ABOUT BUSINESS WEEK
Since its founding in 1979, Business Week has been the heart of professional development in the College of Business at Illinois State. Business Week is a year-long program made up of development opportunities for all Illinois State University students that culminates with a week-long series of engaging professional events. It encourages personal interaction between students, alumni, potential employers, and industry leaders. Through this, students foster soft skills essential for success in the professional world. This week-long series of interactive events include discussions of leadership, business etiquette, effective networking, goal setting, communication, and career management by Illinois State University alumni. We are proud to represent the College of Business, and we are looking forward to celebrating 46 years of helping students develop personally and professionally.
Proof of attendance slips will be provided at the conclusion of the events below:
• Professional Development Dinner Monday, February 24, 2025
• Transition Seminars Tuesday, February 25, 2025
• INSPIRE: “FUN”damentals of Business with ComedySportz Wednesday, February 26, 2025
• Keynote Speaker Address Thursday, February 27, 2025
2025 Business Week Executive Team
L-R: Emma Julian, Emily Sopala, Averi Stephens, Ryan Russell, Ashley Anderson, Isabel Crabtree
PLATINUM PARTNERS
NICOR
Sponsor -
Professional Development Dinner
LEAD PARTNER
CEFCU
Sponsor“FUN”damentals of Leadership event
PRE-BW EVENTS
WEDNESDAY | JANUARY 29
TRIVIA NIGHT
A NIGHT OF COB COMPETITION
Aaron Leetch Legacy Club | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Business Week team is proud to present its 8th annual Trivia Night as a warm-up to this year’s Business Week! Trivia Night is an evening where staff and students are invited to test their knowledge and let loose a bit before the more professional events of Business Week begin. Teams of five to eight people answer questions on a variety of topics and compete in various mini games throughout the night. Food will be provided for all participants, so come hungry and be ready to get trivial!
We welcome back our wonderful host, Dr. Terry Noel. Dr. Noel is an Associate Dean for the College of Business and a distinguished professor with a background in improvisation.
As part of “giving back” to the COB community, the Business Week team is utilizing all net proceeds from the event to help fund the COB’s Pay It Forward (PIF) student fund. The PIF fund distributes financial support to COB students in need for professional development purposes. The money in the PIF student funds is generated by donations from COB students that are then matched by COB alum and PIF creator, Ron Whitton.
Casual attire is recommended.
REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT:
MONDAY FEBRUARY 24
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DINNER
Brown Ballroom - Bone Student Center Illinois State University | 6:00pm - 8:30pm 5:00pm | Check-in and Networking
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Professional Development Dinner is Business Week’s kickoff event, providing aspiring student professionals with the opportunity to learn valuable etiquette expertise. Dinner will be provided for those who have registered, granting an opportunity to practice professional dinner etiquette, an important skill for those planning to enter the workforce. Even more, the dinner will be open to professionals, allowing for networking opportunities with companies such as State Farm, Country Financial, Caterpillar, and more. The dinner will also feature an etiquette skills speaker, Dr. Madeline Trimble, and a keynote speaker, Wendell Dallas, President and CEO of Nicor Gas.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DINNER
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DINNER KEYNOTE SPEAKER
WENDELL DALLAS
President and CEO, Nicor Gas
Wendell Dallas serves as president and CEO of Nicor Gas, one of America’s leading natural gas distributors and the largest distribution company of Southern Company Gas. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring that natural gas reaches more than 2.3 million homes and businesses in over 650 northern Illinois communities.
Before assuming his current role, Dallas served as vice president of sales and marketing for Georgia Power, the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, which serves 2.7 million customers in Georgia. He was responsible for the company’s topline revenue growth strategy, new product development, product distribution, e-commerce, electric transportation, sales management and energy efficiency.
Dallas brings more than 30 years of leadership, operations and engineering experience to Nicor Gas, having served as vice president of operations for two Southern Company Gas subsidiaries, Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas. Dallas also served as the vice president of economic and community development for the Southern Company Gas multistate footprint. A champion for workforce development initiatives, Dallas serves on the boards of World Business Chicago, Executive Club of Chicago, Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council and Northern Illinois Community Initiatives. He also believes in helping communities grow and prosper and is an active board member for the United Way and Chicago Field Museum. Dallas also serves as a member of the Southern Company Gas Management Council, The Chicago Club, Chicago United, Commercial Club of Chicago, Economic Club of Chicago and Business Leadership Chicago.
A native of Opelika, Alabama, Dallas holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University and is a graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta and Leadership Savannah. He and his wife live in Wheaton, Illinois and have three adult children.
REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT: Business Professional attire is recommended.
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 25
TRANSITION SEMINARS
State Farm Hall of Business - Various Rooms | 6:00 - 8:30pm
5:30pm Check-in begins
6:00 - 6:30pm Session One 7:10 - 7:20pm Break/Trivia
6:30 - 6:40pm Break/Trivia 7:20 - 7:50pm Session Three
6:40 - 7:10pm Session Two 7:50 - 8:30pm Networking Period
This year’s Transition Seminars will feature a new structure designed to make it easier for students to attend all panels. Upon arrival, students will be assigned a room and will remain in that room for the entire event, while panelists rotate between rooms. This ensures that every student can experience all three seminar topics by attending the event.
The transition from college to corporate life can be daunting. However, with well-directed guidance from experienced professionals, students can achieve anything. The topics for each seminar were chosen to help educate students on what to expect and how to prepare as they enter their perspective industries. College of Business alumni, ISU staff, and industry professionals will be conducting the seminars and sharing their personal experiences. The speakers selected are masters in their specific fields of expertise and will be providing valuable insight.
The Transition Seminars are free! However, registration is required. Students needing proof of attendance slips will be required to attend the full event. After the seminars, there will be a networking reception in the College of Business Atrium. The reception will provide students with the opportunity to speak individually with seminar speakers. Refreshments will also be provided!
Business casual or casual attire is recommended.
REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT:
INVEST IN YOURSELF:
Investment and Budgeting Strategies for Financial
(Budgets, Investments, 401ks)
TRANSITION SEMINARS TRANSITION TOPICS
Success
Whether you are seeking a competitive salary, navigating the intricacies of benefits packages, or making pivotal choices about job offers and career transitions, this seminar offers invaluable insights empowering you to secure favorable terms and enhance your career trajectory. Human Resource experts will guide you through the art of negotiation and explore the science of decision-making in the workplace, highlighting the critical decisions of accepting, leaving, declining a job and selecting a benefits package. This seminar will be your road map to achieving your professional goals and thriving in today’s dynamic job market.
DON’T OVERTHINK IT!
Your First Five Years Post-Graduation
Having an existential crisis about your life post-grad? Us too! In this seminar, we will help you navigate this critical phase of your life, providing you with strategies you need to thrive. Taught by recent graduates who successfully overcame this challenge, you will discover the stark differences between expectations and reality after college, how to create a road map to the career you envision, and how to position yourself to get where you want to be.
THE DIGITAL WORKPLACE
Enhancing Productivity Using AI, Excel, and Beyond
Welcome to the evolving landscape of the digital workplace, where technology is reshaping how we work. In this seminar, you will learn how integrating tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and Microsoft Excel can significantly enhance your productivity and streamline your daily tasks. Join us as we dive into the benefits and challenges of embracing a digital workplace. This seminar aims to equip you with the skills and insights needed to navigate this new working environment effectively. Enhance your productivity 1 3 2
WEDNESDAYINSPIRE
FEBRUARY 26
INSPIRE EVENT: “FUN” DAMENTALS OF BUSINESS WITH COMEDY SPORTZ
Prairie Room - Bone Student Center
Illinois State University | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Join the INSPIRE Team for an unforgettable experience in collaboration with Malarkey Comedy, home of ComedySportz Chicago, as they bring their interactive Applied Improv group workshop to Illinois State University students.
This engaging, hands-on event is designed to help students enhance their leadership, communication, and listening skills through fun, non-performance-based improv exercises. The workshop fosters an inclusive and supportive environment where participants can build meaningful relationships and strengthen positive connections. Through improv-based activities and practical discussions, attendees will gain valuable insights and tools to become more effective communicators and leaders.
Don’t miss this chance to laugh, learn, and grow with your peers in a dynamic and collaborative setting.
Business casual or casual attire is recommended.
REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT:
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 27
BUSINESS WEEK
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Caterpillar Auditorium - State Farm Hall of Business
Illinois State University | 3:30pm
JON FARNEY ’93
President and Chief Executive Officer
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
Jon Farney is President and Chief Executive Officer of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. He has more than 30 years of experience with State Farm and within the insurance and financial services industry.
Farney joined State Farm in 1993 and has served in a variety of executive leadership positions including assistant vice president – securities products, assistant vice president – planning & analysis, vice president – financial operations and operations vice president – underwriting. He served as senior vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer for eight years before being elected President of State Farm Mutual in January 2024. He assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer in June 2024.
He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois State University, Normal and earned his MBA from the University of Michigan. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter® (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC) and Fellow, Life Management Institute® (FLMI) designations. He is also a member of the Business Roundtable.
Business casual or casual attire is recommended. No registration is needed to attend this event.
HALL OF FAME DAY
COLLEGE
OF BUSINESS
HALL OF FAME
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
HALL OF FAME DAY 2025
Each year, highly successful individuals are welcomed to campus to be inducted into the College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame. These distinguished individuals range from senior-level executives in top corporations worldwide to highly ambitious entrepreneurs. Their achievements attest to their commitment to excellence and add value to our College of Business Programs and the Illinois State University brand for all graduates.
CLASS OF 2025
JON FARNEY ’93
President and Chief Executive Officer
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
TIFFANY HEMANN ’00
Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis
Symbotic
MICHELLE M. HERMANN ’88
Managing Director, CIBC Private Wealth Management
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 28
MENTOR/MENTEE CEREMONY
Caterpillar Auditorium - State Farm Hall of Business
Illinois State University | 1:00pm
At the end of Business Week, over 200 students gather to celebrate the completion of the Mentor Program. After months of preparation, meetings between mentors and mentees, and attendance at Business Week events, the participants gather to receive their certificates of completion. Many mentees go on to become mentors themselves, work on the Business Week team, and/or continue to make lasting impressions on their peers and the College of Business.
THE BW MENTOR PROGRAM
TEACH
proper business professional attire, etiquette, interaction, and networking
REINFORCE the importance of active participation in registered student organizations
CREATE a dialogue about courses, internships, and career preparation essentials
PROVIDE service-leadership opportunities
HIGHLIGHT essential soft skills like building a resume, conducting mock interviews, and more
Most Fortune 500 Companies have an established mentor program, including Google, Caterpillar, and General Electric (GE), to name a few. The Business Week Mentor Program helps students develop the professional skills necessary to succeed in their career path.
Since its formation in 2011, the Mentor Program has increased in prestige and design. Mentors are selected based on proven academic success and extracurricular involvement and are dedicated to serving as a resource for their assigned mentee(s) and
Richard Ayertey
Sidrah Baig
Emily Bargamian
Lauren Benduha
Michael Betancourt
Tyler Bever
Alyssa Bischoff
Camilla Blacha
Zachary Bluver
Jack Brown
Jillian Burkhart
Alejandra Caballero
Michael Cassidy
Audrey Castaneda
Andrew Cedeno
Ani Abbina
Rylee Adams
Tatum Ahrens
Ibukun Ajayi
Nicholas Alaimo
Catalina Alvarez
Thomas Asis
Fidelia Awoudi
Kathryn Baker
Leanne Barrett
Alyssa Bartlett
Bryce Beckman
Niko Berg
Nicole Binda
Marquan Brewster
Lailah Cabell
Jack Caporale
Julia Cox
Jeremy Cinco
Cian Collins
Joseph Connolly
Aiden De La O
Erika Del Rio
Jacob Doggett
Zoe Economou
Sarah Fahey
Javier Fialek
Alex Fletcher
Jessica Garcia
Dylan Ginalick
Nicole Hagen
Holly Hagi
Grace Hall
Tanaya Cummings
Malachi Davis
Allison DeBolt
Alexander DeCarlo
Josiah Donoho
Shannon Doyle
Demi Drake
Ashley Duran
Sydney Eades
Charles Economou
Ray Elliott
Addison Fair
Thomas Ferrigan
Allyson Ford
Martin Fuentes
Lily Gagner
Nick Garcia
Delia Garcia
providing them with the best possible Business Week experience. Mentor/Mentee pairs get acquainted with one another through their collaboration on the professional skills referenced above and by attending a pre-Business Week Meet and Greet designed and implemented by the Mentor Program Coordinators. To conclude their participation in the program, they will attend Business Week events together and make use of the skills developed throughout their mentorship, followed by a Mentor Program Graduation at the end of the week.
Jenny Hanson
Nick Harfst
Kayla Hintz
Alyssa Holwerda
Andrew Hummel
Valeria Jimenez
Elizabeth Johnson
Kailey Johnson
Macie Julian
Sam Kahovec
Madelyn Karis
Polina Kreuz
Garrett Kroeschel
Aaron Lane
Gabriela Ledesma
Luis Garcia
Antanysja Giles
Iris Gomez
Paulina Graca
Cayla Graham
Ryane Harris
Evan Harris
Aubrie Held
Brianna Herman
Elizabeth Hollis
Liliana Houzenga
Maddie Hunt
Tyrone Jackson
Jessica Jarosik
Colin Jones
Cameron Jones
Abigail Kaszynski
Kylie Kolacki
Joseph Luciano
Jacob Lundstrom
Tyler Maca
Erik Maldonado
Elizabeth Mann
Kolton Mannin
Tim McInerney
Wendell Miller
Itsaris Moreno
Andy Munn
Brittney Oakley
Dennis Papafotopoulos
Derek Potts
Shauna Purcell
Rocco Rizzi
Sarah Komi
Jacinda Labinski
Liam Lane
Garrett Loughran
Connor Lyons
Bella Madonia
Rae Mahalik
Kaylee Marrs
Monica Martinez
Timothy Marusarz
Kaden McCaw
Emmalyn McCoy
Benjamin Miller
Alea Mitchell
Kylie Motykowski
Jacob Myette
Charles Nelson
Casey Nelson
Griffin Roesch
Adrian Rogowski
Tyler Rolinitis
Matt Saldivar
Tyler Scheck
Chris Schwuchow
Peyton Scott
Kyra Segebart
Sophie Shaw Tori Smith
Akanji Solomon
Emily Stanley
Grace Stanley Kenzie Stein
Karly Stephens
Ibukun Oluwayomi
Cammy Ostermeier
Janelle Perez
Jake Podvrsan
Rylie Raufer
Kendall Ray
Bailey Renfro
Hannah Retherford
Michelle Rojas
Raven Rumbolt-Lemond
Elysia Schermann
Jack Schmall
Owen Schmidt
Gavin Senne
Sherillyn Silvestre
Michael Simwaba
Andrew Smith
Maximus Smits
Tyler Strate
Mitch Tarnoki
Taylor Tedford
Dominic Traina
Sean Turner
Vince Vassolo
Jeremy Wright
Jason Zheng
Veronica Zieba
Rachel Zlotowicz
Dylan Spadafora
Andrew Stone
Matthew Stuepfert
Joshua Sweedler
Jake Sweeney
Michael Tenuto
Mira Terranova
Isabella Terrazas
Gigi Tertipes
Jordan Thomas
Maurice Thomas Jr
Mason Trinco
Tyler Urban
Ian Walsh
Colin Wasserman
Kendall Williams
FALL EVENTS
2024
INSPIRE - COB SMILE DAY:
IT’S A GOOD DAY TO HAVE A GOOD DAY
State Farm Hall of Business | Illinois State University
Thursday, October 3, 2024
A lot of good days were made during the College of Business’s inaugural COB Smile Day on October 3rd, inspired by World Smile Day, which is celebrated annually on October 4th. The goal of the event was to give students a chance to relax—and smile—during the challenging midpoint of the school year, with an emphasis on fostering a sense of community.
Attendees were treated to complimentary goodies such as stress balls, stickers, and smiley pins, all distributed by COB faculty and staff. They also had the chance to decorate their own sugar cookies. Student Counseling Services set up a booth to distribute helpful mental health resources, and the beloved Illinois State Police resource dog, Pawficer Sage, made a special guest appearance. Activities included a wall for random acts of kindness, where participants shared their ideas, and a photo booth with fun, yellow props, and a card-making station, where attendees crafted cards for residents of a local nursing home.
Of the 250 supplies available for attendees, everything was gone by the end of the event, marking a successful first COB Smile Day. The atmosphere was upbeat and friendly, as students chatted, enjoyed the activities, and, most importantly, built community and spread smiles.
AFTER 5 BEHAVIOR: ELEVATING YOUR PROFESSIONALISM
Blono Pizza Co.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The After 5 Behavior event kicked off with a presentation led by four representatives from Enterprise Mobility, including Talent Acquisition Manager Monica Hood.
The four professionals discussed the importance of professionalism beyond the traditional 9-to-5 workday, covering topics like how to conduct yourself at happy hours and holiday work events, as well as how to maintain a personable yet professional relationship with coworkers. They also discussed the importance of building a personal brand, how to protect it, and strategies for expanding and maintaining your network. Their insights helped students feel more equipped to navigate after-hours social situations, a key component of effective networking in today’s business environment.
Following the presentation, attendees enjoyed a night of unlimited driving range golf, pizza, salad, and soda, while socializing with peers, networking with the professionals, and asking additional questions.
INSPIRE - GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: MULTICULTURAL MANNERS
Brown Ballroom - Bone Student Center | Illinois State University
Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
FALL 2024
On November 14th, the Business Week team hosted their second Global Perspectives Night, an event designed to explore the business customs and cultures of countries such as Vietnam, South Africa, and the Philippines.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from speakers representing each country, who shared insights into their cultures and business practices. The experience was further enriched by traditional desserts from each nation, with recipes provided by the speakers to ensure the treats were as authentic as possible. This immersive event aimed to expand participants’ understanding of global business practices while offering a delicious taste of diverse desserts from the speakers’ respective countries.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE 2026 TEAM
If you are serious about building real-world skills, making valuable contacts with alumni and industry leaders, and are ready to create amazing opportunities for your peers, think about applying to be on the 2026 Business Week Team.
The Business Week Team consists of an elite group of students (both business and non-business majors) selected through an application and interview process in the spring. Members work in direct partnership with the College of Business Dean’s Office and spend the fall semester brainstorming and organizing a powerful week of interactive events to help students build essential soft skills and professional understandings. A small team also manages the Business Week Mentor Program, where members promote individual and registered student organization involvement, handle registration, run all Business Week events, and analyze the outcomes.
Information about joining the 2026 Business Week Team can be found at Business.IllinoisState.edu/BusinessWeek or in the Dean’s Office on the fourth floor of the State Farm Hall of Business. From first-year students to graduate students, all business majors are welcome to apply for this premier leadership experience.
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 TEAM AT:
BUSINESS WEEK 2025 TEAM MEMBERS
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Ryan Russell, President
Emily Sopala, VP
Averi Stephens, VP - Logistics
Isabel Crabtree, VP - Marketing
Emma Julian, VP - Marketing
Ashley Anderson, VP - Professional Development
MENTOR PROGRAM
COORDINATORS
Naomi Aalsma
Hailey King
Caleb Stevens
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DINNER COORDINATORS
Brooke Davis
Jack Medlicott
Jonathan Snelgrove
Ellie Ten Eyck
INSPIRE COORDINATORS
Ayden Corpin
Tobi Ilebiyi
James Presslak
Paige Tenuto
Abby Vandiver
TRANSITION SEMINAR COORDINATORS
Ethan Gockel
Trinity Kuehl
TRIVIA NIGHT + COORDINATORS
Michael Korpitz
Parker Meyer
Ryan Zoubek
ADVISOR
Steve Vandiver
Front Row L-R: Emma Julian, Ellie Ten Eyck, Brooke Davis, Naomi Aalsma, Tobi Ilebiyi
2nd Row L-R: Michael Korpitz, Isabel Crabtree, Hailey King, James Presslak, Abby Vandiver, Ethan Gockel, Ayden Corpin
Back Row L-R: Emily Sopala, Averi Stephens, Ashley Anderson, Ryan Zoubek, Parker Meyer, Jonathan Snelgrove, Jack Medlicott, Caleb Stevens, Paige Tenuto, Trinity Kuehl, Ryan Russell
