by M. C. Jennings | Feb 25, 2016 | Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
1997 ACU: BBA in Marketing, Minor in Bible
2003 ACU: MS in Psychology
2008 Indiana University: Joint PhD in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science
Dr. Ryan Jessup
What is your work background?
After finishing my undergraduate degree I designed websites for several companies while also serving as a salesman in training for LL Sams, Inc., in Cameron, Texas, a church furniture manufacturer. I later became their regional sales manager in Atlanta, Georgia. My dad called me a “pew peddler.” After finishing my PhD, I became a research scientist at Trinity College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, followed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California. In both locations I used functional neuroimaging (fMRI) and mathematical modeling to understand human neural activity as it engaged in decision making and learning.
What do you teach at ACU?
I teach Marketing Research, Consumer Behavior, and Data Mining, as well as occasional courses, including a graduate course on analytics and honors courses on topics such as cognitive science or Christian apologetics.
What committees/other duties do you have at ACU aside from teaching?
I serve on the faculty senate, the COBA AACSB continuing improvement working group, the undergraduate research council, the undergraduate research festival planning committee, and as the chair of the COBA research team and the faculty representative on the ACIMCO board.
What drew you to teaching? Why did you want to work with students?
Undergraduates are special. They are bursting with potential, sort of like those little toy cars that you pull back to wind up – when you let go you never know where they’ll end up. Just like those toy cars, undergrads need to be carefully “aimed” so that they fulfill their potential while still maintaining integrity. It is our job to help aim the students, a responsibility I do not take lightly. It can be challenging and humbling because I make my share of mistakes, often causing me to ask “who am I to ‘aim’ these students when I am so filled with error?”
Outside of teaching, what passions and hobbies do you have?
I very much love my family and getting to spend time with them. It has been a tiring joy to build a family with my beloved wife and watch our kids grow.
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The Jessup Family
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Ryan and Elisa Jessup
Also, I enjoy playing soccer. I have been blessed to play it everywhere I’ve lived. Since returning to ACU, I joined with a few other faculty to start a faculty/staff and grad student intramural soccer team named “Sunflowers of Death.” For a bunch of old dudes we have been surprisingly competitive, finishing second in four out of our last six seasons.
Our faculty/staff/grad student fleet of teams: Sunflowers of Death and Ten Plagues
I also love gardening and have peach trees, blackberry vines, and a blueberry shrub, along with a variety of flowering shrubs. And, I also enjoy a wide variety of music, from Sinatra to Sibelius and from Miles Davis to Willie and Merle.
Peaches from the Jessup Peach Orchard
What is a good, early story about your teaching?
The first semester I taught Data Mining I introduced “cheese day” – a day on which I bring fancy cheeses (brie, smoked applewood Cheddar, Wensleydale with raspberries, etc.), crackers, and sparkling grape juice to class. It was a rainy day and not long after class began the fire alarm went off. So, we decided that we would bring all of our fancy cheeses and grape juice outside with us. It was quite memorable to look at all the students in other classes standing out in the drizzle while we sat under a covered area, enjoying our fancy snacks. Because we had a French student, Chloe Susset, with us, I also brought in some American Flavored Cheez Whiz. With sufficient coaxing she reluctantly gave it a taste. She wasn’t converted to Cheez Whiz, but I think many of the other students were converted to the wonders of fancy cheese.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
When I was a grad student at Indiana I had a paper published in the journal Psychological Science. Even though I have had articles accepted in higher impact journals, to this day it is still my favorite article I’ve ever written.
Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
I coach kids’ soccer, serve on the missions committee at church, and am a member of Hillcrest Singers.
Who is your role model, and why?
Well, this requires a multi-dimensional response. My dad, Wade Jessup, has been an excellent role model for me. He modeled how to be a hard worker in your job, how to raise a family, and be a faithful Christian servant. Since coming to ACU, I have tried to mimic and learn from Don Pope. His incredible humility and willingness to do what no one else seems to do is so foreign to me. I hope when I get as old as him to be half as far as him in my ability to “in humility, consider others better than myself.” Good thing I still have a lot more years before I get to that stage (also, Don is pretty good at taking a joke).
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Is synesthesia a superpower? I’ve often wanted to experience it.
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
I was kicked off my hall (Mabee 3rd West) as a freshman. The reasons are a bit hazy, but it may have had something to do with the fact that we enjoyed watching sunsets out an open window at the end of the hall… or that we threw water balloons out of it at unsuspecting joggers… or perhaps because we glued the window open after the dorm director (Sherwin Abraham) had it glued shut.
by M. C. Jennings | Feb 24, 2016 | Academics, Careers In..., COBA Staff, College Decisions, Current Students, MBA, School of Information Technology and Computing, Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
I received my bachelors in Public Relations and Advertising from Hardin-Simmons University and I will complete my masters in Higher Education from ACU in 2016.
Jenni Williams
What is your work background?
My first job was in PR for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This was an amazing opportunity and had a great impact on my life. I learned so much from the wish kids and will always be grateful for that opportunity.
Following that role, I began working in Higher Education in 2004. I have worked in several areas of Higher Ed at two universities, including campus visits, financial aid, admissions, student life, retention, recruiting, event coordination, and student services.
What do you do at ACU?
I manage the recruiting process for SITC and assist in bringing new students to ACU. Additionally, I manage marketing communication to current and prospective students. I also play a role in other areas in SITC, including coordination of special events, SITC news, and staff contact for Women in Tech.
What’s the best part of working with students?
I love working with students! It is so amazing to watch students transition from their first visit to campus through to their graduation. I play a small role in their ACU experience and I love being able to share in this transformational process. I enjoy being able to encourage and cheer on students as they take on new challenges, navigate their demanding schedules, and ultimately, interview for jobs. We are able to witness the process of development from the front row. While it is sometimes painful, there is nothing quite like sharing in the moments when they realize that they are capable of more than they imagined.
Have you ever given up any big opportunities to keep working with students?
No. I’m right where I want to be.
Outside of work, what passions and hobbies do you have?
So many things. First and foremost, I have an amazing husband and two precious daughters that I love very much. Our girls keep us extremely busy and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I also love baking and have a sugar cookie business. This hobby-turned-business started out by making cookies for my daughters’ class parties. I really love the creative and artistic outlet!
The Williams Family having fun
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
At this juncture, completing my masters will be a huge accomplishment. I have enjoyed the entire process and love how it has cultivated a passion for learning.
Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
I am on the parent council at Alliance for Women and Children.
Who is your role model, and why?
I have a strong network of men and women in my life, who have taught me a great deal about living life. They have served as spiritual, professional, and personal mentors. They have guided me in times of uncertainty and doubt, as well as times of joy and success. I have learned what it means to love others, how to be a better parent, how to walk through challenges and failures, and how to live a life worthy of the calling placed on my life.
Who was your most inspirational professor and why?
Several professors come to mind, but one of the most inspirational was Dr. Susan Piggott. She was one of my Bible profs and I had her for Theological Research and Writing (I was a Bible major at one point). That course was easily one of the most challenging courses I had in undergrad. Dr. Piggott had a reputation of being a pretty tough teacher. When it came time for me to take her course, I experienced this first hand. However, I learned so much from her about questioning preconceived ideas and learning to think on my own. Some of her ideas conflicted with mine, allowing me to examine why I believed what I believed. This experience strengthened my faith and propelled my spiritual development.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Power over time, hands down. Primarily to slow down time. Obviously, this would be helpful for accomplishing a lot. However, I think it would be more useful for the ability to slow down and cherish the priceless moments that are over too quickly.
The Williams Family
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
I love Christmas and have a sizable collection of Christmas paraphernalia, which nearly fills up our entire storage shed, seven Christmas trees, and over 700 Christmas songs in my iTunes library. It’s absolutely my favorite time of the year.
What would you really want students and alums to know about you?
I have spent 11 years in higher education working with students in some facet. In this time, I have learned that there is so much more to college than awarding degrees. I view this as a calling. I have the opportunity to impact students in a measurable way, by simply being here. I am committed to the holistic development of students as they explore their identity in relation to others and to God. I will not have all the answers, but I am always available to listen, encourage, and pray for students.
by M. C. Jennings | Feb 16, 2016 | Academics, COBA Faculty, Current Students, Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
BS Psychology ACU
MSIA Purdue
PhD Oklahoma State
Dr. Mark Phillips
What is your work background?
2 years industry (quality engineer), 10 years full-time ministry
What do you teach at ACU?
Management, General Business, Marketing
What committees/other duties do you have at ACU aside from teaching?
Department Chair of Management Sciences, Sponsor of American Marketing Association
What drew you to teaching? Why did you want to work with students?
As long as I can remember I have loved learning…and sharing what I learn with others. In my previous jobs I did lots of things but I always kept coming back to the parts that related to teaching others, which I enjoyed the most.
What’s the best part of working with students?
Just being around them. This is one of the most awesome phases of life and I love getting to experience it with them.
Have you ever given up any big opportunities to keep working with students?
Several years ago I had to choose between becoming a fashion model, an NBA Center, and a professor. Professor was my second choice, so I went with that.
Outside of teaching, what passions and hobbies do you have?
My wife Laura and I love to ride our bikes, which we do regularly when the temperature is above 60 and the wind is below 10. I’m also in the middle of remodeling a house.
Mark and Laura repping the purple and white
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
Several years ago President Schubert asked me to lead a year-long task-force to assess the education landscape and figure out where ACU fits. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but also one of the most rewarding.
Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
Most of my outside time is invested at church, where I frequently teach classes and occasionally preach.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
To have the powerful hair of Sampson.
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
For my 50th birthday I got a tattoo. I’m still deciding what to do for my 60th.
What would you really want students and alums to know about you?
That beyond the stuff we do in class, which I really enjoy and try to make good, I genuinely care about them, their futures, and their lives. I think our classes are important, but there are many, many things that have longer-lasting impact and I hope they find those while at ACU.
by M. C. Jennings | Feb 9, 2016 | Academics, Careers In..., COBA Staff, Current Students, Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
B.B.A. in Marketing from ACU.
M.B.A. in Management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. The company I worked for was based in the Bay Area. When I moved from the field office in Denver to the corporate headquarters, the company paid for me to get my M.B.A. This was very convenient. Golden Gate University is located in downtown San Francisco, but their East Bay campus was located where the company I worked for, Triad’s Systems Corporation, was based in Livermore, CA. Triad paid for all my tuition and books. I went to courses at night, while working full-time.
Tim Johnston
What is your work background?
Originally I worked for Triad Systems Corporation in customer service, then sales, and later became a Regional Manager for our Education Services. I had a team of 12 people, working in 10 cities. This team took care of the system configuration and training for all of our customers.
Eventually we moved to the headquarters in California. I held several positions over the years, including Marketing Analyst (putting together our service offerings), Sales Trainer, and Sales Development Manager (responsible for training our training team for industry training, system training, sales training, and supporting regional manager hiring and coaching programs).
At ACU, I worked as the Chief Enrollment Officer for 11 years and then moved to the Career Center. I have worked in COBA for the last 6 years as the Assistant Dean.
What do you do at ACU/COBA?
First of all, I work with the Connections team to ensure we have a good advising process and career development program to come along side the academic coursework required for each major.
A key tie-in with the Career Development work is our partnership with ACU’s University Relations Managers, who live in Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. These managers are critical to our efforts to help students connect to starting career opportunities.
ACU’s alumni provide us with scholarship dollars to help improve the affordability of the COBA experience. This is another area of work I help to coordinate.
As one of the co-founders of Leadership Summit, I serve as the leader of our management team to ensure our enrollment, satisfaction, budget and connection goals are achieved through this program.
Tim and crew at Leadership Summit 2015
What drew you to work at ACU? Why did you want to work with students?
Rick Lytle and I met in Denver. After earning my master’s degree, he encouraged me to consider working for ACU. Rick’s statement of, “Not everyone goes to church but most everyone goes to work”, really resonates with me. It’s challenging to be a Christian in the workplace. It’s difficult to be competitive and honorable. It’s important for our graduates to bring hope to their workplace. I wanted to help equip students for this challenge.
What’s the best part of working with students?
It’s great to see students understand how they can prepare to make a valuable contribution to an organization, both in terms of their business ability and their character. It’s exciting to see where they will have a place to live out the mission. A job search is difficult, it takes a lot of effort to put yourself out there in an effective manner. It can be hard on your psyche. This is where my coaching comes in. I like helping students face the challenge and win.
Outside of ACU, what passions and hobbies do you have?
Mountains, mountains and more mountains. I like to snow ski and hike whenever I can. Plus the mountain biking at Buck Creek trails here in Abilene is a lot of fun. A few years ago I bought a shotgun and joined the Sporting Clays Club here in Abilene. COBA students have tried to help me improve my shooting. It’s a work in progress. The students tend to shoot 70 – 80% out there, but I’m usually in the 40% range.
What is a good, early story about your first job or when you were in college?
I remember working for a client in Steamboat Springs, CO. After a few days it was time to return to Denver. I was on a “puddle jumper” – we called it Rocky Mountain Scareways. As I was sitting on the plane watching them plow the runway as the snow kept coming down and the plane received multiple de-icings, I really questioned my career choice.
Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
Currently I am commander of the armies of the north communion team at Highland CoC, (northside of the building) at second service. Over the years I have been very involved with our church Teaching class, or running the Habitat for Humanity Building project or Bus Ministry. Also, I am very passionate about supporting missions and really appreciate the work of World Vision and Compassion International.
Who is your role model and why?
At ACU I have had several including Jack Rich who was my boss for many years. He never got rattled and he always took the high road. And be careful if you are meeting with Jack and you criticize a team member. He will get them on the phone right away and ask them to address the complaint you just levied. That helps you learn quickly. Dr. Terry Pope is so wise and a man of integrity. If you haven’t heard Terry’s 10, you need to, it’s wisdom to guide your life. Rick Lytle is the most enthusiastic, hopeful Christian I have ever met. His positive energy constantly gives me a boost. My mom and dad were awesome. My dad was an Electrical Engineer and Elder at our church. Together they raised 5 children, one of which had special needs. I don’t think he ever wasted any time. Mom was a great communicator who would pour good Biblical wisdom into me, whether I wanted it or not. I could go on and on …
The Johnston Family
Who was your most inspirational professor and why?
In graduate school, I had an economics professor who BELIEVED all problems are pricing problems. When the price goes high enough, people will solve the problem. I could tell his academic discipline was his belief. We disagreed, but he really made me think.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
My initial thought was to say that I really wish I could fly. But this is a selfish desire. What I really think would be most useful would be to be able to listen to people like Jesus listened to the women at the well. I wish I could tune into someone’s spirit.
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
I wanted to be an artist. But being an art major (courses are double blocked) and being a baseball player did not coincide well. So I switched to accounting. I really swung the pendulum on that decision. Ultimately I landed on marketing. This helps me be patient with our students. It can take a while to find your sweet spot.
by M. C. Jennings | Jan 29, 2016 | Academics, COBA Faculty, Current Students, Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
I earned my undergraduate degree in business at Lubbock Christian University. Next I went to Texas Tech where I completed my M.B.A. in finance and then my Ph.D. in finance.
Dr. Jonathan Stewart
What is your work background?
I grew up working for my family’s business, Stewart Brothers Drilling Company. Most summers I worked in the shop or on the drilling rigs. Once I started studying business, I spent my summers doing accounting and running payroll for the company.
What do you teach at ACU?
I teach Financial Management, International Financial Markets, Entrepreneurial Finance, and Advanced Financial Management.
What committees/other duties do you have at ACU aside from teaching?
I am the director of COBA Global. Also, I serve on a University committee for the CCCU Best Semester program.
What drew you to teaching? Why did you want to work with students?
I really enjoy the energy and excitement that college students have. It energizes me. I also love the challenge of communicating complicated ideas in a way that helps make them fun and interesting. I have come to a point where I am willing to take risks if I believe it will enhance the learning environment. Sometimes, those risks pay off. Sometimes, I embarrass myself. Either way, it is exciting to help people learn and grow.
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Cindy and Jonathan Stewart
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Jonathan and Cindy enjoying some classic rock
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Amber, Jonathan and Ashlyn Stewart
What’s the best part of working with students?
There are so many things. It is a blessing to work with talented and hard-working people who exceed your expectations. It is also a blessing to work with people who may not be motivated and are struggling to succeed. I enjoy the times when someone makes a breakthrough and achieves more than they believed that they could. I also enjoy building relationships and friendships with my students. I try to treat them as future colleagues. I take a lot of joy from watching my former students grow their families and careers.
Outside of teaching, what passions and hobbies do you have?
I’m very thankful for my family and I love to spend time with them. I enjoy reading and listening to podcasts. I love music. I play electric guitar in the praise band at the Highland Church of Christ. I try to go to the Rec Center almost every day. I enjoy snow skiing, wake boarding, and watching movies.
What is a good, early story about your teaching?
When I interviewed at ACU, Dr. Jack Griggs took me along to his 8:00 am Investments class. He introduced me to his students and started teaching them about financial ratios. He is writing some liquidity ratios on the overhead projector about 5 minutes into class and he looks over at me. He says “Jonathan! Do you want to do this!?” I was not expecting to teach the class, so I wasn’t really prepared. However, the thought crossed my mind was “he didn’t ask because he wanted you to say ‘No.’” So I said “Sure!” and stood up and taught an impromptu class on financial ratios. I knew my ratios and I think the students felt bad for me, so they were kind to answer my questions and respond to me during the class.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
That is a hard question for me to answer. I was honored to be named University Teacher of the Year once upon a time. I also enjoy recording my podcast, Stewllenium Radio, because it lets me do so many of my favorite things simultaneously.
Who was your most inspirational professor and why?
Dr. Scott E. Hein was one of my most inspirational professors because he really expected great work from his students. He has a unique ability to hold people to a very high standard while being very professional and kind. He is never arrogant. He’s never a bully. He just expects the best from people and he’s very gifted at helping people reach their highest potential.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
I think it would be nice to be impervious to committees. The Dean or the Provost would try to type my name as a member of a certain committee and their keyboard wouldn’t work. They would press J and nothing would happen.
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
I used to be able to run really fast. I ran the anchor leg of the mile relay my senior year of high school. We won the race and our team won the Class AAA New Mexico State Championship.
Jonathan Stewart, the track star
What would you really want students and alums to know about you?
I’m always thankful when students meet my wife and children. Also, I’d like them to know that I’ve grilled more than 2,000 chicken and cheese quesadillas at Grilleniums and other events over the last 7 years.
The famous Grilleniums
by M. C. Jennings | Jan 22, 2016 | Academics, COBA Staff, College Decisions, Current Students, Springboard, Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
BS Communication Disorders, (Speech Pathology).
Karen Heflin
What is your work background?
I have been at home with my children for the past 13 years, with small part-time jobs on the side. Now that they are all in school, I’m enjoying the opportunity to work for the Griggs Center.
What do you do at ACU/COBA?
I am the Springboard Program Coordinator for the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy. I help with fundraising, coordinate our business model competitions for both students and the community, and provide training events for aspiring entrepreneurs.
What’s the best part of working with students?
I enjoy their energy, creativity and enthusiasm.
Outside of ACU, what passions and hobbies do you have?
I love being with my husband and four children. I love to travel and eat and experience other cultures–this may be because I’m a ‘Third Culture Kid.’ I enjoy reading and singing. Also, I love to climb things. Especially trees.
The Heflin Family
What is a good, early story about your first job or when you were in college?
My very first job was scooping ice cream for a family-owned, homemade ice cream shop. I had a very strong right arm at the end of that summer!
Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
My family and I are a mentors for arriving refugee families through the International Rescue Committee. These families have become our real life heroes as well as our dear friends. Their stories are humbling and inspiring. I am very passionate about serving this community of people and would love to tell you more if you’re interested in volunteering!
Karen and Houston Heflin
Who is your role model and why?
Corrie ten Boom and Rosa Parks- I admire their strength and tenacity and their willingness to take great risks for ideas they believed to be important.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. This would allow me to travel anytime to anywhere.
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
I lived in Iceland in the late 80’s.
by M. C. Jennings | Jan 21, 2016 | Academics, COBA Faculty, Current Students, Faith Infusion, Poverty and Development, Research, Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
I studied social work, psychology, business, environmental design, and poverty reduction at Harding, Cornell, Brigham Young, and London.
Dr. Monty Lynn
What is your work background?
I’ve enjoyed teaching at ACU for more than three decades! Once in a while, I get the chance to delve into a business environment for a few weeks, most recently last summer with World Vision’s food security team in Washington, DC.
Dr. Lynn on a trip to Ethiopia with VisionFund
What do you teach at ACU?
Management is my primary field. For the past several years I’ve taught the Introduction to Business course and an upper-level course called, “International Poverty and Development.”
What committees/other duties do you have at ACU aside from teaching?
I’ve served in a variety of administrative roles, and loved each one. At present I’m teaching full-time.
What drew you to teaching? Why did you want to work with students?
We have 14 teachers in my family, nine of whom are university professors, so I guess you could say it’s in my blood. When my wife Libby and I first visited ACU, we immediately fell in love with the opportunity to contribute to a Christian business school. It’s been an amazing ride.
Monty and Libby Lynn
What’s the best part of working with students?
Although I enjoy teaching class, it’s the one-to-one encounters with students that create relationships and memories which remain for years.
Have you ever given up any big opportunities to keep working with students?
I can’t imagine not working with students. Working in a university has been a lifelong blessing.
Dr. Lynn working with students on creating lighting for underdeveloped areas
Outside of teaching, what passions and hobbies do you have?
Several years ago I started keeping bees. It’s a modest hobby but it has some interesting bits—a little science, problem solving, the unbelievable wonder of nature, plus, the bees are always trying to kill you. Somehow it’s all quite relaxing.
Monty Lynn, aka “Buzzy” the beekeeper
What is a good, early story about your teaching?
I overslept the first final exam I gave at ACU. I arrived ten minutes late with hair dried through the open window of my car as I drove to campus. Somehow the students knew.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
It’s not career, the deep love we feel for our two children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren, and for students we’ve come to know—it’s hard to think of an accomplishment that approaches these in meaningfulness.
Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
Currently, I serve in a local church (Highland) and on a board in Peru—both of which deal with missions and humanitarian development. I enjoy delivering Meals on Wheels on Thursdays too, and often go with students.
Who is your role model, and why?
My parents and in-laws have been exemplars—they’ve lived creative and faithful lives, loving and serving, in pioneering and sacrificial ways. Friends at St. Benedict’s Farm in Waelder, Texas inspire me with their quiet and steady walk with God.
Who was your most inspirational professor and why?
So many professors have shaped me, including professor-colleagues. In terms of inspiration: Keith Warner, a sociologist at BYU, inspired me to think deeply; Warner Woodworth, a BYU business professor, inspired me to act justly; and David Moberg, a research colleague in sociology at Marquette, did both. Duane McCampbell and Dwight Ireland, professors at Harding University, forever changed me with literature and learning.
Dr. Lynn with students in Oxford
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
I have enough trouble living with normal powers, but to see one’s desire for God, written on the heart, and to expand human flourishing for all—how wonderful.
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
It’s a real stretch to locate a claim to fame, but my wife’s uncle sang backup for Elvis. Also, I was shot once (everyone survived), was lost in the Canadian Rockies, and I thought very seriously about taking a small airplane for a spin (literally, likely) after finding its key on an airport sidewalk. Oh, and I survived the ACU rodeo (barely) as a member of the COBA faculty steer riding team.
What would you really want students and alums to know about you?
That God’s love, often expressed through others, sustains me; and that he loves us all.
by M. C. Jennings | Jan 12, 2016 | COBA Faculty, College Decisions, Current Students, Research, Uncategorized
The dust has settled on yet another college football season and we can finally evaluate the “success” of our ranking system.
As a reminder, our ranking system takes Google’s PageRank algorithm, which ranks webpages based on links, and modifies it to rank teams based on scores; further, we added some additional components to try and improve the rankings. The ultimate goal of our system is to successfully predict bowl game outcomes: who wins and by how much.
So how did we do?
Well, it could have been worse. Our system ended up predicting the correct winner 51.2% of the time over all 41 bowl games, totaling 21 correct and 20 incorrect predictions. By comparison, the college football playoff (CFP) system was correct 56.3% of the time for games involving at least one top 25 team. This only includes 16 games (they were correct 9 and wrong 7 times). In those 16 games, our model got 1 fewer correct prediction (8 right, 8 wrong). Another comparison metric, perhaps the ultimate, is the Las Vegas line. Our model beat Vegas’ line 51.2% of the time, or again, 21 correct out of 41 games. So, we performed at approximately chance. Or, as Don Pope likes to say, “We did about as well as a blind squirrel flipping a coin would have done.”
Fig 1. Alternate and equally effective ranking system: A blind squirrel flipping a coin (image courtesy of ACU Acct & Fin major Caroline Thompson)
So what happened?
Let’s blame TCU. Their insanely unlikely comeback caused a 2 game ‘flip’ in all three of our accuracy scores, meaning that we had 1 fewer right and 1 additional wrong prediction when compared to (a) the overall probability correct, (b) the CFP predictions, and (c) the Vegas line. If it weren’t for that comeback, we would have beaten that squirrel.
We did predict the final very accurately (predicting a 5.7 point win for Alabama who won by 5), we missed both the Ohio State win over Notre Dame and the Georgia Southern shellacking of Bowling Green by a country mile.
Fig 2. Regular season histogram of win amount differences
Interestingly, the favorite covered the Vegas line 61% of the time. That’s actually rather bad for Vegas as one could have merely bet that the favorite would cover the line on every game and they would have cleaned up. The weakness of that approach is that the opposite might have just as likely occurred.
Fig 3. Bowl season histogram of win amount differences
Relatedly, another factor that may have affected our success rate was the number of blowout victories during the bowl season. Figure 2 shows the distribution of win amount differences during the regular season, a beautiful half of a normal distribution (mean=17.1, SD=13.3). However, figure 3, which demonstrates the win amount differences during the bowl season looks markedly different, particularly for everything after the 20 point range (mean=15.61, SD=12). Though we would not expect it to be as perfectly half normal as figure 2, it should look better than it does.
Moreover, because bowl game opponents are supposed to be more evenly matched – as teams are intentionally chosen to play each other so as to match quality – we would also expect the latter figure to be far narrower than it is, with very few blowout victories, having both a substantially smaller mean and SD (e.g., we predicted a mean win amount of 6.7 with SD=5.8).
Other thoughts and final musings
On the whole we have thoroughly enjoyed running our college football prediction system this season. Although it did not quite work out as well as we had hoped, there is always next year. Plus, this little exercise has helped direct us to some weaknesses in our current system worth addressing this offseason.
To close, Don and I would both like to thank MC Jennings for allowing us to make these blog posts and we hope that the readers have found them at least mildly interesting!
Previous JP rankings posts
If you are interested in learning more about our rankings, feel free to read some of our previous posts, linked below.
Post 1: Week 10: Introduction of JP ranking system and initial rankings
Post 2: Week 11: Rankings and additional information on how the system works
Post 3: Week 12: Rankings
Post 4: Week 12: Addendum – Tears on my slide rule, or, What happened to dear old Texas A&M
Post 5: Week 13: Rankings
Post 6: Week 14: Rankings and a measure of comparative predictive performance
Post 7: Week 15: Rankings and discussion of our system’s flaws
Post 8: Final rankings and bowl predictions
Post 9: Bowl predictions addendum
Post 10: Final analysis
by M. C. Jennings | Jan 11, 2016 | Academics, COBA Events, COBA Faculty, Current Students, Research, Uncategorized
Before we make our final post next week summarizing our bowl prediction results we wanted to let you know that our system predicts Alabama will defeat Clemson by approximately 5.7 points.
Previous JP rankings posts
If you are interested in learning more about our rankings, feel free to read some of our previous posts, linked below.
Post 1: Week 10: Introduction of JP ranking system and initial rankings
Post 2: Week 11: Rankings and additional information on how the system works
Post 3: Week 12: Rankings
Post 4: Week 12: Addendum – Tears on my slide rule, or, What happened to dear old Texas A&M
Post 5: Week 13: Rankings
Post 6: Week 14: Rankings and a measure of comparative predictive performance
Post 7: Week 15: Rankings and discussion of our system’s flaws
Post 8: Final rankings and bowl predictions
Post 9: Bowl predictions addendum
by M. C. Jennings | Dec 17, 2015 | Academics, Careers In..., COBA Faculty, College Decisions, Current Students, Faith Infusion, Uncategorized
What is your educational background?
B.A. – Mathematics – Abilene Christian University
M.A. – Mathematics – University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. – Statistics – Southern Methodist University
Dr. Terry Pope
What is your work background?
Cities Service Oil and Gas – 10 years
Conoco – 8.5 years
ACU – 24 years
What do you teach at ACU?
Currently teach Finance courses: Financial Theory and Practice, Portfolio Management, and STAR, our student-managed fund. While at ACU, I have taught 16 different courses.
What committees/other duties do you have at ACU aside from teaching?
In the past, I served as Chair of the Management Sciences for 5 years and as Associate Dean for 10 years. Currently, I am on the Academic Committee in COBA and the Disciplinary Review Committee for the university.
What drew you to teaching? Why did you want to work with students?
I left a really interesting job in industry to come to ACU. I would not have left that job for a teaching position at any other university. I thought that I could contribute to students by teaching them what they need to know to be successful in industry.
What’s the best part of working with students?
I have developed so many great friendships with students over my time at ACU. I enjoy trying to make difficult concepts understandable for all students. I enjoy helping students build self-confidence.
Have you ever given up any big opportunities to keep working with students?
As I said earlier, I gave up a really interesting job to come be a professor. Financially, that job was much more rewarding, but I would not trade that for all of the great friends that I have made with students.
Outside of teaching, what passions and hobbies do you have?
I really like to go outside and play: golf, tennis, running, biking. I also enjoy woodworking. We really enjoy travel, having visited over 25 foreign countries.
One of COBA’s own golf pros
What is a good, early story about your teaching?
My first semester at ACU had me scheduled to teach Financial Management and Statistics – courses that I was well-prepared to teach. On the second day of class, I was asked to take a class in Macro Economics, as Professor Brister was asked to serve on a university committee and needed to be released from the teaching assignment. So, I played catch up all semester in that class.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
While in industry, I provided the financial analysis to support investments totaling billions of dollars all over the world. While doing so, I tried to always have Christ as the center of my life and to conduct my business in a manner worthy of a child of God.
Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
In the past, I have served for long period on the boards of Herald of Truth and Faithworks of Abilene. For most of the past 35 years, I have been an elder in the church.
Who is your role model, and why?
My dad. He was the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He never met a stranger and treated all people with great respect.
Who was your most inspirational professor and why?
Sam McReynolds in the Mathematics Department at ACU. He was always very well prepared and expected excellence from his students.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Bring peace to the world. To replace hatred with love.
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Terry and Gayla Pope celebrating 50 years of marriage in 2014
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Terry and Gayla Pope – the newlyweds
What is something that students might be surprised to find out about you?
My hair is actually blond.
What would you really want students and alums to know about you?
That I really love them and want them to make good choices in life.
