As I complete my first year as dean of the School of Business, I have found tremendous joy in associating with amazing young men and women who have answered a calling to study business and serve others through a career in business. As they graduate, these students give me reason for great optimism about the future. In the recent tragic events we have experienced as a community, our students have been a beacon of God’s love to the world, and I know they will do the same as graduates.
Some of these graduates will soon be making important contributions at marquee companies like Costco, Moss-Adams, Boeing, Microsoft, and Deloitte. Many of our graduates will join a family business or roll up their sleeves in a startup. And more than a few will take service roles in churches or nonprofits, commence their mission work, or go off to graduate school.
Meanwhile, I want to thank all of our shareholders who helped fully fund the Don Summers endowment. In this year’s Social Venture Plan Competition, the “People’s Choice Award” was given in Don’s name. We are still actively looking to fund the Margaret Edgell endowment, however, so I ask for your continued support.
Let me also draw your attention to the BVR/SPU Valuation Challenge, an incredibly innovative university competition we run that requires student teams to value a privately held company. SPU’s team finished third this year.
The eighth annual Social Venture Plan Competition was another great success, thanks to brilliant student teams and generous sponsors. We’ve extended the competition in partnership with Urban Impact to focus on urban entrepreneurship.
We’ve also started a Rotaract chapter and are grateful to the Magnolia Rotary Foundation for immediately stepping up to fund two scholarships for SPU students.
So in the midst of many challenges, there is still plenty of good news. Join me in being grateful for this year’s dedicated students. And if you like, follow me on twitter @SPUBizDean.