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School of Business News

Chief Justice Roberts to be first U.S. Supreme Court Chief to speak at KU
New major set to launch
Professor provides expertise on evaluating college savings plans

Chief Justice Roberts to be first U.S. Supreme Court Chief to speak at KU

John G. Roberts Jr., chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, will deliver the 2008 Vickers Memorial Lecture, sponsored by the KU School of Business. He will be the first sitting chief justice to speak at the University.

The public lecture, April 30 next year at the Lied Center, will be part of a two-day trip to KU for Roberts, during which he will meet with business and law students and faculty. Both the School of Business and the School of Law played a significant role in bringing Roberts to campus.

“The School of Business is tremendously excited about Chief Justice Roberts’ upcoming lecture,” said Dean William Fuerst. “It will be a great event not only for our students but the entire University and surrounding community, as well.”

Tickets to the Vickers Lecture will be free, but will not be available until 2008.

New major set to launch

Beginning this fall the KU School of Business will offer an undergraduate major in Supply Chain Management. The Kansas Board of Regents issued final approval for the major in May.

The genesis of the new major is demand from regional businesses. Managers who have strong supply chain backgrounds are in great need. Because most supply chains are nation-spanning, a global perspective of business will be incorporated into the major.

“By reacting to these marketplace demands, the School of Business is providing new opportunities for our students,” said Doug Houston, director of finance, economics and decision sciences at the school. Jobs in supply chain management will only continue to grow in significance.”

With the addition of Supply Chain Management, the school will offer a total of six undergraduate majors—the others include Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing, and Management and Leadership.

Professor provides expertise on evaluating college savings plans

Assistant Professor Raquel Alexander’s research recently led her to New York City to address state treasurers from around the nation. Alexander was one of only two scholars asked to speak at the National Association of State Treasurers Issues Conference: Public Funds Management.

Nationally renowned for her research on 529 College Savings Plans, Alexander shared insights about how to evaluate portfolio performance of 529 plans, investment vehicles that allow families to save for future college expenses.

“State treasurers and 529 plan administrators take great care in selecting college savings plans for their states,” Alexander said. “These officials are responsible for over $100 billion in 529 plan assets, and I appreciate the opportunity to help them make more informed decisions about the plans offered to their constituents.”

In addition to her 529 research, Alexander serves on Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins’ Advisory Council. Jenkins has made the Kansas 529 plan one of her top priority programs, relying on Alexander’s research and expertise to evaluate and improve the current system.

Visit the School of Business Web site for more information.