FALL 2018
Bowers renovation fosters innovation and community.
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School of Business WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY
School of Business Message from the dean
Patience Taruwinga, incoming dean of the School of Business
During the past 12 months, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in our university community. The dedication of the faculty and staff in the School of Business is extraordinary and inspiring. Our students and faculty share a passion for learning and discovery, and the entrepreneurial spirit is contagious. The engagement, generosity, and commitment of our alumni and donors is refreshing and invigorating, and the state-of-the-art renovated Bowers Hall stands as evidence. Henry Ford was right when he said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” I am excited and honored to assume the role of dean of the School for Business at such an outstanding institution. The measure of a program is the quality of the faculty and staff and the type of students it recruits and graduates. By this measure, all that I have observed about the WWU School of Business is that it is indeed an outstanding program with a very bright future. We have a solid foundation on which to build future success in our program. As the new dean, I couldn’t be more pleased to be part of this outstanding team and to help guide the WWU School of Business as we forge ahead in educating tomorrow’s leaders. Last but not least, I would like to share this statement from page 17 in the book Education by Ellen G. White: “Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do. The men in whom this power is developed are the men who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men’s thought.” The School of Business, through its experiential learning approach, continues to be in a unique position to train our students to be thinkers and not mere reflectors of other men’s thoughts. 2
Economics professor receives teaching award This spring, Johanna Attoh, associate professor of business, received the School of Business Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of outstanding teaching, mentoring, and advising. Attoh joined the School of Business in 2014. She teaches classes that include Macroeconomics, International Trade and Finance, and Comparative Economic Development. Attoh has a bachelor’s degree from the National University of Costa Rica, a master’s degree from East Carolina University, and a doctorate in economics from Western Michigan University. Nominations for the teaching award are submitted by students and business faculty. Recipients are chosen by the Faculty Awards Committee. Along with a plaque and recognition of their hard work and exceptional achievements, the recipient receives a monetary award.
Business seniors score in 97th percentile on MFT Seniors in the School of Business scored in the 97th percentile on the Major Field Test in business in 2017. This is the highest overall score WWU business seniors have received to date. (Scores for 2018 have not yet been received.) The MFT is administered by the Educational Testing Service and measures how well students know the core business subjects of accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, business law, quantitative analysis, information systems, and international business. “Each year our seniors, along with tens of thousands of seniors from hundreds of other business schools across the nation, take this comprehensive exam. Over the last five years, our seniors have averaged in the top fifth percentile of business schools that took the test,” says Bruce Toews, 2017–18 interim dean of the School of Business. The average percentile on the MFT for WWU students during the last decade is 91. In 2013 WWU scored in the 91st percentile. In 2014 that score had risen to the 92nd percentile. In 2015 and 2016 scores reached the 96th percentile.
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The average percentile on the MFT during the last decade.
Taruwinga named dean Patience Taruwinga, associate professor of business, will become dean of the WWU School of Business in September. Taruwinga will replace Bruce Toews, professor of business, who was interim dean during the 2017–18 school year. Prior to joining the School of Business faculty last year, Taruwinga was an assistant professor of business administration at St. Joseph’s College and an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech College and at Indiana University in South Bend, Indiana. He has a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the University of Zimbabwe, a master’s degree in management information technology and a master of business administration degree from Indiana University South Bend, and a doctorate in business leadership from the University of South Africa. Toews will continue to serve as associate dean of the school.
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New professors bring award-winning expertise to marketing and management classes Meet Licci Zemleduch
Meet George Perez
Licci Zemleduch will join the School of Business faculty for the 2018–19 school year as an instructor of business. Zemleduch is an award-winning teacher with experience in marketing, management, and graphic design. For 15 years, she and her husband ran a marketing and branding business. This fall she will teach Principles of Advertising, Market Research Methods, and Principles of Marketing. Zemleduch has a bachelor’s degree in visual communication and a master of business administration degree in marketing from Montemorelos University. She and her family moved to Walla Walla from Keene, Texas.
George Perez will join the School of Business this fall as an assistant professor of business. Perez has experience working in a Fortune 500 company and managed his own marketing and management consulting business for more than 25 years. This fall, he will teach Principles of Management, Business Ethics, and Business Communication. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Universidad Del Valle De Mexico, a master’s degree in administration from Andrews University, and is finishing a doctorate at Andrews. He and his family moved from London, Ontario, Canada, where he taught at Fanshawe College and Western University.
School of Business colloquia connect students with business leaders The School of Business hosted 13 colloquia during the 2017–18 academic year that featured business alumni and other professionals who shared their experiences and advice with students. Summer intern panel discussion with WWU business students Jesse Chinn, Yara Fernandez, Hunter Giesbrecht, Alex Hutton, Jake Newton, Tolu Oyefeso, Evan Smith, and Miranda Towler Jose Garcia Washington state auditor Kerry Heinrich ’80 CEO, Loma Linda University Medical Center Bethany Logan-Ropa ’06 UBS investment banker, New York George Fearing ’79 Chief judge, Washington State Court of Appeals, Div. III Megan Clubb Board chair and former CEO, Baker Boyer Bank, recently retired director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Harvey Crowder, mayor, and Mike Rizzitiello, manager City of College Place
Business accreditation reaffirmed for maximum period The WWU School of Business has been reaccredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs for the maximum period of 10 years. The ACBSP accredits nearly 1,200 institutions in more than 60 countries around the world. It is a leading accreditor for mission-based standards with a focus on teaching excellence and is the only business accreditor for all degree levels, associate through doctoral. “We are pleased to have our business administration degrees reaccredited for the maximum period. A lot of work went into the self-study, which was nearly 1,000 pages long. Last October, we hosted three evaluators who spent several days reviewing our program,” says Bruce Toews, 2017–18 interim dean of the School of Business, who coordinated the accreditation process. “Due to this accreditation, students can have confidence that our program meets rigorous quality
standards and that our degrees are widely recognized.” In 1997, the WWU School of Business became the first program in Seventh-day Adventist higher education to earn business accreditation. Today, WWU is one of two Adventist schools accredited by the ACBSP. This past June, Steve Parscale, ACBSP chief accreditation officer, presented Patience Taruwinga, incoming dean of the School of Business, with the reaffirmation certificate at a ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri. “Walla Walla University has shown its commitment to teaching excellence and to the process of quality improvement by participating in the accreditation process,” says Parscale. “This reaffirmation of accreditation is evidence that WWU is committed to maintaining the highest quality business education for their students.”
Ron Wilkinson ’78 and Eric Wilkinson ’10 Entrepreneurs at wilkinsonbaking.com Doug Taylor ’78 and David Jeffery ’12 Student loan experts from WWU who shared secrets to reducing college debt Abel Cruz ’91 Global business development manager, Amazon, Seattle (Formerly director of tech strategy, Microsoft) Alexander Nickolatos ’01, CPA Chief financial officer, EcoStim Energy Solutions Publicly traded company, Houston, Texas Brittney Smith ’12, CPA Manager, CliftonLarsonAllen, professional services firm, Bellevue, Washington Deanne Rhynard ’04 Vice president, Olo.com, internet startup company
Visit wallawalla.edu/businesscolloquia to see speakers for the 2018–19 school year.
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Renovated Bowers Hall fosters learning and community
A lot has changed in Bowers Hall over the last year, and the students and faculty of the Walla Walla University School of Business couldn’t be happier. Between the new study spaces, technologyenhanced classrooms, and airy, open design, Bowers Hall is a great place to be. Bowers emerged from a year-long renovation on Dec. 7, 2018—the 125th anniversary of the first day of classes in 1892—completely renewed and ready for business. More than 3,000 square feet were added to the original hall, primarily extending the building’s footprint south toward Kretschmar Hall and giving students, faculty, and staff a wealth of new space. Custom two-story windows, which are quickly becoming iconic of the new Bowers, welcome students into a lightfilled, professional atrium space equipped for gathering and studying.
Features of the renovated space include a light-filled lobby, space for group study, a landscaped patio between the Fine Arts Center and Bowers Hall, quiet space for private study, and views of the University Church and Kretschmar quad. 4
“This was a major project. Almost every square inch of Bowers has been completely updated,” says George Bennett, WWU director of facility services. The updates are evident everywhere inside Bowers, from the ergonomic layout of the new classrooms to the strategically placed monitors throughout the building that provide an effective way to
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“The classrooms in Bowers are very open, which makes it easy to engage in class, and the windows provide lots of light, which helps with studying focus.” The classrooms and study areas feature monitors and hubs for HDMI cables, which allow students and faculty to easily connect their devices to share material. Many of the
The classrooms in Bowers are very open, which makes it easy to engage in class, and the windows provide lots of light, which helps with studying focus.
announce special events and information. “The intentional layout and cutting-edge classroom technology facilitates projectbased learning and teamwork,” says Bruce Toews, 2017–18 interim dean of the School of Business. This layout is a boon to students, as Sabrina Smith, junior business major, explains:
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study rooms boast writable walls that promote free-flow thought and creativity. Smith appreciates these options, saying, “I study in many different areas of Bowers depending on my subject material. When I need to study for a science test I often use a room where I can write on the walls using an Expo marker.
If I need a computer, I go downstairs to the computer lab.” The computer lab in Bowers is also popular among students. Katie Mowat, junior civil engineering major, appreciates the new lab. “I like the fact that I can remove the dividers between computers when working on a team project, and the fact that all of the engineering programs are on the computers is a plus,” she says. The changes to Bowers Hall weren’t limited to new technology, however, and as is often the case, it is the most basic improvements that often garner the most appreciation. Power outlets—a must-have for frequent smart phone charging—now abound in Bowers, and comfortable new furniture pampers students and staff as they work. Kainan Shaw, senior business major, especially appreciates the furniture, saying, “One of the best aspects of the new building for me, as a rather tall student, is the new chairs and tables that allow me to comfortably sit through entire class periods, tests, and study sessions without causing back and neck problems.” Other improvements also earn universal praise. “We went from a single-stall, unisex restroom (for which a long waiting line formed between classes) to multiple, spacious restrooms. The importance of this improvement cannot be overstated!” says Toews. The alumni response to Bowers Hall has been resoundingly positive, often calling the space “a dream come true,” according to Claudia Santellano, WWU director of Alumni and Parent Relations, who teamed up with the School of Business during Homecoming Weekend 2018 to give alumni tours of Bowers. Santellano says the tours showcase “what the university would like to do with other buildings on campus—to update and remodel them to meet current academic and technological needs.”
For WWU faculty the changes to Bowers Hall are a breath of fresh air. “Having lived in hand-me-down facilities for many decades, business professors are very grateful to finally have a home in which we can be proud and which reflects a professional, quality atmosphere,” says Toews. Johanna Attoh, associate professor of economics, also appreciates the new space. “The new building fosters an environment for students to interact with other students and faculty and offers them new opportunities to learn,” she says. Other departments on campus have also come to appreciate the sleek new classrooms in Bowers and hold classes in the building.
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The new building fosters an environment for students to interact with other students and faculty and offers them new opportunities to learn.
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That Bowers fosters an environment of social interaction and learning is an observation amply borne out by the facts. Students have begun to make Bowers Hall their “home away from home,” as Toews observes. “When I often leave for home late in the evening, I am encouraged to see each classroom and meeting room filled with students from all over campus working together on group projects, which is one of the best ways for students to garner those important teamwork, interpersonal, and leadership skills so badly needed in the marketplace.” These students hail from all over campus, but students of business have the added advantage of easy access to business faculty offices, which are now deliberately located adjacent to study areas to enhance out-of-classroom interaction. Having such easy access to faculty is a boon to learning.
“One of the greatest advantages of studying in Bowers is that all of my professors are nearby and easily accessible,” says Shaw. Bowers Hall is a great venue for other social events as well. “Students enjoy the lobby so much that they have scheduled many events here, including an upcoming wedding reception!” says Toews. Lower-key events are common, too, such as the meetings of the WWU Table Top Club to play board games in one of the conference rooms every Friday. The Associated Students of Walla Walla University have also tapped into Bowers’ unique space, choosing it for their Massages and Chocolate event during the week before finals in February. The atrium easily accommodated the hundreds of students who attended the event. The new Bowers Hall has altered the landscape of WWU, offering a new and innovative environment for students and faculty to interact and learn. “It is humbling to envision the thousands of students who will pass through the doors and classrooms of Bowers Hall on their way to professional careers of service,” says Toews. “The experience of each student will have been influenced and facilitated by the quality learning space in the transformed Bowers Hall.” The first of these students have already passed through Bowers’ doors and have benefitted from its accessible, technical elegance and style. They’ve been impacted also by something deeper than utility, as Attoh explains: “In the few months since Bowers reopened, we have been able to host events that bring the student body and faculty closer together. I think that is one of the main features of the building.” Walla Walla University has always had an eye toward community building, and from its new home in Bowers Hall, the School of Business throws its whole weight into the effort by offering students a place to collaborate, socialize, and flourish.
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& Experiential learning opportunities enhance student knowledge and marketability The Walla Walla University School of Business is unique among most business programs in that all business students must complete a formal internship as part of their educational requirements. Thanks to Darel Harwell, the new WWU employer relations coordinator, students have more internship opportunities than ever. The catalyst for this new position within the Student Development Center was a 2016 comprehensive study conducted by business student Paul Trapani ’17 and sponsored by alumni Paul Rhynard ’04 and Deanne Rhynard ’04. Harwell answered a few questions about the value of experiential learning. What is experiential learning? DAREL HARWELL: Experiential learning is moving to the forefront of higher education nationally and is quickly becoming the deciding factor in hiring decisions for employers looking at recent graduates. Experiential learning includes practicums, mentorships, research assistantships, volunteer work, internships, and a variety of other formats that are all about gaining experience that allows students to apply a quality liberal arts education to the real world. Additionally, it starts the process of networking in a students’ fields of interest and provides them with projects and experiences to discuss during interviews. Do you match students with positions? DH: I do meet with students and make recommendations about opportunities. However, I encourage students and employers to think of the process in terms of the position. I work with
employers to create job descriptions that include details about the skills and responsibilities they want in a candidate. This allows students to look for opportunities that align with their major and the skills they are learning in the classroom. Students then apply directly to the employer. It is a competitive process and one that is, in and of itself, very beneficial for our students. How far afield do these opportunities go? DH: We have opportunities locally, regionally, nationally, and even overseas. Companies worldwide and across virtually any industry have opportunities for students to engage. How have students responded? DH: Experiential learning and its role in their academic journey is a fairly new concept for many students. As with anything new, the first step can be a little scary. What is perhaps most telling is the response I get from students during and after their internships. They are excited, they are doing work that they feel matters, and they are learning from individuals who have five, 10, 20 years of experience. Their view of education and of themselves is broadened. How have employers responded? DH: Employers are largely excited about the idea of hosting students in their organizations. Smaller companies benefit from the added personnel, and our students often fill skills gaps in their structure, assisting with elements of a project that a small business might otherwise not have access to. Larger organizations recognize the opportunity to scout talent among upcoming graduates. When meeting with students, I encourage them to realize that whether an employer mentions it or not, they are going
to evaluate how an intern might benefit their company. Make yourself of great value and opportunities are often extended. Do WWU students have a broad range of experiential learning opportunities? DH: The creation of experiential learning opportunities is really driven by the employer and their organizations’ needs. For that reason, student positions emerge from many sectors, across virtually all industries. Do you work with WWU alumni to create opportunities? How have they responded? DH: I do work with alumni, and they are fantastic. WWU is a great institution, and the experience of being a student here has a lasting impact. As I am reaching out to employers to discuss opportunities, I am continuously meeting graduates of our institution at all levels within organizations, many of whom started as interns! Alumni know the quality of education they received here and are therefore interested in our students as interns and future employees. Where can readers go to learn about sponsoring an intern? DH: Employers and partners who are interested in sponsoring a student intern can reach out to me. We work together to discuss what it is they want to accomplish, create position descriptions, and then broadcast the opportunity across campus via a variety of channels. They can also explore our employer relations web page, which provides information not only about internships and experiential learning, but a host of other ways to connect with students, such as career fairs, on-campus recruiting, mock interviews, group projects, and job shadows, to name a few.
For more information about the SDC and the opportunities it provides students and employers, contact Darel Harwell at (509) 527-2089 or darel.harwell@wallawalla.edu, or visit wallawalla.edu/sdc. 6
2018 business graduate pursues career in health care Yara Fernandez has her eyes set on giving back to the field of health care.
candidate in the eyes of employers. “I believe that my professors have prepared me with reallife examples that I will be able to apply in the work that I will be doing,” she says. “I know I may not know everything about business, but I feel prepared enough to start in health care. I know I will quickly pick up the new tactics and aspects of the organization thanks to the skills my professors helped me develop.” During her time at WWU, Fernandez completed internships at the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and at Centura Health in Colorado. In her internship with the UCC, she worked with treasury databases to ensure confidential workflow while collecting and recording more than $200,000 per day. At Centura Health, she analyzed cosmetic surgery data and discovered
After having three major surgeries as a child, she is determined to help people in need of medical care as she once was. “I hope to make a difference in someone’s life like the hospital staff once did for me,” she says. “I want to help others. It is my passion, and it will continue to be as I take on this journey in health care.” In June, Fernandez received a bachelor of business administration degree from WWU with a concentration in finance. In August, she began a finance residency program in Tampa, Florida, where she will rotate through different finance and accounting departments in the Adventist Health System and work on a master’s degree. Fernandez believes that every piece of the health care puzzle matters and that through her work in hospital finance she can make a difference in the I know I will quickly pick up the lives of patients. new tactics and aspects of the This past year, Fernandez organization thanks to the skills my was awarded the 2018 ACBSP School of Business professors helped me develop. Leadership Award and the Helen Wineberg Kendall Scholarship from the School of Business for a way to improve the hospital’s revenue her academic performance, integrity, and by seven percent on a specific surgical procedure. Using the 6S lean method, exceptional leadership skills. Fernandez says that the School of Business, she also identified a way to save among other departments at WWU, did a the hospital more than $300,000 on great job of teaching her skills in a variety of surgical tools. Fernandez credits the School of Business areas, including accounting, finance, ethics, and the WWU Student Development Center and psychology, that have made her a valuable
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with helping her obtain her two internships. With the assistance of Lana Van Dorn, School of Business administrative assistant, she was able to see all of the available internship opportunities and to choose the ones that were most appealing to her. Fernandez also says that David Lindstrom, director of the SDC, was very helpful in her search for internships and career opportunities, updating her résumé, and improving her interviewing skills. As Fernandez begins her finance residency, she is excited to start on her journey working in health care and pursuing her goal of giving back to the field that has given her so much.
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Students receive awards for distinction
Outstanding Senior Award
During the 2017–18 school year, the School of Business recognized the following students for outstanding achievements and contributions:
Faculty Recognition Award
William Johnson
(Johnson graduated with a 4.0 GPA.)
Brett Wilson Daniel Lincoln
Delta Mu Delta Honor Society
Delta Mu Delta is a leading business honor society that recognizes exceptional academic performance around the globe. The following students were inducted this year:
JoLene Danielson Karla Guzman Bailey Haffner Lauren Heinrich Nicole Holm
William Johnson Matthew Kim Daniel Lincoln Brendan Lowry Austin Mapa
Austin Mock Brithny Sanderson Jackson Shampo Brett Wilson
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NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (509) 527-2951 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324 busnschool@wallawalla.edu RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Summer internship takes student to Capitol Hill Capitol Hill offered a wealth of experience and opportunities for Natalie Schmidt, senior business major with a concentration in marketing, who served as a summer intern for Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho. “I did a variety of things, such as answered phones, voicemails, and faxes, worked on mass media and banking projects, assisted in writing constituent letters, and gave U.S. capitol tours to constituents.” Schmidt says her internship gave her insight into her options for a future career. “It helped me decide what I would like to do in the future. I now have a new world of possibilities and career choices to choose from,” she says. Schmidt returned to WWU in the fall, stronger because of her internship. “This was a truly wonderful experience and it helped me grow a lot in becoming a more independent individual and to really make my dreams and interests become a reality.”
Read more about experiential learning. p. 6
60
The School of Business graduated 60 students in 2018, the most of any undergraduate program at WWU.
550+
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23
3,000
With more than 500 members, the Business Club is one of the largest student clubs on campus.
The School of Business offers three specialized certificates: market research, business analytics, and project management.
During the 2017–18 academic year, 23 students completed the rigorous process to receive the project management certificate.
The 3,000th businessrelated degree from WWU was awarded to a member of the 2018 graduating class.