Of course, such a meeting would not be possible without program participantsūpresenters, session and workshop chairs, paper reviewers, and discussants.

In the May 1996 issue of Decision Line I wrote that the 1996-1997 Board of Directors had adopted the following objectives:

• Increased visibility of the Institute in promoting interdisciplinary research, and instruction and service initiatives within the decision sciences and related fields;
• Increased attention to the Institute's role in improving instructional competencies within the Decision Sciences;
• Increased internationalization of DSI;
• Increased use of advanced technology within the programs and workings of the Institute;
• Continuous improvement of the functioning of all activities of the Institute.

I am pleased to report that the 1996 Annual Meeting contributed greatly to the Institute's efforts in attaining these goals. I would like to outline briefly some of these contributions.

Interdisciplinary research, instruction and service initiatives. The format for this meeting embodied "the true interdisciplinary spirit of DSI and featured strong emphasis on research teaching and practice that is shared by our membership." Since its inception the Institute has promoted the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas to improve decision making in business. However, Lori's introduction of cross-discipline themes placed renewed emphasis on interdisciplinary exchange. She wrote in her Program Chair's Message that all papers were "placed into tracks for presentation, however, they were cross-listed in theme areas such as curricular issues, case studies and real world applications, innovative education, health care issues, engineering-business integration, environmental issues, international issues, and public sector issues. These themes allow integration across functions and provide new focal points for our colleagues involved in cross-disciplinary work."

Improving instructional competencies within the Decision Sciences. Increased attention to the Institute's role in improving instructional competencies within the study of decision sciences was clearly demonstrated by incorporating into this year's program three mini-conferences on curricular issues and the Innovative Education Theme. The day-long conferences -- "Forces Driving Change in Undergraduate Core Curricula," "Revising the MBA Curriculum: Issues and Approaches in Implementing Changes," and "Business Ph.D. Programs in Transition" -- were outstanding. Attendance at most of these sessions was standing room only. Every participant with whom I talked was most appreciative of the Institute's sponsoring these timely mini-conferences.

Increased internationalization of the Institute. Steps taken by the Program Committee to promote increased internationalization of the Institute were: (1) the inclusion of the International Issues Theme in this year's program design, (2) scheduling a reception for International Annual Meeting registrants sponsored by the Strategic Planning Committee for International Affairs and the Institute, and (3) assisting in promoting the Fourth International Meeting of Decision Sciences Institute, scheduled for July 20-23, 1997, in Sydney, Australia.

Increased use of advanced technology within the programs and workings of the Institute. Conferees are indebted to Hal Jacobs of the Home Office and to Lori for continuing the initiative in putting the preliminary program on the World Wide Web. This was most helpful to many of us in planning our schedules before we arrived in Orlando.

Ernest L. Boyer in his book Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professoriate advocates defining the work of faculty in ways that reflect more realistically the full range of academic and civic mandates. His thesis is that "the work of the professoriate might be thought of has having four separate, yet overlapping functions." These are: "the scholarship of discovery; the scholarship of integration; the scholarship of application; and the scholarship of teaching." I believe that the Decision Sciences Institute has the distinction of being the leader among professional organizations that recognize and celebrate each of these areas of work. Our Institute is attentive to all aspects of being a professor in the current environment. Some initiatives of the Institute include (1) the Doctoral Consortium, (2) the New Faculty Development Consortium, and (3) Academic Administrator Program. The membership is indebted to the 1996 coordinators of these programs for their outstanding work.

Honors and Awards

At the President's Luncheon, R. Lawrence (Larry) LaForge (Clemson University) and Terry Rakes (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) became Fellows of the Institute. The designation of Fellow is awarded to active supporters of the Institute for outstanding contributions to the fields of decision sciences in at least two of the following categories: (1) research and scholarship, (2) teaching and/or administration, and (3) service to the Institute. The selections of Larry and Terry certainly recognize their distinguished achievement in these fields. I congratulate both of them on being named our newest Fellows and for their outstanding academic and service records to their universities and to the Institute.

I congratulate O. Homer Erekson, Orie L. Loucks, Raymond F. Gorman, Pam Johnson, and Timothy C. Krehbiel of Miami University on winning the 1996 Instructional Innovation Award for their presentation entitled "Sustainability Perspectives in Resources and Business: An Interdisciplinary Course for Business and Science Majors." This prestigious award was instituted to advance one of the founding concepts of the Institute -- to promote innovative teaching and pedagogy in the discipline. This year's winners names are added to a list of outstanding DSI members who greatly value the honor of receiving this recognition of their scholarship in teaching. The list of past winners includes past presidents, program chairs, members of the board, and other highly regarded researchers and teachers. A complete list of past winners is located on the DSI Web site.

I have been told by past recipients who have held very responsible positions in the Institute that winning this award was the most significant event in their affiliation with DSI. I wish to thank Alpha Iota Delta, the national honorary in the decision sciences, and the Institute for jointly sponsoring this award.

Again, this year Richard D. Irwin, Inc. joined the Institute in sponsoring the Elwood S. Buffa Doctoral Dissertation Competition. This award is accompanied by a $1500 stipend. This year's winner is Robert Klassen (The University of Western Ontario). On behalf of the Institute, I congratulate Professor Klassen, his advisor, Clay Whybark, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the degree-granting school. We regret that Professor Buffa was unable to attend the meeting and look forward to his personally presenting this award to next year's winner.

Although I have not identified all the award finalists and winners of the various paper, workshops, and instructional competition awards, I congratulate everyone who participated in these special activities and thank them for their contributions to the high quality of this meeting. The names of these finalists and winners are included elsewhere in this issue of Decision Line.

Upcoming Meetings

I hope that you are planning to attend the Institute's Fourth International meeting in Sydney, Australia, on July 20-23, 1997. The submission deadline for papers has been extended until January 31st (see submission form on page 28). If you'd like to serve as a paper reviewer, discussant, and/or session chair, please contact one of the program co-chairs. The meeting promises to be excellent. DSI is fortunate to have the talents of Norma J. Harrison (Macquarie Graduate School of Management), Chair of the Organizing Committee and Program Co-Chair, and Miles G. Nicholls (Swinburne University of Technology), Program Co-Chair, planning this meeting.