Briefly In the News – January 2013
100+ The Columbia Board of REALTORS reported 2012 home sales topped 2011 by more than 100. This marked the first time in six years that the Columbia Board of REALTORS achieved a year of increased sales.
Ameren Missouri Chairman, President and CEO Warner Baxter received the 2012 CEO of the Year Excellence in Leadership and Impact Award at the American Cancer Society’s Summit held in Atlanta.
56th Bloomberg BusinessWeek ranked the Crosby MBA program in the Trulaske College of Business 56th among all U.S. schools. The program is ranked No. 1 for lowest cost among all ranked schools.
Westminster College was ranked first in Missouri and fifth nationally for diversity of student population. According to a new national report Open Doors 2012, international students make up 16 percent of the total Westminster College enrollment.
$20 million Attorney Gen. Chris Koster announced that Missouri will receive more than $20 million as part of a $90 million consent judgment with GlaxoSmithKline LLC to resolve allegations that the company unlawfully marketed its diabetes drug, Avandia.
The University of Missouri System’s Advocacy-Mentoring Program recognized five Missouri firms for their work in advancing Missouri’s entrepreneurial fire. The 2012 Torch Awards marked the completion of an 18-month mentorship program with minority- and women-owned companies wishing to do business with one of the UM System’s four campuses.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., co-sponsored a bill that would protect American airlines from having to pay into a European Union tax program aimed at cutting emissions. The program’s critics call it unilateral and illegal.
13th – MU’s School of Accountancy graduate program rose in rankings to 13th in the nation, according to the latest 2012 Public Accounting Report.
31st – G.I. Jobs magazine ranked Ameren 31st among the Top 100 Military-Friendly Employers in the nation. It is the fourth straight year the company has made the distinguished list.
40,000 kilowatt hours – A newly installed 34,000-watt solar electric system is estimated to deliver 40,000 kilowatt hours of solar energy to the university annually and will save the system 40,000 pounds of coal per year.
Study Missouri, a consortium of nearly 40 colleges and universities around the state, launched a new website to promote international education and encourage international students to study in Missouri. The site can be found at studymissouri.net.
Visionworks Marketing Group announced the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals has awarded the agency with five MarCom Awards in recognition of creative work exceeding a high standard of excellence.
The Columbia Chamber of Commerce held a Mayor’s Appreciation Breakfast in December to thank Mayor Bob McDavid and members of the City Council for their tireless efforts for the betterment of the city and to honor them for their hard work.
American Airlines opened their booking in November for service at Columbia Regional Airport with flights to Chicago and Dallas. Flights begin Feb. 14.
Agents National Title Insurance, a title insurance underwriter headquartered in Columbia, has acquired Wyoming-based Founders Title Insurance. Founders Title Insurance is the sole domestic title insurer in Wyoming and has conducted operations in the state since 2003.
$374 million – Ameren Corp. announced third quarter 2012 net income of $374 million, or $1.54 per share, compared to third quarter 2011 net income of $285 million, or $1.18 per share.
Springfield-based Bass Pro Shop announced plans to open its first store in Alaska this spring and will sell hunting, fishing, hiking and camping equipment. The store, which will occupy 100,000 square feet and employ about 200 people, will include a wetlands nature center and a natural history museum unique to the area.
Commerce Bank and Drury Hotels have partnered to offer the new Drury Gold Key Club Visa Card. The new credit card will act as an accelerator for the current Drury Gold Key Club point earnings structure by allowing members to earn points on everyday purchases and bonus points on all Drury Hotel purchases.
1,150 – The Voluntary Action Center distributed gifts to more than 1,150 families in December 2012. It was their 29th annual Christmas program.