Students, programs win acclaim in College of Business

Students, programs win acclaim in College of Business

March 31, 2021 LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University’s College of Business made strides in 2020, earning distinctions for its programs and students. The economics program was ranked fifth in the nation for best value among online degrees, and EOU’s business administration program was named No. 1 in the nation.

Dean Ed Henninger oversaw outstanding accomplishments within the college, as well as in its partners. The Eastern Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC) outpaced other regional centers this year, generating over $12 million in capital infusion to local businesses. It also contributed to creating 171 new jobs, more than some of the state’s largest centers in Portland, Lane County or Linn-Benton reported. 

Another proud moment for the College of Business came when the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) named EOU senior Katie Kitchell a 2020-2021 Top Accounting Student. 

The OSCPA, “honor[s] professional achievements and accomplishments of our members and those in the accounting profession.” Kitchell will be recognized, along with the Top Accounting Students from other Oregon universities, at the 2021 OSCPA Circle of Excellence Program to be held in mid-June. 

Kitchell plans to graduate in June with a degree in business administration, concentration in accounting, and a minor in communications. She has worked as an intern at Connected Professional Accountants, LLC of La Grande for two years, and recently started a full-time position with them. Kitchell is also president of EOU’s Accounting Club on campus and volunteers her time as a leader in her church and through 4-H.

Meanwhile, her peers on campus will benefit from two newly established academic honor societies, one for business and one for economics. 

Sigma Beta Delta, a leading honor society for business, invites undergraduate and graduate students in accounting, business, management and administration to participate in internships, networking and other career development activities. 

College of Business students at EOU who have high academic achievement in eligible degree programs have been invited to join Sigma Beta Delta for lifetime memberships. The EOU chapter joins over 420 chapters internationally, inducting nearly 5,000 new members a year and maintaining over 85,000 members worldwide.

The first membership invitations and an induction ceremony are planned for this term. Business instructors Michael Fields and Brooke Stout will serve as Faculty Advisors. Once accepted for membership, inducted students receive a certificate, lapel pin, window decal, one-year subscription to Bloomberg Businessweek, discounts through national vendor partners, as well as fellowship awards and internship opportunities.

Similarly, the International Honor Society for Economics, Omicron Delta Epsilon, also established a new chapter at EOU in recent months. The organization is one of the world’s largest academic honor societies, and recognizes scholastic attainment in undergraduate and graduate economics studies. 

Omicron Delta Epsilon has 696 chapters located throughout the world, and the EOU chapter is now open to high-achieving College of Business students. Though most members of EOU’s ODE chapter are economics majors or minors, this is not a requirement for membership. Economics professor Scott McConnell will serve as Faculty Advisor. 

Once accepted for membership, inducted students receive a publication outlet for promising undergraduate and graduate student papers in The American Economist, the journal of Omicron Delta Epsilon, closer relationships between EOU students and faculty and fellow ODE members at other universities, ODE sponsored meetings at the regional, national and international level, eligibility to compete for cash prizes and Outstanding Student Leader Award, and on-line access to The American Economist.

Contact the College of Business for additional eligibility information.