The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration is an institution that aims to educate students about professionalism and prepare them for their future careers within the field. One such aspect which is designed to encapsulate this is the college’s annual Executive Week.
“Executive Week is a week where we focus on professionalism and service, so all the things that we embody in the Dicke College,” said Associate Professor of Management Dr. Kristie McHugh, who has been organizing Executive Week for a decade now. “And so we have a number of different events to teach students what professionalism is, a couple of events where they get to practice that professionalism, and then lots of fun stuff, too, to keep them entertained.”
Traditionally held in September of every year, Executive Week is an opportunity for business students and faculty to come together and show their passion for the college as well as give back to the Ada community. Events typically hosted every year include a food drive and a penny war fundraiser to determine a candidate to be dunked in a dunk tank. All donations and proceeds are given to Beatitudes Community Center, a local nonprofit organization in the village.
“Executive Week actually came when we hired our new dean, Dean Navin. He brought the idea with him. And we took some events that we were already doing,” said Dr. McHugh. “All of our student organizations in Dicke help us to run events, they give us volunteers for everything… My students actually proposed BizBash as an in-class project idea. This is the ninth year now.”
Students not only get to volunteer and contribute during the event, but they are also exposed to various unique opportunities for learning about the business college and professionalism that are not offered at any other time or place at ONU. These include a special career fair where business students can meet with various employers in accounting, marketing, and finance in the Dicke Atrium, as well as the Carroll V. Lovett Distinguished Lecture, a keynote speaker event.
“It contributes in the way that we give them some time to really experience these concepts that we talk about in class. And so it’s not just this abstract idea, but something they actually get to live and experience, which is great,” said Dr. McHugh.
This year’s Lovett Lecture featured Walter W. Bettinger II, Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors and former President & Chief Executive Officer of the Charles Schwab Corporation, one of the largest banks in the United States. The presentation had the highest attendance of the events at this year’s Executive Week, drawing in over 250 attendees.
“I especially enjoyed hearing Walt Bettinger,” said Alexa Lane, a student volunteer who contributed during this year’s Executive Week. “He spoke about the importance of being a servant leader and how true leadership is rooted in serving and supporting others.”
Executive Week is an opportunity for everyone in the village of Ada and the ONU campus community to come and see what the College of Business Administration is all about on a fundamental level.
“Executive Week brings together students, faculty, and members of the Ada community to build connections, learn from one another, and support the town that continually supports us,” said Lane. “Executive Week is just one example of how strong the sense of community at ONU truly is.”