by M. C. Jennings | Aug 23, 2013 | Academics, COBA Faculty, Dean Chronicles, Research
What has Dr. Rick Lytle, Dean of the College of Business, been up to in the past year?
![Dr. Rick Lytle Abilene Christian University, 2007-05-14](http://blogs.acu.edu/coba/files/2013/08/Rick-Steve-Butman-photo-include-credit-for-Steve-Butman-photography-225x300.jpg)
Dr. Rick Lytle, Dean
Photo Credit: Steve Butman Photography
The answer is a lot. Dr. Lytle was given a unique opportunity to do post-doctoral work with the Marketing Insights team at Walmart headquarters, completed a research fellowship with CEO Forum, and was named to the board of directors for Focus on the Family. We’re proud of the accomplishments of Dr. Lytle and we’re excited for the opportunities that this will bring to our COBA students. Read more about Dr. Lytle’s professional endeavors in ACU news.
by Allison Phillips | May 9, 2013 | Academics, Current Students
We have lots of opportunities to celebrate career accomplishments here in COBA, but rarely are these accomplishments in the field of athletics. Because of this rarity, the fact that COBA student and former ACU placekicker Morgan Lineberry just signed a three-year free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers is definite cause for celebration.
![Morgan Lineberry](http://blogs.acu.edu/coba/files/2013/05/rp_primary_Morgan-Lineberry-490x248.jpg)
Morgan Lineberry
It can be incredibly challenging to be a student athlete, but Morgan says that his COBA professors have done nothing but support him in his goals to balance school and sports.
“The professors in COBA have been an absolute blessing,” he elaborates. “They have demonstrated tremendous understanding in scheduling dilemmas as well as going out of their way to make sure I understood any material I may have missed due to football. I can say with confidence that I respect them because they respect the rigors of every student-athlete.”
In addition to working with him on scheduling issues, Morgan’s professors have done a lot to help him grow as an individual, not just a student or athlete.
“My favorite times, just in general, have been the times I spent in the offices of my professors and the time I spent working on projects with my peers,” says Morgan. “Getting to see and work with people outside the realm of the classroom brings an entirely different life to the atmosphere of COBA.”
Dr. Andy Little, COBA’s business law professor, has enjoyed getting to know Morgan as a student and believes that he is an individual who will make COBA proud.
“Morgan is an outstanding kicker and an even better human being,” Dr. Little explains. “It’s been my privilege to work with him in two classes and a guided study project, and I’ve probably learned more from him than he learned from me. He is a quick, analytical thinker who expresses himself well. He’s the kind of person who makes me almost want to switch my football loyalties and become a raving Carolina Panthers fan. Almost, but not quite. But I will at least be following his career closely, and I wish him the best.”
Congratulations, Morgan!
by Allison Phillips | May 7, 2013 | Academics, Current Students
On April 23rd, fourteen COBA students were honored at a luncheon celebrating their induction into Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honors society. Dr. Monty Lynn, acting dean of COBA, described this honor, saying, “Given that the top 20% of the junior and senior class and the top 10% of graduate students in COBA may be considered for membership, induction into BGS recognizes exceptional academic accomplishments.”
![Ashley Crisp receives her certificate of membership](http://blogs.acu.edu/coba/files/2013/05/4-23-2013-Abilene-079-490x367.jpg)
Ashley Crisp receives her certificate of membership
BGS is a significant honor because it takes into account the merit of both the students and the college of business.
“Only AACSB accredited schools of business are allowed to have a BGS chapter,” elaborates Dr. Lynn. “Internationally, BGS is recognized as the best academic performance in the best business schools. We’re glad that the diligence and talents of our students can be recognized by an international standard.”
Allie Rostron, one of the students who received this honor, was thankful for COBA’s acknowledgement.
“It was a great honor and I was very appreciative. It was nice to see my hard work pay off.”
![Dr. Don Pope cannot contain his excitement regarding the new BSG inductees](http://blogs.acu.edu/coba/files/2013/05/4-23-2013-Abilene-0771-490x367.jpg)
Dr. Don Pope could not contain his excitement as he presented Allie Rostron with her certificate of membership
Courtney Richardson, another award recipient, said that she feels her BGS membership is just one more example of the wide array of opportunities that COBA provides to its students.
“I was honored to hear that I had been selected for Beta Gamma Sigma,” Courtney said. “COBA has been a special place for me already in my time at ACU, and the ability to join this prestigious honor society only added to the numerous opportunities COBA has presented to me.”
This year’s inductees come from a variety of majors and include the following students:
Ashton Bailey
Jonathan Bryant
Lauren Carr
Corbin Cross
Michael Davis
Jenny Dudensing
Olga Ivasina
Keegan Kinder
Emily Kruse
David Legler
Amy Morris
Courtney Richardson
Allie Rostron
Paul Valamides
You can learn more about Beta Gamma Sigma on their website: http://www.betagammasigma.org/. We’re incredibly proud of these students’ academic accomplishments and the incredible way that they represent COBA!