FALL 2021
WWU welcomes three new business faculty p. 2 School of Business WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY
School of Business UPDATES Dean’s message Bruce Toews, dean of the School of Business
The other day someone asked, “Can you give me some good news for a change?” Despite the challenges abroad and at home, I have many reasons to be thankful. As I take on the dean position (again), I’m very mindful of our Balance Sheet of Blessings. Specifically, I am grateful for: •
Our fall enrollment, the highest in the business program in 14 years.
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The nearly 3,000 business graduates who have contributed in amazing ways to their communities and the world at large.
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The scores of business faculty over the years who have served with dedication and sacrifice (see p. 4), and for three new faculty this year who’ll maintain that legacy (see article at right).
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Our smart seniors who continue to score higher than nine out of 10 other business programs around the country on a comprehensive exit exam (see p. 7).
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Our energetic and creative students who put new ideas to work in our entrepreneurial competition (see p. 8) and in our Enactus Club (see p. 7).
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The distinguished alumni and guests who generously share their time and wisdom in our colloquium series (see p. 6).
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The positive spiritual and social atmosphere in the School of Business.
The list of blessings could continue, but let me conclude that despite the challenges, we are tackling another school year with optimism and cheer. We request your prayers as we continue to make WWU a place of life-changing experiences. With gratitude for our WWU community, Bruce Toews
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Faculty/staff update Outgoing Andrew Dressler has entered a well-deserved retirement after having first taught in the business program in the 1960s. Over the following decades, he influenced thousands of students, some of whom could be the grand- or even great-grandchildren of former students! In addition to teaching, Andy served for many years as Business Club sponsor, which involved activities such as ski trips, white-water rafting, go-kart racing, hot springs weekend, midnight bowling, and highway 12 cleanup. Students and faculty alike will miss his easygoing personality and interesting stories from a lifetime of experience in the business world. Mihail Motzev started teaching information systems, quantitative methods, and management science at WWU in 2005. His expertise in his discipline, stellar record of academic research, and good sense of humor will be missed, as will the baklava and sweet bread that he often brought to class. Upon retirement, Mihail plans to spend time with his kids and grandkids, as well as enjoy the beautiful Black Sea in his home country of Bulgaria. Patience Taruwinga first taught at WWU in 2017 as professor of management and information systems. A year later he successfully took on the dean role. He will be sorely missed as he redirects his time and energy to his business, family, and charity. The good news is that he is staying in the area and will continue to be involved in the business program on a part-time basis.
Incoming Benjamin Khoo comes to WWU with over two decades of teaching experience at several universities, most recently the New York Institute of Technology. He holds a doctorate and two master’s degrees, is a certified information systems auditor,
and is a published expert in information security, mobile tech apps, and enterprise applications integration. He also served as a software engineer at several large multinational corporations. After an exhausting move across the country, Ben is happy to finally be settled in his new home and be closer to his adult children. Prakash Ramoutar is joining the accounting faculty after serving for 15 years in various corporate accounting and finance positions. Most recently he was CFO at the University of Southern Caribbean. Prakash holds a doctorate in business, two master’s degrees, and four professional certifications. After living in Trinidad and Tobago, he and his wife Amanda (professor of education) are learning to adjust to the climate and culture of Eastern Washington. They recently welcomed baby Rebekah into their home. In his spare time, Prakash enjoys playing cricket but is now being forced to learn American baseball. Brian Schaffner is no stranger to WWU, having graduated from our business program in 1994. Since then, he has served in a variety of capacities, including CEO, CFO, CIO, and controller in seniorhousing and skilled-nursing facilities, retail stores, and educational institutions. Most recently, he served as vice principal of finance at Monterey Bay Academy. Brian and his wife, Linda, have two sons, Jonathan and Samuel. The oldest, Samuel, is a junior math/business major at WWU. When Brian isn’t teaching accounting, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, flying, and accumulating inspirational phrases.
Continuing Johanna Attoh, a bona fide Costa Rican, is our resident economist since 2014. She is not only eminently qualified to teach economics, but she ably covers many finance courses such as International Trade and Finance, a topic related to her doctoral dissertation. Johanna, who is the life of any party, brings
enthusiasm and good humor to our business program. She and her husband, Victor, have two precious youngsters, Theo and Simone, who keep them very busy at home. Conna Bond, who first taught here in 2013, continues to bring quality instruction and enthusiasm to her marketing and management classes. She just completed a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication to add to her doctorate in law. Conna and her husband, Mark, operate a creative agency offering services in graphic design and digital marketing strategies. In her rare spare time, she enjoys hiking, writing, and making music with her family (she is a former Heritage Singer, and Mark is a Christian recording artist and composer). They enjoy spending time with their four children and three granddaughters. George Perez, who joined our faculty in 2018, teaches a variety of courses in management, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and also serves as the energetic sponsor of our Enactus Club. He was born and raised in Mexico but is a Canadian citizen, which makes him a true multinational. As a serial entrepreneur, George has started and operated a variety of businesses, including building one of the largest Hispanic radio/media networks in the Midwest. With his deep baritone voice, he even became a popular radio personality. George and his wife, Anna, have a son, also named George, who is a junior at WWU. Bruce Toews has moved into the dean position (again). He jokes that he is like a dead fish that keeps floating to the top. Having taught accounting and finance courses here since 1994, he is starting to feel fully depreciated; fortunately, he is supported by an excellent team. He and his wife, Sharryl, have two adult daughters but no grandchildren (yet). In his spare time, he enjoys bird-watching, hiking, and participating in music ministry.
students in a variety of ways, from helping them with paperwork to lending a listening ear. Lana is a skillful card-maker, creating hundreds of beautiful cards for our students and staff. Her husband, Robert, is an attorney and trust officer who also expertly teaches our business law classes. Their son, Stefan, is a junior at WWU and their daughter, Jordan, recently graduated from the radiation tech program at Loma Linda University.
Other collaborating (adjunct) faculty Clarence Anderson is no stranger to the WWU School of Business, having taught here for 16 years. For eight of those years, he also served as dean. We are lucky to pull him out of semi-retirement to help with academic advising and to occasionally teach a class. Duane Anderson is also a familiar face, having taught full-time in our information systems program for five years. Currently, he is serving as director of IT, but he somehow finds time to also teach a few courses on the side, for which we are grateful. Alex Bryan, senior vice president for Adventist Health, teaches a course in healthcare administration. He previously taught our business ethics course when he served as senior pastor of the University Church.
Alum in the news In February 2021, Rachel Ruggeri was named chief financial officer and executive vice president of Starbucks in Seattle. Her appointment adds to the growing number of women who hold top finance jobs at Fortune 500 companies. Ruggeri completed postbaccalaureate studies in accounting at WWU from 1992 to 1995 and later earned an M.B.A from Washington State University. As a 16year veteran at Starbucks, Ruggeri worked in a variety of increasing responsibilities before being appointed as chief financial officer. She has also served as controller or finance head at J.R. Simplot Company, PRCN, and Continental Mills. Bruce Toews, dean, remembers having Ruggeri as a student in several of his classes. “She usually sat on the front row and asked a lot of perceptive questions,” Toews recalls. WWU students were privileged to have Ruggeri share her story at a colloquium.
Lana Van Dorn, our much beloved office manager, “runs” the business program with proficiency and grace. In addition, she helps 3
Full-time business faculty, 1960-2020 If you are a WWU business alum, do any of the faculty names below trigger memories? Over the last three-score years, the business program at WWU/WWC has been blessed by nearly five dozen faculty who have sacrificed their time to make a difference professionally, academically, and spiritually in the lives of their students. The faculty list also includes teachers in the Office Administration program. Clarence Anderson Duane Anderson Norman Anderson Johanna Attoh James Aulick Conna Bond Lynn Boyd Michael Buck Jody Carlisle Glenn Carter Sam Chuah Nancy Cleveland (office adm.) William Dassenko Fred Davis Andrew Dressler Eileen Emori Ray Fowler Ann Gibson Gertrude Gobson (office adm.) John Haney Fred Harder Rebecca Hendricks Paul Joice Ralph Jones Robert Kappel Richard Kegley William Key Jae Kim Monty Knittel Ralph Koorenny Lee Loewen (office adm.) Virginia Mabley (office adm.)
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1993-2009 2002-2007 1987-2012 20141984-1988 2013-2017; 20192003-2006 1987-1994 2012-2013 1995-1997 1991-1998 1980-1981 1979-1982 1986-1987 1968-1974; 1997-2021 1991-1993 1970-1978 1983-1986; 1991-1992 1969-1974 1990-1999 1982-1983 1988-1995 1971-1992 1960-1964; 1967-1974 1973-1980 1976-1977 1966-1968 1989-1993 1985-1987 1972-1975; 1981-1984 1974-1987 1972-1987
Ron Manuel Robert McChesney Jakob Mehling William Messer Motzev Mihail Josefer Montes Jack Paulman George Perez Lee Reynolds Norman Rudolph Sheila Schroeder (office adm.) Robert Schwab Julie Scott Kevin Stokes Patience Taruwinga Norman Thiel Dana Thompson Bruce Toews Steven VanOrden Robert Weaver Rodney Wehtje Arthur White JoAnn Wiggins Lenard Wittlake Yew Chong Wong Sheila Yates (office adm.) Licci Zemleduch
1983-1987 1988-1989 1947-1978 1977-1985 2005-2021 2011-2017 1977-1986 20181977-1980 1970-1971 1982-1987 1985-1993 1993-1998; 2000-2002 1987-1990 2017-2021 2007-2011 1998-2013 19942012-2018 1989-1991 1979-1981; 1982-1983 1959-1960; 1963-1971 1987-2012 1996-2001 1992-1995 1982-1983 2018-2019
Thuc finds hope at WWU WWU business student perseveres, proud to be at WWU At the foot of the Blue Mountains, surrounded by fields of wheat and onions, it would be difficult to go to Walla Walla University by accident. Many students feel pressure when choosing where to pursue higher education. Sometimes, however, the simplest gestures or the grandest miracles can show God’s calling in our lives. Meet Abriel Thuc, who traveled far because he found hope in the higher Adventist education Walla Walla University has to offer. Abriel’s journey to WWU was marked by perseverance and the impact of his newfound church family. Born and raised in South Sudan, Thuc made the difficult decision to leave home due to an unrelenting civil war. He made his way to Kenya, where he would get education at a refugee camp. Conditions there, however, were not ideal for living, much less for real academic learning. Thuc briefly mentioned having limited access to food and water before explaining that he felt called to pursue something better for himself. His chance came. A video, posted online, showed Thuc playing basketball with friends on a dirt court—some players without shoes. When a woman in Southern California saw the video, she coordinated with American schools to find athletic scholarships for the players. Thuc’s journey to the United States was only a small step towards WWU. He studied at two different schools on basketball scholarships before finding his true home in Maryland. There, his host family had a profound impact on his life, and Thuc was baptized as an Adventist. In 2017, WWU’s basketball coach invited Thuc to join the team. Despite being unable to visit the university before applying, the genuine interest and care he was shown convinced Thuc this was where he should be. As a proud junior business administration major, Thuc is hopeful God will soon lead him to a job that allows him to pass on the generosity he received along his journey. “Walla Walla University is a place of hope,” said Thuc. “Things turned out well for me because of the people—the staff, teachers, students—who helped me so much. It’s a good environment. I will never forget it.”
Abriel Thuc / Major: Business administration Hometown: Tonj, South Sudan
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Business meets health care WWU partners with Adventist Health to provide new business class A new class offered by the Walla Walla University School of Business in partnership with Adventist Health is helping to prepare WWU students for careers in health care administration by providing opportunities to learn from senior level health care executives. “The health care industry is a booming sector worldwide with a projected growth in jobs,” says Bruce Toews, dean of the School of Business.“This industry provides many opportunities for students, good earning potential, and the opportunity to accelerate in their careers.” Twenty-six students took the elective class during the first quarter it was offered, and many additional students are ready to register for the class this year. During the last three years, more than three dozen business students were hired as either health care administration interns or as part of the administration residency programs offered by various health care networks. “Through this intensive summer internship program, our students interact with health care executives and work with multiple teams. By the time they are finished, they have a clear sense of the careers they want to pursue in health care,” says Toews. Lauren Fry, who did a summer internship at Adventist Health, says that while she has always been interested in helping people, she has never had a passion to work on the clinical side of health care as a doctor or nurse. “I’ve always had more of a business mindset,” she says. “When I learned that health care has this other side to it—this business component—it really appealed to me because I want to have a job where I feel like I am really making a difference.” Through their classes in the School of Business, mission-minded students, such as Fry, are also learning problem-solving and communication skills, solid analytical skills, and a strong work ethic qualities that Adventist Health is looking for in employment candidates. “Adventist Health is looking for bright, young, mission-driven students to come work for us. The Introduction to Health care Administration class is an opportunity for WWU students to put their name forward—to step up and say, ‘I want to make a difference in the world,’” says Alex Bryan, chief mission officer for Adventist Health, who teaches the class at WWU. “There is no better way to make a profound difference in the world than through health care—to love people who are hurting, to heal people who are sick, to bring hope to people who find that they have no hope.” To learn more about how the WWU School of Business can help you prepare for a career in health care administration, visit our website at wallawalla.edu/business and watch our new video, including interviews with students in the class. 6
The students and faculty in the business school are grateful to the distinguished alumni and guests who enriched our program this past year by sharing their life experiences in our colloquium series. We are always looking for presenters, so if you would be willing, please let us know.
Colloquium schedules Fall 2020 Sept. 24, 2020 Kickoff Colloquium Students learned important information about events and changes for the new year. Oct. 11, 2020 Internship Panel Students shared what they learned from their summer internship experiences. Oct. 22, 2020 Terry Alan Farris 30+ years of international experience as a corporate CEO, board chair, banker, wealth advisor, and educational leader Nov. 12, 2020 Michael Kruger, CA President of ADRA International
Winter 2021 Jan. 24, 2021 Vern Vliet, M.A., CEBS, ERPA, QPA President of JV Associates Ltd., a retirement plan and tax consulting firm Jan. 28, 2021 Walter “Wally” Sackett, M.H.A., FACHE ’81 President of Kettering Health Feb. 4, 2021 Russell Wilkinson ’79 Founder and chairman of Wilkinson Corporation March 7, 2021 LaunchU Semifinal Competition Entrepreneurial teams competed in the semifinal round.
Spring 2021 April 5, 2021 LaunchU Final Competition The battle between entrepreneurial ideas heated up as teams competed for prize money in the final round. May 6, 2021 Peter Walker, Ph.D. Vice president of Architecture at Visa Inc. May 20, 2021 Michelina Benitez, PE, PMP ’05 President and founder of Benico LLC June 3, 2021 Business Awards Program Celebrating the accomplishments of business students and faculty over this last year
Students earn exceptional marks on the MFT in business
Students in WWU’s Enactus program with George Perez, professor and Enactus sponsor at WWU
Enactus projects help community
Enactus students open community garden and develop recycling program This past year, students in the Enactus program, hosted by the School of Business, have opened a community garden and have been developing a glass recycling system. Enactus is a student-led program with a mission to create a better world while developing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and social innovators. “I joined Enactus because I want to make a difference in the community of College Place and Walla Walla. Even though I am a student and I won’t be here forever, I appreciate the community here, and I want to give back,” said Madlyn Ellis, current Enactus president and senior business major. With the support and guidance of Professor George Perez, Enactus faculty advisor, the Enactus team set up a community garden on land provided by the City of College Place. The local Home Depot donated 12 tons of cinder blocks for raised beds along with gardening equipment such as wheelbarrows, shovels, and more. WWU Facility Services provided soil, and the WWU School of Business provided seed funding.
The garden allows people in apartments or retirement homes, or those who otherwise lack space at their homes, to have a garden plot. Enactus leases a space for $50 per bed per season. This money will be put toward garden upkeep and help fund other Enactus projects. The Enactus team has also begun collecting glass bottles from recycling bins on campus. Currently no glass-recycling program exists in the Walla Walla area. With help from community member Chris Lueck, the glass is put through a crushing machine that reduces it back into fine sand. Alternative uses for the sand are being explored, including product sales that would help the project become financially sustainable. To learn more about Enactus or to enroll as a participant, visit wallawallaenactus.com. Community members can register for a slot in the community garden by filling out a form (financial assistance is available). Please contact Professor George Perez, if you have any questions or comments at george.perez@wallawalla.edu.
What is the MFT? The Major Field Test (MFT) is a comprehensive exit exam over the core areas in business, including accounting, economics, finance, information systems, international business, law, management, marketing, and quantitative analysis. The test is administrated by the Education Testing Service, the same organization that administers the GRE exam. Who takes the MFT? All WWU business seniors sit for the test as part of their degree requirements. In recent years, nearly 140,000 business seniors at 532 business schools took the MFT. This list includes elite business programs, state schools, and sister SDA schools. How well do WWU seniors perform on the MFT? Our students are clearly learning business concepts exceptionally well. On average over the last decade, they have outperformed seniors at nine out of ten other business schools. In 2020, they scored at the 99th percentile, which put us among top business programs in the nation. These scores are impressive. Why do you think WWU students do so well? We believe these stellar results reflect the quality of our students and our program. We are fortunate to have a strong curriculum, dedicated professors, and awesome students!
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Big ideas pitched at business contest Business innovators pitch product business plans at LaunchU event Five teams of Walla Walla University students competed on April 5, 2021, in the final LaunchU event of the year for the chance to win business startup funds and mentorship. During the yearlong LaunchU process, students from a variety of disciplines worked in teams with their professors to develop product ideas and business models. The teams presented their ideas at a series of competitions, working to make it through to the national Moxie Business Summit and Pitch Event. The winning project at the final WWU competition was an idea for a product called StudPro, which is a device to accurately locate studs behind drywall by means of a magnetic array. The team was comprised of Vincent Weibel, senior product design major; Montarno Mandrie, senior product design major; Paul Tucker, sophomore business major; and Aurora Gault, senior business major. Second place went to Eric Nazario, junior product design major, and Destinie Stopsen, senior business major, for Creative Alcove, a desk design that enhances efficient use of space while reducing clutter. The third-place project, Love Arrow Wedding Photography, is an idea to photograph and work with engaged couples around the world to streamline and improve the wedding planning process. Project developers were Cedric Merrills, senior business major; John Stewart-Tapasco, senior business major; and Emmett Semple, senior business major.
97%
More than 97% of WWU business graduates are placed in careers or graduate schools within 12 months of graduation.
Winning teams at the final WWU competition received $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $2,000 for second place. The first- and second-place winners were encouraged to present their projects at the Moxie event on May 4, which was held virtually due to the pandemic. At the Moxie event, teams from colleges and universities across the nation presented their projects and competed for additional funding and business mentorship. The winners at the national competition received $10,000 for first place, $7,000 for second place, and $3,000 for third place.
100% 3k grads
One hundred percent of business majors complete internships in a variety of settings across the country.
The first business grad was Herbert Flowers in 1892. Since then, thousands more have left these humble halls to bless their communities and the world at large.
99th
percentile
WWU seniors scored in the 99th percentile on the Major Field Test—the highest score to date.