Students across campus are frequently experiencing ministry trips around the world.  In this article, Business student Taylor Rauch shares one of her summer ministry trips.

“A month prior to my high school graduation, I received the opportunity to take part in a medical mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala. My mother is an RN, and I was invited to travel with Team 258 to document a life-changing trip through photography and a daily blog, as well as assist in translating for the local patients and staff. I have grown up going on mission trips, so this was far from my first. However, my heart was the most humbled in this trip as I was able to share the story of the patients through my eyes.

“In Guatemala, many of the impoverished find themselves situated in the jungle on the sides of the volcanoes. The hospital at which we worked and performed surgeries was also an orphanage for children who’s families could not provide the care that they needed, or by special needs children and adults that would not have been able to live in the mud huts and poverty of their families. Walking through the rooms of the orphanage was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever had. There were two rooms in particular that just broke my heart. The first was a room for malnourished infants, as well as many babies impacted with cleft lips and palettes. These children were looked down on by the culture, and at times were left at the orphanage because their family simply did not want them, or thought they inhibited a bad omen. In the next room, there were rows and rows of baby cribs, about 40 in all. Walking up and down the aisles, it became obvious that these were not babies. There were people ranging in five years of age to twenty years of age, each nestled inside their own baby crib. So malnourished and unhealthy that even at the age of twenty, they were still able to fit in a crib. They were still children in means of their mind, but each of them were so happy to see us. It was uplifting to see the smiles spread across their faces as we walked down the aisles and interacted with them.

“This is something that has stuck with me, even nearly two years later. I hope to someday return to Guatemala and continue the work that is continually being done there. Faith in Practice was the group that I traveled with, and the hearts of the people involved and dedicating their life to these children and patients are the most compassionate hearts that I have ever met.

“The cultural differences between our group and the locals were immense and I was touched to see the gratefulness and respect with which the patients treated us. I learned a lot about different cultures and simply about the abundant gratefulness of others when you take the time out of your schedule to help. Trips like these can bear great impact on our lives, especially those who travel to help others.”

Article and pictures by Taylor Rauch

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Dr. Sam Dunn recently had an article on Motivation Theory published.  The article was published in the Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practice Conference, Kazakh-American Free University, Ust Kamenogorski, Kazakhstan, October 2011:   Motivation (тезисы) // Международная интеграция образовательного пространства:приоритеты и перспективы развития: Сб. докл. междунар. науч.-практ. конф. (27-29 октября 2011 года).  Часть 1.  Усть-Каменогорск, 2011.  С. 20-26. (0,4 п.л.).

Motivation is a topic important to managers and leaders of organizations, whether those organizations are for-profit, government, or not-for-profit organizations. Managers and leaders must know how to motivate their colleagues and workers to accomplish the strategies and goals of their organizations. It is generally believed that “highly motivated employees are a critical factor in the long-term success of many organizations” (Drake, Wong, & Salter, 2007, p. 72).

In his paper the word motivation is defined, a concise review of the development of the theory is given, followed by a discussion of culture and motivation.  He then discusses a recent development in the theory, and finally offers a call for country-specific research about motivation.

Dr. Ron Galloway

Drs. Sam Dunn and Ron Galloway also published an article about Islam, Islamic Finance, and Christianity, published in the latest issue of the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business.

Islam now claims 1.5 billion adherents around the world and up to 3 million Muslims in the United States. As Islam grows social institutions are developing that conform to Shariah law and principles. Among them are Islamic banks and Islamic financial products which are becoming recognized as legitimate options to conventional banks. Since economic and business systems around the world are increasingly integrated and businesspersons from the United States will most likely be interacting at some level with Muslims, it is important that U.S. businesspersons understand Islam and Islamic finance. To be salt and light and to interact in Christlike ways with Muslims, Christians need to know what Muslims believe, and especially what Muslims believe about Jesus.

In this paper the authors first describe Islam by giving its history and principal theological doctrines. Then several important features of Islamic finance and various financial products are described.

Filed under: Helstrom Happenings, ISLAM, ISLAMIC FINANCE, MOTIVATION, RON GALLOWAY, SAMM DUNN, SHARIAH LAW | Comments Off

It’s been a busy week in the Helstrom Building, with everyone focused on assignment deadlines and final exams.  Students found that break-out rooms make fine study halls, and mimicked the Wall Street Occupation by staking their claim in Room 208 and camping out from early morning to late evening.  Soon they will be on their way home to family, Mom’s cooking, and Christmas celebrations.  And before they know it, it will be time to return  to campus and start another semester.

All of us in the School of Business wish you and your loved ones a very special and sacred Merry Christmas.   In the words of Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens’  A Christmas Carol, “God bless us, everyone!”

Filed under: Business Alumni, Helstrom Happenings, HOLLY JOFFER, JANETTE BUMGARNER, MICHELLE CUNNINGHAM, STEPHANIE LEMONS | Comments Off

NNU is pleased to announce the opening of its new Boise Center campus. Located in downtown Boise, Idaho, on Park Blvd., the new center has many amenities to offer to its students. This Boise campus hosts graduate, adult and professional programs in accounting and business with plans to incorporate classes in education, counseling and social work.

When asked about the impact this new center will have on the Boise Valley, Ron Galloway, Boise Center director, said, “The new Boise Center, located across the street from both Boise State and the University of Idaho in the Washington Group Plaza, gives NNU greater visibility in the Boise Metro area. As academic offerings and student numbers increase in Boise, the importance of this new location will become evident.”

The new facility includes four classrooms with ample room for 125 students. A student computer lab with 20 laptops as well as three desktop computers are available for student use. The new Boise Center has breakout rooms both inside and outside of the suite as well as a conference room and an on-site cafeteria.

See Nazarene Communication Network for more on this story.

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The School of Business hosted a visit from Dean Walker, Alumnus of the Year, and Scott Englund, Leon Doane Young Alumnus as they shared their experience in business with NNU Business students.  The meeting was sponsored by the American Marketing Association and hosted by Dr. Konya Weber’s Principles of Marketing class, but available to students across campus.  The hotlinks above showcase the qualifications and achievements of each speaker.  Click here for a video of the event.  Several students contributed favorite and impacting quotes from the speakers;

Dean Walker

• “Trust is not gained overnight.”
• “People want to do business with people they can trust.”
• “There is no substitute for a good work ethic.”
• “If you are going to do [business] successfully, you need to separate family and business as much as you can.”
  “It can’t be all about you; I believe very much in servant leadership.”

Scott Englund

• “I love business but I have a passion to serve as well.”
• “Everything in business is people.”
• “Behind every crisis is a huge opportunity.”
• “There’s no reason that you have to give in to unethical decisions.”
• “Always take the high road.”
• “It’s not an accident that you have talents and passions.”
• “Don’t limit yourself to the world’s perspective of the business world.”

Contributors Ryan Rebischke, Jessica Jackson, and Janette Bumgarner

Filed under: Business Alumni, Helstrom Happenings, ALUMNI, DEAN WALKER, JANETTE BUMGARNER, JESSICA JACKSON, KONYA WEBER, RYAN REBISCHKE, SCOTT ENGLUND | Comments Off

The United Way of Treasure Valley conducted a Poverty Simulation in Harter Lecture Hall for the students of NNU.  The interactive experience helped people begin to understand what it feels like to live in poverty. Participants in this simulation took on the role of a family member facing a variety of challenging, but typical, circumstances from homelessness, job loss, and poverty with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress. Students were confronted with the harsh realities of poverty and discussed ways in which our community can address this problem.  Please note student and faculty comments;

“If we think our life is stressful, frustrating, and hard as students; imagine if you had two kids, no job, and no education.  Now that is tough!”  Janette Bumgarner

“It was fun to watch how all the “families” chaotically ran around trying to get their bills paid.”  Darren King

“They let us loose before I felt like I had even a muddy idea of what we were doing. At first I was frustrated with that, but then they pointed out that people in poverty face the same uncertainty. They aren’t given all the rules either.  The chaos ended after 50 minutes, but for the world there’s no finish line where all those problems go away.  Tim Vanderpool

“The simulation was shocking as I saw people stealing just to survive for the month because they had no other way of ‘surviving’.”    Gregg Miller

“I was assigned the role of police, and it was interesting to watch the students’ reactions as they were charged with leaving underage children home alone to seek employment, robbing the bank to feed the family/pay bills, as well as being evicted from their homes for lack of payments. Granted, while it was a simulation, hopefully it impacted the students to consider their own roles in society and demands for those in poverty.”  Dr. Karen Jones

“Poverty Simulation was a great way for students to begin to understand the competing demands that people without resources face every day.  The way United Way presented the program helped students understand that these needs exist right here in the Treasure Valley.  Students now have greater awareness and more resources to begin to address them.  Well done to Dr. Konya Weber for organizing this event.”  Dr. Steve Mountjoy

“The poverty simulation was a huge success for the students and those attending it. I appreciate all the help from the United Way and AMA sponsoring the event. The experience was fun, frustrating, chaotic, and very revealing of the need in our Nampa community. I believe our students have a greater understanding and appreciation for the difficult decisions these individuals on the edge of poverty encounter and the role United Way plays in helping them.  If given the opportunity, I would strongly urge anyone to participate in the poverty simulation as it was a valuable experience.”  Dr. Konya Weber

Filed under: Helstrom Happenings, DARREN KING, GREGG MILLER, JANETTE BUMGARNER, KAREN JONES, POVERTY, STEVE MOUNTJOY, TIM VANDERPOOL, UNITED WAY | Comments Off

Dr. Steven Mountjoy, Josh Severson, and Dr. David Chaplin

The NNU School of Business was accepted as a charter member in Omicron Delta Epsilon, the International Honor Society for Economics.

NNU is the Delta Chapter of Idaho and recipient of the 672nd charter in the history of the organization, and joins Idaho State University (1968), Boise State (1976), and University of Idaho (1994) as the only colleges or universities in Idaho with an ODE Charter.

On September 20, NNU President David Alexander presented the new charter to faculty adviser David Chaplin.

“The Omicron Delta Epsilon Chapter at NNU provides our students the opportunity to distinguish themselves through high scholastic achievement in the field of economics,” Alexander said. “The addition of ODE to the other honor societies on campus improves the overall academic reputation of the university. Furthermore, it creates a ‘quadruple threat’ of honor societies in the School of Business, which are Delta Mu Delta (business administration), Alpha Mu Alpha (marketing) and the Financial Management Honor Society.”

Josh Severson, a senior business administration and economics major from Nampa, was the first inductee in the honor society during the event.

Filed under: Helstrom Happenings, DAVID CHAPLIN, ECONOMICS, JOSH SEVERSON, OMICRON DELTA EPSILON, STEVE MOUNTJOY | Comments Off

Dr. David Chaplin, Associate Professor of Economics in the School of Business, celebrated Independence Day not at a parade, nor a barbeque, but in the Squared Circle. He was one of the fortunate officials chosen to referee and judge at the Last Chance Olympic Boxing Qualifier held in Cincinnati July 4-9. During this time he officiated 97 bouts.

This tournament provided a final opportunity for all male Olympic hopefuls who had not previously qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing. Final qualifiers will be featured at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Dr. Chaplin has presented scholarly work at domestic and international conferences on the application of economic principles to amateur boxing. His experience in Cincinnati will contribute to his academic research in this area.

Filed under: Helstrom Happenings, Uncategorized, BOXING, DAVID CHAPLIN, OLYMPICS | Comments Off

2011-2012 classes for traditional students began Tuesday, August 30.  The School of Business presently has 106 majors and 30 minors, including 30 incoming freshmen.  All Business Majors met for a departmental meeting on Thursday, September 1, where they were introduced to faculty and staff, oriented to departmental policies and upcoming events, and introduced to business club opportunities.

Majors were informed that last year’s graduating seniors had cumulatively scored in the 95^th percentile on the nationally normed ETS exam, and that in the entire history of the Department, seniors had consistently scored in the 85^th to the 95^th percentile on the ETS.

Department Business Clubs were given the opportunity to introduce leadership, a summary of their programs, and meeting times.

• Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), CIO Janette Bumgarner, meets Thursdays, 11:30, Harter room 203.
• Accounting Club, President Zach Perry, meets Tuesdays, 11:00 AM, Helstron room 201
• Student Managed Fund, President Josh Siverson, meets Thursdays at 11 AM in the NNU Trading Room (Helstrom room 207)
• American Marketing Association, President Lauren Hartford, meets Tuesdays, 11:30 AM, Harter room 203.

Filed under: Business Alumni, Helstrom Happenings, HS2NNU, Uncategorized, ACCOUNTING CLUB, AMA, JENETTE BAUMGARNER, JOSH SIVERSON, LAUREN HARTFORD, SIFE, STUDENT MANAGED FUND | Comments Off

The NNU School of Business is pleased to announce their recent acceptance as charter members in Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE), the International Honor Society in Economics. NNU is the Delta Chapter of Idaho and recipient of the 672^nd charter in the history of the organization. NNU joins Idaho State University (1968), Boise State University (1976) and University of Idaho (1994) as the only colleges or universities in Idaho with an ODE Charter.  Students interested in joining Omicron Delta Epsilon are encouraged to contact NNU’s Faculty Advisor, Dr. David Chaplin.

On September 20^th at 3:00p.m. in Helstrom 203, President Alexander will present NNU’s new charter to Faculty Advisor, Dr. David Chaplin. Josh Siverson, Senior in Business Administration and Economics, will be the first student inducted into ODE at NNU.

The Objectives and History of ODE are provided below:

Objectives:

The objectives of Omicron Delta Epsilon are recognition of scholast0ic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievements in economics; the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics within colleges and universities, and among colleges and universities; the publication of its official journal, The American Economist , and sponsoring of panels at professional meetings as well as the Irving Fisher and Frank W. Taussig competitions.

History:

Omicron Delta Epsilon, one of the world’s largest academic honor societies, was created in 1963 through the merger of two honor societies, Omicron Delta Gamma and Omicron Chi Epsilon. At the time of their merger both societies had 28 chapters. Omicron Delta Gamma’s chapters were primarily in the Midwestern and Pacific states while the chapters of Omicron Chi Epsilon were concentrated at Colleges and Universities along the Eastern Seaboard and in Texas.

Omicron Delta Gamma (The Order of Artus) was founded in 1915 by John R. Commons, University of Wisconsin and Frank Taussig, Harvard University through the union of the economics societies of their Universities. The intent of the society was the encouragement of a closer academic and social relationship between honor students and faculty on an informal basis, facilitating the exchange of information and views.

Omicron Chi Epsilon was the younger of the two organizations but of equal chapter strength at the time of the merger, having been founded in 1955 by Alan A. Brown while he was a student at City College of New York. From its inception, the Society sought to provide means not only to confer suitable honors on the more promising students but also to encourage scholarship by organized meetings at conferences and through the publication of its official journal.

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