College News and Announcements
Spring 2023
The Neff College Joins the Toledo Area West College Fair
March 8, 2023 | Members of the Neff College of Business and Innovation's recruitment team had the
pleasure of attending the Toledo Area West College Fair from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
March 7 in the UToledo Student Union Auditorium.
Roughly 400 local high school students and their families were provided with the chance
to gain further insight into our academic programs, extracurricular activities and
available college resources.

Adidas has $500 million worth of Kanye West sneakers and no good options
March 1, 2023 | Dr. Elizabeth Napier, assistant professor of marketing and international business, discusses how fashion companies dispose of unsold products.
"The fashion waste crisis is a significant contributing factor to climate change and
environmental degradation evident throughout the entire global value chain. About
$500b of value is lost every year due to overproduction and unsold merchandise that
are then irresponsibly discarded into landfills and oceans," she said.

UToledo Student Named UTISC Junior Division Gold Bracket Champion
Feb. 28, 2023 | Competing against professional sales students from 36 universities nationwide, Brendyn Pyles, fourth from left, a UToledo junior double majoring in professional sales and finance, was the Junior Division Gold Bracket Champion at the eighth annual UToledo Invitational Sales Competition.

UToledo Invitational Sales Competition Runs Feb. 23-25
Feb. 21, 2023 | Approximately 120 professional sales students from 36 universities nationwide will compete in the eighth annual UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC), hosted by the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation.

Spring Job Fair Scheduled Feb. 23 for Business Students
Feb. 20, 2023 | The John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation will host its upcoming Spring Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in Savage Arena.

Princeton Review Recognizes On-Campus M.B.A. as one of best in Nation
Feb. 15, 2023 | The Princeton Review has named The University of Toledo Neff College of Business and Innovation as one of its best on-campus M.B.A. programs in the country.

Business Student and Ukrainian Tennis Player Finds Safety at University of Toledo
Feb. 14, 2023 | Lolita Gukasyan, a freshman studying business and finance, and Tracy Mauntler, head women’s tennis coach, discuss Gukasyan’s journey to Toledo after escaping the war in Ukraine.

Two Neff Faculty Members Receive URFO Small Grant Support Awards
Feb. 2, 2023 | Congratulations to Dr. Katy Johnson and Dr. Iryna Pentina for receiving URFO Small Grant Support Awards. The URFO Small Awards Program provides a one time grant up to $1,000 per academic year to tenured and tenure-track faculty members to support research and scholarship activities. The Program provides limited funds when other sources of funds, such as faculty start-up funds, departmental funds and grant funds, are not available. A total of $20,000 is expected to support this program for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Volunteers Needed Feb. 10-11 to Pack 100,000 Meals For Starving Children
Feb. 8, 2023 | Volunteers and donations are needed for The University of Toledo’s annual hunger-relief, food-packing event Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11, in the Health Education Building on Main Campus. The event is hosted by UToledo’s Klar Leadership Academy, a student organization led by the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation, in partnership with Feed My Starving Children, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to children in need around the world.

Two Neff Alumni Receive ‘20 Under 40’ Recognition
Jan. 30, 2023 | Congratulations to Daniel Costello and Raina Dawson, two Neff College of Business
and Innovation alumni, for being named to the “20 Under 40” list, an annual recognition
of 20 distinguished community leaders from northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan who
are younger than 40 years old.
Two Neff Alumni Receive ‘20 Under 40’ Recognition

U.S. News Rankings Recognize UToledo for Excellence in Online Education
Jan. 24, 2023 | In its first opportunity, the new online M.B.A. program in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation placed 185 out of 366 on U.S. News & World Report's list, ranking higher than about half of the other online M.B.A. programs across the country. The Online Bachelor of Business Program also climbed to No. 58, placing in the top 30%.

Welcome to the new Year!
Jan. 17, 2023 | Dean Anne L. Balazs, Ph.D. welcomes current and new Business Rockets to the Spring '23 semester.
FALL 2022

Congratulations, Class of 2022!
Dec. 17, 2022 | We’re proud to celebrate the 364 graduating students from the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo’s Fall 2022 Commencement. Congratulations on your achievements and go Rockets!

Y.E.S. Donor Joins Students to Share Life Lessons, Enjoy a Meal
Dec. 12, 2022 | The Young Executive Scholars (Y.E.S.) Program culminated its 2022 curriculum with a breakfast sendoff at the Jones Leadership Academy of Business (JLAB) on Monday, Dec. 12. Here, roughly 30 student participants had the opportunity to meet and hear from alumnus, donor and supporter of the program, Chuck Knabusch and his wife Maryann, as well as enjoy breakfast catered by Chick-fil-A.

'Hope is not a Business Strategy' Author to be celebrated at book signing event on Dec. 6
Dec. 2, 2022 | On December 6 from 4-6 p.m., The University of Toledo Family Business Center and John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation Alumni Affiliate will host a book signing and celebration for "Hope is Not a Business Strategy," and its author, Chuck Knabusch.

Neff College of Business and Innovation Hosts 2nd Annual Innovathon Competition, Features Cake in a Cup
Dec. 2, 2022 | The John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation hosted its second annual Innovathon Competition over the course of the fall 2022 semester. The competition culminated on Friday, Dec. 2 with the student participants presenting their solutions to real-world issues facing a local small business, Cake in a Cup. The winner of the 2022 Neff Innovathon competition is solo participant, Allison McDaniel.

Dual-degree Graduate Stresses Importance of Friendly Assistance
Dec. 1, 2022 | As Elena Nassif’s time as a Rocket ends with Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 17, there’s the main theme that summarizes her time as a student: Don’t be afraid to seek out those who can help you.

Y.E.S. Program Explores the World of Accounting, Visits Local Firm
Nov. 15, 2022 | The Young Executive Scholars (Y.E.S.) from The Jones Leadership Academy of Business visited a Toledo accounting firm, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM), on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The Y.E.S. students’ time at GJM was spent learning about the firm, various career paths in the accounting field and how accountants investigate fraud and solve problems.

Junior Accomplishes Dream of Playing College Tennis in the U.S.
Nov. 23, 2022 | Congratulations to information systems major, Pawit Sornlaksup, for earning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year honors in his first season as a Rocket.

Introducing the 2022 Business Student Ambassadors
Nov. 21, 2022 | The John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation's Student Ambassador Program features a select group of involved, driven and passionate ambassadors to provide prospective UToledo students with feedback and guidance.

Family Business Center Celebrates 30 years of Growth
Nov. 14, 2022 | The University of Toledo Family Business Center will celebrate its 30-year milestone Monday, Nov. 14, at Stranahan Theater and Great Hall.

Neff College of Business and Innovation Sponsors Happy Hour at EPIC Leadership Summit
Nov. 11, 2022 | The Neff College of Business and Innovation had the privilege of sponsoring the happy hour at the EPIC Toledo Leadership Summit. We are so proud to partner with the local business community to continue to help build leaders in the region. We even had a raffle where Tyler Martin won two suite tickets to the Rockets vs. BGSU football game.

Business Student Maps New Career Path Through M.B.A. Program
Nov. 9, 2022 | Crystal Camden, who graduated from UToledo in 2019 with degrees in marketing and professional sales, has mapped her way to a new career path through the M.B.A. program. She is now a graduate assistant and learning more than ever.

Business Students Compete in Internal Sales Competition
Oct. 14, 2022 | The Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) hosted its inaugural Sales Connection and 12th annual Internal Sales Competition (ISC) on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Relay for Life partners with Business Student Organization
Oct. 11, 2022 | On Sunday, October 9, Relay For Life partnered up with Pi Sigma Epsilon, UToledo's Sales and Marketing Professional Fraternity, to host a Bubble Run 5K. The Bubble Run is a 5K run/walk, starting and finishing in the Flatlands, by the Glass Bowl, at The University of Toledo.

Sales School Launches Online Apparel Shop
Oct. 5, 2022 | Proceeds from this store will go to the ESSPS Operating Fund to help the Sales School with the Sales Competition Team (SCT), student organization support, role play technology, events, faculty development, staffing and more.

Business Student Crowned Homecoming King
Oct. 4, 2022 | Keith Nelson Jr., a senior studying supply chain management with a minor in entrepreneurship, has been crowned the 2022 Homecoming King. It is the first time in the University’s history both the Homecoming King and Homecoming Queen are African American students.

100-plus Companies to Recruit UToledo Business Students at Fall Job Fair
Sept. 28, 2022 | The University of Toledo’s John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation will host its Fall Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, in Savage Arena.

Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Selected
Sept. 26, 2022 | Danielle Lutman, '15, '17, has been awarded the The Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum award. The award is presented to a University graduate who is 40 years of age or younger in recognition of outstanding achievement in their career while providing leadership and noteworthy service to the Alumni Association, University or community. This award is named in memory of Ed Schmidt, a 1942 alumnus and a longtime supporter of The University of Toledo's Neff College of Business and Innovation.

Study Abroad Course Provides Students Opportunity to ‘Dip Their Toe’ in International Travel
Sept. 23, 2022 | The focus of the study abroad class is on the economic, political and cultural aspects of the countries the students visit. And as part of the trip, students have guided tours to various companies and tourist sites. The class is a 10-day trip, including travel days, that provides three credit hours to undergraduate and graduate students. A group of 25-30 students normally participate each year, and while the class is part of the Neff College of Business and Innovation, it is open to all students in the University.

I.O.T.M. Department Hosts Fall 'Meet, Greet and Eat' Event
Sept. 23, 2022 | Roughly 100 students, alumni, recruiters, industry professionals and information systems and supply chain management faculty gathered in the Savage Arena Grogan Room to network, reconnect and of course, eat!

Outstanding Alumnus to be Celebrated at Sept. 30 Homecoming Gala
Sept. 22, 2022 | Steven Klar, 1969, has been named the College's 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Mr. Klar is the president of The Klar Organization, a diversified real estate development firm centralized in New York City. Klar has a long list of charities and humanitarian efforts he supports, including the endowment of the Klar Leadership Academy at UToledo in 2014.

UToledo Recognized Among Best Business Colleges by U.S. News
Sept. 13, 2022 | The University of Toledo John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation has been recognized amongst the best undergraduate programs in business in the country, both on-campus and online, in the 2022-2023 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings.

Sierah Joughin Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Two Outstanding Business Rockets
Sept. 8, 2022 | Congratulations to Savannah Wagener (left) and Christina Norman (right) on being selected as the recipients of the 2022 Sierah Joughin Memorial Scholarship presented by Justice for Sierah.

College Leaders Visit Kripke Enterprises
Sept. 2, 2022 | Dean Anne L. Balazs, Ph.D. and associate dean of graduate programs and research, Dr. Bashar Gammoh, visited Kripke Enterprises, Inc for a tour with UToledo Family Business Center member, Matt Kripke. There, they also met Carley Mercer, senior human resources major and intern at the company.

First-Generation College Student’s Life Experiences Fuel Interest in Marketing
Sept. 1, 2022 | Ricardo Flores Jr, a senior majoring in marketing, came to The University of Toledo as a first-generation college student. Through campus involvement, hard work in the classroom and giving back to the community, Ricardo continues to embody what it means to be a successful Business Rocket despite a lack of guidance early in his collegiate career.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) named 'Outstanding Student Chapter'
Sept. 1, 2022 | The UToledo chapter received national SHRM‘s highest honors, the Outstanding Chapter Award, for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Welcome back, Business Rockets!
Aug. 29, 2022 | Dean Anne Balazs, Ph.D. welcomes back Neff College of Business and Innovation students to the fall semester.

JumpStart Program Marks 25 Years of Helping Freshman Business Students
Aug. 25, 2022 | From Sunday, Aug. 21 to Wednesday, Aug. 24, a select group of incoming freshmen launched their UToledo career with the help of the JumpStart Program.
Stories From Past Semesters
- From Wearing Nike on the Field to Working There, Rocket Wide Receiver Launches Career After Completing M.B.A.
- Accounting Student Selected as 2022-2023 PCAOB Scholar
- College of Business and Innovation Honors its Inaugural Class of Neff Scholars
- Outfielder Immersed Himself in All Aspects of Rocket Athletics
- Business Graduate's Sales Competition Experience Prepared Her for Success
- Student's Double Major in Professional Sales and Piano an Unlikely Combination
- School, Life Experiences Helped Prepare Business Graduate in New Career
- Marketing Student Keeps Busy by Giving Back to the Community
- Greek Life Provides Leadership Experience for Finance Student
- UToledo Fosters Career, Development Opportunities for Transfer Business Student
- UToledo Student Chapter Receives Outstanding Chapter Award from SHRM
- Two Business Rockets Named to Academic All-District 5 Team
- 'Sustainable' Company's Award-Winning Profile Written by UToledo Students
- Accounting Student Selected as a PCAOB Scholar, Will Receive $10,000 Scholarship
- Business Student Named UToledo Student Employee of the Year and the State of Ohio Student Employee of the Year
- Students Share What They Love About the Neff College of Business and Innovation
- 2021 Pacemaker Awards Honor Local Business Leader, Outstanding UToledo Business Students
- Northwestern Mutual’s Top Intern Accepts Position Upon Graduation
Faculty Research
- Dr. Collin Gilstrap and Dr. Paul Hong Recognized for Exceptional Success in Scholarly and Creative Activity
- Barbara Brotzki and Selina Griswold Published in the Journal of Colorism Studies
- Dr. Iryna Pentina Awarded Best Conference Paper Award by Academy of Marketing Science
- UToledo Cannabis Expert Discusses Business, Benefits and Outlook on 'Budding' Industry
- Marketing Professor Featured in Harvard Business Review
- Legacy Leadership Lessons by Dr. Fink and Dr. Longenecker
- Does Working Remotely Affect Employee Honesty When Reporting Budgetary Needs?
- Are Cryptocurrencies the Future of Investing? Dr. Collin Gilstrap Discusses the High-risk, High-reward Strategy
- Professors Discuss Ongoing Global Supply Chain Issues and Changes in Consumer Behavior
- Accounting Professor Published in Top Accounting Journal
- Emotional Intelligence Proves Significant to Remote Leadership in a Crisis
- Finance Lecturer Featured in WalletHub's Auto Financing Report
- New Study Explores Digitally Native, But Technologically Illiterate Students
Read More
Events
- Neff Alumni Affiliate Hosts 24th Annual Business vs. Engineering Alumni Golf Outing
- UToledo Hosts Accounting Camp for High School Students
- Honoring John Neff
- 2022 Pacemaker Awards Honor Local Businesswoman, Exceptional UToledo Business Students
- Pi Sigma Epsilon Named Top Chapter in Nation
- UToledo Hosting First Ohio Cannabis Symposium on April 22
- UToledo Graduate Students Partner with ProMedica to Build Leadership Skills
- Day of Giving '22 a Great Success
- Happy Women's History Month from the Neff College of Business and Innovation
- Volunteers to Pack 163,000 Meals at UToledo to Help Feed Children
- Spring Job Fair Brings Students' Careers to Life
- Annual Invitational Sales Competition's Dual Format a 'Game Changer'
- UToledo to Celebrate Nearly 2,000 Graduates at Fall Commencement Dec. 18
- Pi Sigma Epsilon Hosts its Internal Professional Development Competition
- College of Business Hosts High School Students from UToledo Y.E.S. Program
- Schmidt School of Professional Sales Hosts its 2021 Internal Sales Competition
- UToledo Co-Hosting Sept. 24-25 International Virtual Conference on New Populism
- Neff College of Business and Innovation to Host Fall '21 Job Fair In-Person and Online
- Hold My Beer: Local Experts Discuss the Economic Impact of the Craft Beer Boom
- UToledo to Co-Host Accounting Camp for Underrepresented High School Students
- Cannabis Bootcamp: Legal, Ethical and Medical Inquiry Into Cannabis Will Occur in April '22
- Annual UToledo Invitational Sales Competition Goes Virtual
- Pi Sigma Epsilon Chapter Excels in National Competitions
- Business Student Spring 2021 Virtual Job Fair Scheduled for Feb. 25
- Neff College of Business and Innovation Hosts Inaugural Innovathon Competition
- Neff College of Business and Innovation Hosts Business Professionals of America on
Jan. 19
Alumni Spotlights
- Alan Barry, Alumnus and UToledo Benefactor, Dies at 79
- Two-time Alumna Recognized as 2021 PPB Rising Star
- '85 Alumnus Pens Book Highlighting How to Successfully Transition from the Military to the Civilian Work World
- Celebrating 100 Years | Virginia Saylor
General News
- Dr. Iryna Pentina Awarded Fulbright Award
- Dr. Ellen Pullins Appointed as a Senior Editor of the Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management
- Dr. Shaun Yan and Dr. Alex Petkevich Named in UToledo's “Shout Out” for Innovative Instructors and Staff Campaign
- Dr. Bashar Gammoh Selected as a Fellow in the Mid-American Conference Academic Leadership Development Program
- Deirdre Jones Honored With the Alice H. Skeens Outstanding Woman Award
- Management Lecturer Named Distinguished University Lecturer
- Faculty Recognized for Tenure and Promotion
- UToledo Part-time M.B.A. Program Ranked One of Best in Nation by U.S. News & World Report
- UToledo Ranked #67 Best Online Bachelor's in Business Program by U.S. News & World Report
- Neff College of Business and Innovation Newsletter | Fall '21
- Dr. Larry Fink Named New Chair of the Department of Management
- Graduate Business News | Fall '21
- The Neff College of Business and Innovation Says Farewell to Professors Dwyer, Griswold and Longenecker