FALL 2016
ANNUAL REPORT School of Business WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY
School of Business Message from the dean Josefer Montes, dean of the School of Business
I love the guarantee found in John 14:1–3 (NKJV). “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
A guarantee can be a powerful thing! United States Treasury Securities are widely considered the safest financial investment in the world. They are debt obligations issued by the U.S. government. In other words, you are lending money to the U.S. government, and the government guarantees to pay you back according to specified terms. These investments are considered virtually risk-free because the financial markets believe that the U.S. government will never default on its loan obligations. Since treasury securities are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government, a real default would be unprecedented and catastrophic. The phrase “full faith and credit” describes an unconditional guarantee—a promise that the U.S. government agrees to repay no matter what— that the government will find a way to repay using the monetary or fiscal tools that are at its disposal. Among the very final words in scripture is a concluding and explicit guarantee. Revelation 22:20 reads, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’” Here is a guarantee backed by the only truly risk-free status—the full faith and credit of Jesus—the author of our eternal salvation. The second coming of our Lord is inevitable, inescapable, and inexorable. Jesus is coming again—it is guaranteed! God’s blessings to you and your family, and we encourage you to visit us in Bowers Hall so you can see for yourself all the great things going on at the WWU School of Business.
Sherwin leads in development of new honor code The School of Business adopted a newly articulated honor code last spring with senior business major Tyler Sherwin leading the way. “I was first inspired to write an honor code for the School of Business during Alex Bryan’s week of worship series fall quarter,” says Sherwin. “He talked about grit, which can be described as courage, resolve, and strength of character in the face of tremendous odds. I have observed these and other exemplary qualities in many of the students and faculty at the School of Business.” Sherwin hopes to inspire the highest standards in every decision and action that is seen and unseen—high standards that he believes are expected of each of us.
We, the students, staff, and faculty of the Walla Walla University School of Business, pledge to adhere to the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, and respect for others in all that we do in the classroom and in our personal and professional lives. We commit to maintaining an ethical focus in all our endeavors, beyond what is minimally expected by society or required by law. We commit to maintaining a thoughtful, studied, ethical focus that defines how we reconcile inevitable tensions between ambition and service, competition and contribution, profit and trust. Specifically, we agree to be held accountable to the provisions of the following Honor Code. As future business leaders and representatives of the ideals and values of the Walla Walla University School of Business, we pledge to act consistently with the university’s core beliefs and values, including excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, and faith in God. We pledge to uphold the core value of excellence in thought through the pursuit of academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, and professional achievement in our respective fields without compromising what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy. We pledge to uphold generosity in service by acknowledging that we all are children of God and ambassadors of His kingdom who are called to lives of humble, dedicated service in both our personal and professional lives. We pledge to uphold beauty in expression through honest innovation in our educational and professional pursuits, employing only those means that are worthy of this institution and our Creator and rejecting all opportunities to exploit or mislead others. We pledge to uphold faith in God by acknowledging that we are inherently fallen, self-centered beings in need of daily life-changing encounters with a loving and self-sacrificing Savior and that such encounters will result in our adherence to truth and justice, as well as in positive eternal outcomes for us and for all others who are impacted by our decisions and actions.
Colloquium series connects students and business leaders Not long after Justin Davis started working at the software company, SAP, he found himself assigned to a team project with a group of smart, capable people, and not one of them had the necessary accounting knowledge for the project—except him. Davis now works in data platform sales at Twitter, and while his knowledge of accounting was instrumental in the success of that team project, it wasn’t his accounting skill that got him the job at Twitter. In fact he graduated in 2012 from the Walla Walla University School of Business with a concentration in finance, but he started out as an accounting major and had taken accounting classes at WWU. “That basic background knowledge in accounting was instrumental on the team at a point in time when that was what they needed,” says Davis. “There are the ‘vegetables’ of your
networking opportunities for students,” says Josefer Montes, dean of the School of Business. “Students get to hear new voices talking about what is going on in the world of business,” says Montes. “Speakers often hang out for a couple of hours just chatting with students and answering questions. Sometimes they speak for classes; sometimes they block out time for one-on-one informational interviews with students. When they do, every single slot is booked immediately. The one-on-one interaction is a big hit.” Each fall quarter the colloquium series features two guest speakers as well as student speakers who report about their summer internship experiences. During winter quarters all business students and faculty read a book together and participate in an online discussion about the text. The author of the book will often visit campus to speak as well. Spring quarter features two additional guest speakers and students sharing updates about projects they have worked on during the year. Justin Davis sees these interactions between
Justin Davis @jtown
Basic background knowledge in accounting was instrumental on the team at a point in time when that was what they needed. #WWUSchoolofBusiness
college classes,” he says, “those classes that may not be the most fun or exciting. Stick with those classes. You never know when you might need them.” “I also never thought about the importance of learning computer coding or building Excel models when I was in college, because I never thought I would use those skills,” he says. “I’m working in an industry now where a basic understanding of coding would be a big help.” His advice about sticking with the tough classes and cross-pollination across skill sets and areas of study were just two nuggets of wisdom that Davis shared with WWU students during the 2015–16 School of Business colloquium series, a quarterly lecture series about current business practices that all WWU business students are required to attend. “The objectives of the series are to expose students to the views and insights of business people and to create
students and business leaders as one of the best possible ways for students to build a robust network of professional associates. He encourages students to find mentors—WWU alumni if possible—who are working in different fields. “Most alumni that I have connected with are willing to talk and to answer questions about the best credentials, qualifications, and career paths,” he says. During his time back on the WWU campus, Davis found WWU business students to be “curious, smart, and easily competitive with their university peers across the country.” “I loved my time as a student at WWU,” he says, “and I want to see the School of Business continue to flourish.”
School of Business faculty recognized for achievements
Two School of Business faculty members received awards at the annual Walla Walla University Awards CommUnity held last spring. Conna Bond, assistant professor of business, received the School of Business Excellence in Teaching Award, given in recognition of outstanding teaching, mentoring, and advising within the School of Business. Mihail Motzev, professor of business, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship, granted for “significant and meritorious achievement” in research. Other awards presented during the program recognized faculty and staff for noteworthy accomplishments in teaching, advising, and professional activities. Award nominations are submitted by students and colleagues, and recipients are chosen by the Faculty Awards Committee. Along with recognition of their hard work and exceptional achievements, award recipients are given a monetary reward.
The 2016–17 business colloquium series will feature speakers from Alaska Airlines and Starbucks. Ken Peterson, Jr., founder and CEO of Columbia Ventures Corporation, will kick off the series on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. 3
Q &
A Hands-on experience Internships develop skills and expand networks Internships are a key part of the Walla Walla University School of Business curriculum. In addition to working on substantial projects with real businesses, each business student completes an internship at a regional, national, or international organization.
Want to start an internship at your company? Find helpful information about creating successful internships at wallawalla.edu/internships. To establish an internship for WWU School of Business students, e-mail BusnSchool@wallawalla.edu or call (509) 527-2951. 4
4
Jake Hanson, senior business administration/accounting major, Jason Logan, senior business administration major, and Olivia Grimaud, senior business administration/accounting major, share insight into what made their internships valuable learning experiences.
AR: What type of work did you do for your internship? OLIVIA: My internship was in accounting, so I worked with the financial controller and the accounting assistant at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. My daily work included accounts payable and receivable, daily financial reports, petty cash, and banking tasks. I also got to work on inventory counts and some more long-term projects like updating a fixed assets list and sending out Form W-9 requests to all vendors whose forms had expired. JASON: Primarily I have worked in the properties department at Baker Boyer Bank but have had the opportunity to explore different areas of the bank. I have completed a key inventory project, which includes gathering data on all of the physical door keys that employees possess at each branch. I have also experienced the work that occurs in the investment services/wealth management division. JAKE: I am working for the internal audit and compliance department at Baker Boyer Bank. Broadly speaking we make sure the bank follows the procedures we set for ourselves and the regulations established by governing authorities. Every day I do things ranging from pulling files, updating procedures, checking that documents get submitted, verifying certain transactions, preparing for external auditors to arrive, and many other tasks.
AR: What are some of the most important things you have learned? JAKE: I’ve learned effective communication in a business setting—essentially how to be concise yet thorough in verbal and digital communication, how to prioritize work on different projects so I can meet different approaching deadlines, and better organization. When dealing with many different projects, I have had to learn to organize more efficiently so I am prepared for each one. OLIVIA: My internship gave me a wonderful view of how mid-size businesses are managed. Everything that happens in the company gets processed through the accounting department, so I got to learn about all the aspects of the hotel business, and my supervisor, taught me a lot about management, interpersonal relations in a business setting, and the kind of professionalism and dedication that it takes to advance in one’s career. I also became familiar with two new accounting programs, Great Plains and Opera. JASON: I’ve learned that many different departments have to work together well in order for a bank to function efficiently
(properties, marketing, auditing, wealth management, teller lines, etc.). I’ve also learned that if you treat clients like family they will return the favor with continued business and referrals.
AR: What was one of the most meaningful experiences you had during your internship? JASON: I think traveling to the branches and getting to know the managers and other employees of Baker Boyer was pretty great. OLIVIA: In addition to teaching me how to accomplish my tasks as an intern, my supervisor would sit down with me from time to time to discuss how I was doing and to give me advice or her own personal experiences, as well as valuable insights into accounting and the business world. These talks were especially meaningful because of her nuggets of wisdom, and because I had the opportunity to discuss my performance with her and know that she cared about my experience and what I was learning.
business, and English has really helped my communication—I have had to write so many emails and reports. I’ve used a lot of what I learned in research writing for my job, and it has been really valuable. O L I V I A : Accounting Information Systems was probably the most helpful. Even though I used other programs in my internship, the class gave me a really good base for how to navigate and use different systems. I also drew on what I’d learned in business communication class for preparing my resume and for my interview. JASON: I’ve drawn on a combination of all of my classes and the business etiquette that I have learned from the professors. Networking has been a big part of my time here.
JAKE: Everyone is different, so I think it is important to find an internship that will mesh well with your personality and be one that you will actually enjoy. OLIVIA: Talk to people. Professors are the best place to start when exploring your options, and talk to a potential employer about the position, their expectations, and your own.
AR: What advice would you give other business students about how to succeed in an internship? JASON: Work hard, show up early every day, always be looking for more things to do.
AR: What tips would you give other AR: What classes at WWU did you students for choosing the right draw most upon for your work this internship? summer?
JAKE: Start your internship with an open mind and be eager to learn. That is all it takes in my opinion. Employers aren’t expecting you to know how to do everything when you start an internship, so just listen to them and be ready to learn.
JASON: Research the position you are considering. Ask questions during your interview, so you get an idea of what you’ll be doing daily.
OLIVIA: Start with a good dose of selfconfidence, but always be open-minded and teachable. Never hesitate to ask questions!
JAKE: The two most helpful classes were my accounting and English classes. Accounting gave me a way to understand the language of
WWU business students complete a wide array of internships in 2015–16
AUBURN ADVENTIST ACADEMY • Lauren Epperson, marketing AVAMERE • Tyler MacPhee, management BAKER BOYER BANK • Jake Hanson, accounting • Jason Logan, general business DEBRA L. BELL, CPA • Cassie Bell, accounting • Norman Sossong, accounting CENTURA HEALTH • Jordan Couch, management CLAY DESIGN, LLC • Sadie Johnson, marketing
20TH CENTURY FOX • Nick Zamiski, accounting ADVENTIST HEALTH/SYSTEMS • Spencer Eldevik, accounting (Walla Walla General Hospital) • Brook Fesler, accounting (Florida Hospital) • Haley Howard, accounting (Portland Adventist Medical Center) • Johnel Lagabon, management (Florida Hospital) • Alex Wagner, accounting (Florida Hospital)
COSTCO • James Humbert, management DOWNTOWN DENTAL • Landry Brown, general business KEY TECHNOLOGY • Adam Lebo, finance • Austin Meservia, management and accounting LOGAN DANSON, LLC AND BARING FINANCIAL, LLC • Elise Williams, finance and accounting LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY, CREATIVE MEDIA DEPARTMENT • Austin Mock, marketing
MARCUS WHITMAN HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER • Olivia Grimaud, accounting MILO ADVENTIST ACADEMY • Cynthia Villegas, general business MOUNTAIN HEALING SPA • Lindsey Eldenburg, general business MULDER INCOME TAX • Isaac Eatherton, accounting NORDSTROM • Trey Avey, general business NW CONSTRUCTION • William Hamby, management PHI BETA KAPITAL INVESTMENTS • Michael Hageman, general business CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE • Madison Bortfeld, general business • Megan Filippello, general business SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH • Yara Fernandez, finance and accounting (Upper Columbia Conference) • Kari Gomez, accounting (Washington Conference) • Seth Hudema, accounting (Montana Conference) • Erick Juarez, accounting (General Conference Auditing Services)
• Michael Prest, accounting (Idaho Conference) • Chad Stewart, accounting (General Conference Auditing Services) SODEXO • Cody Manos, marketing TRUSTAR ENERGY CNG • Ryan Edelbach, accounting WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY • Isaac Hernandez, accounting (custodial department) • Jake Nasholts, management (human resources department) • Merina NgLam, accounting (The Express) • Madison Reeves, general business (human resources department) • Hilary Rogers, marketing (School of Business) • Victor Towler, marketing (The Express) • Paul Trapani, corporate relations (School of Business) • Kiana Villegas, accounting (The Express) WALT DISNEY COMPANY • Brandon Patchett, general business WESTERN ADVENTIST FOUNDATION • Nikki Holm, general business
5
“
David Russell, ’79 business administration President and CEO of Adventist Medical Center in Portland, Oregon
I was born and raised in a Seventh-day Adventist family and gifted with God-fearing, Christian parents who consistently conveyed their personal passion and belief in God and Jesus Christ throughout my life. Attending Walla Walla University developed my own appreciation for having personal faith and gave me insight into the positive impact a faith-based, mission-centered organization can have on people. With a business degree in hand, my wife, Debra Merritt Russell ’80, and I left Walla Walla to pursue our dreams to work in health care. I began
role contributed to my leadership experience in supporting the delivery of mission-centered health services in a rapidly changing, highly competitive health care environment. Now, as the president and chief executive officer at Adventist Medical Center, I have the privilege of leading an exceptional team delivering highquality, whole-person care with an emphasis on improving health and providing hope. I look forward to supporting this team as we expand the impact of our mission to the people we serve each day and
Walla Walla University played a significant role in these facets of my life and career, providing me with an excellent foundation, both academic and personal Christian growth, upon which to build my life.
with an internship in the patient business office at Adventist Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. This foundational learning and skill-building experience prepared me for my next job as business manager at South Bighorn County Hospital in Greybull, Wyoming. I quickly realized I would consistently depend on what I learned in Principles of Accounting class throughout my career, which remains true today. Desiring to continue my education, we moved to Loma Linda, California where I completed a master of health administration degree at Loma Linda University. After finishing my advanced degree, I worked in administrative positions for Adventist Health in Central California and as the vice president for finance at the Lifestyle Center of America in Sulphur, Oklahoma followed by two years as vice principal for finance at Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Washington. Thirteen years ago, our family returned to Portland where I began working for Adventist Medical Center once again. I worked in several different leadership positions: clinic administrator, vice president for marketing and business development, and senior vice president and chief operating officer. Each
6
work collaboratively to lead the transformation of health in Oregon. My passion is to continue helping people find restored health, wholeness, and hope in a setting and culture that demonstrates the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Walla Walla University provided the setting for me to find my life partner and spouse. Marrying my best friend, raising two wonderful children—Jessica Russell Lee ’08 married Andrew Lee ’06, and Kevin Russell ’10 married Jennika Hanson Russell ’12—and now enjoying our three grandchildren. These are truly the best things in life. Success, for me, can be defined as the integration of my love of family, my relationship with God, and a job in which my personal faith and values fit with the mission and values of the organization. Walla Walla University played a significant role in these facets of my life and career, providing me with an excellent foundation, both academic and personal Christian growth, upon which to build my life. To Walla Walla University students I offer this: Keep Jesus at the center of your life, choose a life goal, and pursue it with passion.
Strategic transformation planned for business space The Walla Walla University School of Business is growing. Performance metrics routinely confirm the quality of the program, and employers applaud the skills of our student interns and graduates. To ensure that we continue to develop excellent business leaders, the university will invest $4 million to transform Bowers Hall into a modern, collaborative, efficient, and flexible space for the School of Business. Plans call for the addition of more than 3,000 square feet to the existing building, as well as classroom and office reorganization. The transformed facility will include an innovation classroom/laboratory, technologies that enhance digital learning, efficient group study spaces, and multifunctional meeting spaces. A more open floor plan will encourage frequent facultystudent interactions, an elevator will be installed for improved accessibility, and improved restroom and equipment storage spaces are also included. “The strength of our School of Business lies in the strong relationships our faculty build with their students, relationships that result in highly effective student learning,” says Bob Cushman, vice president for Academic Administration. “For example, in 2015 our School of Business graduating class scored in the 96th percentile out of 68,594 examinees from 563 U.S. colleges and universities. This project will improve those collaborative, mentoring relationships and increase learning opportunities among students and staff.”
Transformation planning has been underway for a handful of years, says Jodi Wagner, vice president of University Relations and Advancement. As part of the planning, a project committee reviewed everything from classroom capacity and future business curriculum to best practice teaching methods for tomorrow’s digital world. Wagner expects the transformation to be completed during the 2017–2018 school year and that it will help the university attract more business students. “Bowers Hall has durably served Walla Walla University in so many ways,” says Wagner. “Now, generous donors are ensuring that this tradition continues by transforming the space for the future. Their gifts are truly investments in tomorrow’s business leaders, and in Walla Walla University.” Among the most historical buildings on campus, Bowers Hall was completed in 1924 and in 1955 named in honor of George Bowers, the college’s 13th president. It was home to WWU science programs, specifically chemistry, and later housed the history and philosophy department, archaeology laboratory, and the School of Theology. The WWU School of Business moved into Bowers Hall in July 2009. The Bowers Hall transformation project helps launch the university’s $35 million Life.Changing. Comprehensive Campaign, which in addition to the Bowers transformation, includes creating a Student Life and Ministry Center and growing the university’s endowment.
Plans call for the addition of more than 3,000 square feet to the existing building, as well as classroom and office reorganization.
You can join fellow alumni in supporting the Life.Changing. Bowers Hall project. Visit wallawalla.edu/give.
7
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
What is the next step in developing successful business leaders from WWU? pg.7
By the numbers
17 Number of states students come from to attend the WWU School of Business
8 Countries represented by students studying in the WWU School of Business
47 Number of WWU School of Business students working in business internships across the country during summer 2016 (see page 5 for a list of internship locations)
51 Business students that graduated from the WWU School of Business in 2016