UWF Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business

Our 21st German MBA cohort returned to Pensacola to complete their 18-month program! Highlights for this week included the students touring the Lewis Bear Company and the UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI.

The 18-month German MBA Program is a partnership between the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business and the Transatlantik-Institut Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society.

We will hold a graduation ceremony for the students on June 27!

Congratulations to Dr. Kenny O'Connor on the publication of his dissertation-based research in the Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education!

Dr. O'Connor and co-author Dr. Janna Parker wrote an article titled "AI Anxiety and the General Extended Technology Acceptance Model of e-Learning: A Conceptual Framework.”

Their paper examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing education—and more specifically, how students and faculty respond psychologically to AI-enabled learning tools. The article's framework introduces AI Anxiety as a multidimensional construct capturing the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions people experience when interacting with autonomous, often opaque AI systems.

"For me, this publication is especially meaningful because it grew out of my dissertation work and reflects a research stream I care deeply about: helping educators, students and institutions better understand how to integrate AI in ways that are transparent, responsible and psychologically safe," Dr. O'Connor said.

Read the full article here:
https://jame.scholasticahq.com/article/162689-ai-anxiety-and-the-general-extended-technology-acceptance-model-of-e-learning-a-conceptual-framework

Dr. Kenny O'Connor addresses how small businesses lose their identity and what leaders can do about it.

Read his Bear Business Solutions article here: https://uwf.edu/lbjcob/about-us/bear-business-solutions/spring-2026/how-small-businesses-lose-their-identityand-what-leaders-can-do/

Thank you for highlighting one of our most distinguished alumni!

What happens when digital companions join the workday? Dr. Courtney Rada answers that question in her Bear Business Solutions article.

Read here: https://uwf.edu/lbjcob/about-us/bear-business-solutions/spring-2026/when-digital-companions-join-the-workday/

We honored Barbara Bockwith with a campus memorial. Thank you to everyone who attended and to the Pensacola News Journal and WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola for the coverage.

Pensacola News Journal: https://www.pnj.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/05/missing-uwf-student-barbara-bockwith-honored-with-campus-memorial/90391240007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z118929p000750c000750e004500v118929d--62--b--62--&gca-ft=51&gca-ds=sophi

WEAR: https://weartv.com/news/local/uwf-unveils-memorial-plaque-honoring-student-barbara-bockwith-missing-since-1979

Missing UWF student Barbara Bockwith honored with campus memorial UWF student Barbara Bockwith was last seen on campus in 1979 preparing to take a final exam. A student requested a memorial for her decades later.

Learn how our students make research fun and positively impact the community in our Bear Business Solutions cover story!

Read here: https://uwf.edu/lbjcob/about-us/bear-business-solutions/spring-2026/classroom-to-community/

Our Bear Business Solutions Spring Issue is out!

Bear Business Solutions provides practical research, advice and solutions to business managers. Read articles from our distinguished Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business faculty to strengthen your business acumen.

Spring 2026 Bear Business Solutions | University of West Florida Bear Business Solutions provides practical research, advice, and solutions to business managers. Read articles from our distinguished Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business faculty to strengthen your business acumen.