For the second time in three years, a team of Brigham Young University students took first place at the Center for International Business Education and Research Case Challenge Nov. 1–3 at The Ohio State University. Teams from 12 universities, some as far away as New Zealand, took part in the annual competition, where undergraduate business students presented their solutions for a given business case to a panel of judges.

An increase in the stock market's overall performance, like the one that took place in October, can turn inexperienced investors into trade-happy amateurs, according to Brigham Young University business professors in a study published in The Review of Financial Studies. "When investors start off in the market, they tend to trade pretty conservatively," said Steven Thorley, the H. Taylor Peery professor of finance at BYU's Marriott School of Management. "In periods where the overall stock market performs well, they see a good return on their portfolio and figure they are good at picking stocks, so they start to trade more frequently."

In its continued effort to provide new research information and strategies to a worldwide audience, the Economic Self-Reliance Center has released a new publication, ESR Review. The magazine, which takes the place of the center’s previous publication, the Journal of Microfinance, addresses the general topic of economic self-reliance, where the previous journal dealt mainly with the issue of microfinance.

Brigham Young University’s master of business administration program provides graduates with the country’s fastest return on their financial investment, according to BusinessWeek magazine. As reported in this week’s issue of the magazine, BYU MBA graduates take less than four years to pay off their education, compared to 14 years for Harvard graduates and 15 years for those from MIT. The reason? BYU’s Marriott School of Management charges a relatively low tuition and students command very competitive salaries at graduation, says Joseph Ogden, Marriott School assistant dean.

Texas transplant and BYU business management professor Andrew Holmes was recently profiled by BusinessWeek Online as students’ favorite professor at the Marriott School of Management. The article is one in an ongoing series by BusinessWeek Online highlighting business professors who rate exceptionally well with students.

When Ifo Pili graduates next spring, his résumé will not only list the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots, it will also include an MPA degree. For Pili, member of the 2005 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl team, playing defensive tackle in the NFL was just one of his life’s goals.

Entrepreneur magazine recently ranked Brigham Young University’s Marriott School 12th in the nation in its annual “Best Schools for Entrepreneurs” undergraduate program review. The article, in the October 2006 issue of Entrepreneur, compiled rankings for both undergraduate and graduate programs, in cooperation with The Princeton Review.

The Wall Street Journal ranked Brigham Young University’s Master of Business Administration Program third among regional schools in the paper’s 2006 report of top business programs, up from sixth in 2005. The Marriott School was listed second as the best place to hire MBAs with high ethical standards.

Precision Surveying Solutions is featured on CNNMoney.com as one of 12 semifinalists in Fortune Small Business’ fourth annual business plan competition. The company, owned by MBA student Adam Robertson and Tim Wessman, took second place in BYU’s 2006 Business Plan Competition. The article on CNNMoney.com displays a brief overview of the twelve semifinalists; readers are asked to vote on their favorite.

Brigham Young University is ranked 70th in U.S.News & World Report's annual survey, "America's Best Colleges," with the Marriott School of Management's undergraduate program ranked among the top 50 in "Best Business Programs," coming in at 37th. The Aug. 28 issue of U.S.News & World Report, which hits newsstands Monday, ranks about 1,400 four-year accredited colleges and universities by mission and region.

Marriott School Professor Scott Smith, director of Brigham Young University’s Institute of Marketing, will testify as an expert witness in the Federal court case of ACLU v. Gonzalez — a case addressing the negative effects of Internet pornography. Smith, an authority in the field of Internet marketing, was selected to prepare and present findings about the effects that the Child Online Protection Act will have on Internet business.

Firefighter, doctor and teacher are common answers to the elementary classroom question: what do you want to be when you grow up? But in Hershey, Pa., global chocolatier might get a few votes — especially from Andrea Thomas’ kids. Thomas, Marriott School alumna, mother of three, and possessor of what may be the sweetest corporate title to date, was recently highlighted as one of BusinessWeek’s 25 Champions of Innovation.

Brigham Young University doesn’t offer a PhD in accounting or information systems, but not because professors are afraid their students will replace them at the front of the class — in fact, they’re hoping some may do just that. Marriott School of Management accounting and information systems professors developed a unique, hands-on doctoral preparation program to coach select students on what to expect from rigorous PhD schools.

In fifth grade, Bret Rasmussen’s notebooks were filled with sketches of shoes, more than a decade later he’s still designing shoes and this summer he’ll travel to China in search of a suitable factory to produce his innovative designs. The dream started to become more of a reality this year after placing first at the Utah Entrepreneurial Challenge and winning $40,000.

The Marriott School of Management will host its 11th Annual BYU Management Conference June 29 – July 1, 2006. This traditional event will feature internationally and nationally renowned speakers such as Jon M. Huntsman, Sr., Chairman, Huntsman Corporation; Kim Smith, Vice President, Goldman Sachs & Co.; Bruce Reece, President and CEO, Bonneville International Corporation; and Elder Ben B. Banks, Emeritus General Authority and Director of Hosting, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When even the most honest stockbrokers call with a hot tip, you should be skeptical of the accompanying earnings forecasts. According to new research by a professor of accounting at Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management, analysts are unconsciously influenced to distort their forecast of a company's earnings to be consistent with previous recommendations to "buy" or "sell" that company's stock.

More than $2.5 million in tax refunds are expected to be returned to Utah County residents who filed their income tax returns with the help of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and a host of Brigham Young University students. The program is designed to help individuals who cannot afford professional help to file their taxes.

It’s not everyday you reach into your mailbox and see your face staring back at you from a magazine cover. Marriott School alumnus Brian Mower says this is one of many surprises hard-working BYU graduates may see from the professional world. The Journal of Accountancy recently highlighted Mower’s quick rise to chief accounting officer of a public company.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded BYU a four-year grant worth $1.4 million to continue its work as a Center for International Business Education and Research. The grant allows BYU to work with other CIBER schools across the nation to improve international business and language courses. Brooke Derr, director of the Marriott School’s Global Management Center, spent last summer drafting the proposal with help from center staffers and Associate Professor Kristie Seawright. According to Derr, some of the key factors in winning the grant include an extensive offering of business language courses, BYU’s geographic location and several proposed programs.

It is not everyday students hear from someone whose life surpassed their dreams. Dell CEO Kevin Rollins spoke to Marriott School graduates encouraging them to dream big and live even bigger at Friday’s convocation. Rollins, the keynote speaker, told students that in addition to dreaming big they should work hard, give back and maintain balance.