SPRING 2003

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BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT
BISeTimes
SPRING 2003 Volume 2, Number 2
Visit our web site at http//bis.cba.cmich.edu/
CMU AITP Students Bring Back Awards
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Central Michigan University students displayed
their scholarly work on March 27, 28 and 29 at
the Association of Information Technology
Professionals National Student Conference at
Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Eric Pynnonen of Midland won two first place
awards, one for the database project and one for
the undergraduate student paper/presentation
competition. It is remarkable that Eric won
competitions that are so different said Dr.
James Cappel, AITP co-advisor and BIS department
faculty member. The database competition
involves technical skills, whereas the
paper/presentation event requires written and
oral communication skills. The database contest
alone had over 50 entries, so its quite an
accomplishment. (continued on page 2.)
Faculty Activities
2 Student Groups 3 MSIS
Information 3 New Faculty
4 SAP
4 Scholarships 5 BIS Department
Sponsors 5 MIS Advisory Board
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WHEN CMU CALLS DURING A FUND CAMPAIGN, DIRECT
YOUR DOLLARS TO HELP YOUR DEPARTMENT AITP,
Account 44007. Business Teacher Education,
Account 43055. BIS Discretionary Fund, Account
41911. Ima Chambers Scholarship, Account 64593.
MIS Advisory Board Fund, Account 64435. MIS
Endowment Fund, Account 66665. William Wolhgamuth
Scholarship, Account 64564. Winsor
Scholarship, Account 64133.
FROM WHERE I SIT Monica Holmes, Chair BIS
Department
As always, time flies and once again the
BIS-e-Times has news for you. The most exciting
news is the hiring of the five new faculty
members, i.e., four MIS and one BTE/business
communication. They are a fine addition to the
strengths of the department. I am also
especially proud of the fact that students in
both the BTE and MIS majors and minors take many
elective classes together. As we know, BTE
graduates in the high schools are our first
contacts with those students who may want to come
to Central to study business. In this issue, we
have added a column recognizing the donors to the
BIS department, and in the next issue, we plan to
add news about our alumni. However, in order to
do that, we need to receive news about you.

Dr. Gust was the acting chairperson while I was
on my sabbatical. He just finished his
sabbatical this past spring. In the fall, Drs.
Cappel and Hwang will be going on their
sabbaticals. While sabbaticals may sound as
though the faculty are taking their vacations,
nothing is further from the truth. They work on
research projects that could involve
collaboration with faculty at other universities,
collecting data for these projects from
companies, and even re-tooling themselves by
attending workshops and seminars as well as
visiting companies to observe how business
concepts are applied in the workplaces. I was
fortunate to spend some time at Eli Lilly in
Indianapolis, IN and to have the opportunity to
see how our former MIS graduates are doing there.
Sabbaticals and similar research leaves are
critical to faculty who can take the time to work
on research and teaching without other
commitments on their time. Nothing is more
exciting to the BIS faculty than to hear about
the achievements of their students. AITP has
once again shown that they are a match for their
peers at other universities and colleges. While
we are proud of the fact that every spring
semester they pack up their gear to compete with
other students, this past spring they outdid
themselves and brought several prizes home to
CMU. (Continue on page 2.)
CONSIDER STARTING A BIS OR MIS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
IN YOUR COMPANY, CITY, AREA e-mail Dr. Elizabeth
Kemm at kemm1e_at_cmich.edu or give her a call at
[phone]
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CMU Business Students Take Home Awards (Continued
form page 1.) The AITP student group also earned
the Best Chapter in the Region award for the
fourth consecutive year. Other individual award
winners include John Griffith of Lakehurst, NJ
who placed second for the graduate student
paper/presentation competition. Tarun Damodaran
of Bangladore, India, took third place for the
graduate student paper/presentation
competition. Clint McPherson of Clinton
Township, Colleen Cline of St. Clair Shores and
Dave Miller of Boyne City all got honorable
mention for the systems analysis and design
competition. Greg Boehmer of Shelby Township,
Robert Mistele of Bloomfield and William Vendt of
Utica earned the Associate Computing Professional
Certification after passing two examinations at
the conference. Other CMU students passed one
examination and can take an additional
examination at next years conference to become
certified. We are proud of our 20 students who
participated, said Cappel. They actively
attended workshops and all participated in at
least one competition. It was a great learning
experience, and the students represented CMU
well. Cappel and AITP co-adviser Zhenyu Huang
also participated in the conference. The event
featured speakers from IBM, Robert Half
Technologies, State Farm Insurance, Purdue
Universitys Biometric Institute, and many other
organizations. Approximately 600 students and
faculty attended the conference.
From Where I Sit (continued from page 1.)
In addition, these students took it upon
themselves to take the Associate Computing
Professional Certification exam. This is the
first time that any CMU student took such an
exam. Nothing impresses employers more than the
students' drive to improve themselves. Dr.
Csapo continues to apply her energy to the
business teacher education program which now has
more than 100 majors and minors. Every year, she
uses her grant to attract more students to the
BTE program. She is very happy to have Dr. Karl
Smart working with her. Together they are
working on a new teaching concentration for the
Master of Science in Information Systems. One
thing we want to do is to hold the graduate BTE
classes in the evenings or weekends in spring
2004 versus having them in summer 2004. Look for
more news about the business teacher education
students in the next newsletter. In these
times of budget constraints, we are grateful for
the generosity of our donors. With your
financial assistance, we are able to provide
scholarships to the students and also to AITP for
their activities. No gift is too small as every
cent counts. Thank you very much. At the
moment, we are updating our web site at
http//bis.cba.cmich.edu so that our
look-and-feel will be in sync with those of the
College. If you have any news or suggestion,
please email me at monica.c.holmes_at_cmich.edu or
call me at 989-774-4364. I am always happy to
receive news that I can use in the next
BIS-e-Times and/or meet with you.
Some Faculty Publications
Dr. Nancy Csapo- Certification of Computer
Literacy, The Journal, vol. 30, no.1, 2002. Dr.
Richard Featheringham- Interactive Applications
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Number Style,
Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 2003.

Dr. Richard Featheringham and Dr. Nancy Csapo-
Business Communication Topics and Activities,
Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 2002.
Dr. Monica Holmes- ADR Solution for Academic
Workplace Conflicts, Dispute Resolution Journal,
vol. 57, no. 2, 2002. Zhenyu Huang- Internet EDI
Adoption Trust in Technology and Application
Knowledge. AMCIS Proceeding, page 2222-2227. Dr.
Anil Kumar- Toward a Deeper Examination of
Global IT Theory and Frameworks, Journal of
Global Information Technology Management, vol. 5,
no. 4, 2002. Dr. Karl Smart- Assessing the Need
for Printed and Online Documentation A Study of
Customer Preferences and Use, The Journal of
Business Communication, July 2001.
Three Cheers
The BIS Department would like to congratulate the
following faculty members for their achievements
Dr. James Cappel on being
promoted to associate professor in Fall 2002.

Dr. Nancy Csapo on also
being promoted to associate professor in Fall
2002.
Dr. Nancy
Csapo on receiving tenure starting in Fall 2003.
Dr. Roger Hayen for becoming president of the
International Association of
Computer Information Systems (IACIS).
Dr. Monica Holmes for another term as
department chair.
DaimlerChrysler Lab Rededication
On October 24, 2002 the DaimlerChrysler Lab in
Grawn was rededicated. If you come to Mount
Pleasant, come and see the new lab layout which
is conductive to instructor-student interaction.
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• to teach the ideal of service as the basis of all
  worthy enterprise
• to encourage civic responsibility

Current Activities
This year the chapter participated in the annual
adopt-a-family community service activity. The
chapter adopted a family of four and purchased
clothes and toys as Christmas presents for all
family members. Many members lead by officers
attended the MBEA 2002 Annual Convention in Novi,
Michigan, October 24 and 25. Our chapter
leadership for the 2002-2003 school year includes
AITP
What is AITP? Association for Information
Technology Professionals is a professional
association composed of managers, analysts,
programmers, and other IT professionals who share
an interest in information technology and its use
in organizations. Some benefits of joining the
student chapter of AITP include
Ben Goward President Wanda Owings
Vice-President Krista
VanderVeen Treasurer Christin Brown Secretary
Brad Willey Social Director
Karen Symborskil Historian

• Opportunities to meet employers in the IT field
• Learning more about the IT profession
• Opportunities to meet fellow students
• Providing leadership and service experiences

MSIS Information
The Master of Science in Information Systems
(MSIS) program is designed for individuals who do
not have a previous information systems or
computing-related degree. The program prepares
students to enter various information systems
positions in business, consulting, government, or
non-profit organizations to teach computer
applications and information systems at community
colleges or to enter a Ph.D. program in
information systems-related areas after
graduation. The student must complete an area of
concentration approved by the MSIS director in
enterprise software or systems applications.
Admission to the MSIS program is competitive.
Students must have a bachelors degree an
undergraduate gpa of 2.7 overall or at least 3.0
in the final sixty semester hours and five
prerequisite courses with a grade point average
of at least 2.7 and no course grade lower than C.
The prerequisites at CMU are Computers in
Business I (BIS 221), Principles of Accounting I
(ACC 201), Principles of Accounting II (ACC 202),
Mathematics for Business I (MTH 116) or Calculus
I (MTH 132), and Introduction to Statistics (STA
282). For more information, contact Karen
Williamson at [phone] or
willi1km_at_cmich.edu. To the new and current
MSIS students, Ms. Williamson would like to say,
I look forward to working with all of you in the
fall and wish you an enjoyable summer!
SAP-UASUG
What is SAP-UASUG?   The SAP University Alliance
Student User Group was started at Central
Michigan University in 1998. It was the first
SAP-UASUG in the nation. With a membership of
nearly 50 students from all functional areas of
business, SAP-UASUG provides hands-on
applications and real-world knowledge to benefit
students in these areas 

• Understanding of integrated business processes
• World-class knowledge of ERP systems
• Increased employability and entry-level salary
• Choice of employers

Pi Omega Pi

• The Zeta Epsilon Chapter of Pi Omega Pi, the
  only undergraduate honorary society in business
  teacher education, was installed in Central
  Michigan University in 1979, as the 149th
  chapter. Since then, more than 200 CMU students
  have become members of our chapter.
• The aims of Pi Omega Pi, as provided in the
  National Constitution, include the following
• to create and encourage interest and to promote
  scholarship in business education
• to foster high ethical standards in business and
  professional life among teachers of business

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New Faculty Members
Dr. Kemm started in Fall 2001 as a full-time
assistant professor. Dr. Kemm received her Ph.D.
from the University of North Texas. She came
here from Missouri Southern State College where
she was an associate professor in the Computer
Information Science Department. She currently
teaches BIS 221, Computer in Business I, BIS 327,
Web Site Development, and BIS 635, Business
Systems Application.
Six Students Receive The Dow Chemical SAP Award
of Excellence
The Dow Chemical Company continues to show its
support for the Business Information Systems
(BIS) department and its students in the
sponsoring of a semi-annual luncheon for the
awarding of scholarships to Management
Information Systems students for their excellence
in SAP supported course work. The fall luncheon
was held on October 18, 2002 at The Embers in
Mount Pleasant. CMU alumnus Jim Whyte, Data
Architect, presented undergraduate student, Amar
Hussein of Dearborn and graduate students Denise
McBride of Beal City and Francis Tawiah of Ghana,
each a plaque and a 500.00 scholarship. On
February 28, 2003 The Dow Chemical Company again
demonstrated its commitment to the BIS department
and the SAP program by hosting the seventh
semi-annual luncheon at The Embers in Mount
Pleasant. Jim Whyte presented the 500
scholarships and plaques to undergraduate
students, Russell Ashman of Livonia, Derick
Fedewa of Westphalia, and Scott Stefanich of
Gould City. More information and pictures are
available on the SAP University Alliance Program
web site at http//sapua.cba.cmich.edu.
Dr. Elizabeth Kemm
Mr. Huang started in Fall 2002 as a full-time
assistant professor. Mr. Huang is expected to
receive his Ph.D. in May 2003 from the University
of Memphis. He came here from the University of
Memphis where he was a Graduate/Teaching
Assistant. He currently teaches BIS 221,
Computers in Business I, BIS 228, Computer
Programming COBOL, and BIS 628, Business
Transaction Processing Systems.
Mr. Zhenyu Huang
Dr. Kumar started in Summer 2002 as a full-time
assistant professor. Dr. Kumar received his Ph.D.
from the University of Memphis. He came here
from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where
he was an assistant professor. He currently
teaches BIS 420, Systems Analysis and Design, BIS
425, Business Systems Applications, BIS 667,
e-Business Systems for e-Commerce, and MBA 609,
Information Systems Management.
SAP Process Integration Certification Academy
CMUs SAP University Alliance Program was again
selected by SAP America to offer certification
for students in an SAP University Alliance
Program called Process Integration Certification
Academy. This will be the fourth year of CMU
hosting this academy. This specially designed
program is tailored for the business major. The
academy ran May 5 through May 16, 2003 and was
held in the DOW/SAP Learning Lab in Grawn Hall.
The academy had 15 participants with a majority
of them being MIS majors. All of the individuals
received the opportunity to Upon the
completion and passing of the certification exam
each of the participants receives a certificate
of certification from SAP America. More
information regarding the academy and pictures
are available on the SAP University Alliance
Program web site at http//sapua.cba.cmich.edu.
Dr. Anil Kumar
Dr. Smart started in Fall 2002. Dr. Smart
received his Ph.D. from the University of
Florida. He came here from Brigham Young
University where he was an assistant professor.
He currently teaches BIS 104, Computers in
Society, BIS 288, Business Computer Graphics, and
BIS 360, Business Communications.

• Process Integration Application Fundamentals
  
• Participate in the academy designed to expose
  students to state of the art software that
  focuses on integrated applications in a windows
  environment
  
• Receive special process integration certification
  preparation for the exam
• Sit for the specialized Process Integration SAP
  
  
  
  Certification Exam
• Enhance marketability through the acquisition of
  specialized emerging skills.

Dr. Karl Smart
Ms. Xu started in Fall 2002. Ms. Xu is
finalizing her dissertation from the University
of Southern Queensland, Australia. She came here
from the University of Southern Queensland,
Australia. She currently teaches BIS 221,
Computers in Business I, BIS 422, Database
Management Systems, and BIS 638, Database
Management for Business Systems.
Ms. Hongjiang Xu
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BIS.e.Times Volume 2, Number 2. Spring 2003.
Page 5

• The IMA CHAMBERS SCHOLARSHIP was established by
  donations from alumni and friends in loving
  memory of Ima Chambers, a former faculty member
  and chairperson of the BIS department. This year,
  the recipients are
• The DAMON P. LINDLEY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was
  established by family and friends of Damon P.
  Lindley, an executive of Wyandotte Cement
  Corporation. This year, the recipients are
• The WILLIAM WOHLGAMUTH SCHOLARSHIP was
  established by Douglas and Carol Rearick in
  loving memory of Dr. William Wohlgamuth, a former
  teacher of the BIS department. This year, the
  recipients are

2003 BIS Scholarship Winners
Many Thanks to the Following Individuals and
Companies for Sponsoring the BIS Department and
its Organizations
On April 4, 2003 the BIS department was pleased
to award 39 scholarships to undergraduate and
graduate students. The following students were
awarded
Association for Information Technology
Professionals Crowe, Chizak, and Company LLP
Frank Andera

James Cappel
Tyler
and Jodie Clayton
Roger Hayen

Monica Holmes
Elizabeth Kemm

Joseph Woloszyn Discretionary Account
Kandy
Bauer
Linda Blackledge

Judith Brankel
Catherine Cameron-Heldt
Dick and
Audrey Featheringham
Lois Ann Tedhams
Larry and
Judy Thomas
John Ziegler Ima Chambers Scholarship
Wells and
Lois Cook
Edna (McCliggott) Diehe
Larry and
Judy Thomas MIS Advisory Board
Auto-Owners Insurance
Company
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Delphi Corporation
The
Dow Chemical Company
Eli Lilly Corporation

Valassis, Inc.
Amy S.
Courter
Lynn A. Eady

Kevin L. Garner

Sean M. Guitar
Mari
Gunderson
Tarra A. Vacca

James J. Whyte MIS Endowment
Edward and
Nedia Fisher Dale and Joann Gust Roger
Hayen James Scott and Claudette Schafer Cindy
Vautrin

Jason Coats Benjamin Goward Jamie
Ohlrich Amber Marentette
Lorie Pajot Lazina Tarin William
Vendt
Ankita Bandi Katie Bien Peterson
Bwoma Craig Cunningham Tarun Damodaran Benjamin
Goward John Griffith Crystal Haswell
Bhargav Jani Dangdong Lu Amber
Marentette Ianna McLean Pritish
Mehta Jamie Ohlrich Jia-Long
Own Lorie Pajot Aditya
Pancholi Parthiv Patel Alicia
Rozak Holly Sherman William Vendt
The MIS ENDOWMENT STUDENT AWARD was established
in 1999 by the BIS department faculty. It is
awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate
student with an MIS major, giving preference to
members of the Association for Information
Technology Professionals (AITP). This year, the
recipients are


The CROWE,
CHIZEK AND COMPANY LLP OUTSTANDING STUDENT
SCHOLARSHIP has been established for outstanding
students majoring in MIS, Computer Science, or
Logistics. This year, the recipient is
William Vendt Congratulations to all of the
recipients!
Ankita Bandi Pierre Bowrin
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Tidbits on the MIS Advisory Board
Alumni This Ones For You
Have you ever wonder what happened to all your
CMU friends after they graduated? This is your
chance to find out. We are looking for any and
all Alum to send us their, or someone elses (with
their permission), information. We want to know
What are you doing? What have you done? What
will you be doing? What special events have
taken place? What special awards have you
received? We want to know all about you. So
please send us your info and it may be published
in the next BIS.e.Times.
Send all
information to Dr. Monica C. Holmes
150 E. Bellows
Grawn 305
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
or e-mail her at

monica.c.holmes_at_cmich.edu
The MIS Advisory Board would like to
congratulate Amy Courter ( pictured in the
center), Vice President of Information Technology
at Valassis Inc., for receiving the Honorary
Alumni Award. Ms. Courters contributions to
the College of Business Administration through
years of service on our MIS Advisory Board have
helped to strengthen CMUs ties with the local
business community and helped our graduates to be
better prepared for the world of work. The next
MIS Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for July
25, 2003. If you are an MIS or MSIS alumni, and
would like to attend an MIS Advisory Board
meeting, please contact Monica C. Holmes at
989-774-4364 or email her at monica.c.holmes_at_cmich
.edu .
Business Information Systems Department
Central Michigan University
Grawn Hall 305

150 East Bellows
Mount Pleasant, MI
48859