This project is now in update mode. Check back regularly to see how things are progressing.
Comets Across the Pond - Supporting JSOM Graduate Research
Class: BPS 6310 Sec. 501, Strategic Management, Instructor Dr. Shawn Carraher
Stretch Goal!
Special Update, 11/11/15: Thanks to the many generous donations, we have reached our initial goal of $6,000 and will receive a full match from the challenge grant! We plan to continue raising funds with a new stretch goal of $7,000 and the matching opportunity has been extended too. Every gift counts!
Special Update, 10/8/15: We have received a $6,000 matching challenge grant!
To receive the $6,000 matching grant, Comets Across the Pond has been challenged to raise $6,000 by November 14. We gladly accept this challenge but we need your help! Every dollar received to our project will be matched 100%. Let's double your donation today!
Who wouldn’t want to see Jindal School of Management (JSOM) MBA students succeed?
JSOM students are regarded as some of the highest quality business students in the nation. As part of the MBA program, our strategic management class is raising funds to help cover travel expenses for three of our fellow classmates. These three classmates have been invited to present their academic research papers at the 13th Global Conference on Business & Economics (GCBE) held at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School.
JSOM Graduate Student Research
The Jindal School of Management has prepared us as MBA students in nearly every way possible to be successful after graduation. From the highest quality professors to the networking prospects, JSOM provides so many opportunities for students to be successful and molds some of the greatest leaders in today’s business world. But one critical piece of the puzzle is often missing: funding for graduate research and travel. Without philanthropic support, these academic research and travel opportunities become the responsibility of the student to finance.
Presenting research at GCBE gives students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and sets us apart from others in today’s heavily competitive job market. Three MBA students in Dr. Shawn Carraher’s strategic management class have had their peer-reviewed research papers on relevant strategy topics accepted to this year’s conference. After their selection, these students have been invited to Oxford, England, to present their research to other scholars from around the world. Typically, the research accepted to these conferences is conducted by faculty, which makes this opportunity all the more unique. Attending this event will offer the opportunity to network and learn from some of the most prestigious scholars around the world.
Meet the Students
Avery McHugh
Avery McHugh grew up in Uvalde, Texas, a small town close to San Antonio. After graduating from Uvalde High School in 2011, Avery came to UT Dallas to play softball for the Comets. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration in December 2014 and is now working on her MBA and a master's degree in marketing. Avery works for NetMass Inc., a data management company, as marketing manager and expects to finish her two graduate degrees in May 2016.
Collin Zreet
Michael "Collin" Zreet is pursuing an MBA and a master's degree in innovation and entrepreneurship at the Jindal School. He has an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from UT Austin, and has been working at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth for the last five years on military and commercial programs. In his free time, he is an award-winning homebrewer, winning People's Choice in the last two Dallas Brew Riot competitions with his team, as well as Martin House Brewing Co.'s Riverside Shootout this year. Collin serves as the "beer expert" for local online culture blog, I Live In Dallas.
Shawn Stark
Shawn Stark was born in Dallas and spent the first part of his life living in Richardson where he attended Berkner High School. Shawn started his first business at age 18 selling merchandise as a contractor for musicians all over the U.S., including Sheryl Crow, Breaking Benjamin, the Drive-By Truckers and the Randy Rogers Band. Since then, he graduated cum laude with a bachelor's in business administration from UT Dallas in 2011, and expects to finish his MBA in December 2016. He works for a financial service provider and is married to Amanda. They have one son.
We Need Your Help!
As MBA students, we are committed to helping one another reach their full potential. We want you to join us in this effort to help Shawn, Avery and Collin achieve even more success by sending them to the conference at Oxford to represent UT Dallas. The need for funding is urgent as the conference will be held Nov. 22-23. The estimated cost for each student is $2,000.
Your tax-deductible charitable donation to UT Dallas in support of this project will be divided equally and awarded as a stipend to offset all related costs to attend the conference. This includes travel, lodging, ground transportation, meals and conference fees.
@cometsacross #CometsAcrossThePond #impactUTD impact.utdallas.edu/cometsacrossthepond
Comets Across the Pond received a big WHOOSH from UT Dallas alumna State Rep. Linda Koop
$10
Green & Orange Level
You will receive a shout-out tweet from our official Twitter account @CometsAcross thanking you.
$50
Space Dust Level
You’ve helped one of the three students pay for ground transportation to and from Heathrow Airport in London. Thank you! You will receive a handwritten thank-you note from one of the students traveling abroad.
$100
Meteorite Level
Your donation will help cover a portion of a student’s meals while traveling. Thank you! You will receive a video message from the entire class by email.
$250
Asteroid Level
Your donation will help cover a night of lodging for a student while overseas. Thank you! You will receive a personalized postcard and picture of the group all the way from London.
$500
Shooting Star Level
Your donation will help defer the cost of airfare to and from London for one student. Thank you! You will receive a Skype call with one of the students upon their return to give a wrap-up of their presentation and experience.
$1,000
Whoosh Level
Your donation will help pay for half of one student's trip to London. Thank you! Upon his return, Collin Zreet will provide a private beer-tasting event in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for you and up to nine of your friends.
$2,000
Comet Level
Your donation is sending one student to Oxford with all expenses paid. Thank you! After the conference, you'll be invited to campus to have lunch with the students, Dr. Shawn Carraher and an associate dean from JSOM.