Honoring Webster's Scholar

One year following the death of advisory board member Chris Devries, Webster University is pleased to announce a scholarship in his honor. The first recipient of the Chris Devries Memorial Scholarship from Webster University Leiden is undergraduate Chelsea Fullilove, president of the school's student council. According to Webster University Leiden director Len Even, the scholarship will provide Ms. Fullilove with half of her tuition.

"Chris was a friend, a mentor, an excellent leader and a great human being," said Dean Akande. "This scholarship will enable the next generation of students and leaders to have a better chance to be contributors to the field of business."

Faculty Rewarded for Creative Classroom Strategies

Seven faculty members have been selected to receive funding to support the development of creative innovations in learning. The awards were presented to:

John Aleshunas, Interactive Web Data Visualization/Calculations Using WebMathematica; Barrett Baebler, Developing "Real-Life Case Studies" Using Web Technologies; Sue Golabek, Managing Difficult Conversations Business Learning Simulation; Janet Kourik, Narrated Videos of Database Diagramming Technique in Action; Shinemin Lin, Integrating Podcasting into Statistics Learning; Debbie Psihountas, Using Clickers/SMS to Enhance Student Learning; Bradford Scott, Developing Learning Objects for Business Learning.

The intention of this new grant program is to offer faculty the opportunity to explore new and emerging technologies using active learning strategies that enhance student learning outcomes. The seven faculty proposals were awarded funding of up to $2,000 and an Apple iPod Touch to support the goals of their projects.

Making the Most from Others' Mistakes

After researching 750 major business blunders, Mr. Mui and co-author Paul Carroll make the case for pushing back against bosses and learning from the failures of others.

"The most important thing is not waiting until you have your own failure to learn," says Chunka Mui, co-author of the new best seller Billion-Dollar Lessons: What You Can Learn from the Most Inexcusable Business Failures of the Last 25 Years. "You have to take advantage of the lessons offered by smart executives and great companies that have taken missteps."

Dean Akande spoke to Mr. Mui exclusively for the Webster Biz Talk Book Club on the strategy consultant’s latest book. Click here to listen to that interview and here to read Dean Akande’s review of Billion Dollar Lessons.