The COB and the UALR Alumni Association will host a fall 2009 Graduation reception for its December graduates Wednesday, December 16 at 6:00 pm at the College of Business atrium. The Dean along with the faculty & staff will salute their accomplishments.
Please join the UALR chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society for
collegiate schools of business with programs accredited by the International
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, as new members
are inducted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. in RBUS 103.Those bid to membership include:
Seniors
Alison Andrews
Samuelrika Bivens
Ashley Brite
Tara Bryce
Canderia Cash
Brandy Duvall
Annie Guest
Laura Haagenson
Mikayla Harrington
Angela McMiller
Kimberly Noesser
Angela Scarbrough
Stacey Shellnut
Abby Wicker
Masters
Alexandra Antoine
Charity Bennett
Stephen Butler
Rozanne De Mel
Christian Fiser
Drew Jensen
Garima Lall
Janet Schaefer
Michael Shepherd
Paul Thompson
Lars Powell, Ph.D., the Whitbeck-Beyer Chair of Insurance and Financial Services in UALR’s College of Business, has recently been asked to comment on his research in several venues related to pending healthcare reform legislation. Most recently, Insurance Networking News invited Dr. Powell to write an editorial about proposed changes to insurance antitrust legislation related to healthcare reform. Insurance Networking News reaches approximately 35,000 insurance professionals daily.
The invited editorial opportunity arose following Powell’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in October. The title of the hearing was “Prohibiting Price Fixing and Other Anticompetitive Conduct in the Health Insurance Industry.” Both opportunities were the direct result of his published research on insurance regulation and his frequent interaction with the industry.
Drawing from two of his papers published in the Journal of Insurance Regulation, Dr. Powell’s editorial, “Feds Challenge McCarran Ferguson … Again,” discusses the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 that provides insurers a narrow exemption from federal antitrust laws. Powell said the act “permits activities conducted by insurance companies that would otherwise be prohibited or subjected to scrutiny under the federal antitrust laws.” A significant consequence is that “it permits insurers to pool data through independent statistical agents, who produce advisory loss costs to aid insurers in the ratemaking process. It also allows standardization of risk classification and policy forms, and joint underwriting ventures. Each of these functions benefits consumers by promoting financial strength, efficiency and competition in insurance markets.”
Currently, the House and Senate are considering legislation to repeal McCarran, as some claim that insufficient oversight by state regulators allows insurers to collude in anticompetitive behavior. Powell argues that insurance markets are competitive and changing the law would only increase legal costs. This would lead to higher premiums for health and medical professional liability insurance.
To read Powell’s comments on this pending legislative change, visit Insurancenetworking.com.
Dr. Powell teaches courses related insurance and risk management in the College of Business. His primary research interests include insurer capitalization and the effects of regulation on insurance markets. He earned a Ph.D. in risk management and insurance from the University of Georgia.
Phyllis Poche, senior research specialist in the Institute for Economic Advancement’s Census State Data Center, received the Arkansas GIS (geographic information system) User’s Forum Lifetime Achievement Award in November at the Arkansas GIS Users Conference in Eureka Springs.
“This award recognized Phyllis for her outstanding contribution and long-standing commitment to the Arkansas geospatial community,” said IEA Director Jim Youngquist. “Additionally, she was given the award in recognition of her pioneering spirit and demonstrated dedication, which have greatly contributed to advancing GIS in Arkansas and beyond, serving as an inspiration to others.”
Brian Henderson was named director of student services for the College of Business. He most recently served as career development specialist at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
The Office of Student Services assists College of Business students with the admissions process, academic advising, tutoring, career guidance and job placement, Cooperative Education internships, and graduation checkout, as well as coordinates professional development workshops, networking events, and career fairs.
“I love the student services side of higher education and the opportunity to meet new students and help them grow professionally as they prepare for their career,” Henderson said. “With the College of Business I have the goal of partnering and building relationships with local, regional, and national employers as well as UALR alumni to connect each of our students to a company and work experience that best fits their talents, skills, education, and goals. I take pride in providing opportunities that help groom students into their professional career as well as helping them develop skills that will last a lifetime.”
Henderson, who grew up in Berryville, holds a master of education degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville.
He previously worked for Ticketmaster and the City of St. Petersburg in Florida.