Contributed by Mark Emerson

SIFE  produced unique sling backpacks for Special Olympics personnel.  2200 gift bags were presented to the athletes, 1150 gift bags for delegates and coaches, and 300 gift bags for the media.  These bags contained materials that encouraged athletes to be more environmentally friendly, such as a flash drive for each athlete loaded with a series of steps on how they can improve their environment when they go home.  There was also an Idaho Spuddy Buddy for each athlete, water bottles with environmental action steps printed on the side, lotion, a hand-knit scarf donated from people all over the world, trading pins for the athletes to place on their backpacks, and many other items.  Because of SIFE’s involvement in this project, both the NNU and SIFE logos were clearly emblazoned on the water bottles and backpacks.

The SIFE team was also given an opportunity to be part of the Olympic Fair at the Center on the Grove in Boise.  Our students were able to meet many of the athletes and help them sign a section of the Special Olympics Mural. (See the article dated 2-10)  The whole project has been an enlightening experience as the NNU community stepped up to be involved.  The NNU art department helped with the design of the mural and there were over 400 volunteers for the backpack stuffing project.
 
NNU SIFE President Lisa Bloomquist said, “Seeing the faces of the athletes in downtown Boise, who stopped to share even two minutes of their stories, made the effort of the project worth all the time invested.  The athletes were very excited to take pictures, tell about their sport, and offer you a smile, high-five, or handshake before taking off to discover the rest of what Boise had to offer.”

NNU has been asked to be responsible for significant efforts associated with the Global Stewardship (or “Greening”) aspect of this world event.    The Greening of the Games initiative is funded in part by the Walmart Foundation. 

NNU’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team has reached an agreement with the Games Organizing Committee to assume responsibility for two projects designed to emphasize and teach the greening initiative to participants from around the world.   The projects include; 

• Eco-Bags:  Gift bags given to every participant, delegate, official, coach, press and VIPs will be created and delivered by NNU.  We will incorporate a strong Stewardship message into the gift bag effort, and the participants from around the world will carry our bags, and our message, back to 113 home countries
• The Games Mural:  NNU has created a dual-themed mural (themes are Greening and Education) that is now located in downtown Boise at the corner of 8th and Main, directly across from the Boise Center on the Grove; the Center on the Grove will house many activities, including the Olympic Village experience.  The mural is approximately 300′ long by 8′ high.  If you are in Boise in the next couple of months, go by and see the Mural

These efforts involve commitments from the entire NNU campus community.   Essential consulting and engagement will come from Education, Social Work, Counseling, Graphic Arts, Science, Mass Communications, Art, Computer Science, and others.   Expertise of both students and faculty will be employed.  Additional support will be contributed by staff and administrators in public relations, IT, printing, fund raising and more.  

NNU continues to fulfill its mission through social responsibility and creative engagement.

Contributed by Bill Russell

Dr. Hyeung-Il Kim and three students from Korea Nazarene University (KNU) visited the NNU campus November 1-8, hosted by the NNU School of Business.  The students and Dr. Kim were part of an effort by KNU President Dr. Abraham Im to provide cultural and academic exposure to other Nazarene colleges and universities throughout the world.

The KNU entourage toured Boise visiting the Boise Towne Square Mall, the MK Nature Center, historical Train Depot, and the Snake river conservation area.  They were also taken on a day trip to McCall where they went ice skating, took lots of pictures, and had a party at Red Robin on the return trip (see video).  On campus they visited classes, attended chapels, TimeOut (student worship), and enjoyed Homecoming activities.  Faculty, staff, and several SIFE students provided housing, hosting, and cultural connections.   

While visiting classes, the KNU students observed student presentations, discussion, and interactions.  They commented on the high level of student participation in classes.  They also expressed appreciation for the kindness of the students and NNU community.  Dr. Kim commented on the chapel services and warmness of spirit.

In January 2009, up to 20 KNU students will arrive on NNU’s campus as part of the KNU/NNU cross-cultural exchange to experience life on campus.  They will be taking classes, visiting businesses, and experiencing American culture for most of the semester.  NNU students will benefit from the exchange. 

NNU student and SIFE President Lisa Bloomquist helped host the KNU students.  “I had a lot of fun spending time with the Korean students this week.  It was hard at times to communicate through the language barrier, but I feel like I learned their personalities in the short time they were here.  They were very excited to experience everything that we have here, but they were also very interested in sharing things from their culture.  I learned a little Korean, and also got to experience a Korean style breakfast of Kimchi soup, rice, and Korean beef after we went to an Asian market to get supplies.  I have wondered about teaching English in Korea for a year after I graduate, and I now feel more confident about a possible future adventure in Korea.” 

Panel members were Boise State University Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier, Council of Better Business Bureaus Senior Vice President of BBB Capacity Nora Carpenter, former Washington Group CEO Steve Hanks, and former Boise Cascade CEO George Harad.  Moderators of the event were Associate Dean of the NNU School of Business Bill Russell, and President of the Boise BBB Dale Dixon. SIFE collaborated on the presentation with the Boise Better Business Bureau, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, Peppershock, and Idaho Department of Finance. Questions asked to the panelists were written by members of the SIFE team.

Local TV station KIVI reported the event at http://www.kivitv.com/global/story.asp?s=9156851 under the title “Local Business Leaders Talk Ethics.”  The video report may be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de6eW3mx-x4.

Comments from the panel include;

• Honesty is disarming and the right thing to do.  Telling the truth is difficult, but gets better afterward.  To withhold the truth just gets worse and worse.
• Ethics is the constant that does not change when circumstances do.
• Integrity will do more to drive people to your leadership than anything else.
• Business is not transactional, but relational.  It’s what happens over time.  The Golden Rule works because it is relational.
• When things are easy, ethics is not a challenge.  Ethics becomes harder when we lose things or pay a price. But even when paying a price, do what is right.  It’s the smart thing to do.

R.G. Vanderpool