College of Business » ethics

Jon Willis: The Bernice & Hank Willis Study Lounge

Renee Brown — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:31:05 +0000

Jon Willis: Remarks at the Dedication of the Bernice & Hank Willis Study Lounge, Oct. 23, 2009

Jon B. Willis at the rededication of the Bernice & Hank Willis Study Lounge, College of Business, New Mexico State University.

Thank you Dean Carruthers, Sylvia, and Cheri for your efforts in organizing this event. And thank you particularly for your inspiration to add Dad’s name to this room, now the Bernice and Hank Willis Student Lounge. Mom and Dad are together in a place they loved, and this is how they would have wanted it.

I confess that I anticipated an event of this sort some time ago and have given considerable thought to words appropriate for this occasion. I hope you will forgive that these thoughts may go a bit beyond simple comments and give them a listen.

I would like to speak with you today, especially to the young people among you, about generations and principles. Because generations are the story of life, including the two lives we celebrate today; and principles are the anchors by which we chose to lead our lives. And it is particularly appropriate to do so in this setting because Mom and Dad held an unyielding faith in the promise of each new generation, and their gift of this room underscores their belief in the importance of these college years in your lives, and in the early formation of your own life principles and the character of your time.

Cloudcroft, NM.

So let me begin with the generation of my maternal grandfather. His name was Arra Burton Fite, and as Dean Carruthers has already mentioned, he committed virtually all of his professional life to this institution. Granddad was born in 1886 near the village of Cloudcroft in the Sacramento Mountains, about 80 miles from here. His mother died when he was seven years old, and as was common practice in those days his father parceled out the children, in this case four boys, to family and friends to raise them. My grandfather was “gifted” to a nearby ranching family.

He could have been a ranch hand as his life’s work but he was determined to do more. So after six years, when he was legally allowed, he struck out on his own at the age of 13, riding his little pony across the Tularosa Desert to the town of Hope, where he supported himself as a cowboy while attending school for the first time.

William Conroy Honors Center, NMSU historical building, built in 1909.

Seven years later he then set out for Las Cruces where he enrolled at the New Mexico Agriculture and Mechanics College, as this University was then known, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1915 at the tender age of 29; …this may give a bit of hope to some of you “late bloomers”. He then went on to earn a Master’s Degree is the same field and served the next thirty years in various academic and administrative roles associated with this institution. My mother, the youngest of his five children, was practically raised on this campus.

On my father’s side of the family the journey to New Mexico was a bit more circuitous. His great grandfather, William Oliver Cowan, was forced to leave his beloved Ireland in the face of the great potato famine of the mid-1800’s. His ship was bound for Boston but a series of storms drove them off course and they were lost at sea for over six months before landing at last in Jamaica. Imagine setting out for Boston and landing in Jamaica… from thence they sailed on to New Orleans.

The family then migrated a bit north to Tennessee, where my father was born in 1925. America entered World War II some 16 years later in December 1941. When Dad was old enough he enlisted in the United States Navy, and was improbably assigned to entirely land-locked New Mexico.

Hank and Bernice Willis.

And that is how my Mother and Father got together. It is a story of land and sea, a story of departures and discoveries, a story of happenstance and fortune. And it is the story of Life and of generations.

Many of us identify generations by the images they have left us. In modern America it was the fear and loss of confidence during the economic collapse of the 1930s that defined the Depression Generation. It was the undaunted courage of those who fought so bravely in the Second World War that defined what the newscaster and writer Tom Browkaw has called The Greatest Generation. And my generation, The Boomers, were defined by the first landing on the Moon, the somber march of the Civil Rights Movement, the tragedy of Viet Nam, and the violent deaths of three of America’s most beloved leaders.

But while these images may lead some to conclude that it is mostly events that define a generation, my parents believed differently. They believed that is was the response to events that truly defined a generation and ultimately established its character. And this response is the special combination of ideals and aspirations, of hopes and dreams, of beliefs and convictions that are now being forged among you here in these crucial college years; in the libraries and study lounges, in the dorm rooms and apartment kitchens, in the coffee houses and neighborhood pubs, and on the sports fields and gathering places around this campus. That is why this place was so special to Mom and Dad.

Jon and Joshua Willis, son and grandson of Bernice and Hank Willis.

Generations do not stand alone. They receive wisdom and guidance from those that preceded it, although each generation will develop new principles that are unique to its time while setting aside former ideas that no longer apply. But there are four principles that I think Mom and Dad believed should apply to all generations. They are timeless in nature. They are what they taught my brother and sister and me, and to their grandchildren as well. Because this occasion is to honor their lives and the principles they lived by, I would like to pass them on to you. I think you will like them:

First, always strive to maintain an inquisitive mind. Learn to love learning. A robust curiosity and vigorous intellectual pursuit are the wellspring of a compleat life. And toward the end of your life, when perhaps you can do little else, what you have invested in the life of your mind can bring you great contentment.

Second, nurture your spirit. Mom and Dad were both very devout and committed many thousands of hours to study, thought, prayer, and meditation. They believed deeply in a loving Providence and a greater purpose. Take time regularly each day, every week, every month, and every year to feed and nurture the needs of your soul.

Number three, fight like hell for that in which you believe and against that which you disdain. Injustice, prejudice, ignorance, selfishness, hatred and bigotry are still too much a part of the human condition. They suffocate the human spirit. Confront them boldly wherever you find them; and never give up in your battle for what you believe to be right.

And finally, but by no any means the least, always find time for your family and friends…

(Incidentally, I heard a story the other day that the definition of a good friend is someone who will unquestioningly come bail you out of jail in the middle of the night. But a really true friend is the one sitting next to you in that jail cell, smiling, holding his hung-over head saying, “Damn that was a good time!”)

Student Ambassadors at the Willis Student Lounge redication, Oct. 23, 2009.

… But seriously, your family and friends will sustain you through good times and bad, and a full life will have its full measure of both. Loving relationships and devoted friendships are the glue that binds generations, communities, and kindred spirits. Value and nurture these relationships for the treasure they are.

Those of you who are students today have already seen some of the images that will be identified forever with your generation. The collapse of the World Trade Center towers, the inauguration of the first African-American President, visible evidence of global climate change.

Some of these images are inspiring and some are frightening; you are entering an uncertain world. But always remember that it is not the images that will define your generation, but it is your response to the events of your time that will mark your character. And it is incumbent upon you to respond to those events with the same courage, fortitude, confidence, and determination as those who have gone before you.

So whatever tired little pony you ride, or whatever storm-tossed sea you find yourselves upon, when you get to where you are going, which in some cases will be a surprise to you, move on to vigorously address the challenges before you. That is what will define your generation.

Student Ambassadors, Oct. 23, 2009.

And if you can, try to remember the principles the two we honor here today would have wanted you to know: Strive always to maintain an inquisitive mind; protect and nurture your spirit; fight vigorously for what you believe to be right; and always remember your family and friends. This is a gift from their generation to yours; and it is given with all the love and respect, and with all the hope and affirmation of their very great hearts.

Thank you for honoring my parents with your presence here today. In your Life’s journey I wish you God’s blessing and Godspeed. Thank you.

Jon Willis
October 23, 2009

WSJ: New Research on Spanking Might Need a Time Out

Renee Brown — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:51:39 +0000

from CARL BIALIK, The Wall Street Journal, Oct, 14, 2009. Retrieved online: Oct, 23, 2009.

Studies Aim to Settle the Longstanding Debate Over the Disciplinary Practice’s Effects, but Statistical Shortcomings Persist

Three recent, widely reported studies on spanking children claimed to show that the disciplinary practice impairs cognitive development in children. Together, they held out the promise of providing the latest, definitive word on a passionate debate.

Yet the three aren’t likely to resolve anything. Many statisticians say they find in them less a firm conclusion than further proof of the difficulty of measuring spanking’s impact.

Statistical analysis of spanking’s effects on cognition are clouded by many complicating factors. Effects can be attributed to the wrong cause, statisticians say; rather than spanking causing problems in children, it is possible that their existing cognitive problems can make spanking more likely. Moreover, any effects of spanking are difficult to measure and probably small. And unlike, say, a study on prescription drugs that removes a misleading placebo effect, no ethical study can assign some children to be spanked. Instead, parents must be trusted to remember and share their disciplinary practices.

….Daniel Mundfrom, a statistician at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, says that even without accounting for other factors, spanking at age 1 explained less than 1% of the variation in cognitive ability at age 3. In other words, maybe spanking does lower intelligence, but not by much.

…Prof. Straus concedes that the methodology was flawed and that spanking may not account for the differences in average national IQs. He says he presented the data on national IQ in part because it corroborated his other study. “The questionable statistics are so consistent with the statistics in the other paper,” he says, adding that his second study can provide “a field day writing about questionable statistics.”

Some statisticians agree. For one thing, the results are skewed by a relatively small number of countries with high rates of spanking and especially low average IQs, particularly Tanzania and South Africa — where about a third of university students reported being spanked a lot before age 12, and where average IQ rates stood at 72. Excluding these countries, “the line would be much closer to flat, indicating little or no relationship,” says Dr. Mundfrom.

Read the article.

Hyman named as first-ever Stan Fulton Chair in Business at NMSU

Renee Brown — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:43 +0000

June 19, 2009 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Michael Hyman, marketing professor at New Mexico State University, will serve as the Stan Fulton Chair in Marketing at NMSU’s College of Business. (NMSU Photo by Darren Phillips)

Michael Hyman, a marketing professor at New Mexico State University, has been named the Stan Fulton Chair in Business at NMSU’s College of Business.

“I’m honored to be the first person selected as the Stan Fulton Chair,” Hyman said. He currently teaches marketing research and sports marketing as well as doctoral level courses in marketing theory and applied research methods.

The Stan Fulton Chair was created by a $1 million gift from Stan Fulton, owner of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Earnings from the endowment are used to support the salary of the faculty member holding the chair, as well as program development and other needs.

The Stan Fulton Chair is structured for a senior faculty member to mentor junior faculty members as well as doctoral students. A recommendation for the chair is made by the college’s faculty council and then sent to the dean for approval.

“Mike Hyman completely immerses himself in the scholarship of discovery,” said Elise “Pookie” Sautter, department head for marketing. “His insightful research and writing skills make him highly sought after as a reviewer, as a co-author and an invaluable asset to our marketing Ph.D. program.”

As part of his responsibilities, Hyman will work with Chris Erickson, an NMSU economics professor, to produce New Mexico Business Outlook, an online publication highlighting various aspects of business in the state. Hyman will focus particularly on ethics and public policy, and provide a preliminary venue for faculty members to publish their work.

Hyman earned his Ph.D. at Purdue University in 1984. He taught at the University of Houston and the University of North Texas before joining the NMSU faculty in 1993. Author of more than 100 published scholarly papers and current member of nine journal editorial review boards, he previously held the Wells Fargo and NationsBank professorships in the College of Business. His research interests include consumers’ response to advertising, marketing ethics, survey research methods and knowledge acquisition in academia.

There are four, $1 million or more chairs in the College of Business. They include the Mountain States Insurance Group Endowed Chair, the Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers Chair in Economic Development, the Robin T. Peterson Endowed Chair in Marketing and the Stan Fulton Chair.

NMSU Professor Applies Storytelling to Business Management

Renee Brown — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:00:48 +0000

August 15, 2008 by Grace Ann rosile Original NMSU Research News article

Not Just a Bedtime Story: NMSU Professor Applies Storytelling to Business Management

Dr. David M. Boje

Storytelling is not just for kids anymore.

David Boje, of New Mexico State University’s College of Business, will conduct three presentations related to storytelling in organizations, including leading a prestigious All Academy Showcase Symposium, at the August 2008 annual national meeting of the over- 10,000 member Academy of Management in Anaheim, CA.

Boje has been creating insights on organizational storytelling since his seminal 1991 article about an office supply firm. Then in 1996, another key article showed how Disney, creator of some of our most well-know stories, is itself a storytelling organization. More…

Awards for Exceptional Achievements in Creative Scholarly Activity, 2008

Renee Brown — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:00:28 +0000

August 15, 2008 by NMSU Original NMSU Research Newsletter article

Dr. David M. Boje

Dr. David Boje, Department of Management, is one of the recipients of the 7th Annual URC Awards for Exceptional Achievements in Creative Scholarly Activity.

David M. Boje is endowed Bank of America professor in the Management Department at New Mexico State University, and past holder of the Anderson professorship. His main research is the interplay of storytelling methods and ethics. More…

Not just a bedtime story: NMSU professor applies storytelling to business management

Renee Brown — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:34:10 +0000

August 7, 2008 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Storytelling is not just for kids anymore. David Boje, a professor in New Mexico State University’s College of Business, will conduct three presentations related to storytelling in organizations. One presentation will include leading a prestigious all-academy showcase symposium, at the August 2008 annual national meeting of the more than 10,000 member Academy of Management in Anaheim, Calif.

“Every organization is a storytelling organization,” Boje said. “They tell stories through their marketing strategies and when they tell their founding story as part of their image management. For many, it’s a matter of noting their stories.”

Boje has been creating insights into organizational storytelling for more than 15 years. In a 1996 article, he showed how the Walt Disney Company, creator of some of our most well-know stories, is itself a storytelling organization. His articles appeared in the two most prestigious academic journals in the business management field, the Administrative Science Quarterly and the Academy of Management Journal.

During the Academy of Management meeting, Boje will join several other prominent Disney scholars for an all-academy showcase session titled “Questions We Ask the Disney Smile Factory.”

This year, Boje is a recipient of the NMSU Research Council’s Distinguished Career Award for Exceptional Achievements in Creative Scholarly Activity. His decades of “storying around” in organizations are culminating with his new book “Storytelling Organizations.” Boje’s other accomplishments include more than a dozen books, numerous book chapters, 117 journal articles, editorships, keynote addresses and more. This year alone, Boje has four books published or forthcoming where he is the author, co-author or editor.

Boje says he applies a more practical side of organizational storytelling, currently working with local artists groups to develop a more thriving art economy in Las Cruces. By getting out the story of the wealth of local arts talent, Boje believes these groups will attract not only customers but also more residents and businesses to this area. An arts convention will take place this September, as part of an initiative developed jointly with local arts groups, city officials of both Las Cruces and Mesilla, and Boje’s NMSU business students.

Boje is also well known for his storytelling slant on corporate ethics. His many articles on the bankrupt corporate giant Enron include “Enron: Whodunit?” written with one of Boje’s favorite co-authors who is also his wife and colleague Grace Ann Rosile. Both have individually and together authored many articles that have taken a narrative perspective on ethics. Each has chapters in Boje’s forthcoming edited volume “Critical Theory Ethics for Business and Public Administration.”

New Mexico State University professor earns prestigious designation

Renee Brown — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 07:00:50 +0000

Jan. 22, 2007 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Richard Fortin, a finance professor at New Mexico State University’s College of Business, recently earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

The designation is awarded by the CFA Institute to experienced financial analysts who pass examinations in a number of finance-related topics including economics, accounting, portfolio management, quantitative analysis, security analysis, and ethics.

“This designation requires literally years of study and thee major exams,” said Liz Ellis, finance department head. “This is a very significant achievement.”

Business Dean Garrey Carruthers also spoke highly of Fortin’s achievement.

“The College of Business is developing a niche in financial analysis and investments, to include student management of $5 million of state funds,” Carruthers said. “Fortin is a key member of the faculty team who inspired and designed this new program. His persistence in and dedication to achieving the CFA designation further strengthens the college and will be especially important to those students who enroll in the investment courses.”

One of Fortin’s articles was published in the fall 2006 edition of the Journal of Investing. Fortin’s article concludes CFA charter holders produce more accurate earnings forecasts.

Fortin’s work was quoted in the January 2007 newsletter from Jeff Diermeier, president and CEO of the CFA Institute. This newsletter is distributed to nearly 90,000 investment professionals worldwide.

Management professor receives national integrity award

Renee Brown — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 07:00:46 +0000

Jan. 19, 2006 by Jeany Llorente-Ontiveros NMSU News Center

Grace Ann Rosile received the “Champion of Integrity Award” from the Center for Academic Integrity. (NMSU photo by Darren Phillips)

When Grace Ann Rosile, an assistant professor of management at New Mexico State University, realized some students in her class were using cell phone text messages to cheat on a test, she faced a tough decision.She could change her testing methods and quietly “plug the hole and move on – sadder, wiser and more cynical,” or she could face the situation head-on.

Rosile chose the latter. She failed nine students and engaged the remaining students in examining the issues.

Since the incident two years ago, Rosile has conducted workshops, written articles, given presentations and engaged faculty and students in promoting a classroom culture supporting integrity.

For her efforts, Rosile received the “Champion of Integrity Award” from the Center for Academic Integrity (CAI).

The award was given to Rosile for her commitment to academic integrity, her willingness to “do the right thing” despite obstacles and/or rebuff, and for her contribution to effecting positive change among students, peers and colleagues within educational communities.

In a letter to Rosile, Timothy M. Dodd, executive director of CAI, said the organization was “particularly impressed by her efforts at ‘championing’ integrity through workshops, conferences, and published proceedings and articles.”

The aftereffects of the incident could have left a bitter taste in Rosile’s mouth; however, she found a way to turn it into a positive experience.

Rosile has conducted workshops for faculty on the Las Cruces campus and one at a national conference for management professors. Future possibilities include workshops at other NMSU campuses across the state. She has written several articles, conference proceedings and conference presentations on the subject.

In her classroom, Rosile uses a two-part exercise to help create a climate where cheating is not a “taboo” topic. She begins by talking about her experience with cheating and provides stopping points where students have the opportunity to predict the next stages or analyze the causes of the problems stage by stage. The next phase includes gathering anonymous student feedback, a process that “may yield the greatest candor,” Rosile said.

“My approach goes beyond procedural justice and due process in prosecuting cheaters,” she said. “Instead of focusing on the ‘bad apple,’ I emphasize methods to engage all students as well as faculty in promoting a classroom culture supporting integrity.”

Current and former governors team up to teach NMSU course

Renee Brown — Fri, 20 May 2005 07:00:48 +0000

May 20, 2005 by Jeany Llorente NMSU News Center

Garrey Carruthers, dean of NMSU's College of Business, will team-teach a course with Gov. Bill Richardson this fall. (NMSU photo by Darren Phillips)

If experience is the best teacher, students in a course on leadership and government at New Mexico State University this fall will have a treat in store for them.

Garrey Carruthers, dean of NMSU’s College of Business, and Gov. Bill Richardson will team-teach the course.

“Gov. Richardson and I plan to share our broad experiences in business, government and leadership with NMSU students,” said Carruthers, a former governor. “In addition to our contributions to the class, we will call upon other political and business leaders to discuss leadership, ethics and strategic thinking with the class. While we are still working on the structure of the class, both the governor and I like participatory classes so one can even expect some debates on public policy along the way.”

Carruthers and Richardson will alternate teaching the class, which will be on Fridays in Guthrie Hall. The class is open to undergraduate and graduate students. About 65 students have already enrolled.

Gov. Bill Richardson will team-teach a course with Garrey Carruthers, NMSU's dean of business, this fall. (Courtesy photo)

“I want to provide an opportunity for students in Southern New Mexico to learn firsthand about the inner workings of government, the importance of leadership and public service, and the realities of today’s political environment,” Richardson said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to working with Gov. Carruthers to ensure that this class is a unique experience for students at New Mexico State University.”

Carruthers, who also is the vice provost for economic development at NMSU, has extensive and successful experience in business and public service. Before becoming the dean of the business college in 2003, Carruthers served as president of the Cimarron Health Plan from 1993-2003, was governor of New Mexico from 1987-1990, was an assistant U.S. secretary of the interior from 1981-1984, served as special assistant to the U.S. secretary of agriculture during 1974 and 1975, and was the director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute at NMSU from 1976-1978.

Richardson served for 15 years as New Mexico’s Representative in the 3rd Congressional District. He also served in 1997 as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and in 1998, he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Richardson has taught at United World College in Montezuma, Northern New Mexico Community College and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Students interested in taking the course should contact Kathy Brook, associate dean of the business college, at (505) 646-5431 or kbrook@nmsu.edu.

NMSU professor finds businesses may influence employee ethics

Renee Brown — Tue, 15 Sep 1998 07:00:08 +0000

September 15, 1998 by Rachel Kendall NMSU News Center

Jennifer Kreie, Department of Accounting and BCS

Many business owners and managers worry about employee ethics, especially in light of recent technological advancements. Employers can ease their worry by developing a code of ethics and informing their employees of the consequences of unacceptable behavior, says Jennifer Kreie, an assistant professor of accounting and business computer systems in New Mexico State University’s College of Business.With colleague Tim Cronan of the University of Arkansas, Kreie is researching ethical decision-making in the technologically advanced workplace. To learn more about what factors influence ethical decisions, they surveyed more than 600 business students to find out how they would respond to different situations, Kreie said.

Kreie and Cronan presented five scenarios in which information systems personnel made decisions in questionable ethical situations. For example, said Kreie, in one scenario a person receives software ordered from a catalog. Included was another software package sent in error, which was not listed on the invoice. The person decides to keep the software and use it without paying for it.

The researchers asked the students not only whether the decisions were ethical, but also what was the importance of the issue involved, how probable was it the students would do the same, what factors would influence their decision, and what was the likelihood someone still would make the same decision if there were a stated company policy against such behavior.

They discovered it might be possible for companies to influence their employees’ decisions, especially when the issue involved was not perceived as very important, Kreie said. She said the importance of the issue “hits the core belief of what you think is right or wrong.”

The results of their research, recently published in the journal of the Association of Computing Machinery, showed women were more conservative in their beliefs. Kreie said more women rated behaviors as unacceptable and fewer women stated they would make the same decision. For example, in the scenario about keeping the inadvertently shipped software program, about 10 percent more women than men said the behavior was unethical. Almost 20 percent more men said they would probably do the same.

Kreie said men relied more on their personal values and whether an activity was legal to determine the acceptability of a behavior. While women trusted those factors, they relied on more factors overall to make their decisions, she said, including what others would do and what the company would say. Both genders, however, said they would be influenced if they knew the repercussions of their behavior.

“We had several participants say they would do something if they thought they wouldn’t get caught,” Kreie said. “Businesses need to set the rules and make employees aware of the consequences.”

It is important that companies not only set guidelines, but also make certain the employees know they exist, Kreie said. Larger businesses might consider a formal training session to discuss the policies, she suggested, while smaller companies might benefit more from departmental discussions using scenarios tailored to their workplace as starting points for discussion.

That is how Kreie presents the topic to her students, using the classroom as a forum for ethical discussions and debate. “You don’t tell them what is right or wrong,” she said. “You get them to discuss it and stretch their thinking.”