Dr. Raffaele De Vito, professor of management for the School of Business at Emporia State, plans to retire this spring after 34 years with the university. A reception will be held in De Vito’s honor at the Emporia Country Club on Friday, April 22.
At Emporia State, he taught classes ranging from business policy to international management and played an active part in the university community by serving on numerous committees and holding various leadership positions. As the faculty co-sponsor of the Chinese student association and then director of the French Exchange Program for 11 years, De Vito influenced the lives of many students by encouraging them to study abroad and have an international experience during college.
De Vito has presented and published international business papers in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the United States. He has served as a visiting lecturer at East China Normal University in Shanghai, and at three Chinese exchange universities. His research has centered on small- and medium-sized firms and their development of international supply-chain relationships.
For 25 years, he served as the chair of the Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council (KITCC), and currently serves as chair emeritus. In 2008 and 2013, he received a special Governor’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the State. He also sat on the board for the Kansas Business Hall of Fame for 20 years.
“Raffaele De Vito has been the champion of all aspects of international business education and has served the university and state exceptionally well,” said Dr. John Rich, interim dean and professor of accounting for the School of Business. “His contributions in teaching, research and service are truly remarkable. His commitment to our school will be greatly missed.”
As for what is next, De Vito plans to take some time after retiring to travel across the country with his wife, Dr. Myrna Cornett-De Vito, a retired professor of communication from Emporia State. Myrna is originally from Eureka, Kansas, where Cornett family members still reside. The couple’s four children — James, David, Shelly and Laura — and grandchildren are located from coast to coast and in Paris.
When reflecting on his time in education along with his international and domestic endeavors, De Vito offers his advice for those planning for their future. “Whatever career path you choose, be sure to have fun at least 50 percent of the time.”
A reception will be held in De Vito’s honor at the Emporia Country Club on Friday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to bring letters or remarks to be included in the memory book. For those interested in making a gift in his honor, contributions can be made to the “Raffaele De Vito and Myrna Cornett-De Vito Scholarship fund.” Please make checks payable to the ESU Foundation.
Please RSVP for the reception by April 15 to Linda Orear by phone at 620-341-5345 or by email to lorear@emporia.edu.