The Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics sponsors the Closing Bell Speaker Series (CBSS), which began in September 2008. The program brings successful scholarly professionals to the campus to engage with students in topical discussions that reflect the changing global environment. The primary objectives of the CBSS are:
1) To provide insight on the current trends facing businesses today.
2) To inspire students and provide additional encouragement for quality person and career development.
3) To enrich the students’ lives by providing them with role models in the careers for which they are preparing.
Many thanks to Mr. Curt “CT’ Tomlin who initiated The Closing Bell Speaker Series in 2008 as a result of the 2007 opening of the Financial Trading Room in the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics. We appreciate his vision and passion that sprouted into the CBSS.
| Date | Location/Time | Speaker | Company | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2017 | The Fred and Janie Deese Auditorium, Merrick Hall 125 4:00 p.m. | Mr. Alphonso Alexander | Chief Relationship Officer and President of NASBA Center for the Public Trust | |
| October 19, 2017 | The Fred and Janie Deese Auditorium, Merrick Hall 125 4:00 p.m. | Dr. William Picard | Chairman, Global Automotive Alliance, Co-Managing Partner, MGM Grand Detroit Casino, CEO, Bearwood Management Company and co-owner of five black-owned newspapers | |
| November 16, 2017 | The Fred and Janie Deese Auditorium, Merrick Hall 125 4:00 p.m. | Mr. Shawn Taylor | President and CEO Zaxby’s Houston, LLC | |
| February 15, 2018 | The Fred and Janie Deese Auditorium, Merrick Hall 125 4:00 p.m. | Mr. David L. Howard | Chief Deputy Secretary North Carolina Department of Transportation | |
| March 15, 2018 | The Fred and Janie Deese Auditorium, Merrick Hall 125 4:00 p.m. | Mr. Bob Murphy | Vice President of Supply Chain IBM Transformation and Operations | |
| April 19, 2018 | The Fred and Janie Deese Auditorium, Merrick Hall 125 4:00 p.m. | Ms. Emel Jenkins Lyons | Director, Bilateral Agreements and Enforcement Division Foreign Agricultural Service |