Whitworth University School of Business Dean's Review: 2018

DEAN’S REVIEW 2018

DEAN’S MESSAGE Recently I had an interesting conversation with Whitworth University Provost Carol Simon in which we both marveled at the extraordinary interest and concern our faculty demonstrates when it comes to educating and developing students. We both agreed that even compared to other private institutions, Whitworth is a cut above in terms of student engagement.

In addition to impressive faculty members (who have an average of 20 years of industry experience before joining the faculty), School of Business students are getting great business experience while still in college. For example, 83 percent of our students complete at least one internship before graduation, compared to a national average of 75 percent.

The payoff for truly caring about student success is big, both in terms of intellectual development as well as job placements. For example, six months after one of our students got a job at the corporate offices of Costco, this Fortune 500 company was knocking on our doors looking for more potential employees. Now, five Whitworth School of Business graduates work at Costco’s company headquarters. This scene has repeated itself at numerous companies including Moss Adams, etailz and Wells Fargo.

Last academic year, the Whitworth Student Investment Group, which manages a portion of the university’s endowment, had 64 members who worked together in what is, in essence, a business firm located right on campus. Forty students took the Business Trek to Seattle that visited 15 companies, and four mock interview events drew participation from 75 business professionals and more than 100 students, rounding out our experiential learning and professional development program.

It’s no wonder then that six months after graduation 79 percent of WSB students are gainfully employed, as opposed to a national average of 63.5 percent. Even more impressive is the fact that our students start their own businesses at a rate that is four times that of the national average.

In this issue of the Dean’s Review you will learn about these and many other exciting events happening in the Whitworth School of Business. Enjoy.

Sincerely,

Tim Wilkinson, Ph.D. Professor and Charles L. Boppell Dean

2

From left, Eric Kobe ’14, MBA ’19, and Vincent Peak ’17 took second place in the Open Division of the Northwest Entrepreneur Competition with their business plan for Share.Farm, an app that connects buyers with local farmers.

CONTENTS 2

DEAN’S MESSAGE

4

YEAR IN REVIEW

6

MBA IN SUN VALLEY

7

ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT

8

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

10 VITA PROGRAM 11

MENTORSHIP

12 BUSINESS TREK 13 CAREER DEVELOPMENT On the cover: Whitworth’s student team took first place in the regional Chartered Financial Analyst Institute Research Challenge. From left: Tanner Stepp ’19, Tserenlkham Tsogbadrakh ’18, Nathan Segarra ’18 and Marika Witt ’18.

14 RESEARCH 15 ADVISORY BOARD 3

YEAR

IN REVIEW

9.7

10.30 SEPT. 7 The newly founded Whitworth MBA Alumni Society hosted its first event. To get involved, contact schoolofbusiness@whitworth.edu.

SEPT. 15 The accounting networking luncheon once again saw a record number of firms recruiting Whitworth students.

Attendees traveled from across Washington, Idaho and Alaska to network with Whitworth accounting students.

OCT. 30 The inaugural Spokane Trek took 20 students to visit eight companies throughout the Spokane area.

NOV. 15-16 Three business students attended the National Association for Business Economics Tech Economics Conference in Seattle with alum Nina Sidneva ’02.

4

11.15-16 FEB. 9 For the fourth consecutive year, Whitworth’s student team won the regional round of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute Research Challenge. They went on to compete in the Americas round in Boston.

MARCH 2 Four alumni from the Seattle chapter visited campus to host the first Student Professional Development Day. Fifty business students attended workshops, panel discussions and mock interviews throughout the day.

MARCH 8 The final series of four mock interview events was concluded. They connected 75 business students with more than 100 professionals.

2.9

3.8

4.14

MARCH 26-27 The annual Seattle Business Trek grew again this year, bringing 40 students to 16 companies throughout the Seattle area as well as a social with area alumni.

APRIL 21 Four accounting students traveled to Seattle to compete in the annual KPMG Financial Accounting Case Competition with other regional universities.

APRIL 14 The Whitworth Student Investment Group hosted its first Whitworth Investment Conference. Twenty area high school students attended campus for a day of finance workshops, alumni speakers and lunch.

APRIL 25 Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honors society for economics, welcomed a record 17 new inductees.

APRIL 17 Four Whitworth teams competed in the final round of the Northwest Entrepreneur Competition. Whitworth team Share Farm won second place in the Open category.

MAY 19-20 The School of Business celebrated 35 MBA and 83 undergraduate students who completed their studies at Whitworth.

5

INSPIRED MBA Students

in Sun Valley

Last December, 11 MBA students gained a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship as they spent a week learning and meeting with experts in the cozy ski village of Sun Valley, Idaho. They were the first cohort to experience the Sun Valley Excursion, an off-campus section of the MBA Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation course.

The program, planned again for fall 2018, began with an intensive on-campus reading schedule, as students grappled with diverse and complex theories of strategic leadership.

Prepared for the excursion, the students then traveled together to their destination classroom, 500 miles away.

In Sun Valley, students met with notable residents and executive leaders for intensive, seminar-style discussions.

In this intimate setting, they were able to evaluate and incorporate leadership principles with the lessons leaders shared from lifetimes spent working in business. Students also asked hard questions about the challenges and rewards of leading in a changing business world.

6

The excursion was a defining vocational moment for many students, including Michael Truex of the MBA ’19 cohort.

“Such an experience and hearing the stories of others who have lived life to its fullest through their respective businesses, and the relationships developed with classmates, stirs up the question of life’s purpose,” says Truex, a project manager for Avista.

This year, the Whitworth MBA Program will partner again with some of the country’s top entrepreneurs and business leaders to offer students this unique experience. It is only one of the many professional development programs the Whitworth MBA is initiating.

“We want to intentionally invest in every aspect of our students – academically, professionally and personally,” says Sinead Voorhees, director of Graduate Studies in Business. “Exceptional classroom learning is only one piece of a truly transformational graduate experience.”

D FUTURE

TAKING CHARGE of the

Jim Alford hadn’t been in school in 30 years. But like many working professionals, he realized he had to pursue higher education in order to improve his career.

“I was in a good position as hiring manager, but there were no possibilities for advancement without an education,” he says of his career with CHS (Cenex Zip Trip).

After driving past a Whitworth sign that read, “What will you be doing four years from now?” Alford ’18, MBA ’20, decided it was time to start the process and earn his bachelor’s degree. He enrolled in Whitworth’s organizational management program, offered in the evening through the School of Continuing Studies.

It’s a decision that has paid off with three promotions.

“Because I was taking classes and doing well, I was offered a job as the human resource manager one year into my program, despite not having earned my degree yet,” Alford says. “Then I received a promotion to area supervisor, another position that required a degree. The tools I gained during my classes allowed me to contribute meaningful ideas to the company. Now, I’ve been promoted to environmental health and safety manager and my career has blossomed.”

Alford says that although he was anxious about returning to school after a long absence, “the professors, advisors and staff at Whitworth relieved my anxiety from day one.

The six-week evening format was the key that enabled me to balance school, work, kids and personal time.”

Equipped with a bachelor’s degree, Alford’s Whitworth story continues.

“I realized that completing an MBA would open up many more doors,” he says. “After looking into other programs, I determined that Whitworth was again the best option for me. With the same course format and schedule as my bachelor’s program, I knew I could be successful in the Whitworth MBA Program.”

7

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT JASON THACKSTON ’92 Senior Vice President, Energy Resources at Avista Corp.

Chair, Whitworth Board of Trustees I enjoy working with stakeholders who have very diverse interests and perspectives to see how we might come to a solution that works for all parties. It is particularly rewarding to develop trusted relationships with fellow employees in order to solve the challenges facing our industry and to be proactive as we look forward to changes in customer needs.

I love that Whitworth cares about both the mind and the heart. My time at Whitworth reinforced for me that how we accomplish things is as important as what we accomplish. And the way we carry out that “how” – how we treat others – is one embodiment of Whitworth’s mission to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity.

DAVID KIMMET ’98 President, Rehn & Associates We are a service organization, and our one and only goal is to provide the best administrative services available through our amazing people and technology. It is up to me to make sure our teams have the resources they need to meet that goal.

I am humbled by the life I have been given! The opportunities that have been given to my family and me, in part because of my Whitworth experience, are countless. I am very blessed to be a part of the Whitworth community and to be a member of the Rehn & Associates team.

REBECCA GEBBERS ’06 Insurance Agent/Partner, VIP Insurance Agency Without question, the most rewarding part of my job is seeing my clients come out of a claim situation with a smile.

There is one key lesson I learned (at Whitworth) that has stuck with me: to believe in myself. I lacked confidence and nearly believed the lies I was told by others that I wasn’t cutthroat enough for the business world. Today I own and manage eight office locations, and I have learned that you don’t have to be cutthroat to be in business. You can be kind and generous and have integrity and still thrive as long as you believe in what you are doing and that you are capable of succeeding.

8

JOSH KERNS ’06, MBA ’08 Spokane County Commissioner, District 1 Being able to serve the people of this community and knowing at the end of the day you have made someone’s life better is an amazing feeling.

It was during my time at Whitworth that I really learned the importance of community. I met so many people who have become lifelong friends, and the community of Whitworth made this possible.

Late-night cramming for a big test, preparing for a group presentation, or just sitting on campus talking... I will always remember my time at Whitworth fondly.

KYLIE GRADER ’12 Program Manager for China & Asia Pacific Public Affairs, Starbucks My career path at Starbucks has been anything but linear; however, my passion for international work is the common thread that led me to this role.

I think the most important thing I’ve learned since entering the private sector after serving in the public sector is that there is no “right” way or one way to do good work. It’s more about being open to trying something new, trusting your gut instincts and beliefs, and doing something. And if it doesn’t work, that’s OK. You can try something new tomorrow.

JAY STAHLMAN ’12 Global Senior Finance Analyst, Aptiv I relish the challenge of organizing diverse groups with competing interests, the creativity required to make it work, and the competitive spirit necessary to hit the target.

My Whitworth experience was foundational to the spiritual and emotional growth that keeps me anchored in life, providing muchneeded perspective on big decisions in both my career and personal life. Additionally, the soft skills I learned on campus from interacting with people from different backgrounds, along with the well-rounded liberal arts curriculum, have been invaluable in establishing myself as a versatile, reliable leader at work.

9

STUDENTS PREPARE TAXES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Whitworth accounting students are helping to fulfill a growing need in the Spokane community while gaining valuable field experience. In Spokane this year, the VITA program prepared 866 tax returns for free, resulting in $1,225,915 in refunds. Nine Whitworth students were among the volunteers who prepared returns for clients, mostly low-income residents, senior citizens, non-native English speakers and students.

He has a joy for serving through VITA, and believes the program has grown rapidly in Spokane because of the large need.

VITA is an IRS-sponsored initiative that has spread across the country since its founding in 1971. In Spokane, VITA is administered by United Way and AARP. Whitworth has partnered with the program for about 10 years by allowing students to volunteer as tax preparers for academic credit.

Faculty advisor Candice Correia says Whitworth looks forward to continuing its partnership with VITA in the years to come. “The program is a wonderful opportunity to reinforce what students are learning in the classroom,” she says, “as well as fulfill the university’s mission to provide an education of mind and heart.”

Accounting major Justin Livengood ’18 was the site coordinator for the United Way VITA location in Spokane.

10

Whitworth accounting student Sukwoo Lee ’18 advises Spokane residents on their tax returns.

“I love the clients. They are so grateful, so patient, so willing to put their faith in the volunteers,” he says. “We’ll calculate a refund for an individual or family in need, and those moments make it so worthwhile. If these clients had to pay to have their taxes filed, part of the refund would go to the preparer rather than meeting the needs of their family.”

From left: Jeff Schaller ’02 and Hunter Smit ’19.

It’s a Match Mentors make a big difference in the lives and professional development of students. Since 2014, the School of Business has worked with the Whitworth Office of Alumni & Parent Relations to match students with mentors in their desired career fields. By communicating regularly throughout the academic year, students receive personal and professional guidance, industry insight, and a sense of what it is like to work in the business world.

Business management student Hunter Smit ’19 has long been intrigued by Apple Inc. and the possibility of a future career at the major tech company. In fall 2016, he was matched with Jeff Schaller ’02, a Whitworth alumni mentor at Apple. Smit was nervous about calling Schaller, but he realized in the first few minutes of their initial

conversation that the match was a good fit. “My favorite part of the program has been being able to ask Jeff questions and hearing his responses,” he says. “Jeff has so much experience and insight, and I always walk away thinking about something I’ve never considered before.”

The rapport established by the two culminated in Smit visiting the Bay Area to live out his dream of touring the Apple campus. The experience was “inspiring,” he says, noting that “seeing that someone from Whitworth made a career with Apple was really encouraging and showed me that path is a viable option.”

To indicate your interest in serving as an alumni mentor, visit whitworth.edu/mentor.

11

Broussard is pictured fourth from left at Root Sports in Seattle.

Possibility

NEW REALMS OF

By Izzy Broussard ’19 This past Spring Break, I found myself in the back of a 10-passenger van, clothed in business-casual slacks and very sensible heels. Making probably the most mature decision of my life, I had decided to sacrifice a bit of Spring Break bliss to tour Seattle companies and network with Whitworth alums on the 2018 Business Trek.

beautiful skyscrapers that held companies such as C+C Communications, to more modest offices that held startups like Tagboard, and everything in between. It was easy to see the contrasts between companies because we toured them back to back for two days. I now have a better understanding of what I want in an employer.

As I closed out my junior year, I thought critically and wondered, “Do I have what it takes to be successful in business?” I absolutely loved the material I studied at Whitworth, but have wondered if I am doing all I can to set myself up for the real world. The Business Trek allowed me to take another step toward preparation for post-grad life.

The most helpful part of the experience was networking with Whitworth alumni. There was an evening dedicated to connecting students with alums, who were incredibly intentional and kind. They actually care about my future and getting me connected to opportunities. I walked back to the hotel with pockets filled with business cards and a newfound peace, knowing that if past Whitworth students could go beyond the Pinecone Curtain to conquer and flourish, so could I.

With a group of 40 other students, I got to experience the organizational cultures of prosperous companies like Starbucks, Amazon and Zillow. We toured

12

THE NEXT STEP

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR The Whitworth School of Business is committed to helping students launch successful careers. This is why in 2013 the school created a staff position dedicated to assisting students in their searches for good jobs in their chosen fields.

Alisha Shaw MBA ’15, assistant director of internships & external relations, provides career resources to the WSB’s 350 undergraduate students. She offers career coaching and development as well as experiential learning opportunities, including mentor and employer connections, mock interview events, and business treks. WSB Dean Tim Wilkinson says, “Alisha has done a superb job advising students on potential career paths and helping them learn to network. Her dedication and concern for students are outstanding.”

Students may meet with Shaw individually to explore job applications, networking, career paths and résumé building. Working year-round to build relationships with alumni and members of the business community, she is able to connect students with internship and career opportunities that fit their individual interests.

“In collaboration with the Whitworth Office of Alumni & Parent Relations, we have been connecting more and more students for career conversations with alumni who have walked in their shoes,” Shaw says. “Whitworth alumni are generous in helping current students, either through mentorship or by opening the door to internships and employment at their companies.”

Matthew Wilkinson ’18 shares his thoughts on working with Shaw and the importance of her role: “Navigating the job market can be confusing and frustrating, especially while trying to balance classes and other activities. Having someone in the School of Business who can serve as a guide and a mentor enables us to focus and find direction in our search for a career after graduation. The ability to engage with a single point of contact when seeking interview advice or new opportunities simplifies the entire process.”

For internship or job recruitment, contact Alisha Shaw at ashaw@whitworth.edu.

13

RESEARCH ROBIN HENAGER

DAVID SLOAN

Henager, R. and Anong, S. T. (2018). “How does perceived financial well-being vary with funding options used to pay for college? A study using APLUS data.” The American Council on Consumer Interests Annual Conference.

Sloan, D., Aiken, D., and Mikkelson, A. “Places in names: an investigation of regional geographic brand congruency.”

Forthcoming in Journal of Product & Brand Management.

We found that 27 percent of our sample had student loans and over 36 percent were working an average of almost six hours per week while in college. Those who combined loans with working to pay for college reported lower levels of satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5 compared to those whose funding strategies included grants, scholarships and money from family. Additionally, compared to those who lived on campus, those who lived in their own or rental property were less satisfied with their financial status. However, there was no difference between those living on campus and those living at home with parents or others. Similar results were obtained with the indicator “worried about money.”

EDNA NDICHU Ndichu, E. and Shikha Upadhyaya. “‘Going Natural’: Black Women’s Identity Project Shifts in Hair Care Practices.” Forthcoming in Consumption Markets & Culture.

This paper investigates the experiences of urban, Black women in Kenya as they disengage from the normative practice of altering their natural hair texture using chemical straighteners (a practice that conforms to Eurocentric beauty ideals of straight, flowing hair), and adopt the non-normative hair care practice of “going natural,” in which the women embrace their natural hair texture and hairstyles. Findings from this research reveal that the women face tensions in this identity-related consumption context due to the globalization of Western consumption standards and the dominant sociocultural discourses that have shaped hair care practices and the ideology around natural Black hair (e.g., Black hair in its natural texture is untidy and unprofessional). An investigation in this understudied context provides consumer researchers with a deeper understanding of the constraints that this important consumer segment faces when they attempt to counter the norms and reimagine their identity projects, and provides useful insights for diversity marketing.

14

One area I have been researching is the impact of including regional geographic references in brand names. Companies do it all the time (Arizona Iced Tea, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, etc.), but does it actually make a difference? We ran an experiment to see if using regional cues in the brand name increases consumer attitudes, like brand trust, brand parity, perceived value and purchase intentions.

Consumers did in fact have more favorable perceptions of brands that used fitting geographic regions in the name (even over other regions and non-geographic names, like Smith Farms). This is because consumers have associations with different places stored in their memories about either the natural resources or the skills/expertise of the people who hail from that region, so therefore they automatically trust those brands more and are more likely to purchase them.

LARISON SHARES WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN NEW BOOK School of Business Advisory Board member Hoyt “Larry” Larison has published Build a Better Business (2017), a book based on the lessons he learned as the president and CEO of Columbia Paint & Coatings. During his 31-year career, Larison developed 41 distribution centers in eight states, and ultimately sold his company to SherwinWilliams Co. Whitworth School of Business Dean Tim Wilkinson offers high praise: “This excellent book contains points of focus and protocols which, if followed diligently, are a proven path to business success. It is a must-read for anyone who wants clear instructions on how to successfully scale up a business.” Larison presently operates Larison & Associates’ Columbia Management System.

WSB ADVISORY BOARD 2017-18

GREGG AMEND ’97 Partner Moss Adams LLP ALLEN BATTLE Founder A Strategic Solution DARIA BROWN ’98 CPA Fruci & Associates, PS RANDY CLARK Consultant BILL CONDON ’03 Managing Director Colliers International BILL CURRY ’73 Board Chair Huntron Instruments CRAIG DIAS K&N Electric Motors MARTY DICKINSON Marketing and Communications Executive Vice President Umpqua Bank PETER ENKEMA ’69 Sales Associate Coldwell Banker Tomlinson

BOB INGERSOLL ’67 Retired, Corporate Vice President – Contracts & Pricing Boeing DAVID KIMMET ’98 President Rehn & Associates LARRY LARISON President Columbia Management System RAY LAWTON Business Transition Specialist Lawton Printing JENNIFER LEHN Chief Operations Officer Numerica Credit Union DANIEL MAHONEY Retired, CEO Fastor Systems (acquired by Smart Modular Technology) JIM MASTERSON CEO LightEdge Solutions TIM MITROVICH ’01 CEO/Chief Investment Officer Ten Capital

ANDREW ERICKSON ’84 Sales Representative/Partner Washington Fruit & Produce Co.

HOLLY MONTGOMERY Vice President – Relationship Management & Private Banking US Bank

KRISTIN GOFF President Wendle Motors Inc.

OCTAVIO MORALES Senior Vice President/Operations Tierpoint

TRAVIS PREWITT ’73 President of Investments UBS Financial Services Inc. BARBARA RICHTER ’77 Retired, Center of Excellence Leader Procter & Gamble KEN ROBERTS ’68 Chief Investment Strategist Palouse Capital Management DAVE ROGERS Retired, General Manager, Climate Change Chevron Corp.

DAN SANFORD ’65 Emeritus Professor, International Management Whitworth University TOM SIMPSON Co-Founder and Chairman etailz Inc. FRED STOCKTON Retired Keywords Studios AARON VACCARO ’14 Investment Analyst WestRiver Group TIM WILKINSON Charles L. Boppell Dean School of Business Whitworth University

15

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

SPOKANE, WA PERMIT #387 300 W. Hawthorne Road | Spokane, WA 99251

YOU’RE WORTH IT. MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Evening classes whitworth.edu/mba