March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in August 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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When life gives you lemons, you…present to a team of celebrity judges?  This is what the incoming cohort of the MBA Program at the Cameron School of Business was tasked with on August 20^th. On Saturday, 37 of the 43 Cameron School of Business Professional MBA candidates participated in their program orientation at UNCW.  This year’s orientation was unique, featuring celebrity judges Judy Girard, Co-founder of GLOW (Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington) and President Emeritus of Food Network, HGTV and Lifetime Network; Cynthia Ferich, TV Chef on WBTV News, Educator, and Author; Bo Perkins, Celebrity Chef and Founder of Addiction Hot Sauces; and Hoop Morgan, Founder and Chairman of the Forte Institute.

March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in August 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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“Joining the program broadens your global business vision - it will help us continue to work in an international society,” said Cagla Kardemir, an MBA candidate from Yeditepe University in Istanbul, Turkey.  2016 was the second year that the Swain Center at the Cameron School of Business, with the leadership of Dr. Cem Canel, has hosted a three-week program for students from Turkey.

Guest Blogger: Dean Robert D. Burrus, Jr. This post was originally shared on WilmingtonBiz.com on August 1, 2016.

To most people, the word “university” suggests an education-based institution in which academic degrees are conferred to individuals completing the required curriculum. One might not realize that the term can be used by any entity, for example, Trump University, PwC Open University, and Google University. None of these examples are universities in the way most people use the term: These entities use the term liberally to suggest an enhanced education in a specific area. Satisfaction with the educational offering depends largely on what one expected to get out of the experience. The use of the word “university” has the potential to become a legal matter depending on individual state and consumer protection laws. Trademark law does not prohibit the use of the word “university” in a name. The point to this is that the use of the word “university” does not necessarily imply that an institution is offering a quality educational experience.

March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in July 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Guest Blogger: Dean Robert Burrus (This post originally appeared on WilmingtonBiz.com on July 15)

Experiential learning is a crucial element of a college education. As defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, “An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.” Therefore, internships provide solutions for employers by assisting with workflow in an effective manner to accomplish immediate goals and through finding new team members to help grow the business and accomplish long-term goals.

Guest Blogger: Kathy S. Behr, former pharmaceutical Marketing Research Manager, CEN Mentor

The idea for Cameron Executive Network was conceived to hook up experienced or retired business professionals with young soon-to-be business college graduates. It is a win-win situation, where both the mentor and mentee are exchanging wisdom, job search skills, and how to place yourself and your skill set on the job market. I joined CEN in Fall 2014, as I was looking for opportunities to volunteer and provide the knowledge I had gained in my pharmaceutical marketing research career.

March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in July 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Susan Hermanson and Thomas Janicki, professors in the UNCW Cameron School of Business, are the recipients of distinguished professorships.

Hermanson has been appointed to a five-year term as the Cameron Distinguished Professor of Accountancy. Janicki has been reappointed for another five-year term as the Duke Energy/Gordon C. Hurlbert Distinguished Professor of Information Systems.

Guest Blogger: Donna Coulson, M.S., Professional Certified Coach, Cameron Executive Network Mentor

I first met Mark Pentangelo at the CSB Mixer in early 2015.  A “Jersey boy,” he sought a summer internship at a NJ utility.  His professor told him I’d been in management at NJ Natural Gas.  I had also done contract work with PSEG.

March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in July 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Guest Blogger: Dr. Robert Burrus, Dean of the Cameron School of Business

Have you traveled out of the country yet? According to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ “Talent Mobility 2020” report, annual international assignments will increase by 50 percent between now and 2020, having already increased by 25 percent over the last 10 years. There’s no question that having global perspective is essential in today’s business environment. The Cameron School of Business is devoted to making many different channels accessible to its students, faculty and staff, and community. The Cameron School sends more than 150 students abroad each year through different initiatives.

Guest Blogger: Liz Roesel, Marketing Manager, Horizon Software International and Cameron Executive Network Mentor

Julia Ormond impressed me from the moment I met her, and her level of motivation and drive hasn’t let up since I first met her at the Spring Mixer. We met last week and expressed her interest in getting an internship, and I was able to connect her with Mark Johnson Custom Homes. They were my first employers after graduation and it’s going to be a win-win-win situation for us all. MJCH will be able to meet their marketing goals, Julia will gain invaluable real-world experience, and through our mentorship, I will be helping to facilitate the entire thing. I couldn’t imagine a better arrangement for a mentor, mentee and employer.

March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in June 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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This post was written in collaboration with Denis Carter, Ph.D., associate professor emeritus, Department of Economics and Finance at UNCW. 

Did you hear the one about two economists walking through the woods?

One said “How do you feel about this economy – are you a bull or a bear?” The other replied, “I am definitely a … wait a second, why do you ask?” The one in front said, “There is a black bear behind us and he had ‘demand’ written across his open mouth and ‘supply’ reflected in his eyes.”