University of Michigan-Flint

(Chicago, Ill) The Entrepreneurs Society of the University of Michigan-Flint received special recognition and honors in two categories last week at the National CEO Conference. This premier event, in Chicago, featured three days of meetings, workshops and competitions (www.c-e-o.org) where the best universities compete in a number of categories. Out of 130 universities and more than 1400 students, representatives from University of Michigan-Flint placed 2nd in two categories: Best Fundraising Event, and Best Chapter Leadership.

Gannon O'Reilly, Chapter President, was honored as one of the best CEO leaders in America. His efforts at leading the Entrepreneur's Society for the 2011-2012 year featured such innovations as the Work/Live Space launch in June, in partnership with the Flint Habitat for Humanity. This new business initiative was the first of its kind and is leading the way in urban re-development initiatives.

Another Entrepreneurs Society Member, Brooke Dziurman, led UM-Flint to the second place prize for the best fundraiser. This monumental effort resulted in $32,000 being raised and donated to a severely ill person battling brain cancer, all done in a 5 week period.

The Entrepreneurs Society was formed in 2007 as an academic club at the School of Management, University of Michigan-Flint. It presently has 109 members and a number of involved alumni and supporters in the greater Flint community.

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Two young entrepreneurs from the School of Management launched a successful website, mylifesecret, which already have postings from 10 different countries, and more than 900,000 page views since May 2012. Philip Pirkovic graduated with a dual degree in business management and economics. His brother, Saso, will graduate from the School of Management at the end of this year. A fellow School of Management marketing graduate, Taylor Hinds, designed the branding and graphics. The website provides a safe outlet for individuals to express themselves and seek out help when they have nowhere else to turn. The rates of cyber bullying, depression and suicide are skyrocketing among the young individuals. The two brothers found this unacceptable and wanted to make a difference. They are donating 20% of proceeds from their shirt sales to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In the coming year, they plan to start the My Secret Life Foundation to combat bullying, suicide and depression alongside a mobile application.

Philip and Saso feel very strongly about the revitalization of the struggling economy in Flint, and they want their ventures to reflect this sentiment. The School's Associate Dean, Dr. Yener Kandogan, says "It is this kind of entrepreneurial activity that provides the best hope for the region's economy." The brothers are looking at office spaces in the up and coming downtown corridor of Saginaw Street in Flint. All promotional printing is also done in the Flint area.

Aug 15, 2012
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Brian Blume, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management was presented with the Scholarly and Creative Achievement Award. This awardrecognizes outstanding faculty performance at the University of Michigan-Flint. Dr. Blume was nominated for the award by other faculty members of SOM. He has served as faculty at SOM since 2006. Brian is an active member of the Academy of Management organization and serves on multiple committees for the School of Management.

posted: July 3, 2012


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Michelle Tolin, a BBA alumn was presented with the Detroit Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors Scholarship Award. Qualified candidates submitted a three-page essay on the following topic: Discuss the benefits of using social media in the internal audit process and provide specific examples.

Michelle is the first student from U-M Flint to submit an essay. Michelle received a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in Accounting and a GPA of 3.81. She is the national reporter for Beta Alpha Psi and will be the incoming Treasurer. She is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. She also volunteered with VITA and various food banks.

posted: July 3, 2012


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SOM Professor of Finance, Dr. Mark Perry, was invited to testify in front of the U.S. House of Representative's Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearning on May 31, 2012 on the topic of "Rhetoric vs. Reality: Does President Obama Really Support an "All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy?".

Click here to view the entire hearing. Click here to view Dr. Perry's testimony.

Click here for Dr. Perry's full written testimony.

posted: June 4, 2012


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