August 2019
Going Digital
We have heard you! In all our banks, printing is taboo. We are all encouraged to view reports on our screens, make notes, and save digitally. My bank board which is made of people even older than me uses iPads at all board meetings to review all board reports.
Your leadership at GSBLSU is also walking the walk. At our Summer executive committee meeting, all reports were available in a secure portal on our website. The members of the executive committee were expected to download these reports and have them available on their favorite device for the meeting. Devices included iPads, Surface, laptops and even an IPhone. It worked!
This Fall, your board of trustees will be asked to do the same. Once again, the reports will be in a secure portal and board members will be expected to bring the reports on the device of their choice.
The 71st Session of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University will be fully digital. All class materials will be available on secure portal. These materials will be available before the session for you to download to the device of your choice. Of course, you may also print and build your own notebook if you are uncomfortable with digital.
Recently, Mike and I visited the Graduate School in Madison to observe their school and exchange ideas with their director, Kirby Davidson. This was a great learning experience for all. I did get to attend classes and use their digital resources. In order to do this, I wanted to experiment with the latest technology. Because my iPad was quite old, I bought a 6th Generation iPad, which is available at Costco in wifi only for $329. I did buy a wifi and cellular ready model. In addition, I bought an Apple Pencil 1 for $99. I then bought the app “Notability” for $9.95.
All the outlines, power points, and other class resources were available in PDF. I moved these into Notability for my convenience. I could then make folders, access the PDF’s, and write and save notes using my Apple Pencil1. This was a very clean and efficient way for me to participate in class without having to lug a large notebook around.
We encourage you to research to find the best device for you. My purchase was to determine how cost effectively I could operate and still be effective. I was able to do this for less than $450.
We look forward to helping you as we move to this digital world. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.
John Jordan
Executive Director
Graduate School of Banking at LSU
John@gsblsu.org
Family Friendly
As I travel across our fifteen state footprint and speak at conventions and conferences, I have noted many families traveling with the bankers. While our families have always been of utmost importance, it is obvious to me that family time is more important than ever.
You will read in Dr. Highfield’s “Accrued Interest” column about the changes in our schedule. This change is being done for the many reasons he lists. However, another big reason is to show our regard for family.
Next May, our students will leave work on the Friday before Memorial Day and spend most of that weekend with family. Yes, they will have to travel on Monday to check into their dorms, attend orientation and begin their case studies or BMSim preparation, but Saturday and Sunday are theirs!
Additionally, by giving our exams on Friday afternoon before the school seafood party, students will have Saturday and Sunday open to travel home or to enjoy the wonderful offerings of southern Louisiana. Of course, they will be back on Sunday evening for case preparation and BMSim.
We hope the ladies and gentlemen who attend our school appreciate our efforts to become more family friendly. We want you to continue to be great ambassadors for the best banking school in the USA.
John Jordan
Executive Director
Graduate School of Banking at LSU
John@gsblsu.org
Accrued Interest
Memorial Day 2020 = Changes at GSBLSU
The United States paused to remember and decorate the graves of those lost during the Civil War and General James Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868. “Decoration Day” soon became a state holiday in many northern states, but with wounds still fresh from the Civil War, the tradition was adopted in southern states on a different day. However, by the end of World War I, Decoration Day had gradually become known as Memorial Day and was celebrated nationwide on May 30th until Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968.
With the goal establishing three-day weekends for federal employee (probably with much lobbying from the travel industry), the Uniform Monday Holiday Act established five federal holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday (February 22) was moved to the 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day (May 30) was moved to the last Monday in May; Labor Day was established as the 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day (October 12) was moved to the 2nd Monday in October; and Veterans Day (November 11) was moved to the 4th Monday in October (later returned to November 11 in 1978).
Known as the unofficial start of summer, most Americans spend Memorial Day weekend enjoying parades, barbecues, travel with families, and remembrance of those who gave their lives so that we have the freedom to enjoy parades, barbecues, and travel with our families. For bankers seeking to advance their careers, Memorial Day weekend is also associated with the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University (GSBLSU).
Between academic semesters, summer sessions, sporting events, and orientation sessions, availability of the LSU campus for a large group like GSBLSU’s 600+ bankers and faculty is limited. Memorial Day weekend is a fairly slow time on campus; thus, LSU typically reserves space for GSBLSU during the week before and the week after Memorial Day weekend. However, sometimes the holiday is early in the month and the GSBLSU session has to begin on Memorial Day weekend. This is the case in 2020. Although the holiday weekend has served as a mid-session fixture for the past four years (2016–2019), next year the session will begin on Memorial Day weekend due to the federal holiday occurring as early in the month as possible: Monday, May 25th. This has prompted us to reevaluate the session schedule for 2020.
In addition to transitioning to a completely digital framework for 2020, we are pleased to formally announce the following scheduling changes which will go into place for the 2020 session:
- The 2020 Session will begin on Monday, May 25th. Instead of beginning the session on Sunday, May 24th, bankers will be expected to be on campus for an introductory session on Monday, May 25th, followed by freshman/junior case prep sessions and senior BankSim introductory sessions. Classes for Week 1 will run Tuesday-Friday as opposed to Monday-Friday, and classes for Week 2 will remain Monday-Thursday. For many years we have struggled with the unbalanced nature of our schedule: Five (5) instructional days in Week 1 and four (4) instructional days in Week 2. Making classes in both weeks 4-days long will allow courses to be fungible between weeks, something our current model does not allow.
- Week 1 exams will be held Friday evening immediately before the school party as opposed to Saturday morning. Likewise, Week 2 exams will be held on Thursday evening of the second week with graduation being the only event held on Friday morning. While this is a substantial change, we are doing this for several reasons. First, our goal is to encourage bankers to stay on top of their classes by reviewing throughout the week instead of cramming the night before the exam. Second, this change will also help us keep tuition low by eliminating the expense of classrooms for two additional days just for hour-long exams. Third, while freshman and junior students will have all day Saturday and most of Sunday during the middle weekend to leave campus or visit home, it will also give our seniors more time in BankSim on Saturday morning at the end of the first week. Fourth, it will ease the process of checking out of East Campus Apartments (ECA) on the last Friday of the school, allowing seniors to only focus on completing the school, as opposed to rushing from exams, to checking out of ECA, to getting to graduation with family on time.
- While these changes were generally supported by class officers and the school’s executive committee, we also recognize that they do not come without a cost. First, we must eliminate a case study in the first week for both Freshman and Junior classes. Second, this change will also eliminate 4.5 hours of instruction during Week 1. So, we are trying to turn both of these negatives into a positive. For example, as faculty who teach during the first week look for ways to trim content from 7.5 hours to 6.0 hours, we are encouraging them to look for overlaps with other faculty members and refocus their courses. Also, in an effort to recapture lost contact hours, the case prep session time (4:45 PM – 5:45 PM) during the second week of the junior year will be utilized in an innovative and interactive way.
While change is always hard, we are excited to try some new “thinking outside the box” and avoid the “we have always done it this way” approach. Even this fall we are in the process of making the necessary contractual and curriculum changes to prepare for these and other exciting changes at GSBLSU. Please be patient with us as we look to evolve for the next generation of banking and financial service leaders.
Michael J. Highfield, Ph.D., CFA, CTP
Vice President for Curriculum, GSBLSU
Professor of Finance, Mississippi State University
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
During the 2019 Session, our photographer took many wonderful shots of our students and faculty. There are pictures of every graduate receiving their diploma, pictures of every class and so much more that you can access by clicking on the following link: 2019 Session Photos
Here are just a few examples:
Student Advisory Council
Each class elects fellow class members to serve on the Student Advisory Council. These men and women perform many services for their school. The school administration holds two listening sessions with the officers each year. They are encouraged to reach out to their classmates to receive any concerns they might have and to pass these on during these sessions. Additionally, these classes collect dues to use for social functions and memorabilia.
Here are the Class Officers for the 2019 session:
Class of 2019 Seniors
PRESIDENT
Ms. Robin Simpson
Senior Vice President
BancorpSouth
Rogers, AR
VICE-PRESIDENT
Mr. Benjamin Burton
Vice President
First State Bank
Lineville, AL
Mr. Cliff Kilpatrick
Vice President
Cape Fear Farm Credit
Albertson, NC
Mr. Miguel Garcia
Regional Director
Banco Base
Miguel Hidalgo, MX
Mr. Mitch Gay
Vice President
Branch Banking & Trust
Morehead City, NC
Class of 2020 Juniors
PRESIDENT
Mark Sulski
Market President
Kentucky Bank
Georgetown, KY
VICE-PRESIDENT
Kelly White
Director of Branch Operations
MidSouth Bank
Lafayette, LA
Class of 2021 Freshmen
Gary Higgins
Award Winning Faculty Member
We are pleased to announce Gary Higgins as the 2019 T. Eugene Spragens, III President’s Award winner for outstanding teaching. This award is given annually to an outstanding faculty member. The award was established by Kentucky banker, Gene Spragens, in memory of his son.
Gary Higgins has served on the faculty of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University since 2015. His courses have included Credit Risk Management and Credit Analysis. He also serves on the faculty of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.
Gary was as a Senior Vice President at Bank of America. He had a twenty-nine year career with the bank. His career encompassed risk management, commercial lending, and credit risk management. He has an extensive background in credit risk, credit review, audit, change management, and operations and technology.
Gary is a native of Galax, Virginia and holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Radford University. He is an alumnus of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.
MBA Credit from LSU!
GSB Graduates –
The Graduate School of Banking at LSU had promised details on the on-line MBA program with Louisiana State University. Here they are:
Get A Jump Start On Your MBA!
LSU Online and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU are excited to announce a partnership for graduates looking to earn their online MBA! Graduates from the Graduate School of Banking will have the opportunity to earn six (6) credits if they enroll in the Flores MBA Program at LSU in Baton Rouge. That equals $6,660 in savings!
Learn more about this program.
Ready to start the application process? Apply today and use code LSUONLINE2019 to waive the application fee.
At LSU Online our mission is simple: create high-quality learning experiences with world-class customer service. We prepare our graduates to be highly employable critical thinkers and problem solvers within their community.
Your personal enrollment concierge will support and guide you through the enrollment process, starting by identifying the program that best meets your needs, and helping you to get started with your application.
Why Enroll with LSU Online:
- Prestige: LSU is the flagship institution of Louisiana and is one of only 30 universities nationwide holding land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant status.
- Learn from the Best: Our award-winning faculty have been making a global impact, both inside and outside of the classroom, since 1860.
- Dedicated Concierge Service: You will have a dedicated Learner Concierge from the application process all the way through to your graduation.
- Affordability: 2 in 3 graduate with zero debt.
Have Questions? Contact the LSU Online Concierge team below.
833.280.5634
lsuonline@lsu.edu
online.lsu.edu
