News and Events from the Department of General Business ...

New Department Chair

The Department of General Business has a new chair, Dr. Debbie DuFrene. Dr. DuFrene joined the SFA faculty in 1988 and teaches in the field of business communication. She completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Nicholls State University and earned her doctorate from the University of Houston. Publishing more than 80 scholarly articles, she also is co-author on a leading business communications text used widely throughout the U.S. and abroad.

The chair position was previously held for 20 years by Dr. Betty Johnson, who retired as the department chair in the summer. She will remain on the faculty, teaching in the spring following development leave this fall.

AWARDS

General Business ROTC Student Named Distinguished Military Graduate

A General Business student has been named a Distinguished Military Graduate by the U.S. Army ROTC program. Jonathan McCloud of Allen is among eight SFA students who will graduate as commissioned officers during the 2006-2007 school year.

According to Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Pike, chairman of the military science department at SFA, a cadet must be in the top 20 percent of the nation’s 3,806 Mission Set 2007 lieutenants to be judged as a Distinguished Military Graduate.

McCloud, a senior General Business major and 2003 graduate of Allen High School, will commission in August 2007. He has served as community service chairman of Phi Delta Theta, commanding officer for the Austin Raiders, and executive Officer and Cadet of the Semester for the ROTC program. McCloud ranked in the top 7 percent of graduates in the nation. He is the son of Martin and Susan McCloud of Allen.

General Business Major Joe Barone Named Mattress Firm’s Intern of the Year for the Dallas Market

HOUSTON , Texas, October 4th 2006 – Mattress Firm, one of the nation’s leading specialty mattress retailers, announced today that Joe Barone, a general business major at Stephen F. Austin, was named the company’s “Intern of the Year” for the Dallas market. Joe has returned to Stephen F. Austin to complete his senior year. 

The criteria for the selection of Intern of the Year for each market included overall performance throughout the summer including direct consumer sales, store management, research and presentations, portfolio completion, management review and an exit interview.  In addition to the recognition he receives, he will also be awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Mattress Firm to help him continue with his studies. 
 
It was an unyielding drive to succeed that helped Barone earn the Intern of the Year title for the Dallas Market.  His enthusiasm, and thirst for product knowledge were what ultimately helped him earn the special recognition.
 
“Joe had a thirst for product knowledge and had a strong desire to continually grow and develop which undoubtedly transferred to the sales floor,” explained District Manager Ray Holidy.  “His management team in Dallas felt that he was always willing to go above and beyond and was truly a great addition to their team this summer.”
 
Mattress Firm will be returning to Stephen F. Austin State University on a recruiting trip Oct. 21-27, seeking students who are interested in joining the company’s management training program.   Mattress Firm’s president and COO Steve Stagner is an alumni and has shown a strong commitment to recruit on campus and offer Stephan F. Austin graduates a management career track with Mattress Firm.  In years past, more than 100 Stephen F. Austin graduates have gone on to have successful careers with Mattress Firm.

NEW MINOR

General Business Technology Applications is the new minor that is now available in the General Business Department.  This minor is designed to provide business and non-business students with basic technology skills applicable in business settings.  See an advisor in the Department of General Business today for information.

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Nelson Rusche College of Business