Three alumni recently joined the College of Business Board of Governors (BOG): James “Chef” Barlow, Kevin Little and Lynn McMahon. The 40-member board includes current and former executives of global companies representing a broad range of industries.

The newly appointed chairman of the College of Business Recent Alumni Board (RAB) and fellow members of the board’s executive committee have been busy mapping out a strategy to rally alumni to expand and strengthen the “Nole Network” across the country.

College of Business alumnus Colin O’Connor credits his passion and supportive colleagues for helping him rise steadily through the ranks to the post of chief operating officer at ReliaQuest, the Tampa-based global cybersecurity firm.

Two of the real estate investment industry’s top executives have signed on to participate at the FSU Real Estate Center’s upcoming Real Estate TRENDS Conference at Florida State University. David Rubenstein of The Carlyle Group and Dan Quayle, former vice president of the United States, now with Cerberus Global Investments, will be among an impressive slate of speakers.

Anticipation is a wonderful thing, especially this time of year. We welcomed a record number of freshmen during the Summer C session and anticipate a record number of freshmen this fall. Each one of them is full of anticipation about his or her next four years on campus and what it means to be a part of the Seminole family. I personally cannot wait for the sounds of the Marching Chiefs practices resonating across campus and the anticipation of another football season in Tallahassee. And, we all anticipate the cooler weather that arrives in the fall.

During her nearly three decades as a management and marketing professor in Florida State University’s College of Business, Persis Emmett Rockwood left an indelible mark on scores of students. Two of them – Meg Gilbert Crofton and Lamar Rowe – say they can trace their career and personal success to her influence.

Diahann Lassus can name countless ways for alumni to engage with the College of Business and its students. The 1976 management graduate has done most of them – from mentoring undergraduates, speaking at events and assisting graduates looking for jobs, to serving on the college’s Board of Governors and contributing financial support – like her recent $250,000 gift to create the Diahann W. Lassus Classroom in Legacy Hall.

Early on, Florida State University alumnus Jim Henderson decided that adding value to any endeavor and treating people as you would like to be treated allows you to create a better organization and benefit both professionally and personally. 

A generous $5 million gift commitment from CNL Charitable Foundation founded by alumnus James M. Seneff will establish an honors program at the Florida State University College of Business and advance the college farther down the path of preeminence.