What makes a Linfield business degree distinctive? It is grounded in the liberal arts. That gives graduates a broader understanding of not only business, but of people and other issues that affect how decisions are made

Davis, Laura

Mileham, Mardi

English

DigitalCommons@Linfield

Linfield Magazine Volume 8 Number 3 Winter 2012 Article 5 Winter 2012 Not Just Business as Usual Laura Davis Linfield College Mardi Mileham Linfield College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/linfield_magazine Recommended Citation Davis, Laura and Mileham, Mardi (2012) "Not Just Business as Usual," Linfield Magazine: Vol. 8 : No. 3 , Article 5. Available at: https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/linfield_magazine/vol8/iss3/5 This article is brought to you for free via open access, courtesy of DigitalCommons@Linfield. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@linfield.edu. 6  -  l i n f i e l d  m a g a z i n e  Winter 2012Jeremy	Scott	’03	has	played	arena	football,	taught	at-risk	children	in	Guatemala,	co-founded	the	company	Ilegal	Mezcal	in	Guatemala	and	established	an	export	company	in	China.	 And	that’s	just	in	the	nine	years	since	graduating	from	Linfield	College.	With	majors	in	international	business	and	Spanish,	Scott	is	like	many	Linfield	College	business	alumni.	He	has	a	thirst	for	adventure,	embraces	hard	work,	pays	attention	to	detail	and	has	an	innate	ability	to	recognize		opportunities.	He	is	not	afraid	to	take	risks.	He	is	a	liberal	arts	business	graduate.	 “There	are	so	many	opportunities	out	there	if	you	just	open	your	eyes	and	look	around,”	said	Scott.	“Each	of	the	companies	I	have	helped	found	had	some	early	movement	before	I	got	involved.	I	just	made	sure	to	get	on	the	wagon	before	it	started	moving	too	fast.	I	guess	I	have	a	pretty	good	eye	for	picking	out	the	wagons	which	are	going	to	surge	ahead	of	all	the	others.”		 Like	many	Linfield	graduates,	Scott	is	difficult	to	pigeonhole.	His	interests	are	wide	and	varied	and	he	combines	his	passion	for	business	with	other	values	that	drive	his	life.	And,	like	his	Linfield	peers,	he	nurtured	his	many	interests	in	Linfield’s	liberal	arts	environment.	 Business	is	the	largest	undergraduate	major	in	the	U.S.	But	traditional	undergraduate	business	education	can	be	narrow,	according	to	a	national	study	of	undergraduate	business	education	by	The	Carnegie	Foundation	for	the	Advancement	of	Teaching.	Linfield’s	business	program	is	different.	Because	the	program	is	grounded	in	the	liberal	arts,	Linfield	students	learn	about	business	through	a	lens	of	critical	thinking,	are	challenged	to	think	creatively	and	to	understand	the	roles	and	practices	of	business	in	a	larger	context.	 When	Harold	Elkinton	arrived	in	1927	to	establish	the	business	department	at	the	request	of	President	Leonard	Riley,	he	could	not	foretell	the	impact	the	department	would	have	on	the	future	of	Linfield	College.	Elkinton	pioneered	internships	and	launched	a	professional	program	that	has	had	broad	appeal.	Business	majors	are	among	the	most	popular	both	in	the	Adult	Degree	Program	and	on	the	McMinnville	Campus.	On	average,	one	quarter	of	Linfield	graduates	have	received	degrees	in	business	in	recent	years.		 Linfield’s	integration	of	business	and	liberal	arts	was	further	enhanced	when	the	business	department	recently	moved	into		T.J.	Day	Hall	(formerly	Northup	Library).	Instead	of	being	somewhat	isolated	in	Taylor	Hall,		business	faculty	now	rub	elbows	with	philosophers,	poets	and	economists,	prompting	Mike	Jones,	Elkinton	professor	of	accounting,	to	call	the	move	“the	best	thing	that	has	happened	to	our	department	in	a	very	long	time.”	Not just  business as usualLC_Magazine_mag24.indd  6 2/20/12  1:14 PMWinter 2012  l i n f i e l d  m a g a z i n e  -  7An	explicit	goal	of	the	renovation	project	was	to	provide	greater	interaction	among	students	and	faculty	in	the	liberal	arts	and	the	business	department.	 With	a	recently	completed	strategic	plan	in	place,	the	business	department	is	ensuring	it	remains	relevant	and	distinctive.	Linfield	students	need	the	knowledge	and	skills	that	will	help	them	navigate	the	changing	business	environment,	made	more	competitive	and	complex	by	the	recession.	The	changing	business	climate	has	also	provided	faculty	with	tools	and	real-world	examples	pulled	from	daily	headlines	to	use	in	the	classroom.	The	Business	Advisory	Council,	established	in	2007	and	composed	of	business	leaders,	advises	the	department	on	opportunities	inside	and	outside	the	classroom	to	help	mold	the	next	generation	of	business	leaders.	 Sharon	Wagner	joined	Linfield	as	business	department	chair	in	2010.	With	a	background	that	combines	academics,	consulting	and	work	in	private	industry,	she	brings	a	fresh	outlook	and	knowledge	about	the	importance	of	linking	business	with	other	disciplines.	 “We	draw	upon	the	liberal	arts	and	professional	programs	to	help	our	students	look	at	problems	from	various	perspectives,”	she	said.	“Other	schools	might	have	general	education	requirements,	but	we	are	deliberate	about	helping	students	integrate	the	liberal	arts	core	courses	with	their	business	studies.”		 With	the	economic	meltdown	and	scandals	that	rocked	the	business	community	in	the	last	decade,	ethics	courses	have	“A small liberal arts school allowed me the leeway to figure out what I wanted to do. Working on the newspaper helped me to be critical of all writing, which has been invaluable to my work. You don’t mince words in the  law and they mean everything  in my career.”Julie Weston Wolff ’91Attorney, partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLPBusiness majorJeremy Scott ’03 played football, studied abroad and majored in both Spanish and business. After graduating from Linfield and before he launched his business career, he wanted to work with children and spent two and half years volunteering with Safe Passage in Guatemala. Calling it a rewarding and memorable experience, he worked with poor children and families and helped establish an English program for the 600 students he worked with. The program continues to thrive today. LC_Magazine_mag24.indd  7 2/20/12  1:14 PM8  -  l i n f i e l d  m a g a z i n e  Winter 2012received greater scrutiny. How do you teach ethical behavior? “I agree that a focus on ethics has never been more important in business education,” Wagner said. “Our approach is to focus on ethical standards and the personal, organizational and societal consequences of ethical and unethical behavior. We help students think introspectively and carefully about their own values along with the ethical standards and how they will apply them in the workplace.” Instead of teaching one stand-alone business ethics course, the department is incorporating a substantial ethics section in each course. “We want to integrate ethical questions and discussions throughout all topics and help students work through those issues,” she added. New content, new programsThe business department offers five majors (management, marketing, finance, accounting, international business), .unusual for a small college. Each has a required core of courses, as well as “With a finance and math degree, I’m very numbers oriented. It was helpful to  have the writing and arts experience. I got the complete tool set to carry with me  into the business world.”Ashlee (Tucker) Moehring ’02Consultant and principal shareholder,  R.V. Kuhns and AssociatesVirlena Crosley ’89, visiting assistant professor of business, is a new faculty member in business and teaches courses in strategic management and human resource management. She has taught in the U.S. and China and held management positions with the State of Oregon and has also worked for companies and trade associations.LC_Magazine_mag24.indd  8 2/22/12  9:52 AMWinter 2012  l i n f i e l d  m a g a z i n e  -  9specialized	classes.	The	department’s	strategic	planning	process	is	taking	a	closer	look	at	how	those	objectives	compare	with	external	(or	business)	standards.		 At	the	same	time,	the	department	is	actively	developing	new	content	and	new	programs.	A	minor	in	business	that	attracted	few	students	is	being	replaced	by	a	minor	in	management	that	will	be	more	relevant	to	students	across	campus.	 “We	think	that	the	management	minor	will	be	a	terrific	way	for	students	from	other	majors	to	obtain	exposure	to	the	study	of	business	while	at	Linfield,”	Wagner	said.	“The	minor	is	focused	on	the	effective	management	of	people	(oneself	and	others)	in	organizations.	All	students	are	likely	to	be	involved	with	organizations	during	their	careers:	for-profit,	nonprofit,	government	or	educational	institutions.”			 Faculty	are	also	teaming	up	with	other	departments	to	consider	interdisciplinary	programs	in	areas	such	as	social	engagement	and	enterprise,	and	sport	management.	“This	is	a	way	in	which	we	can	further	draw	upon	and	combine	the	strengths	of	the	professional	programs	and	the	liberal	arts,”	she	added.		 Wagner	said	it’s	critical	that	students	remain	engaged	with	other	departments	and	programs	throughout	their	college	career.	The	department	strongly	encourages	students	to	select	minors	and	places	emphasis	on	studying	languages	and	taking	advantage	of	study	abroad	opportunities.		 That	encouragement	led	Jordan	Bebee	’03	to	combine	his	interest	in	philosophy	with	a	career	goal	in	accounting	that	would	ensure	he	could	get	a	good	job	after	college.	And	those	two	interests	continue	to	complement	each	other.	 “I	look	at	everything	through	a	philosophical	lens,”	said	Bebee,	an	accounting	major	and	philosophy	minor,	who	is	now	a	director	and	partner	at	the	Thomas	Capital	Group.	“What	is	best	for	the	world?	I	use	my	philosophy	education	every	day	in	looking	at	our	business	decisions	and	internal	policies.	 “Numbers	come	easy	to	me,	so	a	business	major	was	a	practical	decision,”	he	added.	“Philosophy	is	something	you	do	throughout	your	life,	regardless	of	your	job.”	Work experienceInternships	are	a	crucial	component	of	the	Linfield	business	education,	and	not	only	provide	real-world	experiences,	but	can	lead	to	job	offers	after	graduation.	While	some	students	receive	credit,	many	others	complete	internships	simply	for	the	experience,	according	to	Michelle	Nelson,	professor	of	business,	who	tracks	internships	for	the	department.	Some	37	business	students	completed	internships	for	credit	last	year,	and	Nelson	believes	that	more	than	double	that	number	completed	non-credit	internships,	although	students	often	don’t	report	them.	 “We	encourage	students	to	do	as	many	internships	as	they	can	in	order	to	gain	practical	experience	and	establish	relationships	in	their	fields,”	Nelson	said.	“We	work	closely	with	the	Career	Development	Center	and	encourage	employers	to	post	internships	online	in	addition	to	contacting	me	about	openings.”			 In	the	past	three	years,	students	have	completed	internships	at	nonprofits	such	as	museums,	school	foundations,	service	organizations,	and	in	a	variety	of	businesses	including	CPA	firms,	banks,	law	offices,	hotels,	insurance	agencies,	publishing	houses	and	entertainment	companies.		 Amy	Hasenoehrl	’12,	an	economics	and	finance	double	major,	served	as	an	intern	at	First	Investors	Corporation	in	Beaverton,	and	currently	puts	her	finance	skills	to	work	at	two	local	businesses.	 “Managing	sales	records	and	marketing	distribution	lists	at	Brickhouse	Winery	has	exposed	me	to	agricultural	finance,	something	that	I’m	interested	in	pursuing	in	graduate	school,”	said	Hasenoehrl,	who	also	assists	portfolio	managers	at	Headwater	Investments.Faculty		 Members	of	the	business	faculty	have	richly	diverse	backgrounds.	Many	have	worked	or	studied	abroad	and	most	have	hands-on	experience	in	private	industry.	They	know	the	reality	of	the	business	world.	Such	broad	interests	and	skills	can	lead	to	creativity	and	innovative	ideas.		 “All	of	our	faculty	have	some	connection	with	working	for	corporations	or	consulting	or	have	developed	strong	relationships	with	local	companies,”	Wagner	added.	“The	real-world	examples	they	take	into	the	classroom	bring	concepts	alive	for	students.”	 Tyler	McGee	can	speak	from	experience	about	being	a	director	at	a	marketing	firm	and	what	students	need	to	consider	beyond	the	textbook.	Denise	Farag	’88	has	practiced	law	and	been	a	small-business	owner,	so	she	can	speak	from	both	the	legal	and	“What’s unique about Linfield is that you are working with professors who have the highest degrees in their field, who own businesses, who are  doing research and who  have connections outside the school. You can ask about a scenario and they have experienced it.”  Kyle Abeln ’11Financial advisor, Edward JonesEconomics and finance majorLC_Magazine_mag24.indd  9 2/20/12  1:14 PM1 0  -  l i n f i e l d  m a g a z i n e  Winter 2012the	business	side.	Scott	Chambers	runs	an	investment	advisory	company.	The	business	faculty	are	well	connected	with	the	McMinnville	and	Portland	business	communities,	which	helps	the	department	to	stay	current	and	to	make	internship	and	job	connections	for	students.	The		accounting	faculty	are	extremely		well	connected	in	the	local	and	state-wide	accounting	communities.ResourcefulnessCollege	provides	an	opportunity	for	students	to	develop	a	portfolio	of	skills	and	knowledge	that	can	be	translated	into	a	variety	of	jobs.	Students	need	to	learn	to	write	well,	think	critically	and	know	how	to	condense	and	summarize	information	for	different	audiences.	They	need	to	be	able	to	take	theory	and	translate	it	into	practice	and	learn	how	to	work	with	people	with	different	backgrounds,	cultures	and	temperaments.		 “The	skills	and	knowledge	students	develop	here	are	really	the	jumping-off	point,”	Wagner	said.	“We	need	to	help	them	understand	Rich Emery, professor of accounting, meets with Thomas Bryan ’13 and Lydia Smith ’12 in new quarters in T.J. Day Hall. Emery, along with nine business faculty colleagues, encourages students to remain engaged with other departments, select minors outside of the business department and to participate in Linfield’s wide study abroad options. “My degree gave me a broader understanding, rather than just straight business courses. The liberal arts component helped me with my leadership skills and helped me understand people better.”Jeff Kresner ’71Retired director, Emergency Service,  American Red CrossBusiness majorLC_Magazine_mag24.indd  10 2/20/12  1:14 PMWinter 2012  l i n f i e l d  m a g a z i n e  -  1 1that	they	are	amassing	a	set	of	skills	and	knowledge	that	they	will	continue	to	build	upon	their	entire	life.	They	are	most	certainly	not	training	right	now	for	the	job	they	may	have	in	10	years,	but	they	are	developing	a	set	of	competencies	they	will	draw	upon.		 “It’s	a	tough	market	out	there,	but	a	student	who	develops	a	portfolio	of	competencies	at	Linfield,	takes	advantage	of	our	multidisciplinary	offerings,	and	develops	the	perspective	of	a	lifelong	learner	is	in	a	strong	position	to	build	a	rewarding	career,	“she	said.”Jeremy	Scott’s	upbringing	in	a	family	with	ties	to	both	ranching	and	bankig	contributed	to	his	business	acumen	and	ability	to	identify	opportunities.		He	admits	he	has	confidence	and	enjoys	taking	calculated	risks.	 “My	family	has	taken	some	great	risks	and	reaped	some	great	rewards	in	their	businesses,”	he	said.	“I	enjoy	proving	that		I	can	do	it	on	my	own.”	 But	he	also	brings	a	sense	of	personal	values	to	his	work,	which	pulled	him	to	work	with	children	in	Guatemala.	Through	Safe	Passage	he	spent	more	than	two	years	working	with	desperately	poor	children	and	families	who	live	next	to	and	work	in	the	Guatemala	City	landfill,	helping	set	up	an	English	program	that	is	thriving	today.	He	calls	it	one	of	his	most	memorable	and	rewarding	experiences.	 Good	business	sense,	combined	with	social	responsibility	equals	win-win	scenarios.– Laura Davis, Mardi Mileham“I’m able to combine things from other disciplines and when learning business, that’s really important. I can bring other ideas to the table because I have been able to combine what I’ve learned in business with what  I’ve learned in other subjects.  It has made me look at business from a different perspective.” Nicole Szanto ’12International business majorWayne Bailey, left, owner of Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn, explains the importance of biodynamic farming to business students Taylor Vandecoevering ’12, Emily Zegar ’12 and Aaron Williams ’12 during a January Term class, Career Exploration: The Wine Industry Lens. “The best fertilizer you can put on your vineyard is your footprint,” Bailey said.LC_Magazine_mag24.indd  11 2/20/12  1:14 PM

Not Just Business as Usual

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Not Just Business as Usual

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