Wednesday, Sep. 03, 2008

Rantin: USC professor at top of his class

William R. Folks named International Educator of Year

William R. (“Randy”) Folks Jr. has been named the Academy of International Business Fellows’ 2008 International Educator of the Year.

Folks, of Columbia, is a distinguished professor emeritus of international business at the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business. During the academy’s annual conference in Milan, Italy, last month, he was noted for his “extraordinary contributions” to international business.

Folks also was honored recently with a $250,000 fellowship created in his name and presented by the business school’s Master of International Business Studies program of 1977, now known as the International MBA program.

Folks was one of the founders of the program, which has been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the country in the international business specialty by U.S. News & World Report the past 19 years.

Folks has taught at USC since 1969. His primary area of teaching and research has been international finance. He received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Harvard College and his doctorate from the Harvard business school.

The Academy of International Business is the leading association of scholars and specialists in the field of international business.

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Keep the Midlands Beautiful is seeking enthusiastic high school students from Richland and Lexington counties to participate on its Student Advisory Board.

The group has been created to expand participation in litter prevention, recycling and beautification among area high school students.

The student board will work with the agency to increase awareness of environmental issues and pursue community improvement projects in area schools and communities.

There will be two mandatory Saturday workshops, one each in the fall and the spring. Participants also are expected to help plan a service project and participate in one other.

Students interested in serving on the board should call (803) 733-1139.

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The Animal Mission, the nonprofit support group for the city of Columbia Animal Shelter, is extending its free spay/neuter voucher program through Sept. 30.

Pet owners can get a free spay/neuter voucher from the shelter at 127 Humane Lane, off Shop Road just before I-77. The vouchers can be used at the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals next door to the shelter for a free spay/neuter operation. Many Midlands veterinarians also will honor the voucher or provide a discount.

For more information, call (803) 776-7387 or visit www.animalmission.org.