Recent News

Alumni Networking Center

For several years, we have dreamed about a place called the "COBA Alumni Networking Center."  The idea was to make connections and utilize our network among our alumni from all over the world to assist us in COBA.  We want to connect to our alumni in an attempt to help them, help us, and help our students. Our new director for this center is Nate Copeland. Please help me officially welcome Nate to COBA.  I believe he will do an excellent job in this new position.  I am extremely excited about the potential for the Alumni Networking Center and how it will help connect our students, alumni, and COBA.

Dr. Bryan D. Burks

New Name for College

The Harding University Board of Trustees announced at the May 2010 Commencement the naming of the college of business to the "Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration."  "Paul was an icon in Arkansas business leadership, and we thought it was highly appropriate to name the College of Business Administration in his honor," said Dr. David B. Burks, president of Harding.  "He was an outstanding Christian business leader."

Paul was a wonderful Christian business man who loved Harding University and the College of Business Administration.  According to Dr. Bryan Burks, dean of the College of Business, "Among other involvements, Paul loved to speak at our annual Leadership Seminar.  He would tell stories about the history of Wal-Mart and other special events in his life.  His stories brought laughter and even tears to our students as they  hung on every word."  Paul Carter began his career with Wal-Mart in 1977 as controller.  Throughout his career, he held various titles such as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, President of Wal-Mart Realty Company, and eventually was named to the Board of Directors for Wal-Mart.  He worked closely with Sam Walton for many years and was part of the leadership team that instituted a strong work ethic built on family values.

Paul Carter became a member of the Harding University President's Council in 1967.  He became a member of our Harding University Board of Trustees in 1985 and served as chairman for four years and also served as treasurer and worked on the executive committee.  He continued his role on the board until his death in October 2009 following a long battle with cancer.  He served as an elder at the Bentonville church of Christ for many years.  His wife, June, and three children who all attended Harding and studied business, have been strong supports of our work at Harding University and the College of Business Administration.

 Building Renovation

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Business Building, which has housed the college since 1982, received an addition and renovation during 2010 and 2011.  We added new classrooms, a finance trading lab, expanded student common areas, break-out rooms for group projects, faculty offices, expanded lobby, and a center for alumni networking. 

More specifically, we added four new classrooms, one of which is a larger multi-purpose room.  We also added several new faculty offices and an expanded work room for our faculty and staff.  In response to our students, we created several breakout rooms that could be used as meeting rooms or study rooms.  The students also desired a larger student cafe, the "COBA Cafe", which was designed with a patio on the back of the building and a coffee/snack shop.  The newly expanded front lobby overlooks the newly created finance lab to the right and the newly refurbished dean's office to the left.  The stock tickers, technology panels, and welcome center enhance the technology and global aspect of today's business environment.  When students and visitors walk into the new lobby, it should be obvious that this is a professional yet comfortable building for our students to learn business.

Faculty Accomplishments

The COBA faculty members are dedicated to serving our students both in and out of the classroom. To improve their teaching in the classroom, the COBA faculty members are involved in faculty development to enrich the classroom experience for their students. Many are leaders in the community through various organizations. All are involved in serving at their local church congregations with many in the roles of teachers, deacons, or elders. The following section lists many of the academic achievements of the COBA faculty over this period.

The COBA faculty members are dedicated to serving our students both in and out of the classroom.  To improve their teaching in the classroom, the COBA faculty members are involved in faculty development to enrich the classroom experience for their students.  Many are leaders in the community through various organizations.  All are involved in serving at their local church congregations with many in the roles of teachers, deacons, or elders.  The following section lists many of the academic achievements of the COBA faculty over this period.

 COBA in London / Summer Program

London is the economic center for European business and one of the three global giants—along with Tokyo and New York. It is the 6th largest world economy and home to the world's largest international banking center, handling half of all European activity.
 
The London study program provides exposure to broad international businesses, multi-cultural diversity, and extensive history. With the primary language being English, travel and information exchange are easy.
 
Students will meet with, and learn from, such business as Murphy Oil, Cargill, ASDA, Tate and Lyle, Thames Refinery, Deloitte, Wimbledon, Leeds, the BBC, Sky Television, Jaguar, and similar companies. It is an opportunity to see how businesses perform in a vast global environment.
 
You will have an opportunity to experience the international lifestyle and culture on a daily basis. Cultural and historical visits include such landmarks as the 900 year old Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, the Borough Market, Portobello Road, the British Museum, London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, Imperial War Museum, The Royal Pavilion, castles, the British Open, and even the streets walked by Jack the Ripper.  In past years, our arrival time has corresponded with the final rounds at Wimbledon and students have been able to spend a day at the world's most famous tennis tournament.
 
In addition, you will have your own opportunities during your free time to explore and visit any number of fantastic places to see in and around London.
 
The Business Study Abroad Program includes a six weekprogram with 10 semester hours of credit. Four weeks of study, business visits, and travel in London and the surrounding area. And two weeks of individual free travel throughout Europe (free travel time can be adjusted by traveler at personal cost).

BA Alumnus of the Year:

Upon arriving at T.D. Williamson Inc. in 1987 as tax manager, Bruce Binkley (’80) has held several positions and serves as president and chief executive officer of the company. Binkley was named president and chief operating officer in 2005 and was later appointed as CEO in 2008. He joined the TDW board of directors in 2004.

Binkley has more than 29 years of experience in financial and operations management with companies such as Phillips Petroleum, Unit Rig and Equipment and TDW. His broad scope of experience includes extensive knowledge of manufacturing and service operations, and business development.

Binkley also serves as the president of the Indian Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a board member of the Tulsa Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tulsa Area United Way. He is a founding member of the Broken Arrow Economic Development Commission and past board member of Hope Harbor Children’s Home.

Binkley and his wife, Kim White, have four children, Shannon Grodin Poynot, Taylor, Jordan and Kyle, all of whom are alumni of the University.