2 0 1 5 -16 D E A N ’ S R E V I E W
DE AN ’ S ME SS AG E The efforts of the Whitworth School of Business are affirmed when new graduates are quick to land jobs, both here, around the country, and internationally; in fact, 96 percent are employed within six months of graduation. Our alumni also make significant contributions to business, civic and religious institutions. In this issue of the Dean’s Review, we focus on several of these alumni and their accomplishments. I trust that you will be as inspired by their achievements as I am. Whitworth students have a reputation for being well-rounded, but we also equip students with a competitive edge. To further strengthen the School of Business’s academic program, our undergraduate curriculum now offers five concentrations: management, marketing, economics, finance and accounting. We have ramped up the writing and quantitative components, and we require all students to participate in study abroad and/or professional experiences such as internships. Great things are also happening in our MBA program, where a revised curriculum will be introduced this fall. Features of the curriculum include an emphasis on analytical
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thinking and corporate governance. We are also configuring the program to accommodate the time constraints of busy working professionals, while offering more one-on-one interaction with faculty. Progress is well under way toward accreditation by the premier accreditor of business schools, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Our application for membership has been accepted, and we are now in the process of aligning our programs with the accreditor’s high standards. We measure success by what our students accomplish personally, professionally, and in service to the wider community – in keeping with the mind-and-heart mission of Whitworth University. I hope you enjoy reading this informative report and seeing the advancements we are making in the School of Business. We invite your participation! Sincerely, Tim Wilkinson, Ph.D. Professor and Charles L. Boppell Dean
TABLE O F CO NTENTS Dean’s Message
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Year in Review
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Student Placements and Recruiting
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Business and Sports
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Alumni Stories
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Faculty Highlights
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WSB Business Advisory Board
13
Ways to Get Involved
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On the cover: Whitworth’s Chartered Financial Analyst Team won the 2016 Inland Northwest CFA Challenge and traveled to Chicago to compete in an international competition against teams from more than 100 colleges and universities. Pictured, from left, are team members Patrick Bannworth, ’16, Casey Rogstad, ’16, Megan Escobar, ’18, and Joe Schwalbach,’16. Photo by Kirk Hirota.
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YE A R IN R E V IE W Accounting Recruitment Social: Sept. 17 Accounting students from all four classes joined a record number of firms for lunch and dessert at the School of Business’s accounting social. Marketing Speed Mock Interviews: Oct. 22 Marketing professionals from across Spokane gathered to interview an array of marketing students in this year’s first mock interviews. Sustainable Development Abroad Course: Jan Term Eight students traveled to Costa Rica with Assistant Professor Vange Ocasio to examine grassroots sustainable economic development. JAN TERM
Whitworth’s CFA Win: Jan. 25 Whitworth’s team beat universities from across three states to become the Inland Northwest CFA Challenge champions for the second consecutive year. Finance Speed Mock Interviews: Feb. 25 Bank vice presidents, principals, finance directors, and even the CEO of Spokane County gathered to interview the Whitworth Investment Group’s top 25 students. Seattle Business TREK: March 21-23 Twenty students gathered in Seattle to participate in the second annual Seattle Trek. The students toured companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Zillow and Nordstrom. Business Speed Mock Interviews: March 31 The WSB’s largest mock interviews yet peaked at more than 60 students and 40 business professionals to give an impressive visual of students learning the art of interviewing.
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2.25
Quinnipiac Global Asset Management VI Forum: March 31-April 2 Five students traveled to New York City to learn more about global markets, corporate governance, the global economy and investment strategies. 3.31-4.2
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10.22
Northwest Entrepreneur Competition: April 7 Another successful group of Whitworth business plans reached the final round of the regional competition, hosted again at the Whitworth School of Business.
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4.7
Accounting Speed Mock Interviews: April 20 More than 30 private and public accountants gathered to teach Whitworth accounting students how to showcase their talents and achievements in an interview. Business Advisory Board Meeting: April 21 Local and regional business leaders gathered for the second time this year to discuss the direction of the School of Business and to show support for new initiatives. WSIG Inaugural Reunion: April 23 Current WSIG students and alumni, along with influential finance professionals from across the region, came together to celebrate the WSIG’s rising success.
3.21-23
Inaugural B-Fest: May 5 The Business Club’s annual barbecue expanded to include live music, a flea market hosted by the Whitworth Social Finance Club, and yard games. Graduate Commencement: May 21 Twenty-three MBA students earned their postgraduate degrees from Whitworth’s rising one- and two-year program.
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5.5
Undergraduate Commencement: May 22 The Whitworth School of Business awarded diplomas to 92 deserving undergraduates. Seattle Accounting TREK: May 23-24 The inaugural accounting TREK brought 10 students to Big 4 and prominent regional firms to experience accounting in the state’s largest city.
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ST U D E N T P L ACE M E N T S A N D R E C R U I T I NG Top six states for graduates:
AK
WA OR
CA
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NEWSFLASH:
More than 40 business students participated in Amazon’s first-ever brand specialist testing on campus.
AZ
96
percent of graduates in Whitworth’s 2015 School of Business class were employed within six months of graduation.
My time at Whitworth has shaped the lens through which I view the world. I have had the opportunity to flourish as I formed lasting relationships with classmates and professors. The skills I acquired at Whitworth have provided me with a foundation that will last throughout my life and career.
Josif Illisoi, ’16 Future Analyst at Goldman Sachs, Seattle 6
NEWSFLASH: More than 50 current School of Business students and alumni attended the inaugural Work Your Wardrobe event, which was hosted in downtown Spokane and featured alumna and current Nordstrom Corporate Buyer Kara Marusa, ’03.
70 MORE THAN
percent of 2016 seniors completed an internship while at Whitworth.
The School of Business strives to provide students with additional experiential-learning opportunities, including lunches with former CEOs, Woodrow Wilson Scholars and thriving young-alumni professionals. Other highlights have included private company tours and guest lectures with local industry heavyweights such as Numerica Credit Union and Itron.
Get Recruited
The Whitworth Business Club’s “Get Recruited” series featured on-campus presenters from the following Fortune 500 companies: Amazon Microsoft Nike Starbucks Boeing
Other companies recruiting Whitworth business students in 2015-16 include: Eddie Bauer Goldman Sachs Fast Enterprises IBM U.S. Bank Spur Group Expedia PACCAR Wells Fargo Proctor & Gamble
BU SI NESS AND SPORTS
Student-Athletes Excel in Classroom, on Field of Competition teams. Assistant Professor of Finance & Economics Eric Juggling a varsity sport and academics can be Sartell, ’94, D.B.A., serves as the academic advisor for the challenging, even for the most organized student. This Whitworth baseball team. “Our student-athletes represent doesn’t seem to faze Whitworth School of Business the very best of Whitworth,” Sartell says. “Their ability students, many of whom thrive in both arenas. In fact, to balance rigorous academic pursuits the School of Business teaches almost 70 and compete at the NCAA level is truly varsity athletes across Whitworth’s 20 NCAA impressive. Athletics provides our business Division III sports teams. Future world-class “Athletics provides students with the opportunity to represent accountants, financiers, economists, and themselves and our university on a large stage business and marketing leaders currently our business students and to form relationships that will last their dedicate upward of 20 hours per week to entire lives. Serving on the staff of the baseball their sports of choice while performing well with the opportunity to team is one of the most rewarding aspects of in the classroom and making crucial steps represent themselves my job – I am affected far more by my players forward in their business careers. than I affect them.” Oliver Rudnicki, ’16, Whitworth’s highestand our university on a The WSB not only encourages its ranked men’s golf player and a future Wells large stage and to form student-athletes to highlight their sports Fargo analyst, says, “Being on the golf team achievements throughout the job-recruiting has taught me that mutual respect and relationships that will process; it also provides these students with dedication motivate everyone to contribute last their entire lives.” the tools to maximize their Pirate Athletics to the greater goal and are two of the biggest experiences in their future careers. “Many drivers of success.” During Rudnicki’s time Eric Sartell, ’94 Assistant Professor of companies are astonished by the number of at Whitworth, he made Second Team AllFinance & Economics student-athletes the Whitworth School of America, was named to the All-Conference Business produces. They represent nearly Team each year, won several tournaments, a quarter of our entire WSB student body,” and maintained a 3.8 GPA in mathematical says Assistant Director of Internships & economics and business management. In the External Relations Sinead Voorhees. “Businesses love to midst of his academic and athletic achievements, Rudnicki hire them because the dedication they show for their teams successfully completed four interview rounds with Wells at Whitworth is the same dedication they will give to their Fargo; following graduation, he will fly to San Francisco to future corporate teams.” begin his nine-month training to become an analyst. The School of Business congratulates all of its past and In addition to supporting our student-athletes, WSB present student-athletes for their continued success in faculty members further promote the classroom/athletics business. Go, Pirates! dynamic by volunteering as academic advisors for athletics
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AL U M N I STO R I E S : Recent
(one-five years after graduation)
EMILY ROBERTS, ’15 Emerging Leader Development Program Participant Southwest Airlines, Arizona “Business, to me, is not just about making money. It’s about positive impact. It’s about how you can use your skills, your influence and your God-given opportunity to create light in others’ lives through the creation of products and services. I am lucky enough to have gotten a job with a company that believes that, too. It’s rumored that Herb Kelleher, the SWA founder, once said, ‘We are in the business of serving people. We just happen to fly airplanes.’ We even have a heart on the bottom of our planes, because ‘Without a heart, it’s just a machine.’ That’s just cool.”
REMISOLA OMODARA, ’14 National Sales Planner Yelp, Arizona “It’s amazing to me that our Whitworth professors care so much about each person who sits in their classrooms. It’s not something you can get at just any university. It goes back to the reason why Whitworth is such a special place. You are more than a number to professors; you are the future. They see us as agents of change whom they are preparing to have an impact in the world. It’s so rewarding to send them updates on my journey and to make them proud of what I have accomplished.”
JAMES KING, ’12 Senior Auditor, Deloitte & Touche Dublin, Ireland “My experience in the development of the Whitworth Student Investment Group taught me the importance of teamwork and collaboration that I carry forward in my day-to-day responsibilities. Additionally, my experience on the Whitworth baseball team taught me the importance of teamwork, overcoming adversity, and setting out to achieve long-term goals. My graduating class experienced many ups and downs during its four years, but we capped our careers off with a trip to the Division III College World Series. Looking back on this makes me realize the importance of working hard every day toward long-term goals. Careers are not built overnight, and neither are successful teams and leaders.”
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ALU MNI STO RI ES: Mid-Career
(six-15 years after graduation)
PETER BURKE, ’07 Program Manager Google, California “Whitworth was the place where I learned that a vocation is more important than a job. This idea of vocation is very much aligned with how I want to live my life as a Christ-follower in a secular environment. Because I am doing what I care about, I am able to have a positive impact on the people around me, with the ultimate goal of meeting them where they are, being a supportive colleague, and eventually sharing Christ’s love with them.”
BILL CONDON, ’03 Executive Vice President and Managing Director Colliers International, Seattle, Washington “The Whitworth years flew by for me. I look back on them and have nothing but great memories. I think the piece of advice I would give my student-self would be to thank my friends, coaches and professors more during my time there, because you truly don’t realize at the time what a positive impact they have on you and how that impact will last a lifetime. The best part of my Whitworth experience was meeting my wife, Jenni. We now have four kids and live in Seattle. We are still close with numerous friends and coaches from our Whitworth days.”
KRISTIN HAILE, ’09, ’14 MBA Senior Compensation Manager Itron, Spokane, Washington “Whitworth has had a tremendous impact on my career. I was entering the corporate arena right as I was starting my business undergrad degree. Everything I was learning in that degree, and then in my master’s degree to follow, supplemented all the training I was getting on the job. Business terms, practices and philosophies I had never heard of were being taught to me at Whitworth, and I was able to apply those concepts immediately in my job. The message of educating the mind and the heart is something I experienced firsthand at Whitworth, and I am eternally grateful.”
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AL U M N I STO R I E S : Seasoned
(16-plus years after graduation)
SHEILA (MAAK) POSAS, ’97 International Consultant, Guatemala City, Guatemala “While at Whitworth, I had the opportunity to travel abroad and to participate in work-studies that allowed me to gain realworld experience that was highly influential in my initial career decisions. When I graduated from Whitworth and entered the Peace Corps, I had no idea it was the beginning of an international career. I never imagined I would start a nonprofit in a foreign country, work as an international consultant, or lead the development of a corporate university for a Central American financial group. My career path has taken me on an adventure that I never expected and has allowed me to work across sectors on projects I am passionate about.”
MARK HONEYCUTT, ’90 Director of Global Customer Service, Amazon, Seattle, Washington “While Whitworth was invaluable in teaching me the disciplines of my chosen field, the values are what have survived as I’ve changed roles throughout my career. Being authentic and consistent from a leadership perspective establishes the operating philosophy for my organization. It is important that my team and organization know what to expect of me and what I expect of them. All great leaders need to continually evaluate their business strategies and approaches based on customer input and results. While you may change business strategy, never change who you are and what you stand for. It is this authenticity and context that allow others to understand, to buy in, and to trust in you.”
MELANIE SAUER, ’85 Chief Operating Officer Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School, California “After attending Whitworth, I pursued an M.Ed. in human development and an MBA in finance. Colleagues frequently react in surprise at my blended perspective between finance, human development and organizational systems. The foundation to build this blended perspective emerged from my academic experience at Whitworth. My time in the classroom studying to become a financial leader was broadened by such courses as Core 150 and Core 250. Within my courses, I was encouraged to think about global issues, and these ideas were reinforced by programs like Forum and other co-curricular activities. I don’t know that this would have been the case at another college.”
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ALU MNI STO RI ES: Local Impact TOM THOEN, ’85 Vice President Wells Fargo “My Whitworth experience has shaped my career through teaching me how to listen to and appreciate other people’s points of view. Since graduating from Whitworth and progressing in my career, I have constantly been surprised by how many great people I’ve had the privilege to work with in many companies and by their desire to succeed and contribute to the greater organization’s success.”
JEFF ADEN, ’96 EVP of Marketing and Strategic Business Development & Co-Founder, 2nd Watch “I am not surprised at how my career turned out since graduating from Whitworth. This is the plan and vision I have had since I was a child, so I feel extremely blessed. Hence, I would say that my Whitworth experience shaped my life more than it did my career. As a result of my time at Whitworth, I learned some very valuable life lessons. These are a part of me forever and are ingrained in conversations I have with my kids, employees, customers and investors, as well as on the boards I serve.”
KRISTINE RUGGLES, ’03 Executive Director, Christ Clinic, Christ Kitchen “When I re-entered the workforce, God took hold of my heart and placed in me a yearning to use my business skills and experience to serve in the nonprofit community. Whitworth was the perfect choice to reach this goal – I could complete a degree in organizational management while strengthening my Christian worldview. This time, my heart to serve would be foundational to my career.”
LAURA WOOD, ’13 Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, Spokane Teachers Credit Union “The organizational management degree at Whitworth provided such a comprehensive educational experience, and it gave me the opportunity to participate in classes that were all relevant to my current position in human resources. I still find myself drawing on what I learned in my classes, so that proves to me they have held their relevance. The level of dedication and care that all of the professors and instructors demonstrated to me and other students was another highlight for me.”
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FAC U LT Y H IG H L I G H T S Publications Claudia Dumitrescu, Renée Shaw Hughner and Clifford J. Shultz II (2016). “Why do some consumers make unhealthy food choices?” Journal of Food Products Marketing. Robin Henager and Teresa Mauldin (2015). “Financial literacy: The relationship to savings in low- to moderate-income households.” Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. Robin Henager and Brenda J. Cude (2016). “Financial literacy and long- and short-term financial behavior in different age groups.” Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. Dawn Keig, L.E. Brouthers and V.B. Marshall (2016). “Solving the single-country sample problem in cultural-distance studies.” Journal of International Business Studies. Margie LaShaw, Tara Lambert and David Sloan (2016). “Implementing faith in accounting: Application in a student-auditing project through service to the university.” Christian Business Academy Review. David Sloan and D. van Dierendonck (2016). “Item selection and reduction of a brief, 20-item version of the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised.” Personality and Individual Differences. Vange Ocasio (2016). “Financing Village Enterprises in Rural Bangladesh: What Determines Non-Farm Revenue Growth?” International Journal of Development Issues. Teresa Mauldin, Robin Henager, Cathy Faulcon Bowen and Michael Cheang (2016). “Facilitators and barriers to savings behavior.” Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. Florin Mihoc, Timothy Wilkinson and Craig Hinnenkamp (2016). “What sells in Romania.” Journal of East-West Business. Christopher M. Wharton, Renee Shaw Hughner, Lexi MacMillan and Claudia Dumitrescu (2015). “Community-supported agriculture programs: A novel venue for theory-based health behavior change interventions.” Ecology of Food and Nutrition. Timothy Wilkinson (2016). “The Protestant Seder.” LOGOS: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies.
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Critical Language Scholars The U.S. State Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Critical Language Scholars (CLS) initiative is a fully funded, overseas summer language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. Whitworth has become one of the largest producers of critical language scholars on the West Coast and has received feedback that our program’s success is on par with or stronger than that of most universities nationwide. Assistant Professor of International Business Todd Friends, Ph.D., serves as the alumni ambassador for the regional CLS program; in this capacity, he seeks to educate and recruit future candidates. Friends has successfully coached five Whitworth students in five consecutive years to win this prestigious award, which has a national acceptance rate of only 15 percent. Successful Whitworth scholars have received funding for experiences in Tunisia to study Arabic, India to study Urdu, and China to study Mandarin. This year’s CLS winner, economics major Leah Dassler, ’18, will spend summer 2016 attending Shanghai Normal University, in China, to enhance her already 300-level Mandarin language skills. “Leah’s accomplishment brings another success to our record,” Friends says, “and reinforces our reputation of being one of the best colleges and universities in the West at producing U.S. State Department scholars.” The Whitworth School of Business is committed to providing students with ample opportunities for scholarships in programs including Critical Language Scholars, Fulbright Scholars and Rhodes Scholars.
“I enjoy working with an incredible family of professors who all believe in the value of a Christian-based business education. It is a true privilege to play a part in shaping the next generation of business leaders!” Candice Correia, J.D., M.Acc., Whitworth Assistant Professor of Business Law and Taxation
WSB BU SI NESS ADVI SO RY BOARD 2015-16
Gregg Amend Partner Moss Adams LLP
Andrew Erickson Sales Representative/Partner Washington Fruit & Produce Co.
Octavio Morales CEO Tierpoint
Allen Battle Founder A Strategic Solution
Bob Ingersoll Retired Corporate Vice President Contracts & Pricing Boeing
Travis Prewitt President of Investments UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Randy Clark Consultant Bill Condon Managing Director Colliers International Bill Curry President Huntron Instruments Craig Dias Vice President & General Manager Haskins Steel Co., Inc. Marty Dickinson Marketing and Communications Executive Vice President Umpqua Bank Peter Enkema Sales Associate Coldwell Banker Tomlinson
David Kimmet President Rehn & Associates Larry Larison President Columbia Management Systems
Ken Roberts Chief Investment Strategist Palouse Capital Management Dave Rogers Retired General Manager, Climate Change Chevron Corporation
Laura Lawton President Lawton Printing
Dan Sanford Emeritus Professor International Management Whitworth University
Jim Masterson CEO LightEdge Solutions
Tom Simpson Co-Founder and Chairman etailz, Inc.
Tim Mitrovich CEO/Chief Investment Officer Ten Capital
Stu Stiles Independent Philanthropy Professional
Holly Montgomery Vice President of Relationship Management & Private Banking U.S. Bank
Tim Wilkinson Charles L. Boppell Dean Whitworth University School of Business
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WAYS TO G E T I N VO LV E D Volunteer Opportunities
CONTACT
The Whitworth School of Business welcomes professionals from a variety of backgrounds and expertise to share their insights with our students. We believe strongly in community outreach and experiential learning, and we therefore provide ample opportunities for engagement. We welcome participation within the following forums: • Mock Interviews (Marketing, Business, Finance and Accounting) • Accounting Recruitment Social • Student Club Presentations • Dean’s Executive Speaker Series • Business Advisory Board Membership • Business Mentorship Program • Seattle Business Trek • Northwest Entrepreneur Competition (hosted at Whitworth University) • Executive-in-Residence Days
Pictured, back row, from left, are Yaw Opoku, ’16, MBA candidate, Whitworth University (Spokane); Josif Ilisoi, ’16, Financial Analyst, Goldman Sachs (Seattle); Taylor Burnright, ’16, Audit Associate, KPMG (Seattle); front row, from left, Jocelyn Chen, ’16, Human Resource Admin. Intern, Itron (Liberty Lake, Wash.); and George Valle, ’16, Sales Development Representative, PitchBook Data, Inc. (Seattle).
Recruiting
Giving
We seek to make recruiting a seamless process. Career placements and internships are an essential component of the Whitworth School of Business experience. All students are encouraged to participate in an internship before graduation. The School of Business views internships as a gateway to future career opportunities and as an invaluable learning exercise. We also act as a liaison between future employers and graduating seniors. Our students excel in a variety of disciplines including finance, business management, marketing, economics and accounting. We offer numerous opportunities for employers to meet our students: • On-Campus Interviews • On-Campus Office Hours • Mock Interviews • Career and Internship Fairs • Seattle Business Trek • Recruitment Lunches • Company Tours • Online Job-Posting Board – WhitJobs
We invite your partnership. Financial partners – businesses and individuals – strengthen our programs, reinforce student learning, and supply aid to low-income students. Opportunities for support include the following: • Business Students • Competitive Awards and Travel • Professional Association Attendance • Scholarships • Business Treks • Study Abroad • School of Business • Curriculum Development • Endowed Professorship • Event Sponsorship • Speaker Underwriting • Trading Room Software We invite a conversation about how to match your philanthropy interests to the needs of the School of Business. Please contact Director of Development Maxine Lammers at 509.777.4446 or mlammers@whitworth.edu. Thank you!
Sinead Voorhees Assistant Director of Internships & External Relations, School of Business svoorhees@whitworth.edu | 509.777.4604
Maxine Lammers Director of Development for Major Gifts, Office of Institutional Advancement mlammers@whitworth.edu | 509.777.4446
Danika Heatherly Assistant Director of Development, Office of Alumni & Parent Relations dheatherly@whitworth.edu | 509.777.4761
Timothy Wilkinson, Ph.D. Charles L . Boppell Dean, School of Business twilkinson@whitworth.edu | 509.777.4567
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Staheve Date SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Alumni Breakfast
Homecoming Weekend 2016 Join other Whitworth University School of Business alumni for the inaugural School of Business Alumni Breakfast, during Homecoming Weekend. Date: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 Time: 8-9:30 a.m. Location: The Crow’s Nest, Hixson Union Building, Whitworth University Cost: $15 Attire: Wear your Whitworth gear and enjoy other Homecoming Weekend activities, including the football game, after the breakfast. For questions about the breakfast, please contact the School of Business at 509.777.3283 or schoolofbusiness@whitworth.edu. For questions about other Homecoming Weekend activities, please contact the alumni office at 509.777.3449 or iaevents@whitworth.edu.
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