Assistant Professor, School of Business and Leadership
Faculty Advisor and Sam Walton Fellow, Students in Free Enterprise
At one time in my life (my 20’s) I thought it was all about my achievements. Then one day I walked into a church
near Stanford University and carved in wood in 3-foot high letters I read this verse: You are not your own, you are
bought with a price (1Cor 6.19-20)... That changed everything for me. Now at PBU, I hold on to a verse every day, especially
when I am weary — Phil 4.13: I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
February 5, 2010
One Simple Wish
A PBU School of Business and Leadership intern has made a significant impact for a social entrepreneur and worked on behalf of SIFE to assist the community of nearby New Jersey.
One Simple Wish grants wishes in the form of goods, services and money to impoverished foster children and at-risk youth. Founded by two foster parents last year, One Simple Wish highlights specific children on their website for donors to “adopt” by granting wishes through partnering 501(c)(3) organizations such as LifeTies, Homefront, Boys and Girls Club, Brothers/Big Sisters and Somerset Home for Temporary Displaced Children. PBU's Susan Lahtaw worked to help implement Dandelion Dollars at local banks to increase donations, assisted developing a donor database and provided practical assistance with monitoring of donations and goods delivery to local partners.
The results of her work show that PBU interns make a difference:
*146% increase in partnerships from 15 to 37
*Wishes granted grew from 150 to 650
*Donor base established at 160
Rephrasing the mission of SIFE says it best: PBU-SIFE students and our business program at the University -- a mind for business and heart for others.
January 28, 2010
Out of poverty, not just coping
Our Students in Free Enterprise team meets today for the first time this semester and will begin efforts to positively impact our local community with service projects. Over our winter break I have been talking with the Bucks County Opportunity Council who uses business models to make a difference in their "welfare to work program" to find out how PBU students might serve. David Ford, the Outreach Coordinator, commented to me this week, "The difference in our program is that we "assist people to get out of poverty, not just cope with it."
Their Poverty Simulation and Bridges Out of Poverty program would train us to work with those in the community we work to serve. Community partnerships will help us grow and develop our skills so we can become better servant leaders in the community.
January 27, 2010
Lightning and the Lightning bug
The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.-
Twain, 1888
The semester has launched! I am teaching two class sections of my favorite course, Business Communication. As a member of the professional organization,The Association of Business Communication, I will be working this semester with students to develop entries for a case study competition on how to share negative news while maintaining good will. The competition, funded by Business Communication faculty at universities nationwide, provides monetary awards for students who write the best document-- a brief memo. The winner receives $300 for a page or two. Easy?
The trend in business communication is stating a clear position in succinct English with logical points, insightful reasoning, persuasive examples and perfect grammar. When your limit is 500 words, each idea will be scrutinized, sifted, tested and edited. We will be up to the challenge!
November 11, 2009
The Men of Liberty House
Martin committed insurance fraud but did not receive a jail sentence until he did not show up for court. The judge decided to hold him accountable and then sentenced him to 10 months in jail. The college graduate and former football star thought his life was over. He was banned from the insurance and finance field for life. Liberty Ministries has helped him pick up the pieces and learn that consequences remain, but the Lord -- with some practical training in job preparation skills by PBU-SIFE students-- provided him hope.
SIFE students assisted ex-felons like Martin living in a halfway house sponsored by Liberty Ministries learn about reentering the job market. Over the past three Wednesdays, volunteers assisted with resumes and interviewing. Today, the men completing the course received certificates and were all smiles, excited about their newly-designed resumes and "Tell me about yourself" answers in which they addressed their conviction honestly and focused on how they changed. The men, in an intensive discipleship program and employed at the Liberty Thrift Stores, have focused on establishing a firm foundation of faith, ethics and integrity. PBU-SIFE students provided the practical skills needed for reentering the job market. Walgreens' Jim Banks, a business professional connected with PBU-SIFE, assisted and was a model for our students with his commitment and expertise. The men of Liberty were awed.
The connection with the ministry came from PBU alumnus Kevin Jones. SIFE students worked with energy and heart 1-1 with each man as they grew in confidence. And we won't soon forget the men we served: George smiled for the first time today; Troy said, "I have been practicing all week to get ready for this;" Bob remarked at the end, "You have been nothing but a blessing." Julie Schultz, our student leader concluded, "You have blessed us with the privilege of working with you."
October 6, 2009
Working in Sports
You might not think of PBU as a place where students train to enter sports-related careers, but this is exactly what is happening with many of our students interested in this field. At a time when enthusiasm for sports is at an all-time high in the U.S., these students bring Christ to the workplace and model ethics and integrity in their work. Here are a few examples:
Jessica Ogden (senior): Wilkes-Barre Yankees summer internship (2009) and potential job opportunity when she graduates. Currently completing an internship with the Philadelphia Flyers charitible foundation.
Derek Overby (senior): Internships with the Camden Riversharks baseball club (2008), Ironpigs (Phillies AAA team, 2009) and now interviewing with the Philadelphia Flyers foundation based on the outstanding experience the Flyers have had with Jessica. Job opportunity available for him upon graduation with the Ironpigs.
Liz Steiple (graduated Dec 2008): Internship with the Camden Riversharks; currently employed with the Boston Red Socks
Jeremy Van Etten (graduated several years ago); internship with the Flyers; employed with the Camden Riversharks baseball club in sales; new member of the PBU-SIFE Business Advisory Board; exhibitor at the 2009 PBU Career Fair.
September 28, 2009
Popcorn popped
I brought in a bag of unpopped popcorn and asked my communication class to enjoy it. One student said, "But it's not ready -- it's not popped." That student was exactly right. It takes some planning, just the right timing with some heat -- and then you have it -- a product all can enjoy. It is like that with our testimonies. Do we have the willingness to put our potential story through a process so it can be effective and benefit those who listen?
Students in my communications class shared their prepared testimonies in class. We learned how one prayed in a janitor's closet for the Lord to come into his life and another lived a life of street crime until the depravity of it all became too much for him to bear. Others shared how they grew up in a Christian home, but also grew complacent until they realized their faith had to be their own, not something they could "inherit." Students talked about how God ministered to them in illness, in broken families, and with dynamic youth leaders who helped them hear the truth of God's word. Everyone had a story to tell, and sharing it with preparation and purpose enriched our lives.
September 3, 2009
The Power of the PBU - SBL Network
The excellent work and reputation of two PBU students in the School of Business and Leadership results in an unexpected referral and job placement in a totally different industry for another. Here’s the story as an encouragement to all of you who work hard and represent the university so well in the workplace:
Seniors Julie Schultz (as an intern) and Alex Arseneau (as an employee) worked in Warrington this summer for Will Thomson’s State Farm Agency. They were referred from a contact at last year’s PBU Career Fair, a district manager who oversees several State Farm agencies and exhibited. When I visited Julie this summer at her internship, Will raved about her work and commented many times on the work ethic, integrity, positive attitude, professionalism and “good values” of both students. He commented to me that he was so impressed with these students and their willingness to serve customers and his agency that he was also going to refer PBU and our program to his wife who worked for the Philadelphia Flyers (hockey team) charitable wives and players’ foundation.
Last week I received information via Julie from Will’s wife with job descriptions about two internship possibilities at this charitable foundation and she encouraged PBU students to apply, although they are not easy internships to get. I told student Jessica Ogden about the internships because she wants to build her network in a sports-related career. She finished her 499 internship this summer with the Yankees but was excited to know another opportunity was available. She interviewed with Human Resources at the Flyers and then the director of the foundation and they offered her one of the positions. When she shared her challenges with her full academic schedule, they indicated they liked her so much they would be flexible. She will be working at all the home games and promoting their community service foundation.
So the work and reputation of two students at one job leads to a referral to another job in a different industry with different employers. By the way, Julie and Alex have been offered an opportunity for a full-time job after graduation with State Farm .
August 20, 2009
Back to school!
We are making final preparations today for our back-to-school SIFE Cabinet retreat this weekend on campus and with dinner at my home on Saturday. Our theme is Survive and Thrive and we have some surprises in store from camouflage bags and flip-flops to survivor games that will focus on building consensus and leadership as we review this year's goals. I am excited to have student leaders committed to preparation and am reminded of a PBU intern supervisor who emphasized to my student at my visit with him this summer that "failure to plan is planning to fail." We are energized to make an impact this year in the local community. Now, to the details!
This afternoon I speak to parents on "Parent from Afar" during Weekend of Welcome. What happens when you send your child far away from home? I know as I sent two away myself to different universities. When one left, I sobbed. When the second left, I said "Whew." They both have now graduated, are gainfully employed in their "dream careers" and wonderful men, but one took all the energy I could muster.
At PBU, each student brings a level of energy, commitment, enthusiasm for learning and willingness to engage in university life. I am committed to help them grow in all of these this year, even when some days I finish with a wipe of my brow and a "whew."
August 5, 2009
Hunger Project
Rachel Park, our new SIFE President, worked diligently all year with her committee to participate with Campbell's and SIFE USA and the national Let's Can Hunger campaign. We just learned PBU was selected as an award-winner for our hunger relief campaign and business plan going forward next year. Besides collecting canned goods to donate to the local Penndel Food Bank, PBU-SIFE plans to move forward educating low income community members develop job preparation skills to help lessen the dependence on food banks. Our fall event, Can-o-Treating on Halloween provides the opportunity for students to go door-to-door, collect food and educate about the problem of hunger in our own county. Campbell's awarded funds to help the team support these efforts, a real affirmation of our work all year and an encouragement to go forward.
July 19, 2009
On the job
As I visit interns this summer in our business program, I ask all my intern supervisors what advice I can bring back to the classroom about the workplace. Here is what they are saying this summer:
"Work ethic is critical. Plan to work long hours and be willing to work at any task you are given.
Respect and kindness go a long way when serving customers." Enterprise
"We plan to fail because we fail to follow up. You need to follow through on every task or your work comes to nothing." Bimbo Bakeries (formerly Weston Foods)
"The attitude of many young people is poor. Everybody has college and work experience, but you can distinguish yourself with your communication skills and your attitude.You are going to put in a lot longer than 8 hours on the job in this economy. Show initiative and always look to volunteer for tasks no one else wants to do. You will be next in line for a promotion. People will remember you." Bimbo Bakeries
"Don't think you have to go to a big organization for a great experience. Smaller companies and non-profits can provide you with more diverse experience than you can even imagine." Mission Incorporated (non-profit)
"Bring examples of your work to your interview. If I see a portfolio of successful university projects and good writing, you are likely to get the job even if you don't have a lot of experience yet." Circa Healthcare
"Be open, flexible and willing to learn. Work ethic is key!" Campbell's
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