Indiana State University Newsroom

It was a birthday celebration to remember for hundreds of supporters, faculty and students of the Scott College of Business who, on Friday, honored the college's past accomplishments and celebrated the bright future ahead.

"Life is easier when you are part of a network of friends and family, and our network has been significant. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, emeriti, community members, industry partners and others have made our college successful and impactful," Brien Smith, dean of the Scott College of Business, said at a 50th anniversary event. "Since that golden year - 1964-65 - we've prepared generations of students for the role of work, but more importantly, we've prepared them to be strong leaders."

Dan Bradley, Indiana State president, said those strong leaders continue to be invaluable assets to Scott College of Business, which includes more than 1,300 students, nearly 100 staff members, three departments and 11 majors.

"When I look at who is contributing to our board of trustees, who is contributing to the alumni association, who is contributing to our foundation board the College of Business alums are very much represented in all of those groups because of their interest and their success," Bradley said. "I look forward to the next 50 years of contributions from the young people here today who will graduate in the next year or two."

Several alumni and faculty members were recognized for their contributions with awards resembling the sculpture of the buttonwood leaf that sits outside the Scott College.

Tim Leman, chairman and CEO of Gibson insurance company was named an Outstanding Alumni Award recipient. The award recognizes alumni who graduated more than 10 years ago, are distinguished in their professional accomplishments and have been involved with the Scott College and their local communities.

"I've had many wonderful experiences at ISU," Leman said in a taped address.

Two-time alumnus Jocelyn Owen, who earned her undergraduate degree in business administration in 2002 and a Master of Business Administration in 2005, received the Rising Star Award. The award recognizes young alumni who graduated from the Scott College within the past 10 years, have outstanding professional achievements, and give back to the college and the communities in which they live.

Since graduating, Owen has served as chief operating officer for Digonex Technologies. Among her projects, she's assisted in acquiring, leading and maintaining the Digonex-Indianapolis Zoo initiative through a record-breaking year for the zoo.

"Jocelyn, thank you so much for making us look good," Smith said.

The Mover and Shaker Awards were awarded to Richard Becker, associate professor emeritus of business who retired in 1988 after 32 years with ISU, and Bruce McLaren, associate dean of the Scott College who is in his 36th year of service.

"During his 32 years tenure, (Becker's) office moved from the Fine Arts Building to the old Science Building to Statesman Towers. In fact, he coordinated a remodeling and moving of the then-School of Business into Statesman Towers in 1980," Smith said of Becker. "Over the years, he taught a number of business courses and was an influential figure in the College of Business. Richard's interest in local history and his willingness to share his memories have been invaluable to the Scott College of Business as the college compiled its history for the 25th anniversary."

McLaren has, likewise, been an invaluable asset over the college's history, Smith said.

"When the idea of moving the Scott College from Sycamore Towers to the Federal Building, Bruce eagerly volunteered to oversee the technical and building renovations and coordinate the move," Smith said. "Today, Bruce takes pride in showing off (Federal Hall) and telling every bit of history that went on there before, and he is such a joy to work with in everything that he does."

Mary Ellen Adams, professor emerita of business who started her career in business education at Indiana State in 1979, received the Outstanding Educator Award.

"Her excellence in teaching and dedication to business education at State is widely recognized by her colleagues and students," Smith said, adding that Adams was a recipient of the Caleb Mills Distinguished Teacher Award from Indiana State in 1982.

Dennis Sponsel of RJE Business Interiors in Indianapolis received the Award for Innovation. Though not an Indiana State alumnus, Smith said Sponsel is passionate about what the college does for students.

"He took our ideas about etiquette dining and took them a step further, so today we offer networking dinners for students to meet with business professionals and learn how to network before, during and after dinner, and this has really been transformative," Smith said.

State Farm Insurance Companies representative Brian McLeish, who serves on the Scott College's Insurance Advisory Council, accepted the Industry Partner Award on the company's behalf. State Farm has been a longtime supporter of the college through support of the Meis Student Development Center, the insurance and risk management program, and sales students, a speaker series and other special events.

"State Farm's partnership sets an example for corporate leadership across the campus of Indiana State University and among the Scott College of Business students and alumni, near and far," Smith said. "Their relationship with State is one of both philanthropy and volunteerism, as dozens of State Farm professionals have given of their time and talents through personal involvement with our institution for more than 25 years. To State Farm, investment in the Scott College of Business and its students and programs is an investment in the future of the insurance industry and the communities in which we live."

Indiana State business student Shannon Garretson was proud to be a part of the celebration.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the college turn 50," said Garretson, a senior with a double major in business education and business administration.

A chance to celebrate the Scott College's half-century mark was a must for Larry Wilson, who came to Indiana State in 1964 as a general business major and watched the Scott College of Business enter its golden years.

"I got to take a lot of different classes as a student here, and it's good to be back among Sycamore fans tonight," he said.

Writer: Betsy Simon, media relations assistant director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-7972 or betsy.simon@indstate.edu

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2015/Scott-College-of-Business-50th/i5P9hfQt/0/S/April%2010%2C%202015%2050th%20Anniversary%20of%20Scott%20College%205513-S.jpg - Brien Smith, dean of the Scott College of Business, and Indiana State President Dan Bradley share in a toast at the college's 50th anniversary celebration on Friday, April 10 at the Sycamore Banquet Center.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2015/Scott-College-of-Business-50th/i5P9hfQt/0/S/April%2010%2C%202015%2050th%20Anniversary%20of%20Scott%20College%205513-S.jpg - Guests applaud speakers at the 50th anniversary celebration for the Scott College of Business on Friday, April 10, at the Sycamore Banquet Center.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2015/Scott-College-of-Business-50th/i39qmkfJ/0/S/April%2010%2C%202015%2050th%20Anniversary%20of%20Scott%20College%205448-S.jpg - Brien Smith, dean of the Scott College of Business, awards the Mover and Shaker Award to Richard Becker, associate professor emeritus of business who retired in 1988 after 32 years with ISU at the  50th anniversary celebration for the Scott College of Business on Friday, April 10, at the Sycamore Banquet Center.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2015/Scott-College-of-Business-50th/ijxVkWq6/0/S/April%2010%2C%202015%2050th%20Anniversary%20of%20Scott%20College%205510-S.jpg - Guests share in a toast at the 50th anniversary celebration for the Scott College of Business on Friday, April 10 at the Sycamore Banquet Center.