ECBU News
![Cadets pose for a photo near Garmisch, Germany, during a study abroad trip that took them through Slovenia, Germany, and Belgium.—Photo courtesy of Lt. Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl.](/media/content-assets/images/academic-departments/economics-and-business/Garmisch-400x299.png)
Col. Tinni Sen, professor of economics and business; Lt. Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl, associate professor of economics and business; and Col. Howard Sanborn, professor of international studies led a summer trip to Europe, giving 12 cadets a chance to study and experience daily life in the EU.
![Tristan Howard ’20 and Col. Barry Cobb discuss Howard’s research on staffing needs for healthcare.—VMI Photo by Mary Price.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIHowardCobbECBU2019MLP0011-1-400x266.jpg)
Two cadets are working on summer research projects that could save money for healthcare systems.
![Dr. Dekuwmini Mornah chats with Rives Worsham ’19 during the Business Leadership and Innovation Summit April 11.—VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin](/media/content-assets/images/academic-departments/economics-and-business/Mornah-356x300.jpg)
VMI’s Business Leadership Innovation Summit (BLIS) was held April 11-13 with the goal of spurring entrepreneurial thinking among cadets and connecting them with like-minded alumni already succeeding in the business world.
![Four cadets stand with an award](/media/content-assets/images/academic-departments/economics-and-business/CommChall-400x266.jpg)
In a rag to riches-type story, a team of VMI cadets went into the Commonwealth Challenge with a prototype made from a desk drawer and came out with a third-place prize.
![John O'Donnell presents his research in the Turman Room of Preston Library.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/HonorsODonnell2019MLP09-1-400x266.jpg)
Nineteen cadets presented their research during Honors Week, with many choosing projects informed by the communities in which they grew up.
![Lt. Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl lectures in Scott Shipp Hall.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/DimitrovaGrajzlClass2019KN046-400x267.jpg)
Lt. Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl, associate professor of economics and business, was one of 13 recipients of the 2019 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award.
A soon-to-be-signed memorandum of understanding between VMI and Ashesi University in Berekuso, Ghana, will allow a variety of collaborative projects to flourish between the two schools.
![Richard Luck ’12 leads a tour through Luck Industries during the e-Club’s trip to Richmond.—Photo Courtesy of Dr. Dee Mornah.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/EClubEdited-copy-1-400x266.jpg)
Revitalized this year, the VMI e-Club brings together cadets of all majors who are interested in entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
![Cadets and faculty investigated the possibility of turning food scraps from Crozet Hall into compost in the spring of 2015.—VMI File Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.](/media/content-assets/images/academic-departments/economics-and-business/2018-12-IR_compost-400x280.jpg)
Three and a half years ago, a group of faculty members and cadets began an innovative, interdisciplinary project to investigate the viability of recycling food scraps from Crozet Hall into compost.
![Col. Howard Sanborn, professor of international studies, talks with a cadet during the study abroad fair Sept. 20.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.](/media/content-assets/images/news/faculty-initiatives/StudyAbroadSanborn2019KN11-1-399x250.jpg)
Three professors are collaborating to create a new study abroad trip that will lead cadets through Slovenia, Germany, and Belgium.