Loyola Executive Fall 2015 by Loyola University New Orleans

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Our 2015 Gradsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Success Stories

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CoB study abroad Graduation and awards ceremonies Digital marketing expert joins faculty

College of business Magazine Loyola University New Orleans Fall 2015 | Vol. 7 | www.business.loyno.edu

Loyola University New Orleans Loyola University New Orleans President the rev. kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D.

College of Business Dean william locander, Ph.D.

Associate Dean angie hoffer

Director, Portfolio & Internships kathy barnett, Ph.D.

Development Officer, College of Business Renny Simno

Editorial Director eve peyton

Loyola Executive Designer tiffani reding amedeo

Photographer KYLE ENCAR

Photo Contributor crystal shelton

Contributors kathy barnett william locander James shields bradley Warshauer

Loyola Executive is published annually for Loyola University New Orleans College of Business alumni and friends. Please address correspondence to: Loyola Executive Office of the Dean 6363 St. Charles Avenue, Box 15, New Orleans, LA 70118 News and photographs for possible use in future issues may be submitted by readers.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Loyola Executive Loyola University New Orleans 7214 St. Charles Avenue, Box 909, New Orleans, LA 70118 Loyola University New Orleans has fully supported and fostered in its educational programs, admissions, employment practices, and in the activities it operates the policy of not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex/gender, or sexual orientation. This policy is in compliance with all applicable federal regulations and guidelines. To demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the environment, this publication is printed using vegetable-based inks on paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and comes from responsibly managed forests, with fewer impacts on people and biodiversity.

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Contents COVER FOCUS

6 Loyola Prepares CoB Grads for the Real World Experiential learning arms our grads with the tools they need for success.

FEATURES 5 M.B.A. Masters Alumni reflect on their M.B.A. studies. 12 The Spotlight Shines on More CoB May Graduates 16 Todd Bacile, Ph.D. Digital marketing expert joins faculty. 17 The Changing Face(book) of Marketing Introducing the ‘badvocate’

18 CoB Study Abroad It was a very good time! 22 2015 CoB Awards Ceremony And the winners are… 25 Time for Action Loyola’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development is making great strides. 26 Rolling Down the River Two recent grads take the trip of a lifetime – with a Jesuit mission. 28 2015 CoB Senior Celebration with Family, Staff, and Faculty

on the cover

26 Loyola Executive Fall 2015

2015 College of Business graduates are finding success in a wide variety of fields.

From the Dean

his issue profiles the exciting things happening in our College of Business. Student stories tend to dominate the news, and we are always excited to tell about

our College of Business seniors, their families, and the launch of their careers after our senior reception each spring. We celebrate their many accomplishments during their time at Loyola and look forward to their future success. Take a look at just a few of our outstanding 2015 grads in our cover story. In this issue of Loyola Executive, we also feature two recent Loyola alumni who are traveling the Mighty Mississippi and chronicling their journey. It is in keeping with Loyola’s emphasis on per-

Jon Atkinson for his energy and leadership

sonal passion and creativity that we follow and

with these endeavors.

applaud such a novel endeavor that will give them

My personal thanks to all our faculty who

experiences to share for a lifetime. Kudos to CoB

make the CoB a special place in serving

2015 alumnus Malcom Reed and Loyola alumnus

students and who honor our mantra of

Mitchell Selby.

“awakening students to the possibilities,

Our Center for Entrepreneurship and Com-

enlightening them about those possibilities,

munity Development is making news on campus

and informing them about how to achieve

and across the great Gulf Coast region. By rapidly

their goals.”

expanding opportunities for both graduates and undergraduates to “experience” their education, the

Cheers,

college moves closer to having students employment-ready to join the work force. The center’s commitment to helping the city of New Orleans and the region with the growing demand for job candidates with both business and technical skills is in the cen-

William B. Locander, Ph.D.

ter’s strategic plan. Thanks and congratulations to

College of Business Dean

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dent teams from Ivy League universities.” “I remember sitting in Miller 208 with the other new M.B.A. students, looking around and appreciating the smiles and warmth from each one of them,” Yang says. “What I loved about the memory is that I did not know anyone but I knew some of the people would be my friends for life.” Alumni of the M.B.A. program are constant-

M.B.A. Masters Alumni Reflect on Their M.B.A. Studies

ly looking to the future, progressing in their careers and in their lives in a way that contributes to the world. ”I’ve had the opportunity to develop and execute marketing initiatives for University Medical Center New Orleans,”

he Loyola M.B.A. program

Jacqueline Yang, M.B.A. ‘14, applied

Marinello says. “It’s a unique career opportu-

promotes the university’s

her Loyola M.B.A. experience to help found

nity to market and brand a new hospital in a

traditional Jesuit values and

an ambitious nonprofit called Clean Power

growing health care system, and my prepara-

also the values of innova-

for Humanity. “Clean Power for Humanity

tion in the Loyola M.B.A. program has helped

tion, entrepreneurship, and

provides green-powered solutions to rural

me to reach this point in my career.”

experiential learning. Loyola’s M.B.A.

villages to increase their livelihood,” Yang

students don’t just go to class – they

says. “I moved to Hong Kong to focus on

develop professional networks and have

building Clean Power for Humanity in

the opportunity for life-changing learning

China and Myanmar. I am happy to report

experiences that positively influence their

that our first project is in Ma Cha Vil-

careers. Nothing embodies these values

lage in Gansu Province of China. Gansu

like the success of recent graduates.

Province is one of the poorest regions in

The program recently checked in with

China, averaging 40 to 50 percent below

several alumni to learn about what they

the average rural income in China. We will

have achieved so far – and to learn about

be providing a vertical wind turbine to in-

ing projects within my company that will

how their Loyola M.B.A. program stories

crease power and electricity to the village

provide me with substantial personal growth,”

shaped the direction of their lives.

community pre-K classroom, grocery store,

O’Conor says. “The M.B.A. program has

clinic, and theater.”

taught me not to stray from difficult situations

“Without my Loyola M.B.A., I would not be in the position I’m currently in

Alumni took the opportunity to cher-

“What I loved about the memory is that I did not know anyone but I knew some of the people would be my friends for life.” “I plan to continue seeking out challeng-

but to engage and grow whenever possible.” Visit www.business.loyno.edu/MBA to read

at LCMC Health,” says Nicole O’Malley

ish some of the greatest M.B.A. program

Marinello, M.B.A. ’12, the director of mar-

memories. Jay O’Conor ’09 (marketing),

more about Loyola’s M.B.A. programs. Spring

keting and public affairs at LCMC, which

M.B.A. ’12, summed up his favorite mo-

and fall applications are considered; apply by

is the not-for-profit health care system

ment: “Watching my classmates present a

Nov. 30 for the Spring 2016 semester. Contact

that manages Louisiana hospitals such as

winning business plan at the Idea Village

Christina Morales at mba@loyno.edu or at (504)

Touro Infirmary and the new University

New Orleans Entrepreneurship Week

864-7953 to register for our next Open House or

Medical Center New Orleans.

competition and outwork many other stu-

to schedule an informational meeting. n business.loyno.edu

Loyola Prepares CoB Grads for the Real World Experiential learning arms our alumni with the tools they need for success.

e hear so much these days about the millennial generation – their lack of initiative or sense of entitlement – that expectations of the group aren’t always favorable. Loyola students, and specifically the College of Business students profiled in the coming pages, are an exception to the stereotypical millennial. In these next pages, we celebrate a sampling of our outstanding graduates: their accomplishments, their commitment to service, and the fact that they have left Loyola and the College of Business a better place for having spent the past four years here.

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Pedro Benitez 2015

Economics/Finance Magna Cum Laude

edro Benitez came to Loyola from Honduras. While at Loyola, he embraced the Jesuit principle of caring for others and wasted no time in getting involved in the world around him. He says his favorite thing about the College of Business is its faculty. “I have developed friendships with some and, through their and others’ teaching, discovered a whole world of learning outside the classroom,” he says. He studied abroad at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, including a three-week summer course at the London School of Economics. He completed two internships, one in accounting in Honduras and the other a finance internship in Panama City, Fla. Benitez served as president of the University Honors Association and president of the Economics Club and was an active member of the International Student Association, among others. At Loyola, he helped establish the literacy program Mission Imprint. Benitez also was a member of Christian Life Communities and a Eucharistic minister in

the Ignatius Chapel community. His time at Loyola culminated in his being named the Outstanding Ignatian Senior Man in 2015. His advice for future CoB students: “Apply! Work hard in high school, and put effort into your application. I strongly suggest applying to the Honors Program, which will help you meet a community of brilliant people of all kinds of majors. If you don’t know what you want to major in or if you feel like your views might change, it’s OK! Finally, talk to your professors. They were once students, too, and asking them how they came to be where they are can help you get a feel of what careers are out there for you.”

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Jackie Gross 2015

Accounting/Finance Summa Cum Laude

ackie Gross didn’t have to travel far to discover Loyola as she is from Mandeville, La. – “across the lake,” as the locals like to say. She double-majored in accounting and finance and minored in legal studies, graduating summa cum laude. Her time in the College of Business was memorable as evidenced by her being named the 2015 recipient of the College of Business John X. Wegman Award for the Outstanding Baccalaureate Graduate. Following graduation, Gross joined the New Orleans office of KPMG as a tax associate. She served Loyola in many capacities, including membership and multiple leadership positions in the University Honors Program, Beta Alpha Psi Business Fraternity, Global Business Association, Loyola track team, Academic Integrity Council, Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, Student Government Finance Committee, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society, Board of Review student representative, University Honors Association, and Orientation Krewe leader. Even with all her Loyola activities, Gross still managed to complete a study abroad program in Australia and four internships.

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

Gross says the best features of the College of Business are the Executive Mentor Program, the faculty, and the advisers. And her advice for other students: “Take advantage of each and every opportunity. Start applying for internships early (many firms, especially in finance or accounting, recruit a year in advance), and do more than one. Find something you enjoy, and get involved; there are many student organizations and opportunities within the community, and it helps you meet people, especially in your first year. Always ask questions in class, at work, about classes, etc. There are so many resources to help you along the way, so ask for help and take advantage of what’s available to you.”

McCall Tomeny 2015

Finance with an Accounting minor Cum Laude

cCall Tomeny of Baton Rouge served as a member of the Loyola men’s basketball team the entire four years of his college career. A power forward and two-year team captain, Tomeny helped lead Loyola to its first-ever SSAC West Division Championship season in 70 years. Among his many honors during his basketball career, he was named to the 2012 SSAC All Freshman team, SSAC All Division Team in 2014, and the SSAC All Conference Team. Tomeny was able to complete two internships while at Loyola even with a busy team practice and school schedule. His first internship was with Wells Fargo Advisors where he learned the art of the cold call, pitching products to potential clients. His experience with Wells Fargo served him well for his next internship experience with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. There he completed 50 hours of online education, passing the state test for life, death, and liability insurance. Following graduation, Tomeny is employed at JP Morgan Chase in New Orleans. His advice for other students is: “Have some-

thing interesting to talk about in interviews. Differentiate yourself from others in order to stand out from the pack.” Tomeny practices what he preaches. He is a graduate of SEALFIT Kokoro 29, a 50-hour crucible program that simulates Navy Seal Hell Week. There he honed his communication and team skills, not to mention his mental toughness. The program puts participants through rigorous mental and physical challenges while they go 50 hours with no sleep. Now that’s something you don’t find on the résumés of most college grads. His success in graduating from the program is a testament to what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it and embrace the challenge.

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Luke Livaudais 2015

Economics with a Political Science Minor Magna Cum Laude

rom Kihei, Hawaii, Luke Livaudais started at Loyola as a member of the men’s basketball team, but after his first year, he realized his true passion was in serving others. He left the team in order to dedicate his free time to service work. “What I really liked about the CoB and Loyola was the great faculty and programs like Portfolio that help to develop well-rounded individuals and businesspeople,” he says. “Loyola provided me with many resources to better develop myself and to pursue my nonprofit work, and for that I am grateful.” Livaudais co-founded a New Orleans-based nonprofit group, Holomua Life Learning. “The group utilizes education as a means of changing society through up-and-coming generations,” Livaudais says. “Holomua” is a Hawaiian word meaning “progress.” Along the journey to establishing and growing Holomua, he engaged many of his peers as volunteers and staff. He was a member of Chi Alpha Bible studies and through that group traveled to Kenya to teach finance to Somali refugees. He completed three internships, including one

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

with the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Livaudais’ advice to future CoB students: “Understand that the most important thing about your education is the purpose that it serves. Whether your purpose is to help others, exercise creativity, create change, or even purely for the sake of learning, this university has many resources to help you fulfill your purpose. Find purpose to make your education fulfilling, and fulfill your purpose with your education. By the way, I’ve changed my major three times as I’ve grown as a student and individual to stay true to my passion. Don’t be afraid of change. ” Livaudais was accepted into the very competitive Teach for America program and started teaching this fall.

Megan Whittaker 2015

Accounting

Summa Cum Laude

ailing from Cumming, Ga., Megan Whittaker came to Loyola her junior year to play basketball and was a standout both on the court and off for her community service work. She was named to the 2015 Allstate Women’s Basketball Coaches of America Good Works Team, one of only 10 women’s college basketball players in the nation to receive this honor this year. On top of being a starter for the women’s basketball team and an outstanding accounting student, Whittaker found time to dedicate to serving the community. She participated in many local community events in New Orleans, including the Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund at Tulane, Loyola’s annual Take Back the Night campaign, and the Louisiana Society of CPAs financial literacy event at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Whittaker participated in service learning projects through Holomua Life Learning and also took time out of her schedule to coach Isidore Newman’s middle school girls’ basketball team. Whittaker says what stands out to her about

the CoB is the Portfolio Career Program, small class sizes, outstanding professors, and the Carlos M. Ayala Stock Trading Room. She completed two internships, including one with Ernst & Young that turned into a full-time job offer in the New Orleans office. Her advice for future students: “If you are looking for an educational setting that allows for access to professors who will spend time helping you and a place to build professional skills like networking, then the CoB is the place for you. And Loyola as a whole really makes the effort to ensure students have a satisfying experience, both academically and personally, while here.” n

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The Spotlight Shines on More CoB May Graduates

Annie Hills

2015 New Orleans Saints, Digital Media Communications Coordinator, New Orleans Hometown: Swisher, Iowa Major: Marketing Annie Hills values Loyola’s small class size. She says it enables the great relationships she developed with students and faculty, along with the interest and enthusiasm of the teaching faculty. She studied abroad at University of French Polynesia in Tahiti and interned with SMG New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Southern United States Trade Association in New Orleans, and with the College of Business. Advice for future students: “I believe the best way to make the most of the Loyola experience is to get involved and meet as many students and faculty as possible. People who are in the same organizations have many of the same values and interests and make great friends!”

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

Garrett Hoffman

2015 EY, Tax Associate, Houston Hometown: Las Vegas Major: Accounting Garrett Hoffman values the opportunities to network with professionals that the College of Business gave him. He interned for KPMG as a tax intern and for Bloomberg LP in its Global Ambassador Internship program. Advice for future students: “Open the book, grab a friend, and try and spend the extra time mastering material.”

Will Maye

2015 Hometown: Andover, Mass. Major: Economics, mathematics minor Will Maye says the faculty and staff of the College of Business care that students have the best environment to be challenged and learn. He studied abroad at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and is currently interning for the World Trade Center. Advice for future students: “Students who stay at Loyola and enjoy their time are usually those who are open to change. I would advise potential students to reflect on what they want out of their college experience.”

Srinee Bajaj

2015 Corporate Executive Board, Business Development Associate, Washington, D.C. Hometown: Kenner Major: Finance Before coming to Loyola, Srinee Bajaj says she was afraid to take on leadership roles, but the College of Business, through organizations such as AIESEC and Delta Sigma Pi, helped her step outside her comfort zone and become a leader. Bajaj studied abroad in Maynooth, Ireland, and interned with Touch Studios/Susco Solutions in New Orleans and Maritech Commercial Inc. in Kenner. Advice for future students: “Try to get involved and take leadership positions in organizations. See how things can be improved within your organizations, and take initiative toward changing them. Learn by doing.”

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Jennifer Toy

2015 EY, Tax Staff, New Orleans Hometown: Kenner Major: Accounting, music minor Jennifer Toy believes both the CoB Portfolio Program and her professors were a great help in her successfully securing a job. She interned at Entergy. Advice for future students: “If you walk onto Loyola’s campus and can embrace your true self, then embrace it.”

Jensen Quadros

2015 Search Influence, Junior Account Associate, New Orleans Hometown: Kenner Major: Marketing, accounting minor Jensen Quadros is most thankful for the expertise and knowledge of her professors at Loyola. She believes that each course taken in the College of Business equipped her with the content and knowledge she needed to become a successful and competent individual. Quadros interned as an account service intern for Moroch Agency. Advice for future students: “I can personally attest to how much of a wonderful job Loyola does at developing the entire individual. The values emphasized by the university are also present in the College of Business. I would advise any student to ask questions in order to reach your professional and personal goals.”

Rashi Sharma

2015 EY, Human Capital Consultant, Atlanta Hometown: New Delhi, India Majors: Marketing and finance, accounting minor Rashi Sharma believes the College of Business’ professors provide their students with opportunities to apply concepts and develop skills to successfully compete in the business world. She completed three internships, including two in India as a marketing intern for Goodyear Co. and as a finance intern for Barclays India PLC. Her third was for Ernst & Young U.S. LLP as a human capital intern in Atlanta. She accepted a position with EY after graduation. Advice for future students: “My advice for prospective students is to take full advantage of the opportunities Loyola offers. ... In the end, your academic, personal, and professional development at Loyola will really depend on how well you embrace various opportunities presented.”

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

Stephanie Tilley

2015 Texas State University, Graduate Program in Higher Education Hometown: Watson, La. Major: Economics, Latin American studies minor Through positive interactions, leadership opportunities, extracurricular activities, and awareness of the Jesuit values, Loyola has granted Stephanie Tilley the opportunity to grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and intellectually. She studied abroad in San José, Costa Rica, and completed two internships. Advice for future students: “Be open and get involved! Loyola is a phenomenal university with compassionate people who are more than willing to help, provide support, and inform others about beneficial resources that are available.”

Christopher Jays

2015 LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors, Staff Auditor, New Orleans Hometown: Kenner Major: Accounting Christopher Jays says that when looking for internships and full-time opportunities, the Portfolio Office is a valuable resource. Jays transferred to Loyola University from a large state school and says he became more than just a number. His accounting professors helped to prepare him for what is ahead after graduation. He completed two internships, as a craftsman intern with Portman Workshop and as an assessment consultant at the Louisiana Small Business Development Center. Advice for future students: “My advice to prospective students is to do your research before running off to college. Don’t just choose the university because that is where all of your friends are going. Make the decision that is best for you. It will pay off.”

Patricia Calzadilla Ortiz

2015 Yelp!, Account Executive, Phoenix Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico Major: Management, mass communication minor Patricia Calzadilla Ortiz is honored to be a part of Loyola’s College of Business because of the Portfolio Program’s excellence and the diligence and care of the college’s professors. She studied abroad in Botswana and completed two internships. Advice for future students: “If your heart is 100 percent in it, don’t think twice about jumping in. ... Find that balance between putting yourself out of your comfort zone and learning but taking a stand in what you believe in. Loyola has countless opportunities to get a hold of; don’t let time pass you by. Excel in what you do and have fun.”

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Todd Bacile, Ph.D. digital marketing expert joins faculty.

he Florida Seminole has arrived at Loyola University New Orleans! The College of Business was very fortunate to attract a young assistant professor whose degree is from Florida State University. He fills a need in our teaching lineup in that he teaches and has done research in the fields of services marketing and digital marketing topics, including social media marketing strategy, mobile marketing, search marketing, influence marketing, online customer service issues, online complaining and service recovery, digital information products, and the implications of a changing information economy that is shifting power away from

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

firms to consumers. As you can tell from his interests, he brings knowledge and insights to the College of Business students that are much-needed in our digital world. No wonder he was the 2015 recipient of the CoB Faculty Award for Outstanding Research. Bacile is a family man with a wife, Jenn, and two handsome sons. He juggles a number of family activities in addition to teaching and research, running along Lake Pontchartrain, and commuting from the Northshore. Bacile has quickly established himself as a leader in the College of Business and brought national recognition to Loyola for his numerous accomplishments. n

The Changing Face(book) of Marketing Introducing the ‘Badvocate’

ollege of Business Professor Todd Bacile became fascinated by the way customers used social media – and that fascination led to an award-winning research paper and the coining of a brand-new word to describe a class of customer: the “badvocate.” “The paper focused on how customers respond when other customers complain on a brand’s Facebook page,” Bacile says. “There are cases when a customer will react in a very rude and aggressive manner while defending the brand.” He related one such story: A person went to a popular restaurant; started eating; and then noticed, halfway through, that there was mold on the food. The person posted a complaint on the restaurant’s Facebook page, and a fellow customer replied to aggressively defend the restaurant. “They said things like, ‘You must be an idiot if you began to eat a meal covered in mold,’” Bacile says.

“The customer stuck up for the brand in a norm-violating, rude manner.” That’s a badvocate – a customer who speaks up aggressively in defense of a brand in a way that might reflect badly on the brand. “The research shows that a new type of customer has emerged in the online world that did not exist in the physical world before,” Bacile says. “If you complain about the service at Wal-Mart, you won’t generally experience another customer insulting you in the line.” Using netnography, a field of study modeled on the field of ethnography, or the study of the customs of peoples and cultures, Bacile looked at how the customers behaved with one another in online settings. The resulting paper won best in conference at the Direct/Interactive Research Summit, sponsored by Marketing EDGE in October 2014. When he wasn’t winning awards for his research, Bacile was busy innovating in the classroom. During the 2014

academic year, he had teams of students work together to “sell” products using search ads in a simulated search engine modeled on Google. While talking about the class with a contact in the search marketing industry, Bacile broached the idea of having students become certified in Google Adwords, an intensive process that could open career doors for them. “He said if I could send a student to him already certified,” Bacile says, “he would offer them a job.” And so Bacile has rebuilt the course. Students will take two tests over the course of the semester, both through Google, one at midterms and one during exams. By passing both, the students will become fully certified. “If they pass, they get an A,” Bacile says. “But more important, they will have the chance to compete for work in the field immediately.” And for students entering the employment market, that’s the best innovation of all. n

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The Royal Palace/ Warsaw

d a o r b A y d CoB Stu ood time! it was a

CoB at the Summer Palace/ Warsaw

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v e ry g

Lisbon

City Park/ Warsaw

Guys on Tour/ Warsaw

Lloyds of London business.loyno.edu

The Palace Porch/Warsaw

London

And then the bus broke down.

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Professor Screen does his best Harry Potter.

Touring Lloyds of London

On tour in London

Touring CH Robinson/ London business.loyno.edu

2015 CoB Awards Ceremony And the winners areâ&#x20AC;Ś

Brittany Trosclair won the Joseph A. Butt Memorial Scholarship, presented by Associate Dean Angie Hoffer.

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

Enrique Golden was the recipient of the Student Investment Fund Scholarship, presented by Dr. Ronald Christner.

Zachary Rooney received the Richard Drew Wilkie Memorial Scholarship, presented by Dean Bill Locander.

Beta Gamma Sigmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Outstanding Junior Award went to Luke Rose, presented by Luke Livaudais.

Steven Cooper presented the Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Sophomore Award to Alejandra Stelpflug.

Dr. Jeffrey Krug presented the Global Business Association/AISEC award to Endia Bush. business.loyno.edu

Dr. John Levendis presented the Economics Club Award for Outstanding Member to Pedro Benitez.

Jackie Gross received the Jesse Barfield Award for Outstanding Accounting Graduate, presented by Dr. Daphne Main.

Will Maye received the Bank of Louisiana Outstanding Economics Graduate award from Kim Pittman.

The Wall Street Journal Award for Outstanding Finance Graduate went to Eric Bonhagen, presented by Dr. Ronald Christner.

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

Time for Action Loyola’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Community development is making great strides.

The Celebrate Entrepreneurship reception honored local business owners: from left, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development Jon Atkinson, honoree Erik Frank of Your Nutrition Delivered, honoree Wan Kim of Smoothie King, honoree Simone Bruni Crouere of Demo Diva, College of Business Dean Bill Locander, and honoree Todd Matherne of Renaissance Publishing.

t’s fitting that, under the guidance of director Jon Atkinson, Loyola’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development should be so busy. Entrepreneurship, after all, requires action. The action is specific, targeted, and effective, extending the center’s reach locally, regionally, and beyond while enhancing its mission to nurture new entrepreneurial talent. One such action, Atkinson says, is to expand the center’s work to the undergraduate level through a new minor in entrepreneurship. “The undergraduate minor in entrepreneurship will be officially launched in Fall 2016, but many of the underlying classes are being taught now,” he says. “The minor extends the college’s experiential and interdisciplinary learning

opportunities to undergraduate students.” The new minor will bring together students from diverse backgrounds to study the startup process. “Participating students will hone their decision-making skills, develop a deeper understanding of the core building blocks of a business, and learn to create value through technology and innovation,” Atkinson says. One aim of the new minor will be to connect students through internships to New Orleans’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. It will be a “critical element,” Atkinson says, to help students develop a sense of entrepreneurial work as it is done in the real world. Beyond the new minor, the center is intensifying its focus on real-world experience through the Accelerate Internship

program, now in its second year. “The program places both graduate and undergraduate students with local accelerators and incubators,” Atkinson says. “This is a unique opportunity for students to work both with startup companies and on projects that benefit the entire startup ecosystem.” Partners for the Accelerate Internship program include Idea Village, Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation, 4.0 Schools, the New Orleans Bio Innovation Center, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center. In the fall of 2015, the center also launched its Local Innovation Guest Lecture Series, featuring speakers such as Dr. Tarun Jolly telling the story of Renaissance RX, one of the fastest-growing companies to emerge in New Orleans in many years. The lecture series, in addition to the annual Startup Weekend in October, brings together in New Orleans scores of aspiring entrepreneurs and innovation experts. All the action fits under the umbrella of Loyola’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development mission statement: to identify, train, and develop emerging entrepreneurial talent. “The center’s vision is to position Loyola and the College of Business as catalysts for the next evolution of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Atkinson says, “through training students to be impactful members of the ‘innovationready work force.’” n business.loyno.edu

Two Loyola alumni brought a bit of New Orleans Mardi Gras to the mighty Mississippi.

Rolling Down the River Two recent grads take the trip of a lifetime – with a Jesuit mission.

n the spirit of experiential education, two recent Loyola University New Orleans graduates are delaying – just for a bit – entering the real world to paddle down the entire length of the Mississippi River, all 2,300 miles. CoB grad Malcom Reed ’15 (management) and Mitchell Selby

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

’15 (environmental science) share a love of the outdoors, which led to their becoming friends four years ago when they met as freshmen at Loyola. A three-month outdoor adventure seemed the perfect way for the two friends to celebrate graduation and reflect on what lies ahead.

After months of preparation, they embarked on their journey Aug.14. True to what they learned at Loyola about giving back, Reed and Selby have turned their adventure in to an opportunity to serve at-risk youth. Reed and Selby have set up a fundraising page to help raise money for

“My education at Loyola has allowed me to develop a genuine love of learning, as well as a broader perspective on the world and unrelenting desire to experience new people, places, and cultures.” the trip, including gear and food. A portion of proceeds will be given to the Friends of Louisiana Outdoors Outreach Program, or LOOP, which provides a hands-on approach to educational and recreational outdoor programs for at-risk youth, allowing them the opportunity to experience the diverse wetlands ecosystem of southern Louisiana. Already they have surpassed their initial fundraising goal, and they look forward to raising more money in the future. The trip is a journey of self-exploration, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness about the great outdoors. Having lived in New Orleans for the past four years, Reed and Selby understand the difficulty that many urban children face in getting out of the city and into the natural environment. They planned their trip hoping to make a difference.

“We firmly believe outdoor education to be one of the most important aspects of youth development, and that is why we are tying our own personal journey to the development of New Orleans inner-city youth,” Reed says. “Being immersed in nature holds a pivotal role in personal and emotional growth, and through this trip we hope to not only grow independently but also provide a means for others to do the same.” Both Reed and Selby are committed to the Jesuit value of stimulating personal growth through service and community engagement. “I believe that my education at Loyola has allowed me to develop a genuine love for learning, as well as a broader perspective on the world and unrelenting desire to experience new people, places, and cultures,” Reed says. “These values really steered us toward

finally committing to this trip as we both have a passion for adventure and desire to promote outdoor education. We feel that this trip will allow us to serve as an example for others to embrace adventure and uncertainty in their lives and exemplify the power that the natural world holds for personal growth.” Weather permitting, the two are paddling between 40 to 60 miles per day. Reed and Selby began from Minnesota’s Lake Itasca and will travel through 10 states before being greeted by friends and family at the Fly in Audubon Park in Uptown New Orleans. They will then paddle the remaining 50 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. They hope to hitch a ride back to New Orleans on a fishing boat. “We are making frequent stops in cities and towns to experience the unique people and places along the length of the river,” Selby says. “Along with personal growth, a major goal for us is to explore the ‘raw’ pioneer spirit of America, gaining a broader perspective of the country, as well as accumulating countless connections and experiences along the way.” The two are reporting on their day-to-day experiences on the river in their blog, as well as also creating a documentary-style video at the end of the trip to fully explore the impact and scope of the journey. Through a question and answer portion of their blog, they plan to educate LOOP participants about the Mississippi River and wetland ecosystems, as well as teach wilderness survival skills and boat safety knowledge. To donate to the “Big Muddy Adventure,” visit www.gofundme.com/ bigmuddyadventure For updates on Reed and Selby’s trip, visit bigmuddyadventure.wordpress.com n

business.loyno.edu

2015 CoB Senior Celebration Andrew Dalton and his mom celebrate his graduation and the start of his new job in California.

Garrett Hoffman, center, with his family members who were in town from Nevada for the celebration

Cecilia Aguilar and her family

t Jackie Gross, far left, and her family

Loyola Executive Fall 2015

All the way from Hawaii, the parents of Luke Livaudais pose with the graduate.

with Family, Staff, and Faculty CoB graduate Rachel Shields with Professor John Levendis

Lovie Geraci and her family

Will Maye, center, celebrates four years of accomplishments.

Happy seniors

Juliana Moreno and her family

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Executive Mentor Program: Join this program and mentor a small group of first-year CoB students in exploring all aspects of business. Groups meet three to four times a semester in the early evenings. Speakers Bureau for the Executive Mentor Program: Volunteer to speak at an Executive Mentor group meeting and inform students about your industry. Consider inviting a group to your place of business for a tour. The Executive Network: This nationwide group of Loyola CoB alumni serves as a resource for juniors and seniors, advising students on industry trends, the job search, the job market, etc. Students contact volunteers listed in The Executive Network based on their major and interests. Communication is usually via email or phone, generally several times over the course of a semester. Post an internship and/or full-time job opportunity to Loyola’s online job board, Employola. All of the above-listed programs are supported through the CoB in-house career development program known as Portfolio. A Portfolio course is required every semester with the goal of our students developing and perfecting career development skills that position them competitively in the job market.

For more information on any of these programs, contact Kathy Barnett, Ph.D. | Assistant professor of management and director of the Portfolio Program kbarnett@loyno.edu | (504) 864-7968

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Portfolio Program Student-Centered Professional Development

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