.

Scholarships

Scholarship endowments established during the Spring 2025 semester included the Brad Allen Scholarship Fund, the Clyde E. Brinegar Scholarship Fund, the Jerry & Susan Robinson Scholarship Fund and the Founders Circle Support Fund.

All-time Best Performance at International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition

In an all-time best performance, Idaho State University’s International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC) teams won a combined five trophies. The graduate team won Best Overall Performance, Best Written Documents and Best Presentation. The undergraduate team won Best Overall Performance and Best Written Documents. This brings ISU’s trophy count to 24 in ten years of competing.

Travel Opportunities Elevate ISU Sales Competition

In addition to the College of Business’ Sales Competition that invites students from across campus to gain invaluable experience diving into the principles of sales to win big cash prizes, the College of Business also took students to several external competitions this semester. These events took place in Boise, ID, Corvallis, OR and Kennesaw, GA. Both student participants and coaches agreed that the external competitions helped them grow and be even more prepared for the ISU competition.

CEEDs of Success

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) fosters entrepreneurship and economic development in Southeastern Idaho through partnerships across the business and University community. One of the benefits of CEED is the opportunity for students to make real-world connections  and enhance the traditional university classroom experience through community links, mentoring, and coaching. Included are three of the many students who found success through CEED involvement.

Integrating Knowledge, Serving Communities: Students Publish Book on Leading Remote Work

What if you could take a class offering cutting-edge insights on one of the hottest topics in the business world today - leading individuals who are working remotely? Then, what if you could take the knowledge learned in that class and co-author a book with your classmates? What if the knowledge in that book could be used to benefit managers and small business owners who have been thrust (often unexpectedly) into remote work?

These were the opportunities provided to students in ICCU Endowed Professor of Management Dr. Alex Bolinger’s elective course, Leadership from a Distance.

Graduate Students Host Summit Focused on AI in Business

Members of the College of Business are encouraged to pursue their passions and interests outside of the classroom. Students and professors alike are encouraged to bring their ideas to College leadership to pitch their concepts for funding support; a great example of all of this coming together was the first ever College of Business Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit.

Circle of Excellence Honors High Achieving Students, Faculty and Staff

Held for the fourth year, Circle of Excellence honors and celebrates top-tier students, faculty and staff in the College of Business. Students were chosen based on grade point average, faculty nominations and club leadership. In addition to each student receiving individual recognition, three faculty members and one staff member were recognized for their exemplary work.

Going Above and Beyond

The College of Business is full of alumni and faculty making significant impacts both at ISU and in their communities. A few recent recognitions include alumna Sandee Gehrke and professors Steve Byers and Ruiling Guo.

Incredible Impact: Creating a Legacy Through Planned Giving

In the College of Business, we are so grateful for the generosity and foresight of alumni and friends who help shape the future of the College through thoughtful giving. While there are many meaningful ways to support ISU’s mission, one often overlooked option is through planned and estate giving.

College of Business Professor Establishes Lectureship in Professional Development

John Ney, Assistant Marketing Professor, Executive Director of the Walter Brown Center for Sales Excellence, and Director of Professional Development, has established a lectureship for Professional Development. An example of the impact that can be made through estate planning, Ney intends to start this endowment to ensure that whoever steps into his shoes one day will have the financial support necessary to continue growing the professional development program at the College of Business.

Editor:

Presley Arrowood

Writing Contributors:

Layout/Design:

Photography:

Submissions

Web:

Administration:

Dr. Alex Bolinger, Interim Dean

College of Business Development:

Director of Development Kristine McCarty

(208) 282-4608  

kristinemccarty@isu.edu