Turner Business

Syracuse University economist Shane Sanders, an occasional collaborator on research with Turner College economist Frank Mixon , earned late-night television fame earlier this week when his study on shot selection in the NBA was profiled, and parodied, by Stephen Colbert in a new segment for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . The first entry of Colbert's self-described "highly profitable, hastily assembled segment" called Talkin' Sportz , covered results of Sanders' new research indicating that "NBA teams are taking too many 3-point shots." Colbert jokingly stated that the study was published in the "prestigious New England Journal of Can You Even Dunk, Bro? "  Colbert then explained to his audience that the study indicates that players score more points by attempting 2-pointers rather than 3-pointers, after which he pointed out that the title of the study is "Estimating NBA Team Shot Selection Efficiency from Aggregations of True, Conti...

The Turner College is set to host two listening sessions related to the search for CSU's next provost. Each of the listening sessions will be guided by Ann Yates, a representative with the search firm Buffkin/Baker, which is leading CSU's provost search. The two listening sessions will take place in the Synovus Center Theater on Monday, January 8, from 11:00am-11:50am and from 4:00pm-4:50pm. Representing the Turner College on the 14-member search committee are Tesa Leonce-Regalado , Associate Dean of the Turner College, and Lydia Ray , professor of computer science in the TSYS School.  

When Turner College faculty, staff and students drove onto CSU's main campus this morning, they were greeted with a lengthy row of reserved parking spaces. Those spaces were reserved for some special visitors to the Synovus Center. Visiting campus today were Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, and Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue. These dignitaries were in Columbus to tour the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity and to hear about the educational programs related to cybersecurity that are offered in the Turner College.       Speaking to the group were Turner College Dean Deb Kidder , Director of the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity Patrick Aiken , and new CSU President Stuart Rayfield.  Attendees also heard from Global Payments Inc. leaders, including Fernando Cabello, a cybersecurity defense forensics analyst, about its  university-industry partnership, as well as students’ and alumni’s academic and...

Turner College senior Michael Zheng  recently completed a 10-week summer internship with Synovus that he described as both "enriching" and "transformative." As Zheng explained, "I had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of dual risk rating within the credit division. As an active participant on the Dual Risk Rating Team, I achieved significant milestones by successfully completing three pivotal projects for my final capstone presentation. These accomplishments serve as a testament to the remarkable professional growth I underwent during this journey." Zheng especially credits Learning Program Analyst Lead Heather Tharpe, and Early Talent Development Manager Michael Solomon, stating, "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to [them] for recognizing my potential and granting me this invaluable opportunity." Zheng also expressed appreciation to his manager, Megan Conner, a DRR Credit Analyst, for, as he stated,  "invaluable guidance [that] has ...

Turner College students have an amazing opportunity to visit with executives at Synovus and learn more about the company's early talent programs. Synovus is putting together a one-day event to be held on Friday, September 22, from 8:00am to 3:00pm at Synovus Overton Park, the company's corporate headquarters in Atlanta. Synovus is seeking college sophomores, juniors and seniors from diverse backgrounds with strong interests in financial services or technology. Hotel accommodations at the Even Hotel in the Atlanta Cobb Galleria will be provided to those students selected by Synovus to attend the event. Meals will also be provided. Students will hear from executive leaders and talent advisors, such as Synovus Chairman, President and CEO Kevin Blair and Synovus EVP and CHRO Sharon Goodwine, about the financial services industry and Synovus' dedication to enabling meaningful careers. The event will conclude with small group networking sessions hosted by Synovus representatives....

Columbus State University's Office of Alumni Engagement is offering CSU alumni a chance to meet CSU's newly appointed President, Stuart Rayfield, at its First Thursday event to be held at Scofflaw Brewing Co. on Thursday, September 7th at 5pm. During the event, attendees will mix and mingle with fellow alumni and friends and CSU faculty and staff over complimentary appetizers and a drink. For questions about the event, please contact Alumni@ColumbusState.edu or call (706) 507-8946.

If there were a Mount Rushmore for American men’s volleyball, Ricci Luyties would likely be a part of it.   Born in Pacific Palisades, California, Luyties became a star volleyball player during his high school playing days at Palisades High School.   He led the team to the Los Angeles City Championship match as both a junior and a senior, and was named Los Angeles’ Player of Year in the process.   Luyties went on to start four consecutive years (1981-1984) for the UCLA Bruins, during which time UCLA won four consecutive NCAA Men’s Volleyball championships.   UCLA went undefeated in each of his sophomore and senior years, and over the course of his collegiate career UCLA won 83 straight home matches.   He was named All-American during his junior and senior seasons in 1983 and 1984, and became the first player in NCAA history to receive back-to-back NCAA Player of the Year Awards.   In 1995, Luyties was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame, and in 1986 his #11...

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead was raised by a single mother, Pam Snead, in Eufaula, Alabama, who often had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.   Seeing her rise from humble beginnings to becoming a pillar in the local community taught him many lessons about life, such as the value of hard work and developing grit, that helped him succeed in his journey as an All-State offensive lineman at Eufaula High School and as a reserve tight end on the 1993 Auburn University team that finished the season undefeated.   After a brief stint as a graduate assistant at Auburn University, Snead began his professional career, and his informal education in organizational leadership, in the NFL in 1995 as a talent scout with the Jacksonville Jaguars, an expansion franchise.   There, he worked for legendary coach Tom Coughlin, and over the first two years of Snead’s tenure in Jacksonville the team improved its regular season record from 4-12 to 9-7.   In that second sea...