Business Spotlight of the Week

$95,000 Gift Helps Shape Future Scholarship Development

Last week, the Business Department received a gift of stock that is currently traded at $95,000. The business alumnus making the gift prefers to remain anonymous. The gift is to be used as private scholarships for new business majors entering Evangel based on criteria established by the Business Department faculty. Funds not used for the 2012-2013 school year will be carried over to future years.

This gift is a tremendous boost for our department's scholarship program.  We are seeing increases in enrollment and academic performance of current students.  When we allocated scholarships to current students on March 1, we had to take about $8,000 away from the reserves we hold for new students that come in the fall and spring. 

This gift will allow us to make some modest increases in the future and meet the immediate needs for scholarships over the next five years while we move forward with a plan to increase the amount of endowed business scholarships from $520,000 to $1 million over the next 3-5 years. This increase in the endowed scholarship funds will eventually generate sufficient funds to replace the need for the private scholarships coming from this recent gift.

Reminder about Fall Registration

Seniors were supposed to be able to enter their course schedules this past Saturday, but several reported that the system would not let them do it.  I reported this to Information Technology and the Registrar.  Get signed up for an advising conference with your faculty advisor as soon as possible.  Ask him or her directly if he or she doesn't have an advising schedule posted on the door.

Politics and Marketing - An Internship Opportunity

The Institute on Business and Government Affairs will place you in an internship where you will gain valuable business, lobbying and leadership skills. What better place to see the intersection of business and policy than Washington, DC, where government is the number one business? With an IBGA internship you can develop a strategic marketing plan for your client who is lobbying for a bill on Capitol Hill and attend various strategy and meetings with advocacy and lobby groups.  This is an eight-week academic internship program held in Washington, D.C and sponsored by The Fund for American Studies. The program combines substantive professional experience for 30 hours a week with a challenging undergraduate academic experience worth 6 credit hours from Georgetown University. All students are housed on campus in apartment-style dorms.  This summer’s deadline has been extended to March 23, 2012 with generous scholarship funding still available.  Contact Recruitment and Admissions Director Mary Stankus at mstankus@tfas.org or 202-986-0384 for assistance and check out their website at www.DCinternships.org.

Need Assistance Getting Ready for an Internship?

An alumnus sent the following link that provides helpful tips and resources as you prepare for an internship experience. http://theinternview.com/the-internview-crew/

Springfield News-Leader Prints Feature on the Dress for Success Display

The local newspaper printed a nice story about the Business Department's Dress for Success display across from Computer Lab 109.  Check out the following link.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20120305/NEWS04/303050033/dressing-interview-evangel

Business Spotlight of the Week

Take Advantage of Career Fairs Next Week

Regardless of your student classification, the spring career fairs are a great opportunity to explore the kinds of jobs that are available in business and other professions.  We would like for every business major and minor to consider attending one or all of the three fairs listed below.  In addition to maybe seeing that career opportunity that the Lord has for you, you can meet some very nice people and usually find some "goodies" at the various booths!  Take copies of your resume with you if you are job hunting!

Career Fair #1: Non Profit, Human Service, Healthcare, Graduate Schools

Monday, February 27, 10 am-2 pm: Cantrell Student Union

· 18 employers and 10 graduate schools

Career Fair #2: Career Consortium Expo for All Majors

Tuesday, February 28, 1- 5 pm: JQH Arena at MSU Campus

· 134 employers from all areas of industries. Employers are looking to fill internships and full-time positions. Sponsored in consortium with 4 other area universities.

Career Fair #3: For-Profit Organizations, Business, Entrepreneur, Military

Wednesday, February 29, 10 am-2 pm: Cantrell Student Union

· Employers: AG Financial Services, American National Property & Casualty (ANPAC), Best Buy, Better Business Bureau, The Buckle, Central States Industrial, City Utilities of Springfield, Commerce Bank, Enterprise Rent-A-Car , Farmers Insurance, Frito Lay (Pepsi-Co), Jack Henry, Journal Broadcast Group, JP Morgan Chase, Nebraska Book Company, North Springfield Betterment Assoc., Northwestern Mutual, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Penmac, Professional Accounting, Reliable Superstore, T-Mobile, Vintage Stock, Western Southern Life, Wyndham Vacation Ownership · Military: Air Force, Navy, Army, US Marines, National Guard

Career Development Office Serves You!

Wondering what career fits your strengths and interests?  Want some help getting ready for a job interview?  Looking for a part-time or temporary job?  Dr. Sheri Phillips and Mr. Scott Kirby in the Career Development Office can help you!  They are located in the LifeWorks office (west of the Bookstore).  They have an on-line assessment tool that gives you a comprehensive review of vocational areas that will best fit you.  They will provide mock interviews and part-time jobs in the community.  They are our partners in your business career development. Take advantage of this free service.

Like to have $25,000 Scholarship to Study Abroad?

A dozen or more Evangel students have benefited from Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship over past years.  Our most recent Rotary Scholarship student was 2011 graduate, Nick Reasor.  March 15 is the deadline to submit an application to the local Rotary Club.  Mr. George Crawford, Evangel's Vice President of Business and Finance, will be happy to coach you about process and to receive your application if you are a high performing student who is interested in studying abroad in the academic year 2013-2014.  The scholarship that pays up to $25,000 for a year of study in undergraduate or graduate school.   You can download information and the application at the following website:http://www.rotary6080.org/rotary-ambassadorial-scholarships/

Business Spotlight of the Week

Farewell to Graduates and Welcome to New Students

Congratulations to Natalie Akins, Tanner Boone, Jon Butts, Brittany Byers, and Nick Wilson who completed the requirements to graduate in December.

We are excited to welcome the following nine new students who have joined us this spring semester as business majors: Michael Bowman, Joshua Gill, Larissa Haberberg, Hannah Hans, Caleb Harris, Mitchell Jenkins, Brandon Polk, and Sharesa Rodgers.

Business Department Scholarships for 2012-13

If you are a business major, you do not need to submit an on-line scholarship application to receive an academic scholarship for 2012-2013. Students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and a major in business automatically qualify an academic scholarship from the business department.  The amount of the scholarship awards are tiered for different GPA levels.

In the last two months, the Business Department received over $21,000 in endowed business scholarship donations.  The interest on these funds will be combined with donations totaling $10,000 for directly funded business scholarships.  The total of the Business Department's Endowed scholarships is now just over $500,000...and on our way to a goal of $1 million!

We Set a New Record!

Thanks to all of our students, the Business Department set a new record in the fall for course evaluation participation at 78%.  The next highest department was Social Sciences with 69%.  The overall average for the university was 62%. 

Writing Proficiency Exam

If you transferred an ENGL 111 composition course into EU, you must pass a writing proficiency exam during your first semester at EU.   Passing the writing proficiency is the required before you can take some of the required Frameworks and Bible courses.  The writing proficiency exam is offered on January 30, March 19-20, and April 9 this semester.  Sign up on the bulletin board outside of The Write Place (Trask 2nd floor).  Test times are 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m..  See the Humanities office for more details and study packets.

Get Involved - SIFE/PBL and Student Investment Group

Applications for Students in Free Enterprise/Phi Beta Lambda (SIFE/PBL) and the Student Investment Group (SIG) are available on the shelf in front of the reception area in the business department.  See Mrs. Fletcher if you want more information about SIFE/PBL and Mr. Manke if you would like to learn about the SIG.  You need to be a sophomore or higher for the SIG.

SIFE/PBL is gearing up for the PBL state competition in subject matter exams and presentations.

Portal Open for Summer Registration

If you already know that you are going to take summer classes at EU, you can now submit your schedule for advisor review.  Please ask your advisor for assistance if you are not sure what you should take.

Internship Opportunities 

Business majors are encouraged to work in their field of interest.  This can be an internship where you register for 3 credits to fulfill an elective requirement.  Nine business majors completed formal internships last summer and fall.  Local businesses and non-profits are providing three internship opportunities:

·         AG Financial Services has a paid customer service internship available to juniors and seniors part-time this spring and full-time over the summer.  See Marilyn Campbell for an application.

·         Sperry Van Ness Commercial Real Estate is looking for someone that can work 15-20 hours in their office located at Highway 65 & Battlefield. Hours are flexible (i.e. 3-7 p.m.)  This could be a full time position in the summer.  Starting pay is $7.00 with quarterly reviews and potential to earn $10 within a year.  Need reliable transportation, upbeat attitude, good character.  Intern will be trained.  Activities include marketing packages, email campaigns, post cards, and managing listings on LoopNet, CoStar, etc.  Contact Mike Fusek, Senior Advisor, at 417-849-5703 or Mike.Fusek@svn.com.  This job is also posted at HireEvangel.com.

·         4 the World Resource Distributors (4WRD) is a relatively new and unique non-profit ministry started to help provide affordable and accessible books, information and resources in schools and other entities internationally.  The office and warehouse is located within 2 miles of the EU campus.  They are providing an unpaid, grant research and writing internship.  Additional information is provided at the 4WRD link at the bottom of this email.

·         Thumb Print Marketing Group is a growing, for-profit social media marketing company based in Branson that specializes in social media .  They are providing an unpaid marketing/ communications internship for a senior who can work 10-20 hours a week.  Much of the work can be done remotely rather than traveling to Branson.  For the right person, this could turn into a full-time paid position in about 6 months.  Contact Sundi Jo at 573-263-1939 or sundijo@thumbprintmarketinggroup.com for more information.  This opportunity is also posted at HireEvangel.com.

Accelerate Earning a Master's Degree at Missouri State University (MSU)

Representatives from MSU (including our own Natalie Akins) will be at the non-profit and graduate school career fair on Monday, February 27 from 10:00-2:00 in the Cantrell Student Union.  Interest keeps growing in the consortium agreement we have with MSU.  This program allows EU business majors who qualify to take up to 9 credits in a master's program at MSU and apply those hours to meet required or elective courses in the business major at EU.   Financial aid works as if you are taking the credits at EU.  Eight students attended a special meeting in the Business Department last semester to learn more about this opportunity to accelerate their opportunity to earn a Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, or Master of Healthcare Administration degree. 

Business Spotlight of the Week - Christmas Break Edition!

Fall Semester Grades Posted!

You should be able to see your fall semester grades in your student portal.  Please e-mail me at DanaB@evangel.edu if you do not see a grade for a course you have completed and do not know the reason why.

Internship at Compassion International - Important Announcement

January 2 is the last day to apply for a paid summer internship with Compassion International based in Colorado Springs, CO.  Business students intending to graduate in May 2012-2014 range with a 3.2 GPA or higher who have a strong interest in a career with non-profit, humanitarian organizations should explore this opportunity.  The internship is from May 21 to August 3.  There were about 40 internships available when these were posted a year ago.  In the past, Compassion International has helped to arrange housing.

Thanks for Completing Course Evaluations!

The data is now available for EU faculty to review the course evaluations.  Your sincere ratings and comments are valuable to us as we explore our opportunities to improve our courses.  I took a quick scan and do see some improvements in areas that we targeted.  I will have to wait to receive an analysis on the percentage participation, but business faculty members have been reporting very high participation rates.  Hopefully, we will hit the 80% or higher target we had for this semester.

Vote EU Grad into Miss America Top 15

You can help Sydney Friar, 2011 EU grad in Advertising/Public Relations and current Miss Missouri, get in the top 15 at the Miss America pageant by watching the video and casting your vote at http://missamerica.org/videocontest/.  

Have a great Christmas and New Year Holiday!

The business department faculty members extend to each of you our prayers for a safe and meaningful holiday season.  We pray that you will be spiritually, physically, and mentally refreshed during this break and that you will return to classes on January 11 eager pursue new opportunities to learn.  We will miss you...but we are delighted to have a break, too!!!

What does music do for you?

Need a way to relieve stress?  Increase productivity?  Remember more?
Check it out!

http://lifehacker.com/5865032/how-music-affects-the-brain-and-how-you-can-use-it-to-your-advantage

Business Spotlight of the Week!

 Course Evaluation Reminder!

Help the Business Department improve and to once again to have the highest level of participation among EU departments.  Our goal is 80% or higher participation rate for each business course.  Your ratings and comments are anonymous! Be honest in your assessment.  Make specific comments on how to improve for lower ratings.  Share a compliment with higher ratings – teachers need encouragement, too!  Some professors are offering bonus points.  Business faculty review these course evaluation ratings carefully and each instructor shares an improvement plan with me when responses indicate that improvement is needed.

Business Faculty Honored for Years of Service

The recent faculty/staff Christmas banquet brought special recognition to the following business faculty and staff or their years of service at Evangel:

·         Marilyn Campbell – 35 years
·         Jerry Owens – 30 years

·         Elizabeth Fletcher – 25 years

·         Dale Manke – 20 years

·         Dennis Wubbena – 20 years

·         Bernie Dana – 10 years

We are blessed to have faculty with a long standing commitment to prepare business students for their calling.  Many of the success stories you hear about our alumni are connected to the faculty who are now teaching you.

Looking Ahead -- Future Business Study Tours being planned!

At our recent meeting, the faculty approved exploration of two regional and one international business study tour.  The first trip being explored would be during spring break 2012 and would take us to Amish country in Pennsylvania to explore their culture and successful entrepreneurial business developments.  The second trip would be at fall break 2012 to have an in-depth look a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta and the Christian values and practices that make this company successful.  The third trip would take us to explore the culture and various established and start-up businesses in China in late December/early January 2013.   We will be conducting an interest poll when we get more details on the number of students and costs related to these trips.  The department will use some of its LifeWorks funds to help offset the cost.

Expert on Social Media Shares with Students

Mille Alderman, Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator at Sam's Club corporate headquarters in Rogers ARK, was a guest in our two Principles of Marketing classes last Friday.  I Consumer Behavior and all marketing majors were encouraged to attend these classes as well.  Mille Alderman has to come up as I had more and more students express interest in social network marketing.  She also met with the Business Department’s PR team and had lunch with five marketing students specifically interested in learning more about social media marketing.

Business Spotlight of the Week

Dr. Maynard update
Dr. Maynard had surgery today to have a pacemaker inplanted.  He was exhausted this evening when I visited with him, but in good spirits.  There was no blockage and this seems to be the key step to his recovery.  He will need to wear a sling and not drive a car for two weeks, which breaks his heart!  I expect that he will be in the hospital for a couple more days for observation.  The other faculty in the department will be managing his classes for him for the remainder of the semester so he can fully recover.




Help us get better - course evalutions
Please go to your student portal and complete the course evaluations for all of your courses this semester.  The Business Department faculty are committed to using these evaluations to improve our courses.  We review the results carefully, benchmark the very best results, and each faculty member provides me with a course improvement plan.   In the spring semester, the Business Department had the highest average percentage of student participation in the course evaluations. Please help us hit a target of at least 80% this fall!  Some instructors are giving bonus points as a reward.




Finish Strong!
We are in the last week of classes for the semester.  It is always tough getting back into the groove after Thanksgiving...but it is important.  Plan ahead and allocate plenty of time to finish projects and reports and to prepare for your final exams.


Keep smiling!
B. Dana