2016-17
DEAN’S REVIEW
Dean’s Message Whitworth School of Business students and alumni continue to have a positive impact upon their communities and workplaces through their ongoing commitment to an education of mind and heart. It is my pleasure to share the accomplishments of our students, alumni and faculty with you in this edition of the Dean’s Review. Our students have been busy competing this year. Whitworth finance students won the regional Chartered Financial Analyst Research Competition for the third year in a row and moved on to the next round, competing against other teams from North and South America. Students also competed for the first time in the Milgard Invitational Case Competition on Social Responsibility. Accounting students took on a new challenge in the KPMG Financial Accounting Case Competition. In that competition, both MBA and undergraduate teams moved to the final round in the Northwest Entrepreneur Competition. We continue to make progress in our effort to achieve specialized accreditation through the premier accreditor of business schools, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The application process has led us to examine carefully and then revise our curriculum to ensure that our graduates have the skills required to meet the needs of employers. This year, seniors were hired by organizations including The Vanguard Group, KPMG and Ecova. Our revised MBA curriculum was introduced last fall and has been well received. Changes to the schedule make it better-suited to accommodate working professionals, while new and amended courses have been updated to stay current with the demands of the business world. MBA enrollment continues to climb. School of Business faculty members have again excelled both in the classroom and in their research. Our unique blend of practitioners and scholars offers students practical application combined with the latest research. I hope you enjoy reading this report and learning more about recent events in the Whitworth School of Business. Sincerely, Tim Wilkinson, Ph.D. Professor and Charles L. Boppell Dean
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CONTENTS 2
DEAN’S MESSAGE
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YEAR IN REVIEW
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MBA
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ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
10 SEAN TOBIN 11
BUSINESS TREK
12 COMPETITION WINNERS 13 FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS 14 BUSINESS PLUS 15 ADVISORY BOARD
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YEAR
IN REVIEW
3.23 9.15
2.23
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3.3
ACCOUNTING RECRUITMENT LUNCHEON: SEPT. 15 A record number of local, regional and Big Four accounting firms shared lunch and their experiences with accounting students as they kicked off recruitment season.
MILGARD INVITATIONAL COMPETITION ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: MARCH 3 Four students created and presented a social responsibility proposal for T-Mobile to a panel of judges.
WHITWORTH’S CFA WIN: FEB. 3 Whitworth’s team competed against seven other universities in the regional Chartered Financial Analyst Research Competition, taking first place for the third consecutive year.
BUSINESS SPEED MOCK INTERVIEWS: MARCH 23 The WSB’s largest mock interview event of the year filled Graves Gym with more than 60 students from all business majors, as well as recruiters, alumni and Spokane business-community members.
FINANCE SPEED MOCK INTERVIEWS: FEB. 23 Members of the Whitworth Student Investment Group refined their interviewing skills and networked with finance professionals.
SEATTLE BUSINESS TREK: MARCH 30-31 Twenty business students and 10 computer science majors spent two days with recruiters and alumni at major Seattle companies.
4.11 3.30-31
4.13
5.20-21
ODE INDUCTION CEREMONY: APRIL 11 Whitworth’s chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society for economics, welcomed new members.
COMMENCEMENT: MAY 20-21 The School of Business celebrated 22 MBA and 78 undergraduate students who completed their studies at Whitworth.
NORTHWEST ENTREPRENEUR COMPETITION: APRIL 13 Whitworth was proud to see both an undergraduate and an MBA team represent the university in the final round of the NEC.
SEATTLE ACCOUNTING TREK: MAY 23-24 The second annual Accounting Trek brought accounting students to Seattle to tour Big Four and large regional firms in preparation for their chosen careers.
ACCOUNTING SPEED MOCK INTERVIEWS: APRIL 19 The School of Business’s annual Accounting Mock Interviews welcomed professionals from all areas of accounting to campus.
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THE WHITWORTH MBA PROGRAM IS
READY FOR YOU JEFF WATSON, ’17 MANAGER, LOAN OPERATIONS, NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES OWNER, EIGHT SECOND MARKETING
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Earning an MBA degree is challenging, but for many people an MBA degree leads to both career advancement and personal growth. As Jeff Watson transitioned from six years in the military to a new career in banking, he realized he needed help clarifying his goals. “I wasn’t sure if I had the time or capacity to earn an MBA,” he says. “The great advisors at Whitworth expressed that it could be the perfect time to help me determine what I would like to do in my future. They were right. This program exposed me to many different areas and helped me find my true passion.”
“Whitworth’s MBA program provides practical, hands-on education that prepares professionals to take on whatever challenge they face,” Watson says. “The program comprises individuals who are all looking for a way to increase their contributions to the community, and these relationships are priceless.”
Watson researched a variety of local MBA programs before choosing Whitworth. The deciding factors included Whitworth’s strong customer service, relational focus, engaging classroom experiences, and the program’s sixweek accelerated classes. With a traditional two-year track or a 10-month accelerated format, the Whitworth MBA program offers schedules for every type of professional.
“From the very first meeting with an advisor to meeting your professors and classmates, you feel a part of a family and a cause much greater than one person,” Watson says. “If you’re looking for an opportunity to be challenged and to grow through real-world experience, the Whitworth MBA program is ready for you.”
As the Whitworth MBA program grows, so does its impact: its graduates are top-level professionals and rising local talent who value building community, strengthening Spokane, and finding a home within the Whitworth MBA.
THE WHITWORTH
Experience CARYN KNIGHT, ’17 B.A. IN ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT After realizing that she wanted to advance her career as a general manager, Caryn Knight began looking into local options for bridging the gap between an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree. The B.A. was one of the qualifications for a position at corporate headquarters with Service Corporation International. Knight discovered Whitworth’s adult degree programs, offered in the evening through the School of Continuing Studies. “After I enrolled and began classes at Whitworth, I was promoted to a regional position and began to travel, with Spokane as my home base,” she says. “Whitworth’s School of Continuing Studies has been instrumental in the flexibility I’ve needed to succeed in both my new role and my classes.” Whitworth’s evening program did more than just work with Knight’s schedule. The organizational management program added value to her work. “I can apply what I learn in class to everyday situations occurring at my job,” she says. “As a leader, I also understand that when someone steps out of his or her comfort zone to go back to school as a working adult – with family and other responsibilities – it speaks volumes about that person’s ability to add to any team.” For most, it’s not easy to go back to school as an adult. Employers and leaders like Knight recognize that, and so do the faculty and staff at Whitworth. “The instructors are clear in their expectations, which helps me plan my study and homework times, and the advisors are fabulous at assisting with any questions or concerns I have,” Knight says. “I can’t imagine another program that would provide access to my bachelor’s degree with as many benefits. Taking classes at Whitworth motivates me to keep growing, reaching and dreaming.”
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT DANIEL HULSIZER, ’89 Attorney Warner Angle Hallam Jackson & Formanek PLC “Because Whitworth is a liberal arts university, not only was I given opportunities to study in my major, but I studied many different topics, from religion to philosophy (the Core Program). I believe that as a result of those broader courses, I have a better grasp on most situations and am able to drill down to what is really important for my clients, and to find solutions that might be outside of the box. In addition, those learning opportunities provided me with clear ethics that serve me and my clients well.”
CINDY DEVRIES, ’83 Chief Operating Officer Fetzer Vineyards “Whitworth’s commitment to the education of both mind and heart has had a profound impact throughout my career, and especially in my 24-year tenure at Fetzer Vineyards. This foundation is instrumental when putting teams together and solving business issues, because I was taught to consider individuals’ entire personas rather than just their majors or areas of expertise. This, in turn, enables me to build diverse, well-rounded teams that strengthen our workplace.”
GREGG AMEND, ’97 Spokane Partner in Charge Moss Adams LLP “My classes, activities and the relationships I developed at Whitworth revolved around working together as a team and being a part of something bigger than ourselves as individuals. That mindset is a part of the culture at Whitworth that makes it unique and has played a key role in shaping me personally and professionally. My advice to my student self, other than to cut back on the Pizza Pipeline runs after midnight, would be to look for more opportunities to try something new outside of my comfort zone, because those opportunities are everywhere at Whitworth.” 8
LINDA MITCHELL, ’87 Senior Director of Partner Evangelism Microsoft “The smaller class sizes and rapport I developed with all the professors was very memorable and key to my career, as well as the work experience on campus in the School of Continuing Studies. During that time, I worked on press releases, event brochures, radio commercials and event logistics. I also became the advertising manager for The Whitworthian. I won an award my senior year for breaking the record for the most ads sold.”
SCOTT DONNELL, ’08 Founder and President Apex Fun Run “There’s no degree for what I do. Particularly in the field of entrepreneurship, there are many unknowns, and life can get pretty difficult. It is crucial to learn how to learn so that you can navigate a constantly changing world. Many of my friends ended up working in something different than their major. That’s why I believe that culture and community are so valuable when you are considering your university. To me, the community of friends and mentors that I gained at Whitworth helped me so much more than just a degree. Degrees are a dime a dozen, which is why it’s crucial to find the right experience at college.”
ANNIKA WESTRE, ’13 Research Analyst Verus “My education from Whitworth provided many opportunities for me to move beyond the realm of the classroom and into the real world with tangible applications of my degree. I was able to participate in extracurricular activities, including the Student Investment Group, the Business Club, and the CFA research challenge, which provided exposure to the industry and applications for concepts learned in a classroom setting. I also had relationships with professors who guided me in the transition between academics and a career path. I still continue to use Whitworth as a platform for networking.”
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The phrase “hit the ground running” could have been coined to describe how Sean Tobin, ’16, approaches education, work and life. He is tireless in the pursuit of his interests, and has worked diligently to pair his business education with the desire to create strong community. Tobin, who’s just 20 years old, knew in high school that he wanted to be an entrepreneur. He hoped to create a successful business that would bring people together over a cup of high-quality coffee. With support from his parents, he bought a small roaster and was on his way. Tobin wrapped up his Whitworth career in two years, all the while building his business plan and working night and day to be ready for the grand opening of his business, Vessel Coffee Roasters, during his senior year. His business partner bowed out soon after the business opened, and Tobin picked up the other half of the workload without missing a beat. Vessel is now thriving in its location on North Monroe. During the period just before graduation, Tobin decided that he couldn’t just worry about grades, but he really needed to learn about business in order to get his new enterprise off the ground. His Whitworth mentor, Assistant Professor of Management David Sloan, ’05, says that Tobin’s focus remained laser-like. “He seemed to find more meaning in the content and application of the skills he learned because he was putting his knowledge to work every day.” Sloan adds, “Sean is a deep thinker, and that, paired with his willingness to try new things, has helped lead to his early success.” Although Vessel Coffee Roasters has grown quickly, Tobin continues to hold onto the values on which the business was founded. “We want to find and share the things that inspire us, from coffee to ideas,” Tobin says. “Our number-one goal is take care of and serve others.”
MOVE 10
SEATTLE BUSINESS During Spring Break, 30 students headed to Seattle for Whitworth’s third annual Seattle Business Trek. This year, the School of Business and the department of computer science teamed up in their career-development efforts, connecting both business and computer science students with professionals in the Seattle area. Companies visited included Starbucks, the Mariners, Boeing, Nordstrom, Zillow, Microsoft, Adobe, Google and Facebook.
TREK
2017
The two-day trek began early March 30, with students gathering into small groups and fanning out to different companies. Students could choose from three trek paths, based on their career interests: business, technology, or a fusion of the two. Each host company conducted a company tour and hosted a panel, often led by Whitworth alumni. Students asked questions and explored what it looks like to transition from the classroom into careers. “The trek gave me an appreciation for the importance of networking and was a great chance to polish those skills,” says David Jacobus, ’18. “There are far more career possibilities available than I previously realized. The trek was a great opportunity to see people experiencing success in their careers and living out their passions.” Students are eager to learn about potential career paths, company culture, and recruitment processes. It is particularly helpful for them to hear from alumni who have been in their shoes. “I view it as my opportunity to give back,” says Justin Farris, ’10, now a senior group manager at Zillow. “I failed in pursuing opportunities while a student and feel that things like the trek, internships and mentorships are crucial early in your career.” During the trek, each student visited at least six companies and attended an alumni social. The social, hosted by Zillow, allowed the 30 students to meet with nearly 40 Whitworth alumni and to gain insights into their experiences. 11
3PEAT
For the third consecutive year, Whitworth’s student team won the regional round of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute Research Challenge. The Whitworth team, comprising Teagan Brown, ’17, Lucas Cherry, ’17, Victoria Roberts, ’17, Andrew Shaw, ’17, and Matthew Wilkinson, ’18, was required to submit a 10-page report and present their analysis to a panel of CFA judges. Whitworth earned high marks, beating out seven universities from Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana.
This year’s team began its work in October for the Feb. 3 competition, with each member clocking more than 400 hours of research and analysis. At the regional level, each university presented on the same business: Hecla Mining Company. The analysis covered background information, corporate governance, valuation, and investment risks of the company. Judges, including a representative from Hecla, then had 10 minutes to ask questions and challenge teams on their presentation content. The Whitworth team’s win at the regional level earned them one of 53 spots at the Americas portion of the competition. This round, held in Seattle on April 7, hosted the top teams from North and South America. Faculty Advisor Duff Bergquist praises the accomplishments of the team. “This competition is a great opportunity to work on presentation skills as well as to apply four years of business education to the real-world analysis of a company,” he says. “This is reflected in the fact that all four seniors on the team have secured jobs in the financial industry.”
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FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS ROBERT H. BUCKHAM PUBLICATIONS Buckham, R., & Sloan, D. (2016). “Hope theory applied to the emerging workforce.” European Journal of Business Research, Vol. 16 (2); pp. 7-18. Sloan, D., Buckham, R., & Lee, Y. (2017). “Exploring differentiation of self and organizational commitment.” Journal of Managerial Psychology 32 (2). Sloan, D. & Buckham, R. (2016). “Differentiation of self and affective commitment: An integrative literature review.” Western Journal of Human Resource Management. (Winter 2016 edition). ERIC A. SARTELL PUBLICATIONS Ola, J. Christian & Sartell, E. A. (2017). “Undercover Boss: Stripping Away the Disguise to Analyze the Financial Performance of Participating Firms.” Business, Management, and Economics Research. Sartell, E. A. & Ola, J. C. (2016). “Consumer Confidence & National Debt: Two Keys to the White House in 2016?” The International Journal of Business & Management, 4 (7), 368-75. DAVID R. SLOAN PUBLICATIONS Sloan, D., Buckham, R., & Lee, Y. (2017). “Exploring differentiation of self and organizational commitment.” Journal of Managerial Psychology 32. http://www. nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior. aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424 (2). Sloan, D., & Buckham, R. (2016). “Differentiation of self and affective commitment: An integrative literature review.” Western Journal of Human Resource Management. (Winter 2016 edition). Mikkelson, A., Hesse, C., & Sloan, D. (2017). “Relational communication messages and employee outcomes in supervisor/employee relationships.” Communication Reports. (Accepted for publication.)
Mikkelson, A., Sloan, D., & Hesse, C. (2017). “Relational messages and leadership styles in supervisor/ employee relationships.” International Journal of Business Communications. (Accepted for publication.) Buckham, R., & Sloan, D. (2016). “Hope experience in a for-profit educational institution.” European Journal of Business Review. ROBIN HENAGER PUBLICATIONS Mauldin, T., Henager, R., Bowen, C. F., Cheang, M. (2016). “Facilitators and barriers to savings behavior.” Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, Vol. 27, Issue 2, 231–251. Henager, R. & Cude, B. J. (2016). “Financial literacy and long- and short-term financial behavior in different age groups.” Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, Vol. 27, Issue 1, 1-17. * Kim, K. T., Wilmarth, M.J., & Henager, R. (2017). “Debt profile of low-income households before and after the Great Recession.” Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, Special Issue on the Ethics of Debt, 2017. AWARDS * 2016 Journal Article Award winner for the Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning and the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education. DAWN KEIG CONFERENCE Keig, D.L., “Multinational Enterprise Tolerance for Slavery,” Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility 7th annual CSR research development conference, Milgard School of Business, University of Washington, Tacoma, Wash., July 2016. CRAIG HINNENKAMP TIMOTHY WILKINSON PUBLICATIONS Mihoc, F., Wilkinson, T. J., & Hinnenkamp, C. (2016). “What Sells in Romania.” Journal of East-West Business. 22(2):77-96.
FAREWELL TO MARGIE LASHAW Those who have studied business at Whitworth during the last 29 years are certain to know Associate Professor Margie LaShaw. LaShaw’s gentle and caring nature makes her popular with students and advisees, while stories of the LaShaw farm make her classes particularly memorable. “Margie’s commitment to Whitworth’s mission of mind and heart is most exemplified by her dedication to the integration of faith and learning in her classroom,” says Associate Dean Craig Hinnenkamp. LaShaw has played a central role in the development of Whitworth’s undergraduate accounting program and has been integrally involved with the Christian Business Faculty Association for many years, serving as the primary Whitworth representative to this group. LaShaw completed her final year at Whitworth this spring and is looking forward to her retirement. She will be dearly missed, but her impact on students and the School of Business will be felt for years to come.
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Business Plus, a program originally begun in the 1990s by Whitworth trustees Art Symons, ’51, Dave Robblee, ’62, and Bill Curry, ’73, was reinstated this year through the efforts of Bill Curry. The program brings a small group of students together with a businessperson and a moderator to examine potential career paths and to challenge students to evaluate their goals. This year’s speakers included Business Advisory Board members Stu Stiles, Octavio Morales and Jennifer Lehn. Each program begins with the session’s speaker sharing his or her educational background, work experience, challenges, failures and successes. “The purpose of Business Plus is to have those who have accomplished something in business share real-world experiences without the classroom, teachers, and barriers on questions,” says Curry, who hosted and moderated all of this year’s sessions.
BUSINESS PLUS
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Student participants are both challenged and encouraged by their conversations with business leaders. The speakers and Curry ask students difficult questions about career objectives and plans. As a result, some students move forward with their objectives while others consider new possibilities for their futures. The program aligns WSB career-development efforts focused on closing the gap between business theory and workplace application. “We hear so much in class about the business world,” says Josh Huber, ’17, “but to actually talk to someone who has built and continues to build success in the business world was so helpful.” Because of the impact of the conversations and stories shared in Business Plus – and because the sessions can confirm or entirely change students’ career trajectories – the WSB has plans to expand this dynamic program in future years.
WSB ADVISORY BOARD 2016-17
GREGG AMEND, ’97 Spokane Partner in Charge Moss Adams LLP ALLEN BATTLE Founder A Strategic Solution RANDY CLARK Consultant BILL CONDON, ’03 Managing Director Colliers International BILL CURRY, ’73
Board Chair Huntron Instruments CRAIG DIAS Chief Operations Officer K&N Electric Motors MARTY DICKINSON Marketing and Communications Executive Vice President Umpqua Bank PETER ENKEMA, ’69 Sales Associate Coldwell Banker Tomlinson ANDREW ERICKSON, ’84 Sales Representative/Partner Washington Fruit & Produce Co.
BOB INGERSOLL, ’67 Retired Corporate Vice President – Contracts & Pricing Boeing DAVID KIMMET, ’98 President Rehn & Associates LARRY LARISON President Columbia Management Systems LAURA LAWTON President Lawton Printing RAY LAWTON Business Transition Specialist Lawton Printing JENNIFER LEHN Chief Operations Officer Numerica Credit Union JIM MASTERSON CEO LightEdge Solutions TIM MITROVICH, ’01 CEO/Chief Investment Officer Ten Capital HOLLY MONTGOMERY Vice President – Relationship Management & Private Banking US Bank
OCTAVIO MORALES Senior Vice President of Operations Tierpoint TRAVIS PREWITT, ’73 President of Investments UBS Financial Services, Inc. KEN ROBERTS, ’68 Chief Investment Strategist Palouse Capital Management DAVE ROGERS Retired General Manager – Climate Change Chevron Corporation DAN SANFORD, ’65 Emeritus Professor of International Management Whitworth University TOM SIMPSON Co-Founder and Chairman etailz, Inc. FRED STOCKTON Global Service Line Director – Art Keywords Studios AARON VACCARO, ’14 Investment Analyst WestRiver Group TIM WILKINSON Charles L. Boppell Dean School of Business Whitworth University
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