Believing in Something Better

Arnoldo Rodriquez is a believer in research as a way to understand how companies communicate and manage corporate social responsibility initiatives. He believes in diversity, having taught students throughout his native Costa Rica and more than 15 Latin countries. And this newest accounting professor at the SBT believes in education as the most important tool to personal and professional development.

"Our students have the opportunity to use Webster's international set of campus," Dr. Rodriquez explains. "This exposes them to not only a top level education but also to different cultures, personal styles and classmates allowing them to develop a wonderful network of friends on multiple countries."

Dr. Rodriquez has written more than 20 business cases that are used throughout Latin America and European business schools. In the future, he plans to stay focused on the issue of corporate social responsibility and its relationship to accounting. Away from Webster, Dr. Rodriquez enjoys time with his wife Gloria, his 3-year old son Daniel, any kind of fishing and watching Vikings football.

To learn more about Dr. Rodriquez, meet up with this believer in Advanced Cost & Managerial Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis class next Spring.

Off to a Great Start

They come from all over St. Louis with one goal in common: be the first in their family to attend college. This fall Webster University gave 38 minority high schoolers that opportunity through the SBT's START program (Student Transition and Retention) and now, these students are one step closer to continuing their education well beyond the teenage years.

At a program award ceremony held at Webster University in downtown St. Louis, students and their family celebrated completion of the program that allows them to experience college through classes and lectures, and prepare for the world of higher education with topes ranging from financial and standardized test preparation to career choices and application processes.

"These students are our next generation," said Caprice Moore, director of the program. "We want them to succeed by giving them the tools they need to make this life-changing transition easier for both the student and their parents."

"May your journey be blessed with good friends," Dean Akande told the audience during his keynote address. "And may you learn from your falls as well as your victories."

START is sponsored by Webster University and subsidized through a grant from the Mildred, Herbert and Julian Simon Foundation. Click here to see more pictures.

The Health Fight Continues

The fight continues on Washington's Capitol Hill over merger of bills from two committees working on America's health care reform. And when the question on allowing states to "opt out" of the legislation, FOX News came to SBT expert Jim Brasfield with questions on what the move would mean for Americans.

Click here to see the report.

The Recession May Be Over

Some say the recession is over on news that the U.S. Economy just expanded in the 3rd quarter by 3.4%, manufacturing is better than expected and the housing market has even jumped. But with unemployment at a 26-year high can we really expect to see economic blue skies in the near future?

Click here to watch Dean Akande's report on NBC.