Tackling the Big Issues
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Long before the accounting scandals of the early 2000s
brought ethics to the forefront of American business, an
organization based in Atlanta was pioneering the study of
the subject and helping companies grapple with real-world
issues. As you will read in our lead story, that organization,
the Southern Institute for Business and Professional Ethics,
is now part of the Robinson College of Business.
Originated in 1993, the Southern Institute is one of the
foremost centers for ethics in the United States. Founders
John Knapp and Steve Olson join the College not only as
administrators of the Institute but also as faculty members.
The Institute will continue to assist businesses and
will also help to better incorporate the study of ethics into
the Robinson curriculum.
While ethics remains a big issue for business and society,
so too is what David Walker calls “fiscal irresponsibility.”
Walker, comptroller general of the United States, in an
exclusive interview for State of Business, talks about the
impact of entitlements and changing demographics on
the future of the country. He speaks specifically about the
need for health care and Social Security reform, and tells
us how an organization, the Concord Coalition, is endeavoring
to make reform happen.
Rapidly becoming one of our most popular features, Lessons
from Leaders this time focuses on Sandra and Douglas
Bergeron. Sandra, a Robinson graduate, is chairman of the
board of TraceSecurity, Inc., and Doug is chairman and CEO
of Verifone Holdings, Inc. Together they have presented the
College with a $1 million dollar gift for the Bergeron Women
in Technology Leadership Fund to provide scholarships and
mentoring opportunities for female students with the potential
for and interest in technology careers. You’ll read their inspiring
stories and learn more about the technology award.
Another alumnus, Gerald Hudgins, is the focus of a profile
in At Home on the Range. A real estate pioneer and leading citizen
in Henry County, Gerald has also turned his passion for raising
cattle into a highly successful business enterprise.
In our “In Brief ” section, you’ll read about the University’s purchase
of property from SunTrust for the proposed creation of
a new Georgia State Professional Center, which would include
a new building for the Robinson College.
We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, we welcome your
comments and remind you that for late updates, you can check
our website at www.robinson.gsu.edu.
Best regards,
H. Fenwick Huss
Dean
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