Published: November 17, 2007 07:55 pm      

ACM-FSU transfer pact boosts business study

CUMBERLAND — Business majors at Allegany College of Maryland now have a big advantage as they continue their education thanks to a newly signed transfer agreement with Frostburg State University’s College of Business.

The agreement allows ACM business administration graduates to transfer seamlessly to FSU’s bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics and business administration program, provided they have completed the courses specified in good standing.

The pact between the college and the university means that ACM business administration graduates who continue at FSU can complete their undergraduate education after two years of additional full-time study.

“I am very pleased to have this agreement in place,” said Ron Krug, coordinator of ACM business and economics programs on the Cumberland campus.

“It will provide our students with the opportunity to have al of their ACM credits transferred to FSU. This agreement will benefit both full-time and part-time students.”

“This pact is the result of a wonderful teamwork between the faculty and administrators from the ACM and FSU,” said Ahmad Tootoonchi, chairman of the university’s management department.

“The fact is that both institutions have established high-quality programs in business,” he said.

“What this collaborative effort does is to build a bridge that will allow students from ACM to enjoy a smooth transition from an associate degree in business to a bachelor's degree at FSU.”

Tootoonchi praised Krug and his colleague, Robin Imgrund, coordinator of business and education programs at ACM’s Pennsylvania campuses, for their efforts to set up the transfer agreement with his university.

“We appreciate all the work that Ron Krug and Robin Imgrund have done to make this possible, and we look forward to having more students transferring to our business program at FSU in the near future,” he said.

Business administration is a popular program at ACM. In each of the past 10 years, an average of 16 students completed the associate degree. In the same period, an average one dozen students each year complete the business management degree, intended for prompt career application.

The transfer curriculum in business administration is designed to provide graduates with a solid foundation for future success through study in such important subjects as accounting, economics, management and marketing.

One former ACM business student who moved on to FSU found himself well prepared.

“I only attended for one year, but it was a great transition step for my college career, said Matt Mellott. “The professors at ACM seemed to care a great deal about the student’s education.”

The ACM-FSU agreement was born of a broader initiative in which the two business programs are working more closely together for the mutual benefit of their students. FSU business faculty members have visited the Cumberland campus to speak with ACM business majors about their options at the university.

In the near future, the co-coordinator of ACM business programs plans to visit the Frostburg campus to discuss partnership opportunities with students and faculty. Joint efforts on field projects, student clubs and sponsorship of speakers and other activities are among the possibilities.

The business administration major is offered at all three of ACM’s campuses. The college also operates campuses in Bedford and Somerset counties in Pennsylvania.

For more about ACM business and economics programs, contact co-coordinators Krug or Imgrund at (301) 784-5123 or (814) 652-9528, or the Somerset County Campus at (814) 445-9848, Ext. 6209.

Information is also available on the college Web site, www.allegany.edu.